If you’re about to take your first ever cruise, here’s my list of 21 things I wish I knew before setting sail.
Before our first cruise, I had absolutely no idea what to expect. We’d travelled quite a bit before, but cruising was completely new to us. There seemed to be so many things to think about, from choosing a cabin and understanding the dining arrangements to figuring out what on earth you’re supposed to do when you actually get onboard.
The good news is that cruising is actually pretty easy once you get the hang of it.
There is a bit of a learning curve at first, but after a day or two you’ll probably be wandering around the ship like you’ve been cruising for years.
So, if you’re about to embark on your first cruise, here are some of the things I’ve learnt along the way that I think are worth knowing before you sail.
In this article...
1. Think carefully about where you book your cabin
Your cabin location can make a bigger difference than you might expect, so don’t just choose a room based on the price or whether it has a balcony. Here are a few things I think are worth thinking about before you book.
Seasickness
If you’re concerned about seasickness, cabins around the middle of the ship and on lower decks are generally preferable because you’ll tend to feel less movement there. The higher you go, along with being at the front or back of the ship, the more you’ll usually feel it.
We certainly noticed this when we were sailing through rough North Sea waters at Christmas. Thankfully, our cabin was nice and low on Deck 8. So if you’re prone to motion sickness, make sure to check where the cabin is located.
Rooms near lifts
If you’re trying to avoid a noisy cabin, make sure you check the ship’s deck plans before selecting one. Having a cabin near lifts can potentially mean lots of people talking as they wait, or just the general noise of people getting in and out. It also means you’ll have lots of people walking down the corridor to their own cabins, so you could risk having people talking and walking past late at night.
Check what’s above and below you
Another thing to check on the deck plans is what’s directly above and below your cabin. For example, if you want a quiet cabin, I wouldn’t recommend selecting one directly underneath a nightclub or busy entertainment venue. Equally, if you’re below a buffet or restaurant, you could potentially hear chairs and tables being dragged around.
A few minutes spent looking at the deck plan before booking could save you from discovering that your peaceful cabin is directly underneath the ship’s busiest restaurant.
2. A partial-view balcony can be a good compromise
If you want a balcony but don’t want to pay the full price for one with a completely unobstructed view, don’t immediately dismiss partial-view cabins.
We stayed in a Deluxe Balcony Room with Partial View on MSC Euribia, and our obstruction was actually very minimal. It basically skimmed over the roof of a lifeboat, which didn’t bother us at all. We still had our own private outdoor space and actually ended up with a deeper balcony than the standard ones. You can read about our partially obstructed cabin here.
Of course this will depend entirely on the ship and the individual cabin, as some partial-view balconies can have much more significant obstructions than others. If you’re considering one, check the deck plan and try to find out exactly what the obstruction is before booking.
Sometimes a partial-view balcony can cost only slightly more than an inside cabin, while still being considerably cheaper than a completely unobstructed balcony, so it’s definitely worth considering.
3. Download your cruise line’s app before you sail
Most modern cruise lines now have their own free app, and I’d recommend downloading it before your cruise.
Depending on the cruise line, you might be able to use it to check in, check your itinerary, look at the daily schedule, make restaurant reservations, book entertainment, check your onboard account and find information about the ship.
Some cruise line apps can also be used onboard without purchasing a Wi-Fi package, although exactly what you can access will vary.
If you don’t have a smartphone, don’t worry. Ships usually have alternative ways of accessing this information, such as interactive screens or printed daily programmes.
4. Check whether you need to book entertainment
Some ships have shows that you can simply turn up to, while others may require you to reserve a place through the app or another onboard system around the ship. It’s worth checking how entertainment works on your particular ship before you arrive, so you don’t risk missing the evening shows!
Some MSC ships like Euribia and Virtuosa we had to prebook each show the day before, on P&O Iona we had to prebook the whole week, and on Enchanted Princess we could just walk on in without booking. So its worth learning how your particular cruise operates.
5. Don’t assume you’ll have a table for two
If you’re cruising as a couple, don’t automatically assume you’ll be given a table for two in the main dining room.
On our first ever MSC cruise we were put on a large table with several other couples, but we actually enjoyed it in the end. If you really don’t want to share a table with strangers, speak to the restaurant team as soon as you board and ask whether a table for two is available.
This isn’t the case with all cruise lines though, but it might be something thats worth checking.
6. Check your dining arrangements as soon as you board
Depending on the cruise line and the type of fare you’ve booked, you may be allocated a set dining time, restaurant and table.
