Cruise Tips and Tricks: Everything You Need to Know For Your First Cruise!

Note: This post may contain affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Going on a Cruise For the First Time?

Congrats! I’m so jealous. I’ve been on a few cruises, and I go through withdrawal if I don’t have another planned for a while. For every cruise I go on, I learn more and more tips. That’s why I want to share my knowledge with you and give you the best first-time cruise tips and tricks! So you can worry a little less and enjoy your cruise a little more.

(Most of these tips work for ANY kind of cruise: Alaskan cruise, Caribbean cruise, etc.)

Cruises can be a great way to visit several places at one affordable price. My first cruise was an Alaskan Cruise because I wanted to visit Alaska, but I couldn’t narrow it down to what area. An Alaskan cruise was a great choice that let me visit several towns, see glaciers and wildlife, and enjoy plenty of seafood.

And you don’t have to worry about transport in between! The ship takes you to every port, so you go to sleep and wake up in a new location every day. How great is that?

What Should First Time Cruisers Know?

Because cruises are unlike most other vacations, first-time cruisers tend to have a lot of questions before they go (I know I did!). Finding the right information all in one place can be tough.

So I’ve put together a list of the most important things you need to know. Tips for before you book your cruise, when you arrive for your cruise, and while you’re on your first cruise!

Here are some simple first-time cruising tips to get you started and make your trip a little easier.

First Time Cruise Tips For Before You Book

Researching Cruise Lines

Choosing the right cruise line can make or break your cruising experience. With so many options out there, it’s essential to find one that aligns with your interests and travel style. Are you looking for a family-friendly adventure, a luxurious escape, or an action-packed itinerary? Each cruise line has its own unique vibe and offerings.

Start by checking the itineraries. Do they include destinations you’ve always wanted to visit? How many sea days are there? Some people love the days spent entirely on the ship, while others prefer more time exploring ports.

Onboard amenities and activities are also crucial. Look into dining options, entertainment, fitness facilities, and any special features like water parks or cooking classes. Reading reviews from past passengers can give you a good sense of the cruise line’s reputation and service quality.

Lastly, compare prices and what’s included. Some cruise lines offer all-inclusive packages, while others might charge extra for drinks, specialty restaurants, or shore excursions. Make sure you’re getting the best value for your money by doing a bit of homework before you book.

Booking a Room

Try to go for the balcony if you can afford it. Whether it’s sailing past glaciers in Alaska or watching the sunset with a cocktail in hand through the Bahamas, you won’t want to miss a single glimpse.

A balcony room is also the only room where you can open the door and get fresh air in or listen to the sound of the waves.

Book Two Rooms if You have a Family of Four or More. One little-known cruise tip I love to share! Cruise lines book by the room type and charge PER PERSON (not per room!). So if you have 4 people in one room, you get charged the EXACT SAME amount as having 4 people between 2 rooms.

Even if you have young kids, get an adjoining room, and then you at least have double the closet space and 2 bathrooms. Seriously, anyone with at least 4 people traveling in their group should get 2 rooms. It’s basically a second room for free.

Not many people know about this on their first time cruise, but you definitely learn it for your next ones!

Understanding What’s Included

Before you set sail, it’s important to know what’s included in your cruise fare to avoid any surprises. Most cruise ships include meals in the main dining room, where you can enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner. However, if you’re looking to dine at specialty restaurants, be prepared for an extra cost. These upscale dining experiences are often worth the splurge, but it’s good to know ahead of time.

Drinks can be another area where costs add up. Some cruise lines offer drink packages that include alcohol, soda, and specialty coffees, while others might charge per drink. It’s worth considering a drink package if you plan to enjoy a few cocktails by the pool.

Shore excursions are a fantastic way to explore new destinations, but they can also come with an extra cost. Some cruise lines include a few excursions in the fare, but many offer them as add-ons. Plan your excursions in advance to budget accordingly.

