Taking your first cruise? The only thing that can match the excitement of an upcoming vacation is the overwhelmed feeling that comes with trying to navigate and plan for your first trip. We’ve been there. Our first cruise, we had no idea what to expect.
From embarkation on cruise day to dining to shore excursions, everything you do on a cruise is just a little different than any other vacation you’ve ever been on. That’s why we’ve taken the time to round up a boatload of tips — 57 to be exact — that will help you know better about what to expect come cruise day. These are all tips we’ve learned over more than a decade — and dozens — of cruises.
From the basic details of cruising to how to save some cash — and much more — we’ve got everything you need to be confident and enjoy your trip the second you reach the port.
Note: This article contains links to Amazon that are affiliate links. Should you make a purchase, we receive a small percentage of the sale at no extra cost to you.
1. Don’t Worry About Cash on Board; Everything Is Paid Through Your Room Key
When you go through check-in, you’ll receive the key to your room. (Check-in online ahead of time? It may be in a sealed envelope at your cabin door.) This “key” is actually like a credit card that you’ll slide into your cabin door to unlock it. But it does a lot more. It’s also linked to your shipboard account, and you’ll use your room key just like a credit card to charge items to your account.
No matter if you’re buying a drink or a souvenir on one of the ships, you’ll use this card to pay. The only time you’ll use cash is when you are off the ship in port (here’s how much cash to bring). This is much more convenient than having to carry around dollars. Just be sure to keep a close hold on your card!
2. Interior Cabins Are Fine For First-Time Cruisers
Wondering if you should get an interior cabin or a balcony room? Don’t sweat it. Balconies are great, but there are some big advantages for interior cabins. As a first-time cruiser, it’s doubtful you’ll be spending much time in your room anyway as you’ll want to be out and about exploring. Having an interior cabin is a cheaper way to get on your first sailing without breaking the bank.
3. Balcony Rooms Are Worth It
As we just said, interior cabins are great for first-time cruisers who are usually out around the ship the entire trip. But if you do decide to spring for a balcony room, it’s well worth it.
This is especially the case if you’re the sort of person who likes to take your time getting ready in the morning while sipping on a cup of coffee or just having your own private space to take in the view. Having the fresh air — and the million-dollar views — from your balcony is worth the extra cost if you want to pay a little more for your trip.
4. What to Expect With Security at Check-In
Who isn’t turned off by the intrusive security at airports these days? From having to empty water bottles, to taking off shoes, to raising your hands and being scanned by a machine, it’s awful. Thankfully, cruise security is much more like flying used to be.
Enter the terminal and then you’ll have to pass through a security checkpoint. You’ll step through a metal detector and your bags will go on an x-ray machine. The security process takes just a few seconds. There aren’t highly intrusive screening measures in place such as pat-downs, you don’t have to remove your belt or shoes, and you don’t have limits on liquids.
5. Book Packages Ahead of Time for a Discount
Any veteran cruise passenger knows the best way to save some cash is to book packages ahead of your cruise. Things like drink packages and wi-fi are discounted through your online account before your cruise. Cruise lines offer this incentive to get you to book early and spend more money. Still, if you’re going to buy the packages anyway, it’s worth it.
The savings can be substantial versus the onboard prices, such as drink packages offered for buy one, get one 50% off.
6. Passports Are Better Than Birth Certificates
One nice thing about cruises is that many trips allow you to sail with only a birth certificate and photo ID (if the cruise begins and ends in the same port). If you don’t have a passport, you can still leave the country and don’t have to go through the hassle and expense of obtaining one.
Even so, it’s much smarter to sail with a passport. Not only does it come in handy should you need to leave the ship early due to an emergency, but it can also save you time. These days many ports use facial recognition matched with your passport for entering the country. Snap a photo and you’re on your way home. Those with birth certificates sometimes still wait in line to be checked by an officer.
7. Don’t Worry About Changing Money in Port
Headed to the Caribbean? It’s likely you’ll visit several countries — with several different currencies — within just a few days. The good news is you don’t have to think about converting currencies at each port. The ports you visit thrive on tourism and make things easy for tourists. They will all gladly accept U.S. dollars, and often take credit cards. Just bring some smaller bills for your port days and you’ll be all set.
