Are you new to cruising? Are you feeling both excited and a little nervous? That’s completely understandable! Cruising can be an incredible adventure that offers much more than you might think. It’s a fantastic opportunity to explore multiple destinations during the length of your cruise. Alternatively, you can choose to relax and unwind, indulging in some well-deserved rest. No matter how you decide to spend your time on board, there are some important tips to keep in mind for your first cruising experience to help you make the most of your vacation.
What to pack? – Packing for a cruise can feel a bit overwhelming, especially if this is your first time! Knowing what to pack, and what you can leave at home can be a lengthy discussion all on its own. In the interest of keeping this post focused and on point, please click on the following link for more detailed information on tips for packing for first-time cruisers: First-Time Cruise Packing Guide: What You Need to Know
Motion sickness/Medications – A common concern for first-time cruisers is seasickness.
- Most modern cruise ships have stabilizers, so having significant motion sickness is unlikely, especially in calm waters.
- If you’re still worried, consider bringing Dramamine OTC or Meclizine OTC with you as long as you don’t have any allergies to these meds or drug interactions. You can also consult your primary care provider about a prescription for Scopolamine patches or Ondansetron (Zofran) for nausea.
- While cruise ships generally sell OTC medications like Ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin) and Acetaminophen (Tylenol), it’s a good idea to bring your own pain relievers, so you don’t let headaches or joint pain ruin your trip.
- Make sure to pack all of your prescription meds in their original bottles, especially if you’re cruising internationally.
Trip Insurance – You might be wondering “Is trip insurance worth the extra cost or not?”
- While it can be tempting to cut this from your budget, we always purchase trip insurance if our trip is over $2000. While we haven’t had to use it ourselves, we do know people who have faced acute illnesses and medical emergencies during their travels. If you’re cruising in the middle of the ocean and require emergency evacuation, not having trip insurance can be costly and possibly cause a delay in your care.
- You can buy trip insurance through most major cruise lines as an add-on to your cruise package or feel free to search for a plan online through a 3rd party.
- Not purchasing the insurance may seem like a great way to cut down on your cruise vacation cost, but don’t you think it is better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it?
Embarkation – Checking in for your cruise can be hectic and varies by cruise port, cruise line, and cabin class. You may experience anything from a quick check-in to organized chaos.
- Ensure you have your cruise paperwork, including your passport, driver’s license (if applicable), booking information, cash, and a valid credit card. The credit will be needed to add to your cruise account just in case you need to purchase anything onboard or you still need to pay for gratuities. Check with your cruise line for any additional documentation required at check-in.
- Be prepared for the muster drill on embarkation day, which familiarizes passengers with escape routes and safety procedures in case of an emergency. All passengers must participate!
Dining – Most cruise ships have a wide variety of dining options and food available throughout the day.
- The main buffet dining room is usually open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
- Most ships will serve lunch in the main dining room on sea days only.
- There may also be a limited lunch buffet at the pool depending on your cruise ship.
- Many cruise lines have designated times for dinner seating (early or late options). If your cruise line or cabin fare includes anytime dining, then you can go to dinner anytime during the main dining hours.
- Cruise ships typically have room service available 24 hours a day as well, but additional fees may apply.
- Specialty Dining – Many cruise lines provide specialty dining options. Depending on your cruise ship and cabin class, these may be included in your trip cost. More often than not, specialty dining isn’t included. This means that if you opt for this, you are required to buy meals separately as part of a package or à la carte. The cruise may provide discounts on specialty dining packages which can be cheaper if purchased before the cruise or on embarkation day. With the specialty dining packages, the menu options may be more limited than if you just pay for the a la carte option. Make sure you check out the menu options on these dining packages before purchasing. You also want to check on whether or not they limit you to certain restaurants (i.e. you purchase a 3 meal specialty dining package but you can only go to a certain restaurant for 1 of those meals).
Drink Packages – This is a popular topic for cruisers. Should you buy a drink package or not? If your cruise fare includes one, great! If not, then consider your options.
- If you want to save money, this is definitely a place you can cut costs. If you don’t plan on drinking much alcohol, skipping the package may be wise.
- There are also packages focused more on soda and less on alcohol. Calculate your daily soda consumption to see if a package is more economical than paying for each drink separately. Keep in mind, select juices and water are included in your cruise fare.
