Pro Tips for First-Time Cruisers to Rock the Seas with Ease!
Published Thursday, January 1st 2026Listen up first time cruisers. Cruising is my all-time favorite vacation, because I can see the world and only unpack once. Want to avoid rookie mistakes? In this blog post, I'll share pro tips to ensure your cruise is smooth sailing from start to finish. Here is what to know before you go (onboard):
1. Download the Cruise Ship App
After your cruise is booked, download the app of your specific cruise brand. The apps walk you through the check-in process, allowing you to be ocean ready and seamlessly book excursions, dinner reservations, spa treatments, and other activities. This sets the stage for a stress-free embarkation day. If you booked your cruise a year in advance, you might only have a few options at first, but this is normal. More options will come online as you move closer to sail date. So check back often! Your luggage tags will normally be available on the website and/or app, and PLEASE print them before you leave home. Call your cell provider to verify all details of your text, data and call coverage before departure. Put your phone in airplane mode when the ship leaves port to avoid weird roaming charges. Better yet, turn it off to enjoy the onboard entertainment options.
2. Arrive a Day Before Sailing
To avoid potential travel hiccups, arrive at the port city a day before you set sail. Flight delays and other unforeseen circumstances can disrupt your plans, and you don’t want to miss the ship! Consider this part of your journey. I am happy to assist with hotel and flight reservations to ensure a worry-free adventure. Plan to board the ship 11am-noonish, giving you the opportunity to sleep in, enjoy breakfast at your hotel, and be ready for fun by the less-crowded pool.
3. Packing Strategies
When it comes to packing, plan on two categories. Pack your main suitcase, which is checked with the cruise ship bellman at the curb upon arrival. Remember those luggage tags you printed on the app and/or website? That's how they find their way to your room, so attach them to your suitcases and anything else you check at the curb (don’t forget a tip for the bellman). Then keep a backpack or duffel bag with items you'll need for the embarkation day: book/kindle, medications, electronics, and valuables. Once you check your suitcase at the curb, you won't see it again for a few hours (in your room). Therefore, make sure you're wearing your dinner outfit, such as a nice dress and sandals. A stash of makeup is perfect for a quick freshen-up. Have your swimwear on hand, because an early arrival at the ship makes for an excellent pool day! Once your suitcase arrives in your room, take 30 minutes to unpack and settle in. Utilize the drawers and shelves…and stash your suitcase under the bed. The cabins are small, so some pre-sail organization sets you up for success the rest of the trip. The cabin walls are metal, so magnetic hooks are a great tool storing hats, purses, etc.
4. Make Reservations Early
Some people scramble to figure out dinner, crossing fingers for empty seats at a show afterwards. Don't be those people. Prioritize making all your reservations (that you weren’t able to do on the app) once you board the ship on day 1. It's a small effort that pays off as a more enjoyable cruise. Embark day is the perfect day for this!
5. Explore Unique Ship Spots
Invest a bit of pre-cruise time into discovering hidden gems on the ship. YouTube videos and travel blogs will help you unveil unique viewpoints, like a cozy forward bar with panoramic vistas for sail-away and beyond. Savor lesser-known spots before the rest of the passengers catch on!
And speaking of the sail-away celebration, it's a big deal! This exciting moment is a great way to kick off your journey. The pool area is prime real estate with a band or DJ - possibly free champagne? If you prefer something low key, explore other spots on the ship. A little research can pay off!
6. Check and Confirm Details
Before leaving the port, double-check all details of your reservation to uncover any issues... ESPECIALLY if you're using a travel agent. Address any concerns or discrepancies before setting sail. Once the ship is at sea, your travel agent's ability to advocate is limited.
Therefore, address your concerns immediately. For instance, I once faced a situation where my drink package was not showing up, and my travel agent had to rectify the issue. That’s when I realized the importance of using a travel agent.
7. Utilize Onboard Benefits
Familiarize yourself with the cruise line's benefits and packages. For example, are you able to access exercise classes, specialty dining/desserts or laundry options? Wait, why do you care about laundry options on vacation?? If you are flying, this amenity allows you to carry a smaller suitcase onboard your plane (instead of checking a large bag). A couple of laundry days, and you eliminate the hassle and expense of checked airline luggage. If you are on a 10 day or longer cruise, this is mission critical. I became a believer after our 15 day cruise for sure! We sent out laundry three times and loved having fresh apparel (including underpants) awaiting us every week! Some cruise ships have laundry rooms, so maybe take a couple of laundry pods to be safe? Be aware of each ship's amenities + amenities you paid for so you can make the most of them.
8. Stay Healthy Onboard
Practice common-sense health measures like using hand sanitizers, avoiding crowded elevators, and taking your vitamins. Don’t forget pain reliever, band aids, allergy meds and anything else you might need. When you’re at sea, these options might be narrowed or expensive.
9. Disembarkation Choices
There are two ways to disembark the ship.
If you leave your suitcase in the hallway the night before disembarkation, the bellman will carry it off the ship for you. So, when you disembark the ship (the next day), you will find your suitcase waiting for you on the other side. In this case, I recommend finding a distinctive ribbon to tie around the handle - something you won’t miss. Maybe a big Christmas ribbon? Or zebra print? The point is that you will see it quickly in the lineup.
Alternatively, you can often carry your own suitcase off the ship. This is our preference. However, should you decide to have a bellmen take it, make sure that you have everything you need before turning it over. Don’t be the person walking off the ship in your evening gown and last night’s makeup!
10. Manage Your Time During Shore Excursions
When you book the ship’s shore excursions, they are typically more expensive, but they will hold the ship for you if the excursion is running late. If you do an independent excursion, you will likely pass less for a wider variety of options, but you must be mindful of the time. Maybe take an analog watch that you can set to the ship’s time? I like to reboard at least an hour ahead of time to beat the rush. If you're changing time zones (for example, if you're going from the U.S. to Europe) make sure you and the ship are on the same local time. Another option is to simply walk off the ship to explore the surroundings. Many ports offer fun bars, restaurants, live music and unique attractions like a fish market for instance.
Cruising is one of my absolute favorite ways to experience the world. Your time in each port is limited, so think of it as "auditioning" a place. If you fall in love with a place, I can help you plan a longer vacation there.
From planning ahead to making reservations and staying healthy onboard, these insights will help you navigate the seas with confidence. Bon voyage!
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