We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post, but this does NOT cost you anything extra! Check out my full disclosure for more info.
There’s something thrilling about locking in that first cruise. The promise of ocean views, endless buffets, and waking up in a new port every morning.
Well, I did just that!
But before I could start dreaming about poolside piña coladas and shuffleboard tournaments, I had to figure out how to actually plan the thing.
I had questions. A lot of them.
Which cruise line?
What’s actually included?
Will I need Dramamine or just nerves of steel?
I didn’t want my first trip to feel like a test I forgot to study for.
So, I dove into the world of cruising. I compared ships, read forums, and tried to make sense of what smart casual even means. Now that I’ve made it through the planning chaos, I’m sharing everything I wish I had known ahead of time.
Whether you’re sailing next month or just cruise curious, I hope this will help you prep with confidence and avoid those first-timer mistakes.
In a Hurry? Here’s the Quick Version
No time to read the full post? Here’s what you’ll learn in a nutshell:
-
- How to choose the right cruise based on your budget, travel style, and dream destinations
- The booking process, plus whether you should go solo or use a travel agent
- What to do before you sail, from online check-in to packing and paperwork
- Rookie mistakes to avoid, like overspending, missing the ship, or packing way too much
- Final tips to help you cruise with confidence and actually enjoy the ride
Once you have time, read the full post for all the details. Let’s get started!
Choosing the Right Cruise
Before I could even think about sunscreen or flip-flops, I had to pick the cruise that actually matched the kind of vacation I wanted.
Turns out that not all cruises are created equal. Some feel like spring break at sea. Others are more like floating luxury hotels. Here’s how I narrowed it down.
What Kind of Cruise Do You Want?
I found that different cruise lines have different vibes. Below is a list that is my own understanding, but please use it as a guideline as we all have different tastes.
- Fun and casual: Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian. Perfect if you like nonstop activities, nightlife, and a buzzing atmosphere.
- Quieter and a bit Upscale: Princess, Celebrity, and Holland America lean more toward refined dining and relaxation.
- Luxury: Regent, Silversea, and Seabourn. Think gourmet meals, spacious suites, and pretty much everything included.
- Families: Disney (magical if you have kids), Royal Caribbean, and Carnival offer plenty for all ages.
- For culture and unique destinations: Viking and Seabourn offer immersive shore excursions and smaller ports with a more educational focus.
Side note: Looking back, I really wish I had known more about Princess and Carnival before I booked my first cruise. But let’s just say there might already be another cruise on the calendar!
And I am putting everything I have learned below to good use! More on that later.
Where To Go?
The first step is finding the cruise experience you want, the next step is choosing a destination.
There’s a lot of info for first-time cruisers going to the Caribbean and Bahamas. Might be due to the beautiful beaches, warm weather, and relatively smooth sailing.
For me, I was looking at Alaska for its breathtaking glaciers, the Mediterranean for history and culture, or even Hawaii for island hopping.
How Long Should My First Cruise Be?
Short three to five-night cruises are great for first-timers who want a quick getaway without committing to a long trip.
Seven-night cruises are the most common and offer a good balance of sea days and port stops.
Anything longer than a week is better suited for experienced cruisers who know they love being on a ship for extended periods.
I’m a bit risky and my first cruise is on the longer side. Stay tuned for a review I plan on doing about my on board experiences and if it was worth a long first time trip (and let’s hope it’s fun)!
Ship Size
Even within the same cruise line, not all ships are the same.
Some are massive, holding over five thousand passengers, while others are smaller and more intimate.
Larger ships mean more restaurants, more entertainment, and more people.
Smaller ships are more relaxed, less crowded, and can visit ports the big guys can’t reach.
Booking My First Cruise
Once I figured out where I wanted to go, it was time to actually book. This part seemed overwhelming at first, with all the websites, deals, and endless options.
But it turned out to be simpler than I thought.
And yes, somehow, I ended up booking two cruises before I even boarded my first one!
Oops
Booking Directly or Using a Travel Agent
There are two main ways to book a cruise.
- Booking directly through the cruise line gave me full control. I could browse ships, compare cabin types, and check out itineraries on my own time.
- Using a travel agent made things easy. They found deals, answered questions, and sometimes added perks like onboard credit or upgrades.
Full disclosure and to make this easier for all of us. I’m going to Alaska for my first cruise with a friend, I passed the job to a travel agent. I gave them my info, paid, and just like that, it was booked. There are things I would like to have changed but for now it works.