Onboard amenities like fitness facilities, pools, and entertainment are usually included, but always double-check. Lastly, gratuities are sometimes included in the cruise fare, but not always. Knowing what’s covered can help you avoid unexpected expenses and enjoy your cruise to the fullest.

Get Your Travel Documents Ready

Passports for everyone! Does everyone need a passport? Technically no. But I always advise you to have one. Even kids. You never know what might happen and if the boat leaves you behind and you don’t have a passport… You can’t get back to the States!

Cruises go by what country they dock out of. So if you board and set sail out of Miami, but go to Mexico, Honduras, or Belize… you won’t need a passport. But when we sailed to Alaska, our last port was Canada. And Canada made us show a passport to get in. So play it safe… get a passport.

Print all excursion documents. This handy printable cruise planner makes it easier to keep track of all your excursion details. But try to print out anything you can also. The ship charges A LOT to print things for you, and you most likely won’t have cell service. So, if you can’t remember the details, you might be out of luck. Make sure to keep your excursion tickets handy, as they are essential for participating in planned activities and tours.

Have Kids documents ready, too. We had passports for the kids before we sailed to the Caribbean but never ended up using them once. A birth certificate will do fine for boarding the ship, but other countries never asked us for a single thing.

Research Your Ports and Shore Excursions

Spend some time looking up each place you are going to stop. Go on YouTube, Pinterest, or just good ole Google. Don’t just read the cruise line tips. Look for personal experiences. That’s how I found out about this amazing Sloth Sanctuary where you can actually hold a sloth!

Consider booking a shore excursion with an independent tour operator for a more personalized and immersive experience.

Make sure you note the times of departure and when you have to be back on the boat. Keep in mind that you have to be back on the boat 30 minutes before sail time. So if a port is listed as “6 AM – 3 PM,” That means you actually have to be back on the boat by 2:30 PM.

Know what you can and cannot bring

Cruise lines are completely different than airports and have very different packing restrictions. For instance, a cruise line does not care how many bags you bring or what they weigh (!).

Many cruisers bring magnets to utilize the metal cabin walls for hanging items like invitations and clothing.

You also do not have to restrict your fluids and will have no problem bringing in a full-size shampoo bottle. But there are some things that are forbidden to bring on like irons… they won’t have them in the room, and you absolutely cannot bring one on with you (bring some wrinkle spray or a travel-sized steamer instead).

I’ve put together a complete list of what you need to bring on a cruise. Take a glance at it to make sure you aren’t missing anything and to make sure you are not bringing anything you shouldn’t be.

First Time Cruise Embarkation Tips

Embarkation is a fancy work for boarding the ship. Something I didn’t learn until I became a cruiser! The embarkation process can seem a little daunting for first-time cruisers. But you might be surprised it’s easier than you think. Here are some tips to get you on the ship and ready to go!

Don’t forget to put your phone in airplane mode to avoid exorbitant roaming charges once you board the ship.

Cruise check in process

Fly in the day before your cruise, never on the embarkation day! I understand the desire to save money on a hotel room for the night before your cruise, but it’s so worth it. Don’t take a chance! If your flight is late, the ship will not wait for you (or refund your money). So if you miss the boat, your vacation is done… why risk that?

Or even if your flight is on time and they misplace your luggage, you won’t have time for the airline to find it. And you’ll be spending the entire cruise with whatever was on your back.

Plus, it’s a great chance to visit the city your port is out of. We spent a great day in Seattle before our Alaskan cruise, had fun in Miami before our Western Caribbean cruise, and got to explore Puerto Rico before our Southern Caribbean Cruise. Worth it!

Know your check-in time! And request an early time if you can. Cruise lines give you a certain time to check in so that everyone doesn’t try to do it all at once. If they give you an option, choose the earliest time you can. The second you get on the ship, you can start eating, drinking, swimming, and enjoying everything the ship has to offer. So take advantage and board early!

