Ten years ago this week was a momentous occasion. I was a newlywed on my honeymoon. But more important than that, I was on my very first cruise as an adult (my husband has since accepted that he comes second to cruising). That first cruise changed more than just the way I vacation, it changed just about everything about my life, from where I live to my career to my waistline.
In the ten years since then, I’ve become so addicted to cruising that I quit my job as a college professor, moved to a city with two cruise piers and to an apartment with a view of said piers, and spend my time cruising and writing about cruising. I’ve sailed dozens of times on all the major lines. I’ve cruised to Alaska, the Bahamas, Bermuda, the Caribbean, Hawaii, Mexico, and the Panama Canal. I’ve cruised from just about every North American cruise port. I’ve done cruises from 2 days to 21 days. I’ve cruised solo and I’ve done a huge extended family cruise and every combination in between. And I’ve done back-to-back cruises (with a dream to do a back-to-back-to-back-to-back-to-death cruise someday).
I guess the first thing you should know before your first cruise is that, if you’re anything like me, it won’t be your last. But there are a few other things you should know too – things I wish I’d known before that very first cruise. So in honor of the 10 year anniversary of my first cruise, here are 10 things you should know before your first cruise.
When you see “prices starting at $399” for a 5 day trip to a tropical paradise on a glossy advertisement you receive in the mail, you may be deceived into thinking cruising is cheap. Then you’re shocked when you actually go to book the cruise and realize that taxes, port fees, service charges, and pre-paid gratuities have nearly doubled the cost of your cruise. Then when you get your credit card bill a month after sailing and add up what you originally paid for the cruise + airfare to and from the port city + a night in a hotel prior to your cruise + transportation costs to/from the airport to your hotel or the cruise pier + excursions and other onboard expenses + travel insurance, you realize you actually paid almost five times that original advertised base cruise fare.
New cruisers should be aware that you will pay a lot more than the advertised base fare of your cruise. However, you should also know that cruising can be affordable if you do it right. Go here to learn how to get the best rate on your cruise and go here to learn how to save money onboard.
Cruise ships are just like pants, generally awesome in concept, but some fit us better than others. Some ships are big, some are small. Some are colorful and loud, some are more subdued. Some are geared toward a younger population and some to an older. Some are top of the line, some are budget friendly. Some attract a more diverse crowd, some are very homogeneous. While I’ve loved every cruise ship I’ve ever sailed on and am not loyal to a certain line or class of ships, I encourage first-time cruisers to pick a ship that will most likely deliver you a positive experience.
For example, if you’re extroverted, comfortable in large crowds, like a lot of action and activities, and don’t want to stick to a strict schedule, you’d probably love the Breakaway and Breakaway-plus class of ships on NCL. If you value diversity or like to let loose a bit on vacation, you might enjoy a Carnival cruise (they’re called Fun Ships for a reason). And if you’re introverted or just prefer a more relaxing, subdued experience with lectures instead of hairy chest contests, the smaller ships on Holland America may be a good option. Do some research and choose a ship that generally fits your personality and how you like to vacation. Which brings me to my next suggestion…
Good news! Because you’re here reading this, you’re already doing this! I hope you find the information in this post and on my website helpful, but I also encourage you to learn as much as you can in advance from other seasoned cruisers. Do that by joining Cruise Critic and reading and asking questions on the message boards and by joining Facebook groups dedicated to particular lines or ships or cruising destinations.
Once you’re booked on a ship you can join your roll call group (a dedicated page for your particular sailing) on either Cruise Critic or Facebook (just do a search for your ship and date). You’ll find the people on these boards and in these groups an invaluable source of information and experience.
Cruise prices are the same (with very few exceptions) regardless of where you book. Ignore cruise lines offering big “sales.” You’ll get those prices regardless of who you book through. HOWEVER, booking with an online or in-person travel agency will offer perks the cruise lines can’t match, usually onboard credit or other perks (bottles of wine, excursion credit, free cabin upgrade, etc). Shop around for the best incentives!
Do note that if you book though a travel agency (online or in-person), all communication will need to go through them. Meaning if you want to change something about your reservation or ask a question, you’ll need to call your travel agency and they will contact the cruise line on your behalf. This can be a bit inconvenient at times, but I’ve found it’s worth it.
In terms of where I book, I usually check these for sites and go with the one offering the best incentives (check with any local travel agents you use too as they can often do even better than an online travel agency):
Priceline (note that Priceline charges a $25 booking fee, so take that into consideration when calculating the value of the incentives they are offering).
Picking a stateroom (or cabin) category (inside, oceanview, balcony, or suite) and a location (forward, middle or aft and on what deck) on your first cruise can be tricky as you don’t have prior experience to inform your decision.
Here are a few things to keep in mind:
-If you are prone to seasickness (or motion sickness in general), consider booking a stateroom in the middle of the ship and on lower deck. These areas will experience less motion.
-If you are sensitive to noise, book a stateroom with other staterooms both above and below you. Google the “deck plans” for your ship and look for a cabin (stateroom) with other cabins on the deck directly above you and below you. Be especially careful to avoid cabins right below the pool deck, bars, clubs, lounges, restaurants, and service areas.
