Cruise Travel Tips for First-Timers
What comes to your mind when you hear Cruise Travel? For me, cruise travel offers a unique experience to explore multiple destinations in a single voyage.
When people say “we are cruising”, this is what it means. Cruise trips are smooth, the ship glides across open seas, meals are scheduled, rooms are comfortable and destinations are well planned.
This guide to cruise travel tips for first-timers focuses on preparation, on board system, budgeting and is designed to help cruiser enjoy their first time sea voyage.
How Cruise Travel Works
Cruise travel is a floating, all-inclusive resort, that allows passengers onboard travel to multiple destinations with just one unpacking.
Cruise trips combine meals, entertainment, and accommodation for the travellers. The crucial aspects include:
- Booking and earlier payment: Travellers select a cruise line, destination, and cabin type. Online check-in (boarding time selection), documentation submission, and set up on board purchases account (cashless, card, or app-based).
- Boarding and sailing: Cruisers arrive at the departure port.They attend a mandatory safety drill, (muster drill) to learn emergency procedures.
- Daily life onboard: A Sail ship has accommodation, dining (main meal, buffets), activities, such as sea days (onboard entertainment) and port days (exploring destinations).
- Port stops: Cruise docks at various cities or islands, allowing passengers to explore.
- Departure: On the last day, the cruise ship returns to the original port.
Choosing the Right Cruise Line as a First-Timer
As a first-time cruiser, choosing the suitable Cruise line is important for an adventurous and enjoyable trip.
Whether you are travelling as a family, couple, solo, retirees and seniors or a budget traveller, the determination of the Cruise line matters a lot. The most important factor to consider includes:
- Itinerary and Ports: Select based on destinations, consider if the itinerary is Perennial (yearly) or seasonal.
- Ship size:
- Large Ship: (Royal Caribbean or Carnival) provides endless activities, entertainment, and more restaurants. Ideal for families and active travellers.
- Mid-size Ship: (Celebrity Cruises or Holland America) provides a balanced experience and is easier to navigate.
- Small Ship: Ideal for couples or relaxed travellers as they are quieter.
- Budget: Select a Cruise line that is budget-friendly.
- Duration and pace: (Quick Getaways or long vacation). Short cruises (3-5 days) ideal for quick getaways; (7-10 days) ideal for moderate vacation; (12+ days) ideal for deep exploration.
- Logistics: Consider the embarkation port, important as it limits options and plan to arrive a day earlier.
Type of Cruise Lines:
- Mainstream: Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) Cruises.
- Premium/Luxury: Viking, Azamara, Regent Seven Seas, Four Seasons.
- River Cruise Line: Viking, Avalon Waterways.
Selecting the Right Cruise Cabin as First-Timer
Cabin or Staterooms are similar to hotel rooms; they serve as personal retreats during the voyage. For first-timers, cabin location matters for an enjoyable experience.
Key factors to consider include:
- Budget-friendly rooms
- Private or socialising balcony
- Crucial amenities (housekeeping, basic toiletries, spa, pool)
- Location of the cabin
Type of Cabin:
- Interior rooms: Budget-friendly rooms, don’t have windows to the seas, but (Royal Caribbean ships offer Virtual View with LED screens to offer real-time view of seas and destinations).
- Oceanview/ Outside rooms: Offer a view of the ocean from a room and a glimpse of sunlight.
- Balcony: They are equipped with chairs and a small table, allowing you to enjoy the outside and get a bit of fresh air from the comfort of your room.
- Suites: Offer the most luxurious space and best room location, with separate living and sleeping areas. Suites have large balconies and extra amenities.
Budgeting for the Cruise Travel
Budgeting for a cruise requires accounting for not only the cruise fare but also hidden costs like shore excursions, speciality dining, beverages, gratuities and Internet access.
Essential budgeting tips include:
- Plan for hidden costs: Budget for extra- costs like spa treatment, beverages, gratuities and speciality dinners for an enjoyable and relaxing trip.
- Choose budget-friendly cabin: Select interior cabins for the best budget-friendly option and significant savings.
- Book earlier/ very late: Save more by strategically securing lower prices by booking early or 90 days before sailing.
- Save on port days: Avoid expensive cruise-sponsored excursions by exploring on your own or staying on the ship.
- Off-season travel: Save half on the trip and avoid crowds of tourists when you opt to travel during shoulder or off-season.
