The first time that my family went on a cruise we were so excited, but there are so many things I wish I’d known before we went! A guide or a few tips could have really helped with planning.
I brought way too many things and didn’t wear half of what was packed in that huge suitcase (especially shoes)! The cruise was still amazing and one of our fondest memories, but I changed things up and streamlined my preparations on each subsequent cruise experience.
So, are you ready for an unforgettable cruise vacation? Make your bon voyage dreams a reality with the perfect getaway by researching and being ahead of the game!
You may have a lot of questions regarding your first cruise (or cruising in general), and it can be challenging to know what’s in store – especially if this is the first time you’ve experienced this type of vacation. We’ve got you covered!
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First Cruise Planning Tips:
Our Travel Makes Me Happy team created this guide to help you plan your first cruise vacation! We’ll walk you through the whole process, from researching different cruise lines, what you should pack (and leave at home), and fun things you can experience during your trip.
Table of contents
- First Cruise Planning Tips:
- Cruise Pre-Planning
- Decide on a Destination and Port to Embark on Your Cruise Voyage
- Tips to Pick a Cruise Line and Ship
- Decide on a Stateroom to Book
- Know What’s Included in Your Fare
- Find the Best Deal for Your Cruise
- Early Dining vs. Late Dining on Your Cruise
- Muster Safety Drill
- Cabin Unpacking tip
- Tips to Book an Amazing Cruise Excursion on Your First Cruise
- Get Back to the Ship Before “All Aboard” time
- Things to Pack for a Cruise
- Embarkation Day
- After Boarding Your Cruise
- Navigating the Ship
- Scheduling Your Time Onboard
- Things to do on a Cruise
- Tipping Extra for Great Service Onboard
- Debarkation Day
- Final Thoughts on First-Time Cruise Planning Guide and Tips
- Keep Reading for More Great Travel Articles
Cruise Pre-Planning
The best advice I can give anyone taking their first cruise is to research, plan, and pack accordingly. The better you can plan, the better off you will be!
You don’t want to have any last-minute vacation anxiety or inconveniences because you forgot something important. It’s best to learn the process particular to the cruise line that you choose so that there are no surprises.
A great place to start your pre-planning for a cruise vacation is to visit the Cruise Critic Homepage. In the upper right corner or top navigation there is a link to the “boards” which has reviews, cruise tips, and information broken down by question or cruise line.
For finding the best flights using Skyscanner’s flight search tool will let you compare. They show flight prices of many travel websites so you can choose the cheapest and best one.
Decide on a Destination and Port to Embark on Your Cruise Voyage
Deciding on your destination whether your ideal cruise is fun in the Caribbean sun, a grand European itinerary, or a multi-country River Cruise is an important step in planning.
It may be that you go with an itinerary available from ships in your nearest home port. For us, it is the Port of New Orleans so we often cruise on one of the lines that leave from there and decide on the destination based on what is offered at our home port.
You may also use budget considerations or time off allowances to guide your cruise choice.
The great thing about cruising from a port close to home is that you dont have the added expense of flights and extended days off from work.
We still usually stay in a hotel the night before close to the cruise terminal just to make it easier to get there on the morning of the cruise.
Check out the itineraries on Celebrity Cruises! They have great Alaska and Caribbean cruise options!
Tips to Pick a Cruise Line and Ship
Before booking your voyage, it’s important to research the different cruise lines and ships available. Read past passenger reviews, look at ships’ photos, and compare prices. This will help you find the best cruise line and ship for your budget and needs.
Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbean offer the most varied experiences, especially for multi-generational families. If you are looking for an adult-oriented feel, Virgin offers some great itineraries with many leaving out of Florida ports.
Disney is also a great cruise line for families, but their unique experiences sometimes come with a price tag to match. For river cruises, Viking is top notch in the cruise experience.
Tip: We love decorating our cabin door with colorful magnets (from Amazon) to help us find it quickly and feel festive!
Decide on a Stateroom to Book
Cruise ships come in different sizes and offer a variety of stateroom types and sizes.
You can choose the accommodation that best suits your needs, from rooms with balconies to interior staterooms.
Some regular staterooms also sleep up to 5 people (it varies by line), but that would be really tight for adults (in our opinion). You may not be in the room except for sleeping, but trying to get ready in the tiny cruise ship bathrooms would be a nightmare for us.
What size stateroom should you choose?
Most staterooms are smaller than a hotel room and the bathrooms are tiny. They do offer great storage space in most of them with closets, shelves, and drawers.