-Consider booking a cabin closer to the areas of the ship you will visit most frequently. If you plan to hang out at the pool all day, book near the Lido deck. If you plan to eat all day (like me!), book near the buffet. Or if you purchased a drink package and plan to get your money’s worth, book near the medical unit (haha, just kidding).
Also, if you have mobility issues, you will want to book close to an elevator.
-Do you need it very dark to sleep? Are you on a tight budget? Are you traveling solo or with one other person you feel comfortable sharing a very small space with? An inside cabin (meaning no window or balcony and usually slightly smaller in size) may work best for you.
-If you’re on a budget and can’t splurge for a balcony cabin or suite, but you absolutely must have a view of the outside, an oceanview cabin (or a porthole cabin, available on a few ships for less money than an oceanview cabin) is a good option.
-If fresh air in your cabin, the thought of drinking your morning coffee outside in your robe, or having a private spot to gaze out at the sea and watch for wildlife appeals to you, consider booking a balcony cabin. They are more expensive, but many cruisers find them well worth the extra cost.
-If you don’t have any budget constraints and want a larger, more luxurious space with extra perks, definitely look at higher end staterooms like suites, spa cabins, or those located on exclusive areas of the ship (like “The Haven” on NCL).
-Are you traveling with a larger group who will need more than one stateroom? Consider booking adjoining cabins. There will be a door between cabins that can be opened. This is a great option for families traveling with more than two kids or families traveling with grandparents.
-Consider your itinerary. If you’re on a sailing with mostly days in port, you’ll likely be spending far less time in your cabin. You might opt for a less expensive option. But if you have many sea days, you might prefer a slightly larger and nicer place to relax.
Okay, so you picked the perfect stateroom for your needs. Well done! You’ll probably be eager to see it as soon as you board, but in most cases that won’t be possible. While the cruise line will start the embarkation process as soon as the public areas of the ship are clean from the prior sailing and ready for new guests, it takes crew a bit longer to get all the cabins ready. Usually they’re ready by about 1:30. This has a few implications for the first few hours of your cruise.
First, you’ll want to consider what to bring with you onboard in your carry on bag. You’ll be able to check your large luggage with porters at the pier and it will be delivered to your stateroom later in the day. But you can also bring smaller items onboard with you. Keep in mind that whatever you carry on will have to be kept with you until your stateroom is available. Avoid bringing a large and/or heavy bag or anything else that will be difficult to carry while navigating through big crowds and tight spaces. Do, however, be sure to pack anything you’ll need in those first few hours. I’m thinking particularly of things like medications (even over-the-counter drugs you may need). You also may want to take advantage of the pool or hot tubs upon boarding. If so, make sure to either wear a swimsuit under your clothes (with undergarments to change into packed in your carry on bag) or to pack a swimsuit in your carry on bag. Don’t forget to bring your sunscreen too!
Second, think about how you’d like to spend those first few hours and plan accordingly. If you want to eat lunch right away, you’ll need to have a spot in mind. The buffet is very, very crowded on embarkation day, so unless you are in an early boarding group and head straight for the buffet to secure a spot and get your food, you may want to consider eating in a dining room or another alternative to the buffet. Also, loungers around the pools fill up fast. If you want to hang out by the pool, head there immediately to secure yourself a prime spot. Whatever you decide to do, check your deck plans in advance so you know where you’re going once onboard.
It turns out that old adage is true: Couples who barf together, stay together. It’s been 10 years since Mr. Cruise and I got horribly seasick together on our first cruise and we’re still going strong! But we’ve since learned to prepare in advance for possible seasickness on our cruises.
After wondering out loud if I’d married a man or a Muppet when I saw the shade of green Mr. Cruise had turned as our ship navigated large Pacific swells, I quickly stopped laughing and started hurling as I too became afflicted with a horrible case of seasickness.
I sent Oscar up to the gift shop to purchase some overpriced Dramamine and we spent the next two days in bed not doing what you’re supposed to be doing in bed on your honeymoon. Turns out regular Dramamine cures seasickness by knocking you out cold. Live and learn and pack these items to prevent and treat seasickness on your first cruise:
If you want a medication free solution, I recommend Sea-Bands. These bands are worn like a bracelet and feature a plastic bead that presses against the Nei-Kuan pressure point on the under-side of your wrist.
If sea-bands sound a little too fru-fru and you want DRUGS, I’d recommend Bonine. It won’t make you drowsy and it works. Be sure to start taking it a few days before your cruise starts so it has time to build up in your system.
And If you dozed through the above part about preventing seasickness like my college students used to during all my lectures until they heard me say, “we just have a few minutes left” indicating that I was about to say something half-way important, you can use the following strategies to treat seasickness onboard:
Green apples and saltine crackers may also help (both should be available at the buffet).
