Considering embarking on your first cruise?
Read my 10 tips below…
Whether you are an avid vacationer or completely new to the cruise experience, cruising can be awesome for anyone. I call cruising “destination snacking”, cruising allows you to taste-test many amazing places, then get back on one amazing ship where you have the time of your life at sea. Whether you are family wishing to spend quality family time, a couple wishing for a romantic vacation or someone wishing to make lifelong connections with amazing people around the world, a cruise could be a perfect option for your next vacation! Here are my 10 tips to help make your next cruise a trip of a lifetime!
10 Cruise Tips
#1) Select your cruise line wisely
The cruise line industry is large and growing with many cruise lines out there. The main Ocean cruise liners are Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Holland America, Norwegian, Carnival and MSC. Luxury and River cruises are also an amazing option.
Questions to consider when selecting your cruise line:
- Are the destinations (ports of call) most important or the ship itself? Some cruise lines offer very unique itineraries, some emphasize the ship experience…some a bit of both!
- How important is food quality, cleanliness, the atmosphere on the ship?
- If you have children, do you want options for them to be occupied for the day?
- Do you like fitness, how important is the quality of gym onboard for you?
- What is your realistic budget, consider flights?
Here is a great article depicting the different cruise lines. There is certainly one (or more) cruise line(s) perfect for everyone. Even within the different cruise lines, certain ships may offer something specifically perfect for you.
#2) USE A TRAVEL AGENT!
Of course, I am biased, being a Travel Agent (aka Travel Advisor), but I now understand how important it is especially when booking a cruise. 
Cruise pricing is one complicated beast and we are not only trained in this, but we also have your back…we are the ones that sit on hold for hours and help you get your best value!
We booked our first few either through a “discount” travel site and I realize now we were missing out on a lot of extra information, and upgrade options that could have made our journeys even better. We likely would have paid the same price or less going through a good Travel Agent. He/she will not only have the inside scoop on almost everything to do with your booking in your favor, but we also help with all of the intricate details below to make your cruise exactly the way you want it, or if you DO NOT KNOW WHAT YOU WANT he/she will help determine the best fit for you.
#3) Understand the differences between staterooms
Stateroom locations and types
Cruise staterooms are not generally the size of a hotel room – in fact, the standard staterooms are teensy-weensy compared to a hotel! But they are also just PERFECT for what most need for a cruise. Just think of the TV show tiny homes…
Questions to ask yourself that may help you book the right cabin type:
- How much time do you plan to spend in your cabin? Your average cruiser spends time only sleeping and getting ready, though some really enjoy peaceful breakfasts and evening cocktails on your own private balcony, and some a bit of both!
- Are you sensitive to noise?
- Are you (or do you think you are) sensitive to motion sickness?
- How many people do you plan to hold in the room
- What is your budget?
Inside stateroom:
The cheapest option (and most common quoted cabin type in ads). Remember, you will not be able to see outside whatsoever from your cabin, and remember to bring a flashlight as it gets pitch black at night!! Not recommended for claustrophobic or seasick prone people. Some newer ships come with virtual “windows”.
Oceanview stateroom:
This may be a large window or a small porthole depending on the ship, but you can see outside!! Windows do not open.
Balcony:
These are my favourites, though they are certainly more costly. Size varies depending on room type and cruise line. If the budget allows some beautiful and larger suites are available on most ships.
“Obstructed view”
This is a term you will see while selecting your oceanview, or verandah stateroom type. Generally speaking, if you have an obstruction it is a lifeboat or part of a lifeboat, but these rooms are usually considerably less pricey than an unobstructed view.
Cabin location tips:
- If you are a light sleeper, avoid selecting a cabin under the gym, or pool deck, and/or the disco as you may hear chairs being moved, treadmills, music, etc, also note where the anchor is located on the ship.
- If you are concerned or unsure if you will experience any seasickness, choose rooms towards the middle of the ship and on lower decks, preferably with a window or balcony, and avoid fully forward or aft cabins on high decks.
I personally use https://www.cruisedeckplans.com to help my clients get an idea of the location and balcony with real pictures. You do have to be a member to see most pictures but feel free to ask me anytime and I can source that out for you as I am a member.
#2) Understand cruise pricing
Don’t assume your vacation is all-inclusive. (Like every topic on this page, this could be an entire article). Cruise prices fluctuate for many reasons. One absolutely awesome thing about cruising is when you book a room, you essentially secure that price and that room but all required is a DEPOSIT (and often refundable!). Final fare is usually not due until approximately 3 months prior to departure depending on the cruise line, so you have time to sort out your travel finances. Generally speaking, if you are working with a Travel Agent, (many do not know that if better fare arises before final payment, you can often have the fare re-adjusted to the updated cost)!! Ask your TA (or me!)