For the cruise I just booked with my mum, I handled it all myself. I wanted to be involved in every detail. And I’ll just say it’s not that hard to do, and I like having more control over what we are doing.
What Does the Cruise Fare Include?
Cruises are often described as all-inclusive, but here is what that really means.
Included:
- Your cabin
- Access to pools, lounges, and fitness centers
- Entertainment like shows, live music, and trivia
- Meals at the buffet, main dining rooms, and select casual spots
Not included:
- Alcohol and soda
- Shore excursions
- WiFi and phone service
- Gratuities and service fees
- Specialty dining and premium coffee
Remember that the different cruise lines offer drink packages, dining upgrades, and WiFi plans. Whether they are worth it really depends on your travel style.
Choosing the Right Cabin
Cabins come in four main types. It all depends on your budget and how much time you plan to spend in the room.
- Interior — No window, most affordable
- Oceanview — A window but no balcony
- Balcony — Private outdoor space with fresh air and views
- Suite — More space, more perks, higher price
For Alaska, I got an interior cabin (but I think there’s a window). But for the cruise with my mum, we decided on a balcony!
What About Shore Excursions?
This part had me going back and forth. But here are some things I discovered.
- Some excursions sell out fast, especially in popular ports
- Others are fine to book later, depending on your mood or the weather
- Some ports are easy to explore on your own, which saves money and adds flexibility
I decided to do a search for each port and see what was nearby and what excursions were offered. Most of the time, booking before your cruise will save you money, but some ports seem fun to just walk around and explore on your own.
I’ll give you a full report when I get back on what I decided to do.
Final Thoughts on Booking
Booking my first cruise felt like a big step, but once I broke it into smaller parts, it all came together.
I set a budget, picked my destinations, and chose the cruise that matched what I wanted. By the end, I had two trips on the calendar and a growing list of what to pack!
It’s exciting, but I don’t think my boss is too thrilled. YOLO!
Preparing for My Cruise
Once the cruise is booked, it’s time to get ready.
Packing is one thing, but there are a lot of important details to take care of before you leave.
Travel Documents and Online Check-In
Make sure your paperwork is in order.
- Remember to bring your government-issued photo ID
- For international cruises, a valid passport book was required
- Some destinations needed extra paperwork like visas or travel authorizations, so I checked entry rules for each port
Some cruises (such as Princess) have you complete an online check-in from their website or app. Take care of this when you can!
Handling Money on the Ship
From what I’ve read and heard, cruises are mostly cashless. Everything gets charged to a cruise card or wristband linked to a credit card or cash deposit.
- Plan on bringing a little extra cash for tips or small purchases in port
- Most cruise lines add daily gratuities automatically, covering service staff
- Specialty dining, drinks, WiFi, and excursions were not included in the fare, so keep this in mind
Staying Ahead of Seasickness
I have no idea if I will get seasick, but I’m not about to find out the hard way. For peace of mind, I packed:
- Motion sickness bands or patches
- Dramamine or Bonine for backup
- Ginger chews are a natural option
- A reminder to step outside and focus on the horizon
Also, choosing a cabin near the middle of the ship will help since those areas tend to be more stable.
Using the Cruise Line App
Most cruise lines have an app, and it is worth downloading before you board.
- Keep track of spending
- Reserve dining or excursions
- View daily schedules and activities
- Chat with travel companions without needing a data plan
Since cruise WiFi is pricey and I’ve heard it is slow, plan on disconnecting as much as possible. Be in the moment!
But just in case, be sure to check with your phone carrier about using data or calls in port.
Last-Minute To-Do List
A few final things helped me feel fully prepped before sailing:
- Let my bank know I would be traveling
- Printed out my documents and cruise confirmation
- Checked the weather and made final packing tweaks
- Set up rides to and from the port so I was not scrambling at the last minute
Want a Copy of My Cruise Checklist?
Wow, that’s a lot of information. To help you, and myself, I put together a free printable cruise checklist with everything I did to get ready (documents, packing, booking tips, and a few things I almost forgot).
Grab it now, and make your prep a whole lot easier!
One Step Closer to the Open Sea
Planning my first cruise felt like a lot in the beginning, but breaking it down step by step made everything easier.
A little planning will go a long way. Taking care of the important stuff ahead of time will give you peace of mind and let you focus on the fun part — actually going on the cruise!
Before you set sail, grab your Free Cruise Checklist
It has all the steps I followed to plan my first cruise, from documents to packing and everything in between.
If so, which cruise line did you choose and why?
Drop a comment below! I would love to hear about your experience!