Five First-Time Cruise Tips
1. Book your cruise with a travel agent who is knowledgeable about the cruise lines, their itineraries, and the amenities available onboard. A travel agent will also know which cabins are best to avoid. Imagine booking your dream vacation only to be placed in a noisy room above the engine rooms.
Online cruises may seem like a good deal, but you could end up in the noisy cabin located above the engine rooms. These discounters often charge higher prices once you add on fees.
Our first cruise was booked by a travel agent. She helped us choose the best itinerary that met both our budget as well as our vacation wishes. We had a wonderful experience with a small budget!
2. Budgeting for your cruise should include extra costs. Cruise prices aren’t all-inclusive, but they’re close. Add-ons are shore excursions, gratuities, and (usually), soda and alcohol. Holly said that gratuities can range between $12 and $15/day per individual. She doesn’t recommend prepaying for gratuities in the rare event that you receive bad service. You can adjust gratuities at the customer service desk. Only if you receive a special deal that includes gratuities, would there be an exception. Your agent can also help you decide whether or not to add a wine or soda package.
We bought soda packages for our teenage sons on our last cruise. We didn’t expect them to be alone for a large part of the trip, so we did not want a big soda bill at the conclusion of the cruise. We don’t drink much soda at home but we wanted to give them the freedom to buy sodas without having to worry about the price.
3. Ask your agent for packing advice. Travel professionals pack well! You can ask your travel agent for a packing list and then follow it. You won’t need as many clothes as you think. Most cruisers wear comfortable, casual clothes. Holly urged people not to overthink it. Less is more.
Even though I consider myself an experienced traveler, it seems that I overpack when I go on cruises. I forgot that I’ll spend half of the cruise in a bathing suit! Next time I will follow Holly’s advice to pack less.
4. You should consider the type of cruise you are looking for. Carnival, Disney, and Royal Caribbean are cruise lines that cater to families. Celebrity Cruises makes a great option for couples. Holland America is a great option for couples.
The cost of a cruise can vary depending on the cruise line. Carnival is usually the least expensive. Azamara Celebrity and Holland America cost more.
The time of year you choose to cruise can also affect your experience. Spring break cruises are more likely to be filled with college students and families.
We took a cruise in December when our children were younger. The whole ship was packed with grandparents, parents, and children aged 10 and under. The timing of our trip couldn’t have worked out better. If it had been just me and my husband, I may not have enjoyed the dinner or shows as much.
Book shore excursions through your cruise line or agent! The majority of Caribbean cruises make stops in countries from the Third World. There are no regulations for taxis and independent tour guides like there are in the United States. You could put yourself in danger if you decide to go off by yourself. Booking through your cruise line or agent will save you the trouble of organizing your shore excursions. Simply show up, and have fun! The ship will not leave you behind in case your tour bus returns late to the port.
We realized that we only had a few more hours until the ship left again after returning from the shore excursion. We decided to walk into the shopping area nearby the port. Unknown taxi driver screamed at us that we were “brainwashed” by the cruise ship. Certain places are more regulated than others. You can trust your travel agent to help you with the booking process.
These five first-time cruise tips should help you plan your dream cruise vacation. Please leave a comment if you have any questions not answered. I’ll try to answer your question — most likely by asking Holly.
You can share your favorite cruise memories, ask questions or give cruise tips on our page.
Holly Woodard has been a great resource for us, sharing her knowledge and experience. She is a licensed travel agent and plans vacations of all types, not just cruises. She can help plan the perfect trip for you, no matter what your budget is.