15 tips for first-time cruisers

1. Pick a size that fits you

Cruises range vastly, meaning there’s a sailing for pretty much every kind of traveller. You have mega-ships that feel like a floating city, river cruises that allow you to go off the beaten path, and small luxury yachts that allow for intimacy but don’t have a lot to do.

Keep your holiday style front of mind when researching which sailing is right for you – the first cheap deal you see might not give you what you’re looking for.

2. Expect itineraries to change

The only place you can guarantee to see is the port of embarkation. Most ships stick to the planned itinerary, but there’s still a chance it can change, and certain ports may be skipped.

This happens often in the Caribbean where hurricanes are common. It’s best to choose an itinerary based on your region of interest, rather than one must-visit port of call.

3. Know the season of the region

Most island destinations showcase blue skies and calm waters, but that’s not how they may be year-round. Monsoon season, hurricane season and harsh winters never make it onto the marketing materials.

Before selecting a jaunt across a set of idyllic islands, do your research and make sure your trip coincides with a time when they’re forecast to be at their best.

4. Arrive a day before the cruise departs

Ships will not wait for latecomers. Anything could happen en route to your departure port, even on a domestic flight. One cancellation or delay could cost the entire trip.

Consider booking a flight a day before the start of your sailing and choose a hotel close to the port. If you absolutely must fly on the day of sailing, pick the earliest flight out. It should give you a few hours’ leeway in the event of a delay or cancellation.

5. Pack like a minimalist

It’s always easier to go light for most kinds of trip, and the same is true of cruising. While you may be tempted to overpack for a cruise due to a ‘one-time unpack’, note that many cabins aren't as big as you think.

Standard rooms are generally 170 to 190 square feet and storage space can be limited. Pack smart, check the dress codes and leave behind non-essentials. You’ll probably spend half the time in shorts, anyway.

6. Skip the drinks package

Many cruise ships offer drinks packages to help you ‘save money’ on the sail, but unless you plan on punishing your liver, it might be better to go a la carte instead.

The drinks packages only apply on the ship, and if you’re getting off every day you may as well hit up the local bars and immerse yourself rather than wait ‘til you get back on the boat to take advantage of the booze buffet.

7. Beware of cruises that sting with tips

Many of the big US lines are notorious for additional fees – especially the mandatory gratuity of around $15 per person, per day. Many UK guests don’t know this until they’re slapped at the end with an extra £1,000 for a two-week family cruise.

Instead, choose a line that automatically includes gratuity in their pricing, such as Virgin Voyages, so you can disembark without having to pay a penny more than planned.

8. Go off the grid

Wi-fi on cruise ships is pricey and generally pretty slow, so skip the scrolling and re-connect when you get back on land. You’ve already saved money from the drinks package, so you might as well pull up at a cafe and catch up with a faster connection on a port day.

Some cruises provide wi-fi free of charge, like (again!) Virgin Voyages, which probably explains why they’re sailing ahead of the competition.

9. Book excursions independently

Shore excursions, or tours that take place at each port, are heavily promoted by cruises for good reason: the markup is sky-high.

If you want the ease of coach pick-up from the gangway then by all means, go for it. But savvy travellers could save a small fortune by booking all their excursions from local providers or, for peace of mind, GetYourGuide.

You could also look out for boutique cruises that include excursions in their pricing, such as the European river line, CroisiEurope.

10. Request private tables in advance

Since you’re all essentially holidaying together, chances are you’ll finish a trip with plenty of new friends. Communal dining happens on most cruises, at least for the fine dining portion of superships and most meals on boutique ships.

For couples seeking intimacy, request a separate table in advance of the trip if you can, or at least at the onset. The earlier you ask, the higher the chance of availability.

11. Book early for onboard activity

Cruise lines have daily onboard activities that are extremely popular during at-sea days. If a class, talk or show requires a booking, do it as soon as the schedule opens. If it’s a walk-up situation, be sure to arrive early to avoid disappointment.

Most lines have apps allowing guests to save items to their calendars and remind them of start times.

12. You will need a good book (or two)

For lengthier trips with multiple at-sea days, there are only so many hours The Wizard of Oz and a henna tattoo session can fill.

Cruising isn’t a regular holiday where you can leave the premises at any time for entertainment (and that’s certainly one of the allures for those who come to rest). There will be a lot of idle moments, so do prepare items to keep yourself occupied.

13. Pace yourselves with the food and drink

It’s tempting to jump right into the all-you-can-eat (and if you’re on a drinks package, booze) situation, but you don’t want to have to start a detox midway through the trip.

Remember that the buffet doesn’t end ‘til you disembark, so pace yourselves and enjoy each meal without stuffing yourselves sick.

Speaking of which, consider potential stomach upsets; rather than devour the whole seafood tower, start with a smaller portion of shellfish on day one to see how it sits with your body first.

14. Use the pool at off-peak times

There are only so many pools on board and they can be so crowded that swimming is the last thing anyone can do. Physical activity is important to many on a cruise where they’re eating more than usual and lying around more than usual.

Consider having your meals at off-peak (eg a late 2pm lunch) and taking advantage of the facilities whilst everyone else is dining.

Sunsets are also emptier on deck as cruisers get ready for the evening, so you’ll get to enjoy communal spaces in relative peace.

15. Adjust your body clock for departure day

Departure day is always early in the AM – in most cases between 8am and 10am – as ships have a tight turnaround before welcoming the next set of passengers.

So, skip the late farewell drinks on your final night and pack/prep instead, remembering to settle any outstanding bills such as spa services or shopping. While everyone else is exhausted and frantic for the bell in the morning, you’ll waltz out like a pro.