If your allocated time isn’t ideal, it’s worth asking whether anything can be changed as soon as you board. It may not always be possible to change, but the restaurant team will usually do their best to accommodate you if there are other options available. If you’ve booked a cruise which offers a more flexible anytime dining option, you’ll have a little more freedom, but it’s still worth finding out exactly how the system works.
The sooner you understand your dining arrangements, the easier it is to plan the rest of your day. We’ve had lots of different dining options on the cruises we’ve done, from a set dinning time, flexible dining, virtual queue systems and walk ins. They all offer something a little different, so it’s worth finding out how your main dining room operates.
7. Don’t write off the buffet
The buffet can look completely chaotic at peak times on most cruises, but don’t let the crowds put you off. Try visiting a little earlier or later than the main rush and it can feel like a completely different place.
We’ve also found that even when the buffet itself is busy, there are often plenty of tables available. You might just need to walk a little further away from the food counters to find one.
They are generally a great place to go for a little late night snack too.
8. Check what dining options are included
Don’t assume the buffet is your only option for breakfast and lunch. Depending on the cruise line, you may be able to eat in one of the main dining rooms or other included restaurants too.
We actually really enjoyed having a more relaxed restaurant breakfast on some of our cruises. It’s a nice alternative when you don’t fancy navigating a busy buffet first thing in the morning. Check your daily programme or cruise app to see what’s open each day, as opening times and included dining options can vary from ship to ship.
9. Don’t feel like you have to attend every activity
There can be an enormous amount going on onboard. Shows, quizzes, dance classes, sports, demonstrations, live music, pool activities and various other events can fill your daily programme. But do not feel like you have to do them all!
I know this sounds obvious, but when you’re looking at a daily schedule packed with things to do, it’s very easy to fall into the trap of trying to squeeze everything in. Cruising is supposed to be relaxing, after all. So just make this holiday your own and do as much or as little as you want.
10. Check exactly where your port shuttle drops you
If you’re using one of the ship’s shuttle buses, check the exact drop-off location before you set off. These shuttles can sometimes take you to a location that isn’t right in the centre of the destination. For example, our ships shuttle for Bruges just dropped us off in Blankenberge, and from there we had to work out how to get the train into Bruges.
A few minutes of research beforehand can save you from standing around wondering where on earth the city centre has disappeared to.
11. Get a good travel eSIM
Having data on your phone when you’re in port can be so handy. Whether you need to book tickets, look something up or use Google Maps to help you get from A to B, having access to the internet can make exploring somewhere new a lot easier.
I’ve used a few different eSIM providers, but we really enjoyed using Airalo on our most recent cruise around the Mediterranean. We purchased one of their European plans, which meant it worked at every port of call on our cruise. It was really easy to set up, and we found the data to be fast and reliable throughout our trip. Take a look at their affordable eSIM plans here.
12. Compare excursions before booking
You don’t necessarily have to book your excursions through the cruise line. We’ve always booked ours independently, mainly through GetYourGuide or just figuring it out when we’re in the destination.
If you do want to book an organised excursion, I’d compare the options before you sail. Look at what the cruise line offers, but also see what independent tour companies have available. You may find a tour that suits you better or offers something slightly different and it might be almost half the price.
There is one very important thing to remember though. If you book an excursion independently, you are responsible for getting back to the ship on time. It will not wait for you, whereas an excursion booked through the ship, they will wait for you.
13. Allow plenty of time when returning to the ship
When you’re exploring a port independently, always give yourself a decent buffer before the ship’s departure time. It might be tempting to squeeze in one more attraction, one more shop or one more cocktail. But it’s just not worth the risk of watching that cruise ship sail off without you.
Ships have tight schedules to keep to, and the last thing you want is to be sprinting along the quayside while watching the gangway disappear. We’ve watched this happen a few times, and everyone on the ship is shouting and cheering at the people about to miss the sail away.
Avoid the stress by giving yourself at least 30 minutes to an hour to spare.
14. Know that returning to the ship is different from embarkation
When you’re returning to the ship after exploring a port, you don’t usually need to go through the same process as a new passenger embarking for the first time. Theres no need to check in, you just follow the signs that say something like ‘back to the ship’. The exact procedure will vary between ports and cruise lines, but generally you’ll go through security before heading back onboard, and if theres no terminal you’ll go through the ships own security.
15. Pack a travel adapter
Don’t assume that your cabin will have the same sockets you have at home. The sockets available can vary between cruise lines and ships, so check what your particular cabin has before you travel and take the appropriate travel adaptor.
16. Plan your day around the ship’s schedule
Depending on your cruise line, you’ll either have a printed schedule delivered to your cabin, or have access to one through the app. These can be so handy to help you plan our your day, and have a rough idea of where you need to be on the ship.
