If you’re planning your first cruise (or even your tenth), you’re probably wondering what you actually need to know before you get on board one of those huge cruise ships – or even the smaller ones!
Like, is the drinks package worth it? Which cabin is best? Are excursions necessary every day? What am I not allowed to take onboard…?
Today’s modern cruise liners are basically floating resorts and are an all inclusive vacation and an epic adventure on land and sea all rolled into one.
But there are a few things first-time cruisers often only learn the hard way! In fact it’s taken me about a dozen cruises, and I’m still learning new tricks and finding cool ideas.
So whether you’re planning a big ocean escape, a river cruise or a cheeky last minute cruise deal, consider this your personal cruise ultimate guide.
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Before you even get onboard check through this list…
1. Is the drinks package worth it?
One of the most talked-about tips for cruise passengers is whether the drinks package is worth the extra cost. Because they are usually from US$70 to $125 per person per day.
To decide if it is, you’ll need to grab a calculator and work out whether the daily rate of the beverage package your ship offers vs buying drinks as you go, is actually a great deal for you:
- How many alcoholic drinks will you realistically have each day? Google your cruise line to see if drinks menus are online. That will help you work out the cost per glass price. Ball park is around $12 for a standard drink.
- Does your cruise line let one person have the full alcohol package and the other a cheaper refreshment option? (Sometimes you can phone and get that organised if one person is not a drinker.)
- What’s already included in the fare (tea, coffee, juice, sometimes free drinks at events like meet the captain)?
Sometimes packages also include things like wine tastings or a free bottle of wine on embarkation day. Most cruise lines do not allow you to bring your own drinks on board, or they’ll charge a corkage fee, so factor that in too.
And remember, if you’re out and about all day, you’ll only be onboard from late afternoon and through the evening, so if you’ve worked out you need five or six alcoholic drinks a day to break even, factor your shore days out.
2. Choose the right cabin type and location for you
Choosing your cabin type is about more than price. Think about:
- Interior cabins if you want to save money and don’t mind no window. A good idea is to put kids across the hall while parents have a balcony room. You’ll probably all hang out together anyway. And no, I don’t mean babies or toddlers.
- Balcony cabins are my pick if they’re within your budget. It’s lovely to be able to sit on your private deck and watch the world sail by.
- Midship cabins on lower decks are the best spots if you’re prone to seasickness.
A well-chosen cruise cabin in the right spot can make a huge difference to how you feel about the whole trip.
If you’re not sure what suits you, a good travel agent who knows the ship can point out noisy or awkward locations to avoid.
3. Get cruise-specific travel insurance
Medical care on board is excellent but can be pricey, especially during serious medical emergencies. Or even medical treatment onshore in a foreign land.
When you take out insurance:
- Make sure your policy specifically covers cruise ships and days at sea.
- Check the fine print, as sometimes you need to add cruising as an option.
- Confirm coverage for missed connections, delayed flights and lost bags.
My top tip is to head to the last page and read the “exclusions” when you’re comparing insurance quotes. The extra cost of insurance is tiny compared with what one emergency visit could cost if you’re not covered.
4. If you use a wheelchair, book an accessible cabin early
If you use a wheelchair or have mobility needs:
- Book an accessible cabin type when you book your cruise, as numbers are limited.
- Do not assume you can turn up with a wheelchair and manage in a standard cabin.
- Let your cabin steward know if you need extra help or storage space. They will be able to sort something.
Because accessible cabins are limited, you need to book these early. Some ships also stipulate a limit on accessible guests due to staff/passenger ratios in case of emergency.
5. Pack light with a smart cruise packing list
It is tempting to pack your whole wardrobe, but sadly cabins are not walk-in closets. Use my free cruise packing list to ensure you bring the essentials and no more!
Include:
- Mix-and-match outfits, or work within a single color palette. That’s an easy way to mix tops with bottoms.
- A bathing suit (or three) for all that pool time, hot tubs and beaches.
- Something a bit dressy for formal nights – but I’m strict on no high heels. A waste of space!
- A lightweight jacket for breezy evenings on deck or in port.
I have a complete packing list on the link above that you can use.
6. Check the banned items list
Every cruise line has a surprisingly long list of prohibited items, and different cruise lines have different rules. Some common things that often aren’t allowed:
- Irons and kettles
- Some multi power boards
- Drones
- Alcohol
Check the rules for your specific company, whether that’s Royal Caribbean cruises, Princess Cruises, MSC Cruises, Disney Cruise Line or one of the smaller cruise companies, so nothing gets confiscated at the start of your trip. But if it does, you’ll get it back when you leave.
