Ahoy! Summer vacation season may be coming to a quick close, but many travelers longing to get away book cruises any time of year. First time cruisers can easily feel overwhelmed by such a daunting trip, especially if they’ve never sailed before.
If I hadn’t had a veteran cruiser with me, I still might be on the ship! So if you’re considering taking a cruise for the first time, or are an expert looking for a few extra tips and tricks, read on!
Quick Plane Tips
Need to travel by plane before making your way to the ship dock? Take it from someone who would rather travel with wheels on the ground: chances are the plane won’t crash. But if you’re still paranoid…
- Always chew gum when the plane ascends and descends. Your ears will thank you.
- If you’re next to the window, don’t be afraid to use the blind. If you want to look out at the puffy clouds, open the blind. If you have anxiety, close it.
- Don’t be rude! No need to block the aisles while everyone is trying to pile into seats while boarding. If you’re taking something into the seat with you (book, snack, etc.), have it ready so you can just load your carry-on above the seat and then sit.
- Nervous? Take those deep breaths, even if you think it’s stupid. The stewardess will give you something to drink. You’ll be okay.
Stepping on the Ship
Holy Mother of Pearl! Yes, cruise ships are ginormous. If you’ve never been on one before, you will be in disbelief at how long it is and how many decks there are.
When you get to the port, be sure to listen to instructions and follow signs. For the most part, everything is labeled. Someone or something will tell you when you need your passport or where to set your luggage. From the time you arrive at the port to the time you return to go home, someone should be available to help. Hospitality is a huge characteristic among the port and ship staff. So if you’re not sure about something, ask!
What about luggage? You can have a porter take it to your room, or you can keep track of it yourself. However, unless you want to tote around your heavy luggage as you get accustomed to the ship, a porter is recommended. Just be mindful that porters expect a cash tip for transporting your luggage.
Lost Yet?
Unless you’ve been on the exact same ship before, or have an impeccable flair for navigation, you WILL get lost. Look for a map/directory on the ship and consult it often. The hardest thing to remember is what side of the ship you’re on and what side you’re trying to get to.
Port Side = Left Side of Ship
Starboard Side = Right Side of Ship
Also, if your cruise ship has a mobile app for you to use during the duration of your trip, consult it frequently. This will help you know what deck to go to for specific events, including your muster station in case of an emergency. Don’t worry, you can’t actually get too lost on the ship. Just head to the main deck and walk the length of it until you get to the other side. Now you’ll be turned around!
And don’t be afraid to take the steps instead of waiting for the elevator. EVERYONE waits for an elevator.
Food and Dining
You will NOT starve on a cruise ship, as there are countless options to choose from! Every ship has a main dining hall, but there are usually several other restaurants that are a bit more casual. There may be a restaurant or two that is not included in your paid dining plan. In other words, you may need to pay at certain restaurants as you would on shore. Depending on the cruise line, dinners in the main dining hall may require or suggest a specific dress code. If you’ve ever watched an episode of the Love Boat, then you probably know that formal attire can be essential. However, this is no longer the ’70s. Just check with your ship to see if you need to pack your black-tie wardrobe. In some cases, a ship may have themed dinners. One night you might dress casually and the next dress your best.
When do you grow hungry? During the booking process, you’ll likely choose when you plan to eat at the main dining hall. This does not mean you have to eat every single meal at the dining hall. You simply reserve a time slot. Perhaps you want to eat during the earlier time slot of 5-6pm. Or, maybe you have booked a lot of evening shows and want to eat closer to 8 or 9. Every ship’s dining process is different. For example, my cruise offered an option where I could go to eat anytime during a certain, extended time slot. This ended up not being the best choice because all guests who selected this option would coincidentally show up at 6:30! The line to get in was ridiculous. We were encouraged to reserve a dining time, which seemed to defeat the purpose of the anytime dining option.
Before my first cruise, family and friends kept encouraging me to try new foods. “If you don’t like it,” they said, “order something else.” I tried a number of new foods during the week, and I’ve been an extremely picky eater since age 5! But if you’re someone who doesn’t like to waste food if you don’t like something (like me), then I recommend not trying every item on the menu–unless you’re my aunt who one night seriously ordered every dessert on the menu to try!
Finally, understand that you’re on a cruise and the staff’s job is to service you. One of the biggest habits to get used to while on a cruise is being waited on. The waiter’s job is to clear the table, serve the food, push in chairs, and place napkins over laps. If you’re not used to such treatment and would rather be independent, then you might have a bit of a learning curve. It’s a nice learning curve, but definitely odd at first!
Excursions
Chances are, you’re on a destination cruise, meaning that the ship will be stopping at different ports. But what do you do once you get there? Many cruisers will book excursion activities, like guided tours, through the cruise line website. If you don’t want to get stuck doing activities with a big group of strangers, it is possible to book excursions through smaller, third-party sites. For instance, I ended up on an island tour that had four tourists from the ship present, myself being one of them. If you choose to go the third-party route, just be very careful that the details align. In some cases, you might need to break away from the ship crowd in order to get to your activity. The good news is that you can usually find someone from that excursion company holding a sign. So if you book an excursion through XYZ Excursions (yes, I made that up), you will find your tour guide holding an XYZ sign.
On the flipside, you can create your own excursion activities on the spot, especially if it’s a beach day!
Random Tips Before Setting Sail
Before sending you off on your ocean adventure, here are a few other pieces of advice:
- Cruising days are days when the ship is sailing and not docking anywhere. Even if you don’t typically experience motion sickness, these days may make you a bit woozy.
- Listen, if the pool rules tell you not to reserve seats, don’t be a jerk about it. Share the love…and fun. Everyone’s there for the same reason.
- Speaking of pools…beat the massive crowds by going to early in the morning right after the pool opens, or late at night.
- When at the pools, you have to rent towels from a towel station. Unreturned towels will result in a fee on your account.
- Watch as many shows on the ship as you can! If you’re able to reserve a seat for free (Royal Caribbean offers this), then book the seats! You won’t find better world-class entertainment!
- Tip the staff. You can automatically tip your staff when you pay for your cruise, or you can allocate higher tips to certain staff members you like best (you’re given this option at the end of your cruise). Check your cruise line’s guidelines for more instructions about tips.
- Visit every deck at least once!
- Keep track of your spending! Cruise lines with mobile apps let you keep track of your spending by showing you your onboard account. You may even be able to access your account information on the smart TV in your room. If a charge doesn’t look right, then go to guests services, wherever it is on the ship. I had a discount that didn’t go through on merchandise I bought, so I had to go to guest services to avoid an extra charge.
- Departure is similar to your arrival. The main difference is that you will be assigned a specific group number and time slot in which you will leave the ship. Sounds more nerve wracking than it actually is!
- Be courteous with the staff! They are required to be professional, but they will converse with you and ensure you’re having a splendid time!
Although you might not be a pro sailor by the time you arrive or depart the ship, these tips can help you start to mature your sea legs. Bon voyage!
Confessions of a Classic Soul 