- There two main costs:
- #1 Cost to get ON the ship = Base fare plus government taxes and port fees.
- #2 Cost to get OFF the ship = all the other *stuff…
- The main cost to “get OFF the ship” IF not included in your quoted price are:
- *Gratuities: These gratuities go to the amazing staff the you will see make your vacation unbelievable (you can tip them in addition in person on the ship)
- *Drinks: Depending on your cruise line, most will not include alcoholic beverages in the Base Price, or specialty coffees/sodas. If you like to indulge in any of those, it is well worth your while to find a price that includes drinks.
- *Wifi: It is not standard for cruises to offer free wifi, again an added perk/amenity. I personally love being off the grid without wifi myself.
- *Specialty Restaurants: Generally speaking your main dining room and buffet restaurants (usually fantastic food) are included in the Base Fare. Most ships offer specialty dining restaurants that are at your cost if you wish to venture out.
- *Shore excursions: Should you wish to do a tour on shore these are usually also an addition (book these early as some sell out)
- My advice: keep your eye peeled for promotions where some amenities you may desire are included in the price to get on the ship. Then sit back and relax with little cost to get off the ship. Again, this is where a good Travel Agent can help you big time (like me!).
- I would recommend to NOT wait for last-minute pricing for break cruises (Christmas/Spring Break), these are peak periods and most cruise lines sell out. The longer you wait, generally speaking, the more you will pay!! Other non-break times of year you may be able to luck out but as mentioned above there is usually a way to adjust the price or have additional amenities added if the price does drop.
#4) Be “one with the ship”
When the ship gets a-rockin so should you!
Unless you are making an open passage the ships usually only move slightly. However, for first-time cruisers, this can feel unfamiliar. On my first cruise, I was uncertain for the first two days if I liked it or not until I realized I actually loved the movement of the ship. She swayed me to sleep like a little child each night. If it ever gets really rough, I just look out to the horizon and realize how lucky I am to be able to experience it. Fret not, these ships are well equipped to handle the worst of storms. I even attended an engineering session so I could understand the ship and the many intricacies of keeping you nice and stable even in the roughest of seas. I have learned to absolutely love “sea days”.
#5) State of mind
Depending on the ship there may be hundreds to thousands of people all enjoying the same ship. An intricate orchestrated movement of thousands of people onto, throughout, and off the ship during embarkation and debarkation can make you feel a tad sheepish at times…but usually not much at all
It is all in your state of mind, be in no rush, practice patience, and talk to your neighbour! It is a wonderful state of mind cruising life brings out in all of us. I personally find people are immensely friendly on cruises, in fact, we have made some amazing lifelong friendships aboard.
In fact, the cruise lines take the utmost care to manage the people on the ship. I rarely ever feel crowded whatsoever on the ship except sometimes in the embarkation line up getting onto the ship. This is an impeccable time to meet your neighbour who is about share an experience of a lifetime with you on your upcoming cruise. Regardless, the port and cruise ship staff do their absolute best to expedite this process but accuracy and safety are key for them. Expect anything.
#6) Skip the elevators (if you are able…of course)
This seems little, but we have a rule of thumb to only take the stairs. Ships can be up to 18 floors, this not only keeps you active throughout the day, but it also avoids standing in unnecessary lineups (though they are not usually bad at all). Those steps add up, big time, throughout the trip especially on larger ships.
#7) Be prepared
- Pack well, remember, you are usually primarily in the middle of the ocean, there are no major convenience stores sailing about! This past cruise I developed a minor dry cough while on our last two sea days back and would have honestly paid hundreds for good cough drops. Here is my article on 8 cruise packing tips!
- Give yourself time, book your flight the day before embarking, at least. his not only allows for a relaxed start of your vacation, it negates any major annoyances should your flight be delayed or canceled.
#8) Arrive at your departure port a day early
Do not depend on the airlines to get you there in time. Unfortunately, as friendly as your captain may be he/she will not wait for you. This allows you to be able to relax in your departure city after your flight and arrive at your ship in the morning also relaxed and ready for an awesome trip without rushing.
#9) Turn your phone onto airplane mode!
Most cellular plans have decent international roaming rates nowadays but no one wants to come home to a big cell phone bill! remember it is not customary to have WIFI on the ships, cellular service is usually only available in ports.
#10) Last but not least, be ready to have one amazing time!!
Enough said.
Contact me anytime spreston@cruiseshipcenters.com with any specific questions and don’t forget to enter my contest for a FREE cruise!!
Bon Voyage!