Balcony Staterooms
If you want more privacy or to spend time outside, then balcony rooms are ideal. A balcony also gives you a more private way to enjoy the view without having to go up to the public area decks.
When we took an Alaska cruise, a balcony cabin made such a difference in how much we enjoyed the cruise! It is really nice to sit out on your balcony and have coffee each morning or relax at night and watch the stars.
Interior Staterooms
Interior staterooms offer great value for couples or families who wish to keep their budget to a minimum. Keep in mind that they don’t have windows, so it can get dark and feel claustrophobic.
The upside is that if you like it really dark to sleep an interior room is great. When we cruised with our kids we would get a balcony cabin and we’d get the kids an interior room across the hall and it was a great way to save money for us.
Some cruise ships even have virtual windows or portholes to make it less claustrophobic and give the illusion of a window.
Ocean View Staterooms
Ocean View Staterooms are usually a little less expensive than balcony rooms, but if the price difference is not that great I’d choose a balcony every time.
Ocean View rooms offer a window so that you can see the ocean and get some light in the room.
Suites and other Staterooms
Suites are a luxe option if your budget allows. They offer larger bathrooms and balconies usually.
The rooms also have larger seating areas and some really posh ones have amazing amenities and come with a butler to cater to your every need.
Spa Staterooms are another option on some ships and offer daily entry into the spa to enjoy the thermal pool, saunas, and other offerings (it will vary by ship).
Spa treatments are extra, of course.
We loved the spa balcony that we had on the NCL Breakaway and started each day with a dip in the thermal pool and visit to the salt therapy room.
Know What’s Included in Your Fare
When you book a cruise, most of your meals and entertainment are usually included in the fare.
A few exceptions include shore excursions, spa treatments, alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, and upgrades.
When planning your trip, research what will be included in your fare and budget accordingly.
Some cruise lines such as Viking offer a more inclusive experience with excursions and other things included in the basic fare. Virgin also does this to an extent.
It’s best to research exactly what is included in what you are paying because you don’t want to be hit with a huge alcohol bill at the end of the cruise.
In addition to the fare you will be charged a daily gratuities amount (it varies by line).
Find the Best Deal for Your Cruise
Do some research to find the best cruise deals.
Many cruise companies offer specials and discounts for early bookings or family vacations, so check their websites for details. You can also sign up for alerts on cruise-booking sites like Travelocity Cruises to discover when new offers become available.
We also have a Free Easy Travel Budget Calculator to help you find out how much you’ll need for your trip!
Here are some of our top pics for cruise deals from our partners:
Incredible Deals on the Best Cruises: Last-Minute Sailings from $149!
Also, don’t forget good travel insurance to protect your cruise investment! Don’t cruise without coverage – get the best travel insurance with Travelex!
Early Dining vs. Late Dining on Your Cruise
We are usually early diners so choose the earliest time for the main dining room.
This leaves enough time for shows or activities after dinner for us.
The main shows usually have multiple showings to accomodate early and late diners so it just depends on if you like to eat earlier or not.
If eating in the main dining room (or multiple main dining rooms on some ships) you are assigned the same table number and service crew for each night of the cruise.
“Your time” dining is also an option on most ships so you can eat whenever you are ready instead of rushing to make your set time.
Make sure to check out all of the dining options for the ship that you choose.
Muster Safety Drill
On embarkation day (the day you board the ship) there will be a Mandatory safety drill that you and your group will have to attend.
Your muster station is usuallly listed on your sail card and you must check in to your station number area for the safety briefing.
This is to inform you of safety procedures and location of life vests/boats in case of emergency.
**UPDATE** We just got back from a Carnival Mardi Gras cruise and they had us check in at the station and then “self-muster” in the room with a video so other lines may have moved to this or will soon. This seems to be the “norm” now which is much easier!
Cabin Unpacking tip
It’s a great idea to unpack and organize on the first day of the cruise after dinner when the luggage has arrived.
Staterooms usually have many options for storage so that you can unpack and organize everything.
You can then place the empty suitcase under the bed or in the closet so that it doesn’t take up floor space.
This will help you be able to find the things that you need without having to go through the suitcases and make the most of the small stateroom space.
If you need some great tags for your cruise, Amazon has these great clear cruise luggage tag holders that work great!
Tips to Book an Amazing Cruise Excursion on Your First Cruise
Look into what is available in each port of call and ensure that it fits within your time frame and activity level.
If there is something special you want to do, make sure to plan for that in advance.
We usually book our excursions well in advance of the cruise, but I know some people like to wait until they are on the ship to book. One drawback of this strategy is that the excursion you really want may be sold out if you wait until you are on the cruise.
