How to Plan Your First Cruise Vacation: Advice for an Unforgettable Trip

Planning your first cruise can be a confusing experience, but if you take some time to educate yourself it will go smoothly. And it is so worth it! Cruising is a popular vacation option that combines adventure, good living and amazing destinations. For me, there is no better escape, and when that big ship starts to pull away from the pier I know great memories are about to be made.

But if you’ve not been on a cruise before, how do you know it’s for you? Truthfully, it’s one of those things you’ll never know until you try. Many people become hooked for life after their first cruise. There is a certain kind of camaraderie among frequent cruisers, and once you’re “in the club” you may find yourself comparing notes with people you meet on your trips. Some people have been on dozens of cruises! You may think these are wealthy people, but not necessarily. When compared to other vacation options cruising is a great deal, and you can cut costs pretty low if you know what you’re looking for.

So, if you’re thinking about taking that first cruise, there is no time like the present! Soon you’ll be sipping a cold drink and looking out over a gorgeous ocean beneath a cloudless blue sky. Here are some tips to help make it possible:

Where do you want to go? The answer to this question may depend on where you are right now. The good news is, cruise ships go just about everywhere, so odds are you’ll find one with a port of call where you wish to go. However, for some destinations you may need to arrange some complex and expensive travel just to get to and from the pier. Some cruises are “repositioning” cruises, which is basically a one-way trip. You have to fly home, or plan another cruise back. Then there are options like transatlantic cruises and Panama Canal cruises. These are long, expensive trips, but they must be so amazing. Ah, some day . . .

For your first cruise you’ll probably want to stick with something simple. Generally, if you’re on the east coast of the United States you’ll have lot of options for the Caribbean, Bermuda, Mexico and a few for Canada. If you are on the west coast you’ll probably be considering Mexico, Alaska and Canada. Some cruises have destinations in the United States as well, places such as New England and Key West.

What cruise line should you choose? The individual cruise lines post schedules on their websites, and put out publications that are available from travel agents. The destination where you wish to travel may, in part, help you choose which company to cruise with. But don’t let this be the only deciding factor. Different cruise lines have different business models. Some, such as Carnival and Disney, cater to kids and families; some, such as Holland America, cater to an older, more affluent crowd; others, such as Princess and Norwegian, are more middle-of-the road. The line you pick should match your expectations. If you’re bringing small children, you are definitely going to want to make sure you pick a cruise line that offers them something to do. If you are a young adult couple without kids, you probably don’t want to be stuck on a ship with a thousand kids running amok. Do some research and match your interests with the cruise line.

While you’ll likely find more similarities than differences between the cruise lines, some are quite a bit more expensive. Some, too, offer services and options you won’t find on other ships. Norwegian Cruise Lines, for instance, has the Freestyle Dining option that lets you eat when you choose without assigned seating. Again, the only way to know is to read up on your options.

Cruises last from a couple of days, to a couple of weeks. How brave are you willing to be for your first cruise? I think a week is about the perfect amount of time, but you might want to plan a 3, 4 or 5 day trip if you aren’t sure you’ll like it.

What kind of cabin should you choose? Though the cruise lines may call them by different names, you generally have a choice between inside cabins (no windows), cabins with a porthole or window, balcony cabins, and various suites that range from slightly larger than a regular cabin, to really huge and expensive. The best advice is to choose the highest-level cabin you feel comfortable paying for.

If you want to save a few dollars, inside cabins are cheapest, and you can get some really good deals. Some people don’t spend much time in their stateroom anyway. I prefer the balcony option. Sitting outside your cabin and watching the sun rise over the ocean is the perfect way to start the day, in my opinion. My wife’s idea of the perfect morning, on the other hand, is sleeping an extra couple of hours and having a late breakfast. She couldn’t care less what kind of room she’s in! It all depends on what you want to do, and how much you’re willing to spend.

When you choose your room, be aware of what is around it. Stay away from busy passageways, elevators and public areas. Remember, what’s above and below you matters, too. If you choose a room above a busy night club you might not get to sleep very early. Then again, you might be too busy partying to care!

While you are in the planning stages, you need to think about your transportation to and from the pier. You can drive there yourself, but be prepared to find a safe place to leave your vehicle, and to pay for parking. You may need to fly to the port you are sailing out of, so consider the price of the airline tickets in your costs. Then you have to figure out how to get from the airport to the pier. If you are lucky enough to live relatively close to a port, you can avoid all of this by arranging a van for transport to and from.

Figuring out transportation is the biggest hassle in the whole cruising process. For this reason, I like to arrange my cruises through a travel agent. They can help you put together a package for the best price, and arrange your other travel issues.

Once the arrangements are made, it’s up to you to get things together. Make sure your passport is current, and prepare to bring another form of ID such as your driver’s license as well. You’ll get information from the cruise line about what documents are necessary for your trip. Do not take this lightly, and follow the directions they give you. If you have any questions, call them as soon as possible. If you show up at the pier without your passport or other important items they may not let you on the ship! That will cut your trip real short!

