🚢 FIRST TIME CRUISER?

20 Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me Before My First Cruise

“🚢 So… you've booked your first cruise!

Congratulations! 🎉

You've chosen a holiday where your hotel moves, your restaurant moves, your swimming pool moves…

and somehow you can wake up in a completely different country.

Sounds amazing, right?

It is.

But your first cruise can also feel a little overwhelming.

What do you pack?

What happens when you arrive?

Do you really need a passport?

What on earth is a muster station?

Do you have to book everything?

And perhaps most importantly…

HOW MUCH MONEY ARE YOU ACTUALLY GOING TO SPEND? 💸

Don't panic.

We've got you.

This is Cruise & Confused's ultimate first-time cruiser guide — the things I wish someone had told me before my first cruise.

Let's get you from:

‘I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing’

to:

‘Don't worry, I'm a cruiser now.’ 😎

1️⃣ CHOOSE THE SHIP — NOT JUST THE DESTINATION

“This is probably my biggest tip.

When you're booking your first cruise, don't just look at:

‘Where does it go?’

Look at:

‘What ship am I actually going to be living on?’ 🚢

Two cruises visiting the same destinations can feel completely different depending on the ship.

One might have waterslides, Broadway-style shows, bumper cars and dozens of restaurants.

Another might be smaller, quieter and much more focused on relaxation.

So don't just book:

‘Mediterranean cruise.’

Ask:

Which ship?

And then:

Is that ship actually right for me?

2️⃣ DON'T ASSUME ALL CRUISE LINES ARE THE SAME

“Royal Caribbean isn't Disney.

Disney isn't MSC.

MSC isn't Norwegian.

Norwegian isn't Celebrity.

And Celebrity isn't Carnival.

😂

They all offer cruises, but the atmosphere, dining, entertainment, pricing and onboard experience can be very different.

If you're a first-time cruiser, think about what you actually want.

🎉 Lots of entertainment?

👨‍👩‍👧 Family activities?

🥂 Relaxation?

🍽️ Food?

🌍 Destination-focused cruising?

💰 Value?

There's a cruise line for almost everyone.

You just need to find yours.”

3️⃣ DON'T BOOK THE CHEAPEST CABIN WITHOUT LOOKING AT THE LOCATION

“Ahhh… the cabin.

Your little home at sea. 🛏️

And here's something first-time cruisers often overlook:

where your cabin is located can matter.

A cabin right at the front of the ship can feel different from one in the middle.

A cabin near an elevator can be convenient…

but potentially busy.

And a cabin underneath a pool deck?

Well…

you might discover that cruise ships have surprisingly enthusiastic chair-moving crews at 6am. 😂

Before booking, look at the deck plan.

Don't just look at the price.”

4️⃣ AN INTERIOR CABIN ISN'T NECESSARILY A BAD THING

“Don't automatically think:

‘I need a balcony.’

Yes, balconies are lovely.

But if you're the sort of person who gets up at 7am, heads out exploring and doesn't come back until dinner…

you might be paying hundreds more for a view you're barely using.

An interior cabin can be a brilliant way to save money.

💰 And that money could instead go towards excursions, speciality dining or another cruise.

Because let's be honest…

another cruise sounds better than a bigger cabin. 😂”

5️⃣ DO YOUR CHECK-IN BEFORE YOU ARRIVE

“This is one of those boring jobs that makes everything easier.

Many cruise lines now let you complete check-in online or through their app, upload your documents and receive your boarding information.

For example, Norwegian Cruise Line says guests can complete online check-in, download their eDocs and use the NCL app to manage things such as dining, entertainment and excursions.

Royal Caribbean similarly recommends using its app for check-in and provides a mobile boarding pass.

📱 Do this before you get to the port.

Your future self will thank you.”

6️⃣ 🚢 ARRIVE AT THE PORT — BUT HOW STRICT IS YOUR ARRIVAL TIME?

“Here's something important…

DON'T JUST TURN UP WHENEVER YOU FANCY.

But…

DON'T PANIC IF YOU'RE A LITTLE EARLY EITHER. 😂

Cruise lines don't all handle arrival times in exactly the same way.

For example, Norwegian Cruise Line asks guests to select an arrival time during online check-in and tells guests to arrive at the terminal within the designated time; NCL's current guidance says guests who have completed online check-in should arrive no later than one hour before the scheduled embarkation time, while guests who haven't completed it should arrive at least two hours beforehand.

And Norwegian is pretty clear that arriving significantly earlier than your allocated time may not work because security regulations can prevent early entry to the terminal.

So…

CHECK YOUR CRUISE LINE.

Some are more relaxed than others.

For example, on a recent sailing of Legend of the Seas from Miami, I arrived around an hour before my allocated arrival time and was allowed into the terminal and through the boarding process.

Now…

I'm NOT saying you should deliberately arrive early. 😂

I'm saying:

DON'T ASSUME EVERY CRUISE LINE AND EVERY PORT ENFORCES THE TIME SLOT IN EXACTLY THE SAME WAY.

Your experience can depend on:

🚢 Cruise line

📍 Port

🛃 Security procedures

👥 How busy the terminal is

🕐 Your allocated time

and sometimes simply how the port is operating that day.

Royal Caribbean, for example, currently tells guests to arrive within their selected arrival window and warns that early arrivals may not be able to start boarding, while late arrivals may have to wait for a later group.

🛃 BUT HERE'S WHAT PEOPLE OFTEN FORGET…

“Your allocated arrival time is not:

‘Arrive here and walk straight onto the ship.’ 😂

There can be quite a process between:

🚕 ARRIVING AT THE PORT

and:

🚢 ACTUALLY BOARDING YOUR SHIP.