7. Pre-book popular extras like spa treatments and dining options
As soon as you get your booking reference, jump onto the ship’s website, create an account and:
- Reserve the must-do excursions and snag your excursion tickets
- Book spa treatments on sea days
- Lock in specialty dining options and fun experiences like chef’s tables, cooking classes or wine tastings
- Check whether there are packages that bundle activities at a lower extra cost
The keenest cruisers pounce on these as soon as booking opens, so if you have your heart set on a particular restaurant or cabana by the pool in the adults only area, booking early is a good idea.
8. Mix excursions with self exploring at each port
Cruise excursions can be brilliant, especially when your port of call is a long way from the city or when there’s a lot to see in a short time. They’re a great way to guarantee the ship will wait for you and that your excursion tickets are legit.
But you don’t need a paid tour in every single cruise port or at all your ports of call. My approach now:
- Some days on ship excursions to skip queues and know the ship will wait.
- Some days doing your own thing: wandering, finding a great place for lunch, or grabbing a taxi to the best places for beach time.
- Some days not getting off at all, just enjoying having the ship (almost) to yourself.
Often the crew will tell you which port is better explored with a tour and which is a good time to just stroll around on your own.
9. Check in online and breeze through the check-in area
If your cruise line offers online check-in, absolutely do it. That way you’ll be able to walk through the check-in area like a pro instead of juggling pens and passports and a long line of pre-boarders. Your travel agent can help with this, but it’s usually easy through the cruise ship website or the cruise line app.
Pro tip: Arrive at the cruise departure city a day early if you’re flying long-haul so you can sleep off the jet lag. Also, make sure you know the exact name of the ship and terminal as there can be several in big ports all departing around the same time – like Miami.
10. Take your own luggage on if you can
Some ships will allow passengers to take their own luggage on, so if yours does (and you are able) I suggest you do. The wait time for the baggage handlers to deliver 3000 suitcases can be over an hour and I personally like to get to my cabin and unpack or change immediately.
You don’t have to wait for it to arrive, as they will bring them in and set them in your cabin, but if you want to change before you head out to explore, then you could be waiting a while.
Once you’re onboard, here are a few more handy tips…
11. Turn off mobile data at sea and use the cruise line app
One of my biggest tips for new cruisers is about your phone. Before you sail away, go into your settings and switch off data roaming, or put your phone in flight mode, while you’re at sea.
This one I learned the hard way! Even if your international phone plan includes the countries you’re cruising between, as soon as you’re a nautical mile or two from land you can be hit with eye-watering roaming charges while your apps quietly update in the background, or your phone keep searching for cell connection.
Some cruise deals include onboard wifi so you can use that at sea. Otherwise, just switch off and enjoy your holiday! Instead:
- Use the official (free) cruise line app and cruise ship website instead of ship Wi-Fi to stay up to date with ship notices.
- Do your online browsing when you’re on land, and hopefully with free Wi-Fi in public spaces or local restaurants.
- Enjoy good old “offline mode” at sea!
12. Treat your ship ID like your passport!
Your cruise card or wearable tech is your:
- Room key
- Onboard credit card
- ID for getting on and off the ship
Keep it in a safe spot on your body whenever you’re off the ship, especially in busy gift shops, markets and streets near the cruise port. You can get cute bling lanyards that look like a necklace or lanyards with little RFID lanyards and wallets for your cruise and credit cards if you want to wear them. I also recommend:
- Taking a photo of your passport’s photo page and emailing it to yourself.
- Keeping a note of the name of the ship, your cabin number and your muster station in your phone.
13. Skip the Day 1 buffet chaos and explore the ship
On embarkation day everyone rushes onboard and makes a beeline for the buffet floor while they wait for their luggage to be delivered. On a large ship that can mean queues, noise and people hovering for seats with trays of food. Instead:
- Explore the decks, find the main dining room, the theatre, the spa, the gym, and get a feel for the layout.
- Grab a pizza or a snack from a quieter venue, usually located around the pool area.
- See if the main dining room is open for lunch – it often is, with more relaxed dining options and table service.
This is also a good chance to put your name down for a spa treatment or book a specialty dining experience by popping in.
14. Register kids for Kids Club straight away
Because you’ve done point 13 (above) if you are cruising with kids, head straight to Kids Club and get them registered for as many days or programs as you know they will love.
- Register them early before it gets busy – while everyone else is scoffing at the buffet!
- Meet the lovely crew who will be looking after your kids and understand drop-off/pick-up procedures.
- Check if there are designated areas for tweens and teens, some of the teen programs are amazing too.
Kids usually make friends on Day 1 and then never want to leave, which means you can sneak off to the spa, a show or a quiet cocktail. I’ve even heard of kids not wanting to join their parents for dinner because they’re having too much fun!
