Your first cruise is an exciting milestone: waking up in a new destination each morning, enjoying uninterrupted ocean views, and having nearly everything you need within a short walk. But while cruising is one of the easiest ways to travel, there are a few things first-time cruisers often learn only after they’re onboard.
After nearly 30 years of cruising, I've made enough rookie mistakes that I know exactly what to do differently today.
From understanding what's actually included in your fare to packing the right items in your carry-on, these five tips will help you avoid common surprises and make the most of your first cruise.
In this article
Your Cruise Fare Isn’t Truly “All-Inclusive”
One of the biggest surprises for first-time cruisers is discovering that their cruise fare doesn’t cover quite as much as they initially expected.
While your accommodations, meals in many dining venues, basic entertainment, and some onboard activities are typically included, other extras are not, and can quickly add up.
Depending on your cruise line and the package you choose, this can mean alcoholic beverages, specialty coffees, specialty restaurants, shore excursions, spa treatments, Wi-Fi packages, and casino spending.
Some cruise lines now offer more inclusive options with many of these as add-ons, but it’s important to know exactly what your fare covers before you board.
As for tipping, most of the biggest cruise lines automatically add gratuity fees onto passenger bills, which can range from an extra $16 to $25 per day, per passenger.
Before sailing, review your cruise line’s inclusions and consider setting aside a daily spending budget. This will allow you to enjoy your cruise vacation without being surprised by your final bill.
Arrive at the Port the Day Before
Timing is essential when it comes to cruising. If you run late, your cruise ship will leave without you.
And so one of the most stressful mistakes a first-time cruiser can make is booking a flight that arrives the morning of embarkation. Even a short flight delay caused by weather, mechanical issues, or air traffic can mean missing your sailing.
Avoid the gamble by arriving in your embarkation city at least one day before your cruise begins. An overnight stay provides a crucial time buffer and lets you start your vacation feeling relaxed instead of rushing straight from the airport to the port.
Pack a Carry-On With Day 1 Essentials
When you hand over your luggage at the cruise terminal, don’t expect to see it immediately after you board. Although bags are typically delivered to your stateroom on embarkation day, it can take several hours to arrive.
I quickly learned what a bummer it is to watch everyone chill by the pool in their swimsuits while mine was buried in my checked bags that hadn’t been delivered yet.
You can avoid that unfortunate experience by packing a dedicated carry-on bag or backpack with everything you need for your first afternoon. Along with items like a swimsuit, sunscreen, phone charger, and a change of clothes, stash important travel documents, including your passport and cruise paperwork, in your carry-on bag, as well.
With your essentials handy, you can begin exploring the ship, enjoying the pool, or grabbing lunch without waiting for your luggage to arrive. This simple cruise-packing strategy can make your first day on board feel much more seamless.
Book Popular Activities Before You Board
Often, newbie cruisers assume they can simply walk onboard and make reservations once they’re settled. That might work for some activities, but popular experiences and excursions can fill up quickly, especially on larger cruise ships.
Depending on the cruise line, reservations for specialty dining, sought-after shore excursions, spa appointments, and specialized onboard activities (like escape rooms or cooking classes) may open weeks or months before your sailing date. If there’s something you know you don’t want to miss, log into your cruise line’s portal early to secure your spot.
That said, planning ahead doesn’t mean you need to schedule every single second of your vacation. It simply ensures you have access to the experiences that matter most to you while leaving plenty of time to relax and enjoy the unplanned moments that make cruising special.
Download the Cruise Line App Before Sailing
At the risk of sounding like your grandmother, I still remember the days of cruising without the aid of a cruise line mobile app.
While I still love the daily paper schedule of onboard happenings delivered nightly to the stateroom, I believe the mobile app is one of the most useful resources before and during your cruise vacation.
You’ll want to download the app, create your account, and familiarize yourself with its features before you arrive at the port. Most cruise apps allow you to complete check-in, view daily schedules, make reservations, communicate with travel companions, review dining options, and explore shore excursions.
While cruising is all about unplugging and enjoying the journey, having the right technology at your fingertips can make the experience easier. A few minutes of preparation before you sail can help you spend more time relaxing once you’re onboard.
The Shortcut
Your fare covers less than you may realize. Alcohol, Wi-Fi, specialty dining, and shore excursions cost extra, and daily gratuities run roughly $16 to $25 per person on top of that. Budget accordingly.
Fly in the day before. The ship will not wait if your morning-of flight is delayed.
Pack a carry-on for the first afternoon aboard. Checked bags can take hours to reach your room, and you'll want a swimsuit, sunscreen, meds, chargers, and your passport on you.
Book the good stuff ahead of time. Specialty dining, top shore excursions, and spa slots open weeks ahead and fill fast, especially on big ships.
Next up: There are a few Alaska-specific cruising mistakes first-timers make. Here's how to avoid those, too.
