11 Tips to Prepare for Your First Cruise Adventure

Planning a cruise, especially if you’ve never been on one before, can be difficult. Don’t be alarmed! If you take the time to educate yourself, everything will go smoothly.

And it will be well worth the effort! Cruising is a popular vacation choice that combines adventure, luxury, and incredible scenery. When that massive ship begins to move away from the pier, there is nothing better, and fantastic memories are about to be formed.

Tips To Plan Your First Cruise

But, before you book your vacation, consider this: can you live on a cruise ship?

Cruising is a lot like Marmite. Some people are enthralled by it, while others abhor it. Depending on the schedule, there may be several days at sea in a row.

However, there are a few things you should know before going on a cruise.

Be Aware Of The Cruises Duration

According to Viking’s round-the-world voyage, cruises can last anywhere from a few days to 245 days.

When taking your first trip into the unknown, a two-week cruise can be a bit of a gamble. For most first-time cruisers, a six- or seven-day cruise is about right, and it should include at least two or three ports to give you a taste of what it’s all about.

Select An Appropriate Sailing Time

Cruise ships can take you to more than 500 ports around the world, according to the Cruise Lines International Association. Each region of the world, according to Anca Cenea, a Celebrity Cruises concierge for over ten years, has its own ideal cruising season. For example, December through April is the best time to cruise to the Caribbean, while summer is ideal for sailing to Europe and Alaska, and winter is peak season in Australia and South America.

Cruises can be booked online or by calling the cruise line’s reservation line.

Remember To Be On Time For Boarding

Confirm the exact boarding and departure times for your cruise. Arrive a day ahead of time if you’re going to the port city so you don’t have to rush.

Passengers on Celebrity Cruises can check in online at least three days prior to departure. Your Guest Ticket Booklet contains additional boarding instructions.

Pack Like An Expert

The dress code for cruise vacations, according to the Cruise Line International Association, is typically casual during the day but can be more formal at night, depending on the ship and the event you’re attending.

In the Caribbean and other warm-weather destinations, beachwear is usually the preferred style. However, some of the ship’s specialty restaurants require a more formal attire for dinner. Even if you’re travelling in a warmer climate, bring a light sweater or jacket in case the evening air or the ship’s air conditioning is chilly. Choose layer-able clothing for cooler climates, which you can add on for a chilly daytime outdoor adventure and take off when you’re back on the ship enjoying an evening cocktail.

If you forget your beach suit or dress shirt, don’t worry; there are plenty of great shopping options on board and in port.

Last but not least, Celebrity will deliver your checked baggage to your stateroom, saving you the trouble of lugging it on board. To ensure you have toiletries, medications, and a change of clothes when you board the ship, pack them in a small carry-on.

Make Sure That All Documents Are In Order

Guests are responsible for obtaining and keeping all necessary travel documents on hand at all times. Valid travel documents, such as passports, visas, inoculation certificates, and family legal documents, are required for boarding and re-entry into the United States and other countries.

According to Celebrity, all passengers should travel with a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the end of their trip.

Make Advance Dinning Reservation

Although your cruise fee includes many delicious meals in the main dining room for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, you should also schedule time to visit a few of the specialty restaurants. For an additional fee, guests can enjoy a variety of dining options on each ship.

Beach Excursions

Every cruise port offers a unique set of activities and attractions. Would you rather see life under the sea on a dive off the coast of the US Virgin Islands, get a birds-eye view of the environment on a zip line trip through a Puerto Rican rainforest, or travel through Alaska’s mountains and glaciers on a scenic train journey?

Remember To Bring Extra Toiletries

On cruise ships, sunscreen, aspirin, and Band-Aids are all available. It will, however, come at a cost. Because you are a captive audience, cruise lines charge appropriately in their shipboard shops.

While we’re on the subject of sundries, don’t forget to bring extra batteries for your camera.

Feel No Pressure To Complete Everything

When looking for things to do on your cruise, keep in mind that skipping a few details is fine. You don’t have to finish all of the tasks. You should try to avoid doing everything. Remember that you are on vacation. Relax. Allow yourself to unwind. Sit for a couple of hours on your balcony, if you have one, and just stare out over the water. You will not be disappointed.

Getting A Cottage Near An Elevator Is A Bad Idea

A ship’s staterooms are not all created equal. When booking your first cruise, stay away from hotels near elevators and those directly above nightclubs and other late-night operations. They have a tendency to get a little rowdy at times. Cabins near the anchor and below the pool deck, as well as cabins near casinos, are all potentially hazardous.

Keep Your Phone In Airplane Mode At All Times

On the internet, some of the most shocking cruise ship horror stories are about first-time cruisers who racked up thousands of dollars in phone bills while onboard. This can happen if you, for example, leave your phone on while watching movies on the internet. On cruise ships, many phone plans, including international plans, exclude talking, texting, and data, and you’ll be charged exorbitant roaming fees for these services, which will appear on your phone bill weeks later.