Over-packing is probably the biggest mistake most new cruisers make. Whatever clothes you think you need, you won’t need that much. If there is an emergency, the cruise lines have laundry options. Between my wife and me we keep it down to two medium suitcases and a backpack. If you’re bringing formal attire you may want specific luggage to carry it.

The cruise line usually advises you to bring a carry-on bag with you for personal items and a change of clothes in case your bags don’t make it to your room in a timely manner. When you first get on the ship your room probably won’t be ready, so you’ll be wandering around exploring and getting something to eat. You don’t want be dragging a suitcase along with you. A backpack or similar will do.

Bring some money! Some cruise lines will tell you not to because it’s all-inclusive, but I always bring cash. At the very least you want to tip the porter at the pier, but many of the foreign ports you’ll visit accept American currency. Unless you want to pay the big ATM fee for withdrawing money aboard ship, it’s smart to bring some cash.

Does that mean you have to carry your wallet or purse with you on the ship? Noooooo! You’ll get a card that also works as your room key and ID aboard ship, and that’s all you need. You can lock your wallet and cellphone in the safe in your room and forget about them until you get into port.

When packing, don’t forget small items like sunglasses, sunscreen, books and over-the-counter medications. You can get all of that on the ship, but surely you don’t want to pay those over-inflated prices. Sadly, this is sometimes a lesson you learn the hard way. Make a list of important items while your cruise is still weeks away, and add to it as you think of things. Then, don’t forget them! Check the regulations for your particular cruise line when it comes to bringing alcohol and other food or beverages onboard. Many of them do not allow it.

Expect to have a blast! Go in with a positive attitude and you won’t have any trouble having a great time. Be aware that you will probably have small snags along the way, and be ready to brush them off. Remember, too, that a cruise ship is a floating community of thousands of people. At times you just have to be willing to relax and go with it.

Every morning, or sometimes the night before, you’ll get a schedule of the next day’s events. These range from fitness sessions, to games, to napkin-folding classes to Vegas-worthy shows. You can’t possibly do everything, so you have to plan your day. That’s actually one of the most enjoyable things about cruising. You can hop from activity to activity throughout the day, and you’ll never be bored. Night time is when things really take off, and you might see a comedian, listen to a rock band, watch a show and participate in a game show all in the same night. Jump in and have fun! You’re on vacation!

Even though the cruise lines tell you the cost is “all inclusive” that’s not always true. Usually, your cost will pay for your accommodations, your meals and all of your entertainment. Sometimes it will cost extra to purchase alcoholic beverages, or to participate in certain contests. Your shore excursions (activities with third-party companies, such as snorkeling, Jet-ski rentals or tours) will cost extra too, anywhere from a few dollars to several hundred. None of this is money you have to spend, and depending on your comfort level you can spend a few thousand dollars over the cost of the cruise, or nothing at all.

Make the most of your days on your vacation, but be careful not to wear yourself out over the first couple of days. The array of available food, drink and fun will make you feel like a kid with a free pass in a candy store. You can spot a novice cruiser by the way they handle the first day. On my last cruise, the people in the cabin next to mine raised such a ruckus while the ship was pulling out of port. They were screaming and carrying on about how much they were going to party. My wife and I just smiled at each other. Sure enough, they went nuts the first night until all hours of the morning, and we didn’t hear much from them for the rest of the trip. Have fun, but don’t party yourself out. Pace yourself, or you’ll miss a lot of great stuff!

When you are in port have a great time, but be sure to carry yourself appropriately. Some places, like American ports or Bermuda, are safe enough to wander about and explore. In other places you will not want to stray far from the beaten path. The locals know you’re a tourist, so be wary of anyone trying to take advantage of you. Your cruise line or shore excursion company will advise you of where to go and where to avoid. Most cruise lines will also advise you to only do business with shore excursion companies that are sanctioned by the cruise line. I sometimes think this a way to scare you into doing business with them, but it’s probably good advice. None of this is meant to frighten you. Any place a cruise ship takes you is safe, as long as you don’t do anything dumb.

But here’s something that should frighten you: When they tell you to be back onboard ship at a certain time, they are not joking. They will not wait for you, and they will leave you behind. At every port of call you’ll hear them annouce the names of people who are unaccounted for, asking them to call the main number if they are indeed onboard. Usually they just planned poorly and didn’t get back to the ship before it sailed away. I can only imagine what a nightmare that must be! Don’t let it happen to you!

Above all, be ready to try new things on your cruise. The chefs and culinary staff aboard cruise ships are first-rate, and you’ll get a chance to try foods you’ve probably never even heard of. Between the onboard activities and the shore excursions, you can have some true once-in-lifetime experiences. You’ll probably meet some really interesting people too. Don’t let it all pass you by!

Get out there and cruise! You won’t regret it, and you might be hooked for life. Planning your first cruise vacation doesn’t have to be so confusing. Take it one step at a time, and learn as you go. Most of all have fun!