Most cruise lines offer shore excursions at each port. These are usually organized activities or tours you can join and explore the local area with other passengers. It’s a great way to get off the beaten path and experience something in the company of fellow cruisers.
Excursions through the Cruise Line
The great part about booking and excursion with the ship (not an outside company) is that the ship will not leave you at port if the tour is running late. There are also tour organizers outside of the cruise line that you can book, but make sure the timing works out and read reviews before you book.
If you book your excursion through the cruise line they will deliver an envelope to your stateroom with the tickets or information about what time and where to meet on the day of the excursion.
Many cruise lines also let you off of the ship first if you have an early excursion booked through them so make sure to check.
It’s also a good idea to pay attention to the travel time to and from the excursion too and if it involves a boat ride or long bus ride to get there.
We took an excursion in Cozumel one time that had a half hour ferry ride in rough waters each way that kind of took away from the dream experience I had imagined (I should have been more prepared).
Get Back to the Ship Before “All Aboard” time
Don’t be a “pier runner”! On almost every cruise we sit on our balcony (if we have one) and watch pier runners feverishly running to try and get back on the ship after or close to “all aboard” time. Some don’t make it.
It happens easily when people are having too much fun at the port bars and lose track of time.
Each evening on a cruise you are usually given a daily calendar of what is going on the next day on the ship. On port days you will be given a guide of the port and what time to be back on the ship.
There will also be announcements over the speaker the morning of the port call so make sure to pay attention to the time you need to be back on the ship because they will leave if you are not back before “all aboard” time (and people will be laughing and cheering you on from their balconies).
**Important Customer Service Tip**
A reader recently alerted us to the fact that if there is an issue with your cruise account or other customer service issue and it is not resolved before leaving the ship it may be difficult to get a quick solution.
She sailed Carnival and was told that there is only email customer service after the cruise as they have done away with the phone c.s. line and her response time was 45 days.
So, if there is any issue it is best to wait at guest services and get it resolved before the cruise is over.
Things to Pack for a Cruise
If you’re going somewhere with warm weather, pack apparel that feels comfortable and is lightweight as well as multi-functional.
For colder climates, bring layers along with rain gear (if there’s space). It’s sensible to be prepared for changes in temperature or an unexpected shower.
You do not need to pack a beach towel as most cruise lines provide beach towels that can be checked out or are in your stateroom for use on port days.
A lightweight backpack or tote for transporting towels and beachwear for excursions is also great. The soft backpack ones with the strings work really well.
There are certain items that you will want to make sure you bring with you on your cruise, such as:
- Sunscreen and bug wipes
- Swimming gear
- Comfortable shoes for walking around the ship
- Sunglasses/hat or both
- Cash for ports. Most cruise lines are cashless, but you will probably need cash for some ports, tipping, etc.
- Outfit for elegant or formal night (or nights) if you choose (it depends on the cruise line), outfits for themed parties like the NCL infamous “glow party”, Carnival Mardi Gras’ 80’s party and of course their “Mardi Gras” party, and other lines have their own version so make sure to read up on it before you cruise.
Toiletries
I recommend bringing basic items like shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothpaste, and a toothbrush.
Cruiselines do have dispensers usually of shampoo/conditioner/body wash, but if you are particular to your favorite bring it if space allows.
It is usually kind of expensive if you have to buy any essentials on the ship so having your own saves money.
Staterooms also usually provide decent hairdryers too so you can save space and leave yours at home.
Medications
Remember your medication if you need it at sea! Take a small first-aid kit containing essential medicines such as pain relievers, anti-diarrheal tablets, Benedryl (for those with allergies), and motion sickness medication. If you have to purchase these in the ship gift shop they are usually more expensive.
Combat motion sickness with Sea Bands or motion sickness patches if you are prone to motion sickness to help you feel your best while traveling. However, if you do get seasick guest services will usually have packets of seasick medication that you can get for free or 1-3$.
Being well stocked with basic medications before setting out on your journey will help to guarantee that you have an enjoyable time away from home!
Portable Back Up Battery Charge and Data
If you’re out at sea, I strongly suggest turning your mobile phone on airplane mode to avoid exorbitant roaming fees.
You’ll likely take many pictures or videos while sailing so the battery will drain very quickly. It’s a good idea to take a portable back up battery charger that will recharge your phone should it go dead with all of the amazing pictures you will be taking!
Make sure you don’t have an unexpected expense due to data charges by activating the airplane mode feature!
You can stay on airplane mode even while on the Ship’s wifi package. Check with your cellular provider to see if they have a cruise package plan or if your plan includes the ports that you will be traveling to.