15. Follow the safety drill and know your muster station
Not all ships still run safety drills on Day 1, but if they do, don’t be alarmed, it’s normal and isn’t optional, even if you’ve cruised before. However, on my most recent cruise they didn’t call a muster drill – where you must go to your cabin and put on your life jacket then check on the back of your door where your muster station is, and make your way there.
Instead we just had to check in at reception within 24 hours of boarding and acknowledge that we knew where to muster in case of an emergency.
16. Unpack properly and make your cruise cabin feel like home
The beauty of a cruise over a driving holiday is you unpack only once. So do that. There’s nothing more discombobulating than half living out of your suitcase and half in drawers! When your luggage arrives:
- Unpack fully into the drawers and wardrobes.
- I like to use packing cubes as little “drawers” inside the drawers or closet shelves.
- Zip up your suitcase and slide it under the bed or stand it in the closet.
A tidy cruise cabin makes the whole trip feel calmer, and your cabin steward will be in and out every day making beds and tidying, so it is easier for everyone.
17. Check your dinner times suit you
If your cruise ship does allocated dinner times in the main dining room and it doesn’t work for you, or if you have a designated table that you don’t particulary like, see the maître d’ early on Day 1 and change it.
To be honest, the last few cruises I’ve been on, dinner time was flexible, so this is just for those cruises that still two seatings. Don’t feel you need to head to the buffet line because the dining time they gave you is too early or too late.
18. Know the rules about bringing food and drinks on
Your bags are scanned every time you walk on the ship, so check the rules before returning with a bottle of wine or taking a picnic off the ship. Every cruise line has its own policy on:
- Bringing snacks and own drinks on board
- Bringing wine or champagne to dinners, sometimes allowed with a corkage fee
- Taking food off the ship in port, with fresh fruit usually a no because of biosecurity rules
19. Build in buffer time so you don’t miss the boat
Oh my gosh, I had the most stressful time leading a group when three of my ladies were an hour late back to join us, putting the whole tour back an hour. We tried to make up the time but got caught in traffic. When the cruise ship staff are calling everyone’s phones to find out where you are, you realise how close you came!
Suffice to say, I scampered off the bus and ran through screening to stand on the gangplank while my group tottered as fast they could behind me. Phew. Got all ducklings back onboard.
When you are doing your own thing in port and not taking an official ship excursion, they don’t wait for you.
- Always work backwards from the all aboard time.
- Plan to be back an hour before the deadline.
- Factor in traffic, ferries and queues from ports of call back to the ship, and incidentals!
If you are nervous, official excursions are a great way to feel relaxed, because if they are late, the ship waits.
Top Tips:
Make the stairs, top deck walking track (if there is one) your secret weapon to be able to scoff!
Bring a day pack/last night bag for when your luggage is being transferred.
Use magnetic hooks in your cruise cabin. Did you know the cabin walls are metal? That means magnets stick to them – and a nifty idea is to take some heavy-duty magnetic hooks to hang your jacket, handbag, swimsuit on. Check these heavy-duty magnetic hooks out on Amazon.
Take a hanging shoe organiser for your closet. They’re useful not only for shoes, but all the pamphlets and info you’ll collect, sunscreens and all the flotsam you’ll gather to ensure your cabin is tidy. This one hangs in the closet rather than over the door, as once those ship doors are shut, they’re water tight!
Take decorations for your cabin door! You’ll see all sorts of creativity on cabin exterior doors from doilies and paper flowers to full photo montages, and no it’s not to make their cruise more fun, it’s to locate their cabin down the endlessly identical hallways!
Bonus tips
A few extra nuggets that did not fit neatly into the list, but are still worth mentioning:
- The best time to book can be early (for cabin choice) or very late (a last-minute cruise deal or a repositioning cruise). Talk to a good travel agent about your flexibility, or grab a deal if you sign up to cruise line newsletters.
- Gift shops on board can be a great place to pick up forgotten toiletries, but they are not usually the best deals for souvenirs. I did buy a gorgeous pair of diamond hoop earrings, but negotiated hard. Note: they will be more willing to sell cheaper on the last day!
- Many ships offer trivia, classes and wine tastings in bars and lounges, which is such a fun good time if you do not want a big show every night.
- Join private Facebook groups for your sailing by searching the name of the ship and date. They are full of people sharing awesome cruise tips, cruise packing list ideas and meet-ups.
What other cruising advice have you got?
I’m glad you asked! Here are some of my other cruise posts, depending on what you’re interested in:
All the things NOT to do on a cruise
Whether to take a cruise excursion or do your own thing in Croatia and Greek Islands
Walk through Holland America Line Oosterdam with me – video
How to choose between a mega ship and a small ship for your next cruise
My cruise packing tips plus links on which products I like best