The first night in the dining room on our honeymoon cruise, Mr. Cruise and I were thrilled to be seated at a lovely, romantic table in the corner next to a window where we could hold hands and sneak an occasional kiss while gaining back all the weight we’d lost to fit into our wedding attire. It was a four-top, but we naively thought we’d have it all to ourselves to spread out our four entrees and six desserts. But a few minutes later another, much older, couple was seated with us. Instead of a romantic dinner it turned out to be more like a combination of an awkward Jr. High dance and going on a double date with your parents.
And every night from that point forward, we were seated at different sized tables with different strangers. We adapted quickly and really enjoyed some of our tablemates and dinner conversations, but had we known then that we could request and receive a private table, we certainly would have.
While it is common practice for cruise lines to seat strangers together for dinner (except on NCL where it’s never done unless requested), Prof. Cruise is here to assure you that you DO NOT have to sit with strangers at dinner if you’d, for whatever reason, rather not. If you have “your time” or “anytime” dining (meaning you choose when you eat dinner and just show up at the dining room), you may request a “private table” and will always receive one (although you may have to wait a bit longer to be seated at peak times). While it’s a little trickier, you can also receive a private table if you have an assigned dining time (either the early or late seating). Go here to learn how.
Dining and drinking on a cruise is very different than dining and drinking on land and knowing what to expect and managing expectations is important for a positive experience. Keep a few things in mind as you sit down for your first meal at sea.
First, a cold hard truth: Cruise lines recruit and hire crew members from countries where they can pay them the least for very, very hard work. This means that most crew members are not native English speakers. While they go through a rigorous training process that includes learning English if they don’t already know it, you may experience some language barriers on a cruise, especially in dining and bar areas. You may need to repeat or rephrase something or you may have a bit of trouble understanding your waiter or bartender’s accent. Be patient and understanding and realize how difficult it is to work with the public in a non-native language. On the plus side, you’ll get the chance to meet and interact with people from all over the world. Engage with crew and ask them about their hometowns and their families. I’ve learned so many interesting things from crew members on my cruises.
Second, understand that feeding a cruise ship packed with thousands of passengers is a massive, difficult operation and prepare for long waits at times. You may wait to be seated. You may wait to give your food or bar order. And you may wait a long time between courses. Don’t expect fast meals, especially in the main dining rooms at dinner. If speed is important to you, consider eating at the buffet or at a specialty restaurant (that you will pay extra for). You’re on vacation – relax and go with the flow.
Bonus Tip: Tipping a few dollars in cash will greatly improve bar service.
Third, the quality of the food on cruise ships may be less than you expect. But there will also be many, many different options. I’m a quantity vs quality gal, so I LOVE eating on a cruise. There is food available nearly 24/7 and it’s plentiful. However, if you’re picky or a serious foodie, you’ll likely be disappointed in the food onboard.
My husband and I have started using qualifiers whenever we talk about cruise service or cruise food. We always add, “for cruise food” or “for a cruise” to any discussion of a particular meal or the service on our ship. So, for example we might say, “the service was fast…for a cruise” or “the seafood was great…for cruise food.”
Newbie cruisers can be very nervous about booking excursions on their own. And with good reason – they’ve probably seen viral videos of people running down the pier at port screaming and crying as their cruise ship pulls away without them. However, booking an excursion on your own through a reputable company or just exploring the port on your own is generally safe and will often be less expensive and a much better experience (less crowded, you’ll see more, more personable, etc).
Private tour companies count on good reviews to stay in business. They are committed to giving you a good experience and making sure they return you to the ship ON TIME and in one piece. Most will even guarantee to get you back to the ship on time or will pay to get you to the next port (ask about this if you’re nervous).
I usually book my excursions through Viator (just search for the city you’re docking in and include the word: “excursion” – make sure to read the description carefully to make sure they will pick you up right at your ship), but it can also be helpful to ask for recommendations on cruise forums and boards.
You can also do some research in advance and just walk around the port area on your own or hire a taxi or ride share to take you around to places that aren’t within walking distance. I’ve had an amazing time at so many ports without spending any money. I’ll look for free museums, historical sights, hikes or beaches or other natural areas to explore, fun neighborhoods, even cemeteries (I love an interesting, beautiful cemetery!) Do some research on safety at each port and follow common sense safety precautions, but if you feel comfortable, I encourage you to avoid expensive and often crowded cruise ship excursions and go it on your own!
Never purchase travel insurance through your cruise line. It will be more expensive and cover less than plans you can buy on your own. That said, I ALWAYS recommend you buy travel insurance for your cruise. I recommend purchasing insurance through a site like travelinsurance.com where you can compare plans in terms of coverage and cost and get exactly what you want at the best price. Also check with your credit card company. Many cards include free travel insurance (although it doesn’t usually cover very much).
Cruising is magical. The sounds and sights and smell of the sea. The energy of the ship. The flexibility. The interesting ports. The friendly crew. Treasured time with family. Relaxation. Fun. Friends, new and old. With a bit of preparation and patience, you’ll love your first cruise and the only reason you’ll want to get home is so you can book your next one!
And with that…
Class Dismissed.
Homework (10 points): Go here to see all my other tips for cruising.
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