- Use Ship credit: Prefer booking offers that provide on-board credit to cover daily expenses.
- Avoid Onboard shops: Shop in port rather than in the ship for lower prices.
Packing for Cruise Travel
Packing for a Cruise trip can differ from other trips as it presents unusual challenge due to limited cabin storage space and overpriced options.
The key essentials for packing include:
- Documents and money: Crucial, Passport/ID, boarding pass (printed or digital), cash and credit cards.
- Carry-on bag: For essential items like documents, medications, valuables, sunglasses, sunscreen, swimsuits, and chargers, keep them in a carry on, a checked luggage bag may take hours to reach your room.
- Electronics: portable charger, USB, earphones, power strip, flashlights, portable fan.
- Clothes: carry clothes based on activities and weather conditions.
- Pool: Swimsuits, cover-ups, shorts, T-shirts and sunscreen.
Evenings: casual or smart casual (for dining rooms).
Layers: Light jacket, cardigan or sweater, depending on the weather and air condition.
Footwear: Sneakers for excursion, flip-flops for the pool and dressier shoes for dinner.
- Cabin items: Essential items to make your room neat.
- Hanging clips/hooks
- Small fan
- Toiletries
- Dry bag
Tip: Avoid prohibited items like clothes irons, candles, and illegal drugs.
Cruise Activities for First-Timer
Cruise trips offer diverse activities from high energy to relaxing wellness experiences. Whether you are a family, (with kids), couple, group of friends or solo, there are fun activities for all.
Common activities include:
- Live theatre shows
- Casinos and bingo
- Pools, Spa treatments and fitness centres (yoga classes)
- Rock climbing walls, water slides, and a basketball court
- Arcades, and video games
- Reading and relaxation activities (wine tasting, culinary classes and art auctions).
Cruise Travel Debarking
The end of the cruise is essential in a cruise trip. It requires organisation, luggage preparation, transportation arrangements and an assigned departure time.
Tip: It’s crucial to follow the cruise line instructions and assigned departure time for a seamless departure.
What Else is Crucial to Know About Cruise Travel
- Onboard communication and daily schedules: Crucial ships communicate important information like (port arrival time, daily schedules, and event changes).
- Mandatory safety Drill: Attend the “muster drill” on the first day to learn about safety.
- Cell phone usage: Aeroplanes encourage ‘flight mode’ and so does the ship, in order to avoid international roaming charges.
- Seasickness: If prone to motion sickness it is wise to book a midship cabin on a lower deck.
- Overpacking: Avoid overpacking and only pack the necessities and wisely.
- Arrive early and stick to the Ship’s time: Always travel to the port at least a day before departure. Also, stick to the ship’s clock instead of your phone’s time to avoid missing the ship.
- Pre-book everything: Ensure to pre-book popular excursions, spa treatments and speciality dining as they sell out quickly.
- Travel insurance: A Travel insurance policy is a smart budget tip. It opts to offer medical insurance and accident-based.
- Spend wisely: Budgeting is crucial and spending wisely helps you enjoy your trip. Avoid overspending on your very first days.
- Best first-time Cruise destinations : Bahamas and Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Alaska, Mediterranean, New England, and Canada.
Final Thoughts
Cruise travel is a rewarding all-inclusive experience and it gives you an opportunity to travel multiple destinations in one single journey.
Just remember, if you want an enjoyable and exciting experience, a little preparation goes a long way. Plan smart, pack smart and stay flexible. With the tips and knowledge above, you’re well-equipped to navigate the Cruise trip.
Make a decision, pack smart and let cruise this year!
FAQs
Do I need to carry cash?
According to most travel guides, cashless system is the most preferred, as your key card or ship app is linked to your credit card for all on-board purchases. But, do bring cash for tips/port excursions.
What if I am late returning from a port?
If you are booked on cruise-sponsored excursion, the ship will wait, but if booked independently it will likely leave without you.
The best thing to do is either contact your travel agent or catch up at the next port of call.
How do I save money on a cruise?
Book early or very late (last-minute deal), check for budget-friendly cabins, and spend on ports rather than onboard shops.
How do I stay connected?
Purchase an Internet package to avoid huge roaming charges, keep your phone in flight mode, stick to the ship clock and follow the cruise daily schedules.