You've potentially got:

🧳 Luggage drop-off

🛃 Security screening

🪪 Passport/document checks

📱 Boarding-pass scanning

🧑‍💼 Check-in

📸 Security/identity procedures

🚶 Walking through the terminal

👥 Waiting for your boarding group

🚢 And finally…

THE SHIP!

So you could easily spend an hour or more getting from the moment you arrive at the terminal to actually stepping onboard, particularly when the terminal is busy.

And THAT is one of the reasons the cruise lines allocate arrival times in the first place.

They're trying to spread thousands of passengers across a period of time.

Imagine 4,000 people all deciding:

‘Let's arrive at 11am!’

😂

You'd have:

🚨 QUEUEAGEDDON. 🚨

Allocated arrival windows are designed to help distribute passengers through the terminal and make the embarkation process more manageable.”

⏰ SO… WHAT SHOULD YOU ACTUALLY DO?

FOLLOW YOUR ALLOCATED TIME.

That's the safest approach.

But…

KNOW YOUR CRUISE LINE'S POLICY.

If you're 15–30 minutes early because traffic was lighter than expected?

Don't immediately panic.

If you're an hour early?

You may or may not be admitted, depending on the port and cruise line.

And if you're deliberately planning to arrive hours early because:

‘I WANT TO GET ON FIRST!’ 😂

I'd think again.

You could simply end up:

🧳 Standing outside

👥 Waiting in a queue

☀️ Getting hot

😴 Getting tired

and thinking:

‘WHY DID I DO THIS?’

✈️ AND IF YOU'RE FLYING TO YOUR CRUISE…

“This is where I get much stricter.

DO NOT PLAN TO FLY INTO THE DEPARTURE CITY JUST BEFORE YOUR CRUISE. 😳

Especially for international or long-haul cruises.

If your ship leaves Miami at 4pm…

don't book a flight that lands at 1pm thinking:

‘That gives me plenty of time.’

You've got:

✈️ Flight delays

🧳 Baggage collection

🚕 Transfer to port

🚦 Traffic

🛃 Terminal security

🪪 Check-in

👥 Queues

AND THEN YOU STILL HAVE TO GET ON THE SHIP.

That's a lot of things that need to go perfectly.

If you're flying to the departure city, I'd strongly consider arriving:

THE DAY BEFORE. 🏨

Norwegian currently recommends arriving at least a day before a cruise when booking flights through its own air programme, specifically to reduce the risk of missing embarkation.

Because:

A £150 HOTEL NIGHT

is a lot cheaper than:

MISSING A £3,000 CRUISE. 😳😂”

That's a very expensive lesson.”

7️⃣ YOUR SUITCASES MAY DISAPPEAR BEFORE YOU DO

“This is completely normal.

You arrive at the terminal.

You hand your large bags to the porters.

And suddenly you're standing there thinking:

‘Have I just given my entire holiday to a stranger?’ 😂

Don't panic.

Your luggage is normally delivered to your stateroom later.

But…

🎒 Keep a small carry-on bag with you.

Royal Caribbean specifically recommends carrying essentials such as travel documents, medications, a change of clothes and swimwear because checked luggage may arrive at your room later.

So pack your:

👙 Swimwear
🧴 Sunscreen
💊 Medication
📱 Phone/charger
🪪 Travel documents
🕶️ Sunglasses

Because you don't want to spend your first afternoon watching everyone else use the pool while you're still wearing airport clothes.”

8️⃣ LEARN THE SHIP ON DAY ONE

“Your ship may be HUGE.

And I mean…

HUGE.

🚢

Don't be embarrassed if you spend the first day walking around thinking:

‘Where on earth am I?’

That's normal.

Use the ship's app or deck plans where available, explore the public areas and find the important places:

📍 Your cabin
🍽️ Main dining room
🍕 Buffet
🏊 Pool
🎭 Theatre
🛎️ Guest services
🚪 Your muster station

Once you've got your bearings, everything becomes much easier.”

9️⃣ THE MUSTER DRILL IS IMPORTANT

“Okay, this sounds scary.

It isn't.

The muster drill is simply the ship's mandatory safety procedure that tells you where to go in an emergency.

On Royal Caribbean, for example, guests complete safety information and then report to their assigned muster station; procedures can vary by ship and cruise line.

🚨 Don't skip it.

You need to know where your muster station is.

Hopefully you'll never need it.

But if you do…

you'll be very glad you paid attention.”

🔟 DON'T TRY TO DO EVERYTHING

“This is probably the hardest lesson for a first-time cruiser.

You see the daily schedule.

And suddenly you've booked:

9am yoga.

10am quiz.

11am pool.

12pm lunch.

1pm cocktail class.

2pm trivia.

3pm waterslide.

4pm afternoon tea.

5pm sail-away.

6pm dinner.

7pm theatre.

9pm show.

11pm nightclub.

WHAT HAVE I DONE?! 😂

Remember:

You are on holiday.

You don't need to attend everything.

Pick the things you really want to do.

Leave room for doing absolutely nothing.”

1️⃣1️⃣ DOWNLOAD THE CRUISE LINE'S APP

“📱 Seriously.

Do this.

The app can be incredibly useful.

Depending on the cruise line, you may be able to see:

📅 Daily activities
🍽️ Dining reservations
🎭 Entertainment
🗺️ Deck plans
🏝️ Excursions
💳 Your onboard spending
⏰ Timings

Norwegian says its app can be used for check-in, dining, entertainment, excursions and viewing your