Magnetic Hooks
On a cruise ship, visitors must be conscious of utilizing their space wisely. You want to keep the room in your cabin–most cabins are only 160 square feet!
The metal walls and doors make magnetic hooks a great way to help organize. They provide an efficient way to use your limited area while ensuring everything is easily accessible.
You can also bring magnetic signs to put on the outside of your door. That will make it easy to spot when you are heading back to the cabin at the end of the day.
Formal Attire
For most cruises, packing an outfit for the formal or dressy evening is a must-do!
Make sure to pick one that’s elegant yet comfortable. Some itineraries have more than one formal night. So be sure to check with your chosen cruise line/ship and see which nights are “formal”.
Participating in formal nights is not mandatory. It is totally up to you how dressed up or down you get. There are also other restaurants like the buffet that you can visit on that evening if you don’t want to get dressed up.
After cruising for many years we’ve realized that it is not as formal (at least on US sailings) as it was in the past.
Some people still go all out on the formal wear and that’s great.
However, with packing light sometimes I just pack dressy pants and a blouse that can mix and match and my husband will wear a nice button down Hawaiian-style shirt with dressier slacks.
Lightweight Sweater
A vacation in the Caribbean might not require much besides your swimsuit, but you may need something cozy and lightweight for warmth during those breezy nights onboard.
Restaurants and cruise ship casinos can quickly become chilly spots. So be sure to tuck away a sweater or pashmina just in case! We usually wear a sweater or light jacket in the auditorium for evening shows because it gets chilly.
Passport or Birth Certificate
Don’t forget your passport (or birth certificate if using that instead)! In an unexpected emergency, you must have a valid passport to board any flight back home from another country.
It’s wise to spare the time and expense for a passport, even if you plan on only taking closed-loop cruises. The sense of security it will provide is worth its weight in gold.
We usually take a photo of our passport so that we have it on port days, but do not take it with us on excursions.
You really only need your ship sign and sail card to get on and off the ship at port.
I know some people insist on having their passport with them at all times, but we just wouldn’t want to lose it.
Embarkation Day
Most cruise lines will give you a time to show up at the port or you schedule your selected time.
When you arrive you can hand off your larger bags to luggage assistants.
They will make sure your bags are properly tagged (with the printed tags provided at online check-in) and take them away until they show up at your stateroom later in the day.
We usually keep an extra set of clothes in our carry-on bag or tote in case the luggage is late showing up and it is time to go to dinner.
You’ll then line up to go into the port and go through security where they check your passport/birth certificate and boarding paperwork. You then go through the bag check which is similar to airports. Make sure not to bring any prohibited items (check your cruise line website).
Most cruise lines allow 1 bottle of wine per adult and we usually take advantage of this for having a bottle in the room to sit on the balcony in the evenings with.
Once you are through security, you will be guided to the cruise check-in area and this is where your onboard account is set up, passports/birth certificates checked again, and cruise paperwork.
You are then given a sign and sail card (or it may be called different things on other lines). This card is how you scan into and off of the ship.
NOTE: Sometimes we have received our cards at the stateroom instead of at check-in.
After you have your cards in hand you are given a boarding group and wait until it is called to board the ship. Then the fun begins!
After Boarding Your Cruise
Once you are on the ship many people head to the buffet. We like to see what other eating options are open on embarkation day (it varies by ship) and usually choose another option that is less crowded. Either way, you will not be disappointed because there is a variety of food available.
It is also a great time to wander around and get the feel of the layout of the ship and all that is offered.
Your luggage will show up later in the day (usually before dinner) and the staterooms will be ready at a time designated by the particular ship you are on.
There is a mandatory Muster Drill (mentioned earlier) that you will need to attend (you are given a station area) and check in for before everything else opens and the cruise gets in full-swing.
Navigating the Ship
It’s a good idea to learn the navigation terms for the sections of the ship such as:
- Forward: The front side onboard interior of the ship
- Aft: The onboard rear side of the ship
- Port side: The left side of the ship if you are facing forward (towards the front of the ship).
- Starboard: The right side of the ship when facing forward
Scheduling Your Time Onboard
To get the most out of your time onboard, it’s important to schedule some activity for each day of your trip—you don’t want to miss out on anything!
We love to look at the next day’s newsletter schedule after returning to the stateroom each night to see what we are interested in doing the next day.
Cruise ships offer various activities for guests, including spa treatments, fitness classes, dance classes, games, entertainment options, and more.
On larger cruise ships that offer many different shows or activities you have to book a reservation in advance.