I see other tips for a first-time cruise, such as to board later to avoid the crowds. I think this is silly. I’ve boarded the ship as early as I can on every cruise, and I get on with minimal wait times. The ports are very efficient and organized.

Go Through Security. You go through security at the port the same as you would at any airport. Put everything through a scanner and walk through a metal detector. They’ll also ask you to fill out some forms about your luggage, and then they take your luggage away and deliver it right to your room later in the day.

After that, you go to the check-in booths, and each member of your party checks in and gets their own key card (even the kids). Once you have all that done, you wait in a sitting area until they call your group number. When they call your group number, line up and get your butt on the boat!

* If you brought wine with you, you can leave it in your suitcase or carry it on with you. I’ve done it both ways, and no one seemed to care either way.

Once on Board the Cruise Ship…

Grab a chair on warm weather cruises. The FIRST thing everyone does on a warm weather cruise is head straight to the pool deck and claim their lounge chair. The pool is open, and the drinks are flowing. Those chairs fill up fast. So board early, and go grab your chairs. Your room won’t be ready for several hours anyway.

Pack a Carry-On with Essentials. Your luggage is taken from you when you check in, and you might not get it back for several hours (they deliver it right to your room). So make sure you bring a carry-on with items you can use right away.

When we went on a Caribbean cruise, we all just wore our bathing suits with cover-ups over them so we could hit the pool right away. We each had a small backpack that had a change of clothes, swimming gear, money, and our cameras. Pack whatever you think you might need for the first few hours in your carry-on.

You’ll have access to your rooms if you need to change, just not to your luggage right away.

Start Eating! The buffet is open and ready to go. So take advantage of your all-inclusive cruise and start eating! But beware, this is when the buffet line is at its longest. Don’t get freaked out, it won’t be like that at any other part of the cruise.

You can also head to the dining rooms for a nicer lunch. Those are open as well and much less crowded.

Read Your Newsletter. Every cruise line has its own newsletter, and you’ll get a new copy every day. Each newsletter outlines what’s going on for that day, including port location and times, what time dining is open, and any show times. Take a second to look it over and see what’s going on.

I like to bring a highlighter and highlight the things I want to do or see. There are MANY! The list is really long. You might miss something really cool if you don’t read the newsletter.

Get to know your Steward. Each cabin (room) has a steward assigned to it. Your Steward will make it a point to find you and introduce themselves to you on the first day. BE KIND! Your steward is there to make your life easier. You can ask them for extra pillows or whatever requests you want to make. Inform the cruise operator about any special moments you are celebrating to receive personalized experiences and complimentary treats.

Our kids would leave our steward notes and ask him to make certain towel animals each day. And he totally did! Make your steward your new best friend, and your cruise will be even better.

Dining and Beverages

Dining and beverages are a significant part of the cruising experience, and cruise ships offer a variety of options to suit every taste. When I travel, the cuisine is often my favorite part (no shame!).

Dining Options on Cruise Ships

Most cruise ships feature a main dining room where you can enjoy a traditional sit-down meal for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This is usually included in your fare and offers a rotating menu of delicious dishes.

For a more upscale experience, specialty restaurants are available on many cruise ships. These venues offer fine dining and unique culinary experiences, often at an extra cost. Whether you’re in the mood for a steakhouse, sushi, or Italian cuisine, there’s something for everyone.

Buffets are another popular option, providing a casual, self-service dining experience with a wide range of international cuisine. It’s a great place to grab a quick bite or try something new.

Room service is also available on most cruise ships, allowing you to enjoy a meal in the comfort of your cabin. While some ships offer complimentary room service, others may charge a fee, so it’s good to check in advance.

First Time Cruise Tips For an Amazing Vacation!

Leave the stress of planning a vacation behind and get ready for your first time cruise! These tips will make your first cruise so much easier and get you well-prepared to just relax and enjoy your trip.

If you have any other cruise related questions, shoot them to me in the comments below!

Pin For Later!