We tend to pick a few things to do, but leave plenty of time in between so we can relax by the pool, or read a book on our balcony. You don’t need to plan every minute of your cruise, but having a rough idea of what’s happening can make the day run much more smoothly.
17. Give yourself time to explore the ship
Some of these mega-ships can be a tad confusing when you first board, so its worth spending a bit of time wandering around and getting your bearings. Sea days can be a great time to do this!
Find the restaurants, theatre, pools, lifts and stop off to try a few of the bars along the way! We found the large deck-plan useful when we couldn’t remember where something was, and you’ll normally find these by the lifts and stairs on the ships.
Ships layouts can be totally different from one ship to another, and some are just easier to navigate than others!
18. Embarkation can be much easier than you expect
Before our first cruise, I was expecting embarkation to be a similar experience to getting through an airport and boarding a plane. Well, it really wasn’t! I’ve found every embarkation we’ve done to be seamlessly smooth, and so much quicker and easier than being at the airport. In general we’re on the ship in less than 30 minutes from arriving at the port.
Of course timings and procedures can vary between ports, cruise lines and sailings, so don’t take that as a guarantee. But I think it’s worth knowing that getting onboard doesn’t necessarily involve hours of standing around in queues. Just make sure you’ve read the embarkation instructions you’ve been given and have the documents you need ready.
19. Pack some magnetic cruise hooks
Some cruise cabins are more spacious than others, which means they can come with more storage space. Incase storage is lacking, I like to take these magnetic cruise hooks with us on every cruise. They take up barely any space or weight in my suitcase, and come in so handy! They’re really strong too, and you can hang all sorts from handbags, to documents and even heavy winter coats. I even used them to hang up some birthday bunting when we did our Norwegian Fjords cruise for James’ birthday.
20. Should you get the drinks package?
Drinks packages can vary so much between cruise lines, and whether or not they are worth getting is really down to you to decide. We’ve generally always gone for one, even if its the non-alcoholic package because buying soft drinks, bottles of water and coffees can soon add up too.
We’ve had some great cruise deals with Cruisenation and they sometimes include the alcoholic drinks packages at a discounted price. When we do have one, we enjoy sipping our way through the cocktail menu at all the onboard bars!
Some cruise lines make everyone in the cabin get the same drinks package too, so even if only one of you drinks alcohol, you’d both have to have an alcoholic drinks package. Again, they can all work a little differently so its worth looking into with the cruise line you plan to sail with. Generally drinks packages are cheaper to book before you’re onboard.
To help you decide if the drinks package is worth it for you, I’ve created this handy drinks package calculator. Just enter in the cruise line you’re sailing with and how many drinks you plan to have and it will let you know whether its worth getting the drinks package, or doing pay as you go. Hope that helps!
21. Consider carrying your own luggage off at the end
On nearly all of our cruises, we chose to self-disembark and carry our own suitcases off the ship at the end. This meant we didn’t have to pack everything up the night before and hand over our suitcases before bed. It also means we could get up and go when we were ready, rather than being given a time-slot and waiting for our number to be called.
If you’re keen to get home quickly and can comfortably manage your own luggage in the lifts or stairs, it’s an option worth considering. Just check that your cruise line offers self-disembarkation, as the process can vary between ships. If you chose not to self-disembark, you have to wait for your group number to be called and then you’ll collect your suitcase from the terminal where they’re all be lined up in group numbers.
I hope these first-time cruise tips help
There is definitely a bit of a learning curve when you first start cruising, but don’t worry too much if you don’t know exactly how everything works. You’ll soon get your bearings and find your favourite spots. Just don’t put too much pressure on yourself to see and do everything. Take some time to relax, enjoy the food, explore the ports-of-call and make the most of having your hotel come along with you. And if you’re still looking for your first cruise, don’t forget to take a look on Cruisenation to bag yourself a great cruise deal too!
I hope you have an amazing first cruise and that some of these tips make your trip a little easier. Happy cruising!
Before you go …
The blog is where the full story lives, but if you want to come along for the ride in real time for behind the scenes moments, and everything as it happens. Come follow me on Instagram @roostandroam.co.uk
Other cruise posts you might be interested in:
- MSC Euribia Partial View Balcony: What’s It Really Like?
- MSC Virtuosa Balcony Cabin Review: What Are the Cabins Really Like?
- P&O Iona Inside Cabin Review: Should You Save The Money?
- MSC Aurea Experience: Are the Benefits Worth the Money?
- Why MSC are The Best Cruise Ships for Families: 8 Fun Things to Do
- MSC Euribia Review: Is This the Right Ship for You?
- MSC Virtuosa Review: Is This the Right Ship for You?
- Enchanted Princess: Is This The Right Ship For You?
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