Check your online cruise planner for your ship to make sure you don’t need to book a reservation in advance.
We were surprised the first time we sailed on RCL Harmony of the Seas that we had to book everything in advance! The ice skating show was amazing (below pic) and I’m glad we made a reservation.
Things to do on a Cruise
While you’re hanging out on the ship for several days, you may be wondering what’s in store for you and what your entertainment options are.
Here are some unique things you can do on many of the popular cruise lines!
See a Musical or Comedy show
Take in a night at the theater, entirely free of charge! On select Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line ships, you can enjoy iconic musicals like Grease, Mamma Mia, or Jersey Boys.
We love the Broadway-caliber shows on so many of the ships we’ve been on. Get ready to experience the world’s best theaters without leaving the ocean’s waves!
The comedy shows are also a favorite with our crew!
Mini Golf and Sports Deck
Mini-golf is a fun activity for families and couples aboard cruise ships, so it’s no surprise that you can find courses on Carnival cruises, Royal Caribbean vessels, Norwegian Breakaway, and some of their Breakaway Plus class ships as well as Disney Cruise Line’s Dream and Fantasy!
SkyRide, North Star, Roller Coasters, Bumper Cars, Surfing, Rock Climbing
A first-time cruise can have so many adventurous activities all on the ship! SkyRide® (Carnival Vista class ships) is like pedaling a bicycle.
You’ll never forget it. But unlike biking, how often can you ride around the ship while suspended in mid-air above the vessel and gazing at the azure ocean below? SkyRide offers an experience that’s totally out of this world!
The Larger Carnival ships like Mardi Gras even offers a roller coaster at sea! Some of Disney’s ships also have a coaster.
We loved the RCL Harmony of the Seas giant slides and amusement park area! There was so much to do that we didn’t get to it all.
Some NCL ships that we’ve been on have bumper cars that are a blast!
Most of the ships have rock climbing, some have bowling, basketball courts, and other fun activities! Sea days can be relaxing or exciting with all there is to do.
Cruise Spa Access
If you’re looking for some relaxation, then the spa on some cruise ships is the place for you. A great first-time cruise tip is to make time for at least visiting the spa to see what is offered.
With options like saunas, steam rooms, Salt therapy rooms, and thermal tubs available to guests on board ships from Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Disney, Costa Cruises, and more, you can easily sit back and relax!
One of our favorites is the previously-mentioned NCL Breakaway’s thermal pool and salt room in the spa. They also had heated bed loungers that look out to sea that were amazing!
You can get a day pass that provides entry to the rooms and thermal pools or buy a week pass (if you book a spa cabin it is usually included).
Specific spa services (like massages, facials, etc) are extra, but just visiting the spa and relaxing in the steam rooms is rejuvenating!
Tipping Extra for Great Service Onboard
I know tipping can be a controversial topic on many of the cruise ship forums, but we always tip our cabin stewards, main dining room wait staff, and many bartenders extra on top of the daily tips that are added to your cruise fare.
It’s a personal choice, but we feel they always go above and beyond.
The amounts vary and also vary by the length of the cruise but on average we tip our cabin steward 20-40$ on the last day of the cruise, wait staff in the main dining room 10-20$, and an extra 1-2$ to the bartenders/coffee shop most times on each order.
We bring cash for the cabin steward and wait staff, but just add an extra 1-2$ here and there on the bill for drinks when we sign for them.
Tipping extra is totally optional! I just thought I’d mention it because I was unsure on our first cruise and some examples would have helped with planning.
Debarkation Day
At the end of your cruise you will get information in the room the day before about debarkation procedures.
If you choose, you can have your larger bags packed and outside of the stateroom the night before where they will be picked up and will have already gone through customs when you get off the ship.
You can also roll your bags off of the ship yourself and go through customs [self assist].
Either way is usually efficient. Having the larger bags picked up the night before just saves you from having to lug so many bags off the ship.
You will be given (or choose) a time to get off of the ship and when your group, floor, etc. is called you can make your way to the waiting area.
You are then called to the gangway to head off of the ship (sad face) and on your way through customs and then home.
I’m usually sad after the cruise ends and ready to book another one!
Final Thoughts on First-Time Cruise Planning Guide and Tips
Taking a cruise for your next vacation can be a gratifying experience that will be amazing for the whole family.
With proper planning and packing beforehand, scheduling activities during your time onboard, and connecting with other passengers along the way, you will have an incredible adventure!
Before you know it you will be a cruise expert with tons of sailings under your belt!
Are you taking your first cruise or are you a seasoned cruiser? Drop us a line and let us know your story!
Bon Voyage!