8. Take Advantage of Drink Policies to Bring Things On
When you get on a ship there is no shortage of places to spend money. That’s why we suggest passengers take advantage of any chance they have to save.
Case in point: Carnival and Royal Caribbean — two of the biggest players in cruising — allow you to bring on 12 cans of non-alcoholic drinks.
Considering that soft drinks are about $3 each on a cruise, that can save you a nice chunk of change. As well, it allows you to bring your favorite non-alcoholic drink with you in case it isn’t served on the ship.
9. Order Multiples in the Main Dining Room
Most people don’t realize it, but the cruise lines will often bend over backwards to make you happy. Case in point: You can order multiple items from the dining room menu.
So say you want an appetizer, but can’t choose between two of them. Don’t choose. Instead, just order them both.
This makes it a great way to try dishes that are out of your comfort zone. If you don’t end up liking it, then there’s no big loss since the dining room food is included. (Some lines may charge a small fee for multiple entrees.)
10. Yes, You Can Bring (Some) Alcohol on Board
Cruise lines know that people want to let loose and have a drink (or ten!) on the cruise. That’s why they charge high prices for their booze. Still, most cruise lines allow you to bring aboard some alcohol when you embark at the start of your trip. It’s very restrictive in that it’s typically only a bottle or two of champagne. Still, we recommend taking advantage as it’s much cheaper than buying drinks once on the ship.
11. Do the Math Before Booking the “All You Can Drink” Packages
If you’ve been tempted by the drink packages, do the math before you buy it. Drink packages seem like good deals, but the rules can make them quite pricey. For instance, many cruise lines force each person in a cabin to buy the package if any passenger buys it. As well, you have to buy the package for the entire cruise.
That means even on days when you are in port (and not on the ship for most of the day), you’re still paying for the package. Finally, with high daily prices, you usually have to drink 7-10 drinks each and every day you are on the cruise to come out ahead.
For many passengers, they are actually better off buying drinks individually. (Use our Drink Package Calculator to see if you’re better off with a package.)
12. Take Your Time, Reduce the Lines
Want to board first? Want to be first off the ship? Great, hope you like standing in line. Today’s ships carry more than 5,000 passengers at a time. That means there are usually lines for everything, especially right when they open like when it’s time to board the ship. We’d suggest simply taking your time and don’t worry about being anywhere right when it opens. It will mean you spend less of your vacation waiting around and more time enjoying your trip.
13. Parking at the Port Is Convenient, But There Are Cheaper Options
If you’re driving to the cruise port, then you should know that it doesn’t get any more convenient than with the official port parking lots. They are typically right at the cruise terminal, so you unload and head right to check-in. Of course, they charge for that convenience.
If you search for parking lots near the port, you can usually find independent lots that are nearly as convenient, but at a sharp discount to parking at the port. These lots almost always offer a free shuttle to drop you off right at the ship as well.
14. Many Hotels Offer Free Cruise Parking
Plan to stay in town the night before your cruise? If you’re driving in, look for a hotel that offers a cruise parking special. As an incentive to attract guests, many hotels (especially in smaller port cities like Galveston) offer free parking if you stay a night with them. It’s an easy way to save a bundle, but only if you planned to stay the night anyway. It’s typically not worth it to stay just to get free parking.
15. There’s No Bill to Sign (or Tip to Leave) in the Dining Room
Tipping is a fact of life on a cruise. And cruise lines have included gratuities with your cruise fare or charged daily to your account, so they are taken care of automatically. That means when you eat in the free restaurants on the ship like the buffet and the main dining room, there’s no bill to pay or tip to leave.
It can feel a little wrong the first time, but when you are done with dinner, you simply get up and walk out.
Now, this doesn’t go for specialty restaurants that are a fee. If you eat there you’re expected to sign the bill to confirm the charge, and the gratuity is tacked onto the price.
