Your First Cruise Is Easier When You Know What to Expect
Your first cruise can feel overwhelming before you go. Once you understand check-in, luggage, dining, activities, ports, and extra costs, the trip becomes much easier. It will not take long to become a cruise expert.
Quick Answer: What Should First-Time Cruisers Know?
First-time cruisers should know that cruise fares do not include everything, boarding has a schedule, luggage may arrive later, the cruise app matters, port times are strict, and flying in the day before is usually the safer choice.
⚓ First-Time Cruiser Series
This article is part of my First-Time Cruiser Questions Answered series. Start with the full guide before diving deeper into cruise cabins.
Read the Full First-Time Cruiser GuideFly In the Day Before Your Cruise
Why Same-Day Flights Are Risky
I cannot stress this enough. Do yourself the favor and take the extra day and go earlier. Find a cool hotel and start your vacation a day earlier. Flight delays, cancellations, weather, and baggage issues can cause you to miss the ship. For example we always stay at the Radisson Resort at the Port when cruising out of Port Canaveral. It’s clean, has on site Tiki Bar, Pools, Lounge and on site restaurant and close to others too!
When This Matters Most
Always. It does not matter when you are flying, who you are flying with, etc. Weather, Staff shortages and mechanical issues have been causing all kinds of delays and missed connections this year alone. Your ship WILL NOT wait!
Complete Online Check-In Early
Why Check-In Time Matters
Cruise lines assign arrival windows. This staggers the crowd to try and eliminate the feeling of being in line at a Disney Ride! Check-In online as soon as you can to try and secure a early boarding time.
What You Will Need
Passport or ID, photo which you use your cell phone or laptop, payment method which you will use for your onboard account, emergency contact(s) , and travel details if you are using transfers, flights, etc.
Pack a Smart Carry-On Bag
Why You Need It
Checked luggage will not reach your cabin right away. So having a carry-on with the embarkation necessities is a huge plus. It will allow you to start your vacation right away.
What to Include
Medication. Do not put this in your checked baggage. If your luggage is lost, your out of luck. Documents including a photocopy of your passport, swimsuit, sunscreen, flip-flops, phone charger, and a change of clothes. If you like to sit and read, pack a book. Not a pool or bookworm include a deck of cards or an activity you can play while you start your journey.
Pro Tip
I created some Tiktok/Youtube shorts on this called What to Pack Wednesday
Download the Cruise Line App
What the App Usually Handles
Dining times where applicable, show reservations, daily schedule for your complete itinerary, onboard account, deck maps, excursions and messaging.
Why You Should Download It Before Sailing
It is easier to set up before you are on the ship. You will get a more reliable and stable internet connection if you do this ahead of time at home or even at your pre-cruise hotel.
Understand Extra Costs Before You Board
Common Extras
We covered this in previous posting so please review the posts covering gratuities, drinks, Wi-Fi, specialty dining, excursions, photos, spa, and casino. Review the posts covering this extra costs.
How to Avoid Bill Shock
Set a budget before sailing and using the cruise line app, keep an eye on your sail account. If you have pre-paid tips and drinks then your bill should be relatively low however if you are a casino player, you must keep an eye on your budget.
Respect Port Times
Ship Time vs Local Time
Ship time is THE time! Pay attention to what that may be. Your phones can not be relied upon as if they pick up a local cell tower, the time will change. Perfect example of this was when we visited St. Thomas in December. Our ship time had us in port at 8am. However local time was 9am. Fortunately for us, using reliable tour operators, we were able to push our departure back a little bit as we were late because of the time change.
More importantly, if the ship is leaving at 3:30pm. That is in ship time. You must be on the ship by then. Even if the local island time is an hour behind, your operate on ship time!
Why You Must Return Early
Don’t be a pier runner!
Pro Tip
Pack yourself a manual wrist watch. Ship time and port time can differ and your cell phones will automatically change the time based on the cell towers it connects to.
First Cruise Planning Table
| First Cruise Task | When to Do It | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Check documents | Before booking | Avoid boarding problems |
| Fly in early | Day before cruise | Reduces missed-ship risk |
| Complete check-in | As soon as available | Better arrival options |
| Download app | Before sailing | Easier planning onboard |
| Pack carry-on | Before travel | Covers first-day needs |
| Review extra costs | Before boarding | Avoids surprise bills |
| Book key excursions | Before sailing | Popular tours sell out |
Common First Cruise Mistakes
Flying In the Same Day
This is one of the biggest avoidable risks. There is far too many things that can go wrong and out of our control when flying. Recently American Airlines had a complete ground stop due to an IT outage. This could and probably caused many folks to miss their vacations.
Not Budgeting for Extras
A cheap fare can become expensive onboard. You grabbed a great deal on a MSC cruise out of New York for $400pp. You think you grabbed a great deal. Booked the cheapest of everything. But you did not plan for daily gratuities and drinks.
Ignoring the Daily Schedule
There is so much to do each day. Some things are worth going to, some are not. Read the schedule and plan accordingly. Some people flock to the atrium for their “Free Gifts”, that’s not for me so i look for something better to do with my time then stand in line for trinkets. Reading the schedule allows for you to prepare for lining up for comedy shows, or theatre shows as well.
Trying to Do Everything
STOP trying to do it all. You cannot and will not be able to do it all. Before departure think of your MUST HAVES, and NICE TO HAVES and plan around those. Anything you can do that was not on those lists is a bonus. This gos for onboard activities and ports of calls as well. You will not have the time to do it all nor the energy!
Getting Back to the Ship Too Late
I always stress to be back on the ship 1 hour before the departure time listed on the gangway. Its OK I am an hour early, I know I am on the ship and onto the next port. You miss the ship, you are responsible for making it to the next port of call to catch up. Thats IF the cruise line lets you!
Advisor Tip: Your First Cruise Should Be Easy, Not Perfect
Do not try to plan every minute. Pick the right ship, understand the major costs, arrive early, and leave room to enjoy the trip. Make the list of MUST HAVES and NICE TO HAVES. This will ensure you see the things you are interested in, you can budget for excursions and d more. Working with a travel advisor will also allow for you to book excursions, usually at a cheaper rate, using 3rd party sites. Most are guaranteed return to ship as well.
Keep Reading
⚓ First-Time Cruiser Series
This article is part of my First-Time Cruiser Questions Answered series. Start with the full guide before diving deeper into cruise cabins.
Read the Full First-Time Cruiser Guide
