10 Tips for First Time Cruisers

Are you planning on heading out on your first cruise? Here are 10 tips for first-time cruisers that will help get your vacation started on the right foot.

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Our Street…er… Sea Cred

We are a family of avid cruisers. In fact, we’re Platinum Cruisers meaning that we’ve spent more than 75 days at sea. I’m not telling you this to brag, just to let you know that I’ve got a bit of experience in this area. Unfortunately, we’ve had to learn a lot of lessons the hard way. Our goal is to help others learn from our mistakes!

The view of Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas from the SkyRide to Paradise Point

We’ve traveled all throughout the Caribbean from eastern ports like Nassau, St. Thomas, and Tortola to western ports like Belize, Mahogany Bay, and Mexican ports. We’ve also visited ports like Aruba and Bonaire in the southern Caribbean and sailed into southeastern Alaska. Our travels have allowed us to gain insight into the ins and outs of cruise travel– knowledge that we can’t wait to share with you!

10 Tips for First Time Cruisers

1. Check the ships dress code before you go.

Each ship/cruise line has its own vibe. Be sure to look into what is considered appropriate attire on the ship; especially in the dining room. You can check past cruiser photos on social media or on travel blogs to see how others dressed.

2. Designate a bag just for the beach or pool.

I always toss a backpack or beach bag to store my towel, Kindle Paperwhite, sunscreen, etc. I suggest taking a look at my 13 Things I Keep in my Cruise Beach and Pool Bag to jot down all of the essentials. Oh, and that towel? Leave it at home.

3. Have a well-thought out embarkation bag.

Making sure that you are organized from day one is the key to a successful vacation. Your embarkation bag should include your passport, boarding pass, medications, and these items.

4. Make sure you tie up loose ends before you go.

I strongly suggest taking a look at my 12 Things You Should Do Before You Cruise to help ensure you don’t miss any important steps! Part of being prepared is having everything you need on hand and easily accessible.

5. Pick up a map of the cruise ship as soon as you get on board.

Some of these ships are huge, y’all. They are like micro-cities. It’s a good idea to get acclimated to your surroundings on day one. If you get lost, there are almost always maps located at the elevator bays.

Get out there and explore! Embarkation days are my favorite! Here are some tips to help your Embarkation Day go as perfectly as possible.

6. Pack medications, just in case.

I always pack medication for heartburn, upset stomach, allergies, and headaches. If you are prone to seasickness or motion sickness, you’ll want to prepare for that as well. Sea-Bands are handy, but there are other ways to prevent seasickness, as well.

7. Pack a power cord.

Depending on what ship you are on, you may only have 1 or 2 power outlets. Think of all of the electronics you’ll be bringing on board with you! I pack an Anker PowerPort Cube that has 3 outlets and 3 USB ports.

8. Check your cell phone and data plan.

Phone calls from the ship average around $2 a minute. Consider getting an international plan that will give you a much cheaper rate, and often free data.

The internet on the ship is SLOW. We’re talking painstakingly slow. If you have a data plan that allows you to browse the web while abroad, you can use Skype, WhatsApp, Facebook, and other apps to communicate with your loved ones at home.

I’m almost always able to find free internet in port. The connections typically aren’t secure and the speed may not be the greatest but I’m able to send off a few messages and upload a couple of photos.

9. Be smart about the sun!

Guys, even as a Floridian I’ve been sunburned on a cruise. Trust me, there is nothing worse than nursing a sunburn while on vacation. Pack plenty of sunscreen, and make sure you’re using it regularly. While you’re at it, toss in some aloe and Chapstick with SPF. If you’re heading into the jungle or rainforest, pack some BullFrog Mosquito Coast in your bag, as well.

10. Go with the flow.

It is important to understand that things don’t always go as planned. The line at the buffet may take forever, you may be seated by really obnoxious people in the dining room, you may not be able to pull into a port because of the wind, or it might rain every day. These things happen. How you react to these circumstances will make or break your cruise! Keep things fun and light-hearted. Go with the flow and you’re sure to have an amazing time!

We hope you found these tips for first time cruisers helpful! Please don’t hesitate to drop any question you may have in the comments below and we’ll do our best to help you 🙂