16. Turn Your Phone On Airplane Mode Once on the Ship
There are horror stories of people coming back from their cruise with unexpected cell phone charges. The reason is either they use their phone willingly without realizing they are connected to a “roaming” tower or their phone used data without their knowledge for things like updating apps or downloading messages. No matter the reason, you don’t want to accidentally get dinged with a sky-high phone bill. Put your phone on airplane mode before your cruise leaves the shore.
You should also turn on the wi-fi, which will allow you to connect for free to the cruise line’s app. You can also pay to connect to the ship’s wi-fi and use your phone as normal.
17. Yes, You Can Hear Through the Walls (So Keep it Down)
If you’re worried about sounds traveling through the walls, you should be. To be clear, the walls are not paper thin, so you won’t hear the cabin next to you watching a TV at a normal volume. But if you are the type that makes a lot of noise (ahem… enjoying your vacation with your partner, perhaps?), then you should try to keep it down. You’ll also be able to hear people in the halls through the door.
18. The Main Dining Room Serves Breakfast and Lunch
Most passengers will eat their dinner in the main dining room, but they actually serve breakfast and lunch there too. The buffet is quick and easy for these meals, but the quality and freshness is usually lower than what you’ll get in the dining rooms. Head over if you want something a little better.
19. It’s a Ship… Not a Boat
It’s not a big deal, but just so you don’t sound like a rookie cruiser, it’s good to understand the terminology. It is a cruise ship that you are sailing on. Calling it a boat during the trip may get you funny looks.
There’s no real cut-off on what is a considered a boat, versus a ship — other than ships are known as large ocean-going vessels. There’s no doubt that the size and scale of any cruise ship you sail will definitely put them firmly in the “ship” category.
20. Ports of Call Aren’t Always Disneyland
With everything seemingly so perfect on the ship, it can be easy to think that ports of call are perfect as well. To be fair, ports you visit will be pretty safe, especially in the tourist areas. Venture outside of these spots, however, and it’s just like any other place. There are good parts of town and places where you don’t want to venture.
Odds are you won’t find these spots without looking for them, but be aware of your surroundings at all times and don’t do anything like flash lots of cash or wear tons of fancy jewelry. It’s also a good idea not to drink too much in port to keep your wits about you.
21. Cruise Insurance? Always a Good Idea to Have
The fact is that most people will never use the travel insurance that they buy. Still, if something goes wrong at sea, it’s a great thing to have. Travel insurance can help cover costs of getting sick or injured in a foreign country, as well as compensate you for travel delays, lost baggage and more. If you’re on the fence about buying insurance, we’d suggest doing so. You can read more about travel insurance and what it covers here.
22. Be Ready for Itinerary Changes
Have your heart set on Cozumel? Can’t wait for that private island? Just know that cruise itineraries can change for any number of reasons. Whether it be an issue with the ship, weather, or even riots in port (yes, this has happened). Often the cruise lines will try to sub one port for another, but it isn’t unheard of for them just to scrap a stop in port altogether. Keep in mind that this is a fairly rare occurrence, but it does happen.
23. Don’t Use Cruise Line Transfers to the Port; They’re a Lousy Deal
If you’re flying in for your cruise, then you’re going to need a ride to the cruise port. Cruise lines are happy to offer this service, for a price. All the cruise lines will offer a shuttle that runs from the airport to the cruise port, but the catch is they are expensive.
For example, Carnival offers a ride from Miami International to the port for about $23 per person, one way. The trip is only about 15 minutes and an Uber costs about $25 for the trip. In other words, a roundtrip on the cruise shuttle would cost $184 for a family of four, but only around $50 with Uber or Lyft.
24. Don’t Waste Time Searching For a Deal; Fares Are the Same on Every Website
If you think you’re going to find some hidden deal, stop stressing. Every cruise website offers the same fares these days. Here’s the results of a recent search we did for an upcoming cruise, pricing it out across several sites:
Our advice? Book directly with the cruise line to cut out the middleman in case there is an issue with your reservation. If you don’t know what cruise line you want to sail, then an aggregator like Expedia can search multiple lines at once.
