Have you just booked your first cruise? Or maybe you’re thinking about your first cruise and need something to convince you? Fear not! In my quick guide, I’ve compiled 10 top tips for first time cruisers to ensure you with confidence, and make the most of their cruise experience.
My blog covers from choosing the right cruise line to onboard etiquette, these tips will ensure smooth sailing from start to finish.
Tip 1: Choose the right cruise line:
Research different cruise lines and choose one that suits your needs and preferences. Each cruise line has its own unique vibe, amenities, and activities. Wether you’re cruising as a multigenerational family, newlyweds, or even as a solo traveller, finding the cruise line that ticks all your needs and requirements is paramount for a first time cruiser. The wrong choice and you may never want to cruise again.
For example:
Cruising with children? Consider Royal.
Cruising without children? Or maybe you want adults-only? Choose Virgin.
Or maybe you’re thinking of a six-star cruise line?
Maybe you’re wanting something a little bit more traditional / old-school? Look into Cunard.
Know the difference between American and Italian-style cruising? Read this blog.
Tip 2: Pick the right cabin:
Cabins come in different sizes, locations, and prices. Consider your budget and what’s important to you, such as a balcony or a quiet location. As a first time cruiser, you’re going to hear phrases like “inside cabin“, “outside cabin”, and be totally confused! But fear not, we have a breakdown!
Lingo Breakdown:For most cruise lines, an ‘inside cabin’ means you’ll be in a cabin without windows – perfect if you love complete darkness when you’re trying to catch some Z’s. An ‘outside cabin’ means you’ll have a window in your cabin, and are always located on the outside of the ship – which can be great for some natural light. Then, a ‘balcony cabin’ means exactly what you think it means! You might even hear ‘obstructed balcony’ or ‘partial obstruction’, and this may mean that the view from your balcony could be obstructed.
Of course, when you’re browsing cruise deals, the price you see will most likely be for an Inside cabin, and then once you go to book, you’d be able to select an Outside / Oceanview, Balcony / Veranda, Suite, etc.
What’s an “guarantee” cabin?
A guarantee cabin (often written as “GTY”) is a type of cruise booking where you don’t choose the exact cabin at the time of booking. Instead, the cruise line guarantees you at least the minimum category you paid for – and sometimes you’ll be upgraded to something better.
Closer to the sailing date, sometimes a few weeks before, sometimes only days, the cruise line will assign you any available cabin in that category or higher.
You may like to read my blog post: Cruising 101: What is an Inside Cabin.
Tip 3: Plan your itinerary:
As a first time cruiser, you’re going be completely overwhelmed with the amount of choices available to you – which isn’t a bad thing! But make a list of what you are wanting to get out of a cruise holiday, and use that as your base to find the best deal. Are you looking to go whale spotting in Alaska? Island hopping in Greece? Or are you someone who just wants to sit by the pool? All is totally valid.
For my very first cruise, I flew from London to Miami and did a Caribbean sailing with Royal Caribbean. At the time, it genuinely felt like a once-in-a-lifetime holiday. Since then, I’ve done more short-haul cruises from Barcelona and Venice, and I’ve realised I actually prefer those itineraries, especially with the shorter flight time. Even if the destinations feel a little less bucket-list.
My advice: choose something that feels slightly more elevated than what you’d normally do. For example, if you’re based in the UK and you’ve already visited Spain on a land holiday, a cruise around the Greek Isles feels that little bit more special without being completely unfamiliar.
You might like:
I sailed on Norwegian Viva around the Greek Isles – Read my Review
A guide on cruising from the UK
Tip 4: Budget, budget, budget:
Set a budget for your trip and stick to it. There’s so many cruises to pick from and for ALL budgets. This includes the initial booking, flights, hotels, and any extra charges that may creep up whilst on board. Keep track of your expenses and avoid unnecessary spending. Depending on who you’re cruising with, you may get gratuities (tipping) added on to every meal and drink you order! So definitely worth keeping track.
It’ll come to you as no surprise that cruise lines have regular sales, and each one can feel time-sensitive. But you shouldn’t fall for it, in my opinion – cruise lines and agents have deals 365 days of the year!
A piece of advice someone gave me a while back was to divide the total price by the number of days. For example, £999 over 7 days gives you your price per day. Sit with that figure for a few weeks, chat with a few different agents to see if they can beat it, and if the price drops, go ahead and book.
If you’re interested in how much cruises actually cost, I have a full category for that:
Oasis of the Seas – how much did I pay?
Costa Smeralda – how much did I pay?
Norwegian Viva – how much did I pay?
Tip 5: Pack wisely:
Pack comfortable clothes, appropriate shoes, and don’t forget essentials such as sunscreen, medication, and travel documents. Even if you’re going to a warm destination, always pack for all weather climates as you just never know!
I never wear half the stuff I pack, but I know that I’d much rather have the choice than feel I have to wear the same shirt 3 nights in a row.
Plus, most cruise lines have formal nights, themed nights, and even dress codes for certain restaurants, but they’re not always compulsory. If you don’t want to wear a suit on formal night, then you don’t have too! But it’s good to know what’s happening on that sailing so you can pack wisely.
Your traditional cruise lines such as: Cunard and Holland America Line, would prefer you to wear a shirt and jacket to dinner. Whilst Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) may even let you ride with socks and sandals.
Tip 6: Get to know the ship:
Before booking your cruise, have a look at all the features your ship has to offer! Think of the target audience the cruise line is appealing towards, is that you? Do you want to spend your entire vacation with that demographic? These are key things to think about.
I always recommend watching YouTube videos and reading blogs about that ship before you book.
For example, I saw an amazing deal onboard Costa Smeralda, but I knew that it was a polaroizing ship (and cruise line), and I watched a ton of YouTube videos about it before I booked! I actually covered all that in this blog.
Tip 7: Book insurance:
This is one tip that I think is absolutely compulsory, but can be pretty sensitive to think about. Booking insurance!
God forbid anything goes wrong between the date you book and you sail, but having insurance will protect you. Additionally, it covers you whilst you’re onboard.
A lot of travel insurances don’t cover cruises as a default option, it’s always an additional checkbox, so make sure to tick it!
Tip 8: Stay connected:
Check with your network provider to make sure they cover the destinations you’re visiting. It’s always handy to know your phone will work when you’re out exploring. You can also look into buying an e-sim or a Wi-Fi package beforehand, but just keep in mind they can be pricey.
I learned this the hard way. I assumed my mobile data would work in a different country, stepped off the ship, saw zero bars, and immediately started to panic. And remember, when you’re out at sea your phone often has no service at all.
Tip 9: Have fun:
Don’t forget to relax and enjoy your vacation! It’s your first cruise! You’re going to have an amazing time. Take advantage of the onboard activities, entertainment, and amenities to make the most of your trip. For some a cruise is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and you deserve to enjoy it! You’ll meet amazing people from all walks of life.
Tip 10: Plan for the unexpected:
Make sure you make copies of your passport, cruise details, and even emergency contact information. You just never what can happen whilst you’re on a vacation. And don’t forget travel insurance! Check Citizen’s Advice for more on that!
Missed the Cruise Ship? Don’t Panic! Here’s How to Catch Up
My Top 10 Tips for First Time Cruisers
Those were my Top 10 Tips for First Time Cruisers! Hopefully they’ll ease you into preparing for your first cruise. Got any of your own to share? Did anyone give you a life changing top tip for your first cruise? Let me know over on Instagram