- You should be aware that some alcoholic packages have limits on the types of drinks included.
- If you are paying for a luxury class cabin on the ship (i.e. Retreat, Yacht Club, Haven), then likely all of your drinks will be included in your cruise fare.
- At the end of the day, purchasing a drink package is a luxury. If you are looking to cut costs then you can opt out of the drink package. However, if you want the convenience of having multiple drink options, and not having to worry about adding gratuities each time you get a drink at dinner or at the bar, then I would opt for purchasing a drink package.
Shore excursions – While you always have the option to get off the ship and explore the ports on your own, shore excursions are a great way to see some amazing sights and make the most of your time at the cruise port.
- You can either purchase excursions through the cruise line or through another 3rd party (i.e. Viator, Get Your Guide, etc).
- Purchasing through the cruise line gives you the assurance that you will make it back to the ship on time. Another added benefit of booking through the cruise line is that they will help guide you to your meeting point on the day of your excursion.
- If you are looking to save some money during your trip, purchasing excursions through a 3rd party may be a good option. Third party companies may be able to provide alternative shore excursion options not available through your cruise line.
- The drawback to booking through a 3rd party is that you are responsible for finding the meeting point for your group. However, this information is usually available to you prior to purchase. Also, there is always that chance that you could miss getting back to the ship on time. However, if you plan accordingly, this should not happen.
- We have taken several shore excursions through 3rd party companies and we have NEVER missed our ship! Make sure you leave yourself plenty of time to get to the meeting point and be back to the ship a few hours before disembarkation.
Shopping – Most cruise ships have shops where you can buy clothes, jewelry, and more.
- These shops are open only when sailing in international waters and close while in port. Newer ships generally offer a better variety of shops than the older ones.
- Most ports have shopping options nearby, but some ports are definitely better than others! Cruise ships have specialists to guide you on where to shop in each port.
- While onboard, you will likely see a plethora of sales during your cruise, but shopping at the port is usually cheaper.
Entertainment – This is an important factor for some cruisers when choosing a ship or cruise line.
- Most cruise ships do have nightly entertainment ranging from musicals to comedy shows and even magic shows.
- There is usually both an early and a late show.
- Reservations may be required based on the cruise ship, but these shows are included in the cost of your cruise.
- Some ships or cruise lines have better entertainment than others, but I will let you be the judge of that!
Gratuities – Cruise lines often add gratuities to your account at the end of your trip or allow you to prepay them before cruising. Sometimes they may be included in the cruise fare.
- Gratuities vary by passenger and depend on several factors such as stateroom type, trip length, and destination.
- Gratuities collected are distruted to the dining, bar and culinary services staff, stateroom attendants, as well as others onboard who work to enhance your overall cruise experience.
- If you don’t choose a drinks package, a gratuity charge may apply for each drink you buy. If you opt to purchase the drinks package, you likely won’t pay a separate gratuity per drink. Some cruises provide the option to pay drink/bar gratuities upfront at booking but be prepared because this could end up costing a few hundred dollars.
- Make sure you bring extra cash to leave for the staff if they provided you with exceptional service during our cruise. Crew members work very long hours and several of the crew may rely heavily on gratuities to supplement their income. We generally give an extra tip to our room steward, butler and/or main waiter if we were happy with the service provided throughout our cruise.
- Click on the links below for more information on gratuities from popular cruise lines:
Disembarkation – This can be a hectic day and it starts the night before your cruise ends.
- Passengers must tag and place their luggage outside their room the night before. Alternatively, you can keep your luggage in your room, but in that case you’ll need to carry it off the ship yourself.
- Be ready to get up early, as everyone generally has to leave the ship by 9 am. If you have an early flight, you will be able to disembark earlier.
- Your luggage tags usually have a number and/or color that will be called on disembarkation morning.
- Even though you’ll need to pack up the night before, please try and enjoy your last night on board!
I hope you found this tip list to be helpful. Cruising truly offers a spectacular all-inclusive experience, giving you the chance to explore multiple destinations in a short timeframe. Cruises certainly rank among my favorite vacation experiences, and I hope you enjoy them just as much as I do! Should you have any comments or questions, please don’t hesitate to share them below. Wishing you the most amazing trip!
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