25. Yes, There’s a Hair Dryer in Your Cabin
Save the space and leave the hair dryer at home. Each cabin comes with a hair dryer for your use. They usually aren’t fancy, but get the job done. Even better, let the breeze on the top deck dry your hair for you (that’s a joke… sea hair is a real thing!)
You’ll normally find it in the built-in console in the main part of the cabin, not in the bathroom.
26. Outlet Adapters Are a Must-Have
From portable fans to laptop and tablet chargers to nightlights to curling irons, the need for outlets in a cruise cabin is always increasing. That’s why we suggest bringing aboard an outlet adapter like this one to plug in and give you more free plugs.
One thing to know — adapters with surge protectors are forbidden. A simple multi-plug adapter is all you really need, and it’s worth its weight in gold.
27. Cabins Get Very Dark; Bring a Night Light
There’s nothing worse than being in an unfamiliar, dark cabin and having to get up in the middle of the night to use the restroom. Save yourself from walking into furniture and stubbing your toe by packing a simple plug-in nightlight. It’s especially helpful if you’re in an interior cabin where there are no windows to provide outside illumination.
28. Every Cabin Comes With a Safe; Use it
When you leave your cabin, be sure to put any valuables in the cabin safe. No, it’s not perfect, but it acts as a good deterrent from crimes of convenience and provides you with a little peace of mind. The safes aren’t that big, but will hold cash, jewelry, phones and passports with plenty of room to spare.
29. Your Balcony Isn’t as Private as You Think
The cruise line might sell it as a private balcony, but there isn’t a whole lot of privacy. Your balcony on your cabin will have walls that shield you from the adjoining cabins, but the walls often don’t go from the floor to ceiling. They can easily be looked under or above, and someone could look around the side of them if they really wanted to. Keep this in mind if you’re out on the balcony when the mood for romance strikes.
30. Drink in Port to Save Cash Versus on the Ship
We all know drinking is part of cruise culture, but the cost can soar quickly. Beers cost about $8 on the ship. Cocktails usually run $12-$14.That’s why it’s a good idea to head to port if you want to get your money’s worth.
Most of the party bars near the cruise terminals in the Caribbean will have drink specials designed to get you in the door. It’s often much cheaper than drinking at a ship’s bar.
31. Taking the Stairs Is Faster If Traveling Only a Few Decks
With upwards of 20 decks on some cruise ships, going up and down via stairs is time-consuming… and tiring. But with so many people using the elevators, it’s common to have to wait awhile before you get one. That’s why if you are only going up or down three decks or fewer, it’s usually faster to take the stairs. Plus, it will help you work off some of those buffet calories.
32. Don’t Stress: Formal Night Isn’t a Big Deal
No, you don’t have to buy a tux or an evening gown for your cruise. You won’t be out of place if you do, but formal night actually isn’t that big of a deal. On these nights, plenty of people dress up, while others just put on a pair of nice pants and a button-down shirt. Our advice? Just keep it a step above poolside casual (so no shorts or t-shirts) and you’ll be just fine.
33. Don’t Tip Twice! Gratuity Is Usually Automatic
Grab a drink from the bar? Your bill will typically include a gratuity automatically (normally 18%). Keep this in mind and double-check the itemized receipt before you sign as there is often another line for write-in tips. Unless the service was simply above and beyond, there is no reason to give a second tip on your drink.
34. You’ll Get Sunburned Much More Quickly in the Tropics
Everyone tells you to be sure to wear plenty of sunscreen on your cruise, but they don’t tell you why. At lower latitudes the sun’s rays are more direct. The result is that you can get burned being exposed to the sun for as little as 10 minutes if you aren’t used to it. So yes, wear the sunscreen, as well as a broad-brimmed hat to keep the UV rays off you as much as possible. The last thing you want is to look like a lobster on the second day of a week-long cruise.
35. Cruise on Older Ships to Save Money
News stories always hype up the biggest, newest cruise ships, and the cruise lines charge a pretty penny for sailings on these ships. If you’re looking to save money, look for trips that sail on older vessels.
These ships are still in great shape (and are often refurbished), but offer fares that are hundreds of dollars less than a similar sailing on a new member of the fleet.
36. Pack as Much as You Want, But Be Smart
Most of us are used to air travel, where you are charged sky-high fees for checking in baggage. Cruise ships are completely different.
There are no fees for luggage and no hard rules for how much you can bring. It’s a nice change of pace from flying, but don’t go crazy. Remember that even though you can bring more on board, you still have to lug all that luggage around. Lighter is better. If you’re bringing more than one large bag for a week-long cruise, then you’re packing too much.
37. Don’t Cruise If You Have a Warrant For Your Arrest
Traffic ticket that you never cleared up? Some other run-in with the law? If you have a warrant, don’t think about taking your first cruise. It’s a well-known tactic by law enforcement to check the passenger manifest against those with outstanding warrants. They often let the passengers sail on the cruise, and bust them when they come back. Get it cleared up before and you won’t have anything to worry about.
38. Worried About Seasickness? Here’s What to Know
If you fear being seasick, the good news is that most times you don’t even feel the ocean. That’s not to say you won’t feel occasional bumps or rocking, but if you’re expecting to move with the ocean, it doesn’t happen much. In fact, ships are so stable they often have pool tables onboard.
But if you are worried about it, then just pack some motion sickness medication or patches. You can also look for a cabin that is as low and close to the middle of the ship as possible.
The action of the waves causes the ship to pitch up and down the most at the end of the ship, with the middle acting as the fulcrum on a see-saw. There’s no guarantee you won’t feel the motion, but it should be better than getting a room toward the front or back of the ship.
39. Avoid Lines By Visiting Guest Services Late at Night or Early in the Morning
Chances are decent you’ll need to visit Guest Services as least once during your trip. If you do have to go to ask something about a reservation or your account, try to time your visit to off-hours (the desk is open 24 hours a day). Times like just before dinner can see long lines, when you’d rather be out enjoying yourself. Early in the morning (before 8 a.m.) and late at night (after 9 p.m.) are the best times to see the shortest lines. You also see shorter lines in the middle of the cruise.
40. Wait For People to Exit the Elevators Before Trying to Get In
Elevators are the heartbeat of the ship. With 5,000 cruise passengers trying to go up and down on more than a dozen decks, elevators are constantly busy, no matter the time of day. That’s why you should always wait to enter only after people have gotten out. It’s polite, but it also makes getting on and off much easier. Just stand far enough back to give people plenty of space to exit and then enter only after your sure everyone is off.
41. Pack a Small Fan For Your Cabin
While every cabin has air conditioning, they don’t have fans of any kind. That’s not an issue if you have a balcony and open your door, but any interior room is going to get a little stuffy — especially if you’re the sort of person that’s used to airflow. Luckily, you can bring aboard a portable fan like this one. As a bonus, a fan makes a great white-noise machine to help drown out any sounds from neighboring cabins.
42. Wear Sandals With Thick Tread Around the Ship
If you have a pair of cheap flip-flops that you like wearing around the pool, then it’s time to upgrade. Those sandals usually have slick bottoms that get worn down easy. When you hit a puddle, it’s easy to lose your grip and slip. On a ship, there are way too many places where you can slip and fall — especially around the pool. Upgrade to a pair that has a nice rubberized sole with plenty of tread.
43. What to Take Into Port With You
When you’re headed into port, the only two things you have to take with you are your ship keycard (it’s used to check you on/off the ship) and a photo ID if you’re 16 or older. Some people bring passports, but they aren’t required.
Apart from that, you just want to bring whatever you might want or need for the day. If headed to the beach, we suggest a towel (beach towels are provided on the ship and can be taken into port), some cash, sunscreen, a hat, and walking shoes.
44. Your Casino Payouts Can Be Worse Than on Land
If you want to gamble, a cruise ship offers plenty of opportunity. Nearly every cruise ship offers a casino. Just don’t expect great payouts. For example, on most ships blackjack pays 6-to-5 instead of the usual 3-to-2. Craps games heavily limit the amount of odds bets you can make. Video poker offers lower paybacks than the optimum pay table.
Head to the casino, enjoy yourself, but don’t think you’re getting a great deal.
45. Always Pack Some Cool-Weather Gear
Even if you are headed to the sunny Caribbean, it’s still a good idea to bring some warm clothes. When the ship is sailing and the sun has gone down, the combination of cooler temps and a strong breeze make it downright chilly on the deck. In addition, many spots around the ship are well air-conditioned, meaning you can be cool indoors as well.
46. Sail During the Summer/Spring Break for Younger Crowds
If you want to hang out with a younger crowd, then the time of year you sail is the biggest factor as to who you will sail with. Ships see younger crowds when school is out — Spring Break, Christmas, and Summer Break.
And if you’re looking to avoid younger folks and have a quieter cruise, then try to sail when school is in session and people are heading back to work. Months of January and February, as well as September and October will see older crowds compared to summer.
47. Save Hundreds By Sailing Off-Season
The rule of thumb is that cruises are most expensive when school is out. That’s because more people are able to take trips, driving up demand. So if you’re flexible with your dates, you can sail during off-season months like January or October and save some considerable money. The same trip sailing in late January can be 50% the cost of the same sailing that departs at the peak of summer.
48. Shorter Cruises = More Party-Like Atmosphere
If you want to have a calmer, quieter cruise, then look for trips that are seven days or more. Shorter cruises, which are less-expensive overall, tend to attract younger and more energetic crowds. That’s not to say it’s going to be like Mardi Gras, but shorter cruises — especially those traveling during the summer months — will definitely be a bit rowdier than what you’ll see from a week-long trip.
49. Invest in a Good Dry-Bag For Shore Days
If you’re sailing to the Caribbean, the first image that comes to mind is white, sandy beaches and clear water. But what do you do with your cash, wallet, phone, and anything else you don’t want to get wet?
You can either leave it on shore as you swim or risk it getting soaked in the water. That’s why a dry-bag like this one is a great investment. It’s cheap, compact, and keeps all your stuff safe and sound.
50. Go Ahead, Splurge on Shore Excursions (Worth It)
Your first thought when you see the prices of shore excursions is that they are expensive. It’s not unusual for a shore excursion that is just 3-4 hours run more than $100 per person. But we think this is one spot to splurge on your trip.
Excursions give you a chance to do things you won’t have the opportunity to do anywhere else in the world — from exploring ancient ruins to taking a submarine under the Caribbean. After your trip you won’t remember the money you spent, but you won’t forget the experience you had.
51. Be Prepared for Hundreds in Port Fees and Gratuities
Cruise lines advertise ridiculously low fares. Well, just know that they are just the start of what you’ll pay. In addition, you’ll have to pay taxes and port fees, which can run into the hundreds depending on your specific trip. Add to that gratuities, which run about $18 per person, per day. Combined, these fees can add considerably to the cost of your cruise. Be prepared.
Note: Following a new law in California, cruise lines now advertise port fee and taxes in the price of the cruise, making pricing much more transparent from the start.
52. Keeping in Touch is Expensive (Internet Access)
Want to check email, surf the web, or call/text back home? Prepare to pay. Out at sea, the only communication is via satellite. Every cruise ship will have packages that allow you to call or get web access, but they charge a high price (often around $15-25 per day). There are several work-arounds (such as international plans that will give you cell phone service in port cities or using free wi-fi in ports), but for many people, it might be best just to turn off your device and enjoy being disconnected for a few days.
If you do book wi-fi, we’d suggest getting the top-tier package. Lower plans tend to have frustratingly slow connections.
53. Don’t Even Think About Being Late For the Ship
Check out the video below. As a first-time cruiser, don’t let this happen to you. The departure times for port days aren’t suggestions. You should be back on board by that time and not a moment later. The last thing you want to do is be a “pier runner” or worse, miss the ship altogether.
54. No Habla Espanol? No Problemo.
Many of the ports in the Caribbean and Mexico are Spanish-speaking countries, whereas others may speak Dutch or French. Don’t worry. You don’t have to be multi-lingual to get by. The cruise ports thrive on tourism and they make it as easy as possible for foreign tourists to get around. Practically everyone you encounter will speak English, so you can leave the Spanish dictionary at home.
55. Be Prepared to Have Your Picture Taken
Not the sort of person that likes having your picture taken by strangers? Get ready, because it will start before you even step foot on the ship. It’s big business on a cruise for roving photographers to take pictures of guests having fun. The pictures are then sold in the photo store on the ship. As a first-timer, it can be unnerving when you’re trying to relax (which others love it).
To be fair, the photographers are great and it’s a nice way to get a professional photo done to remember your trip. If you don’t want a picture taken, you can just politely decline. And there’s no charge unless you decide to buy the picture.
56. Don’t Expect to Drink the Alcohol Bought in Port
If you think that bottle of tequila you just bought in Cozumel will make for a fun evening, think again. Just like on embarkation day, you can’t bring on bottles of booze from ports. Anything bought in port will be held on the ship and delivered back to your stateroom the night before you leave.
57. Be Careful, Cruises Are Addicting
You sure you want to take that first cruise? One thing they don’t tell you in all the brochures is how addicting it can be. A week of being catered to, eating great food, and visiting multiple exotic ports is hard to forget when you head back to work after your trip. In fact, many people book their next cruise while on the ship. But let’s be honest… there are worse habits to have than a cruising habit!
Related Articles:
- The Must-Read First-Time Cruise Guide for New Passengers
- 22 Basic Things Every First-Time Cruiser Should Know
- The 8 Things First-Timers Forget to Pack for a Cruise
My first cruise next week will tender at Phuket with overnight stay. I’m wondering whether tender boat is usually available round-the-clock and will I be able to get back to the ship at midnight on Day 1? Or should I consider booking a hotel onshore? Thank you.
Not sure on that. Only stayed overnight in a port once and there was an “all-aboard” at midnight so they didn’t want you staying out past that time. It will be a cruise line policy, however, so yours may be different.
Where or who do I find out about Port Fees and taxes how much I should budget.
This will all be disclosed prior to buying. You can price the specific cruise online, but normally just factoring in $100-$200 per person is a quick way to figure it.
Ok I’m confused about the alcohol. Because most I have seen allow two bottles of wine per cabin (Either per port or per cruise). But this says you won’t get it until after the cruise?
No, you can bring on bottles of wine/champagne. Anything bought in port will be held until the last day of the cruise and then delivered to your room the last night.
Thank you for explaining that your room key acts more like a credit card on a cruise. My wife and I are planning on taking a cruise at the end of the year as a way to celebrate the coming of the new year. This will be our first time, so these tips you shared will help us make sure we have a great experience during the cruise.
I’m planning my trip first cruise. When choosing a balcony cabin on a large cruise, is it better on the upper decks, middle or lower? There seem to be price differences for different decks. Rom is there no difference?
Thank you for infor.
To us it doesn’t really matter. It’s more about where you want to be in proximity to other parts of the ship. For example, most of the indoor amenities (casino, shopping, etc) are in the middle of the ship. Outdoor amenities are on the higher decks. So it’s really about if you mind taking the stairs or elevators to get back and forth.
My favorite part of this article is when you said that booking the balcony room is the best choice. As you mentioned, it is perfect for those who take their time in the morning while drinking a cup of coffee with a view. This is perfect for my husband and me because my husband is way too slow in the morning since he is a night owl. Actually, ever since we were dating, he would never choose to go out in the morning. Thanks!
Wow, it’s interesting that you said that there are no luggage fees in cruises, and we can bring as much as items as we want to. My family and I are going to look for a cruise trip for summer because it has been of our dreams ever since my husband and I got married. Our kids were also very excited when we told our plans with them. We will keep these tips in mind. Thanks a lot!
is there smoking cigarettes on a carnival cruise
Yes there is, but only in designated areas. It’s not allowed in your cabin or on your balcony.
Just returned from our first cruise and I am so glad I read your ‘tips and advice’! They really helped! And yes, they are ‘addicting’! Already booked for this summer out of NYC on a 4 night with new Carnival ship to Bermuda!!! YAY!!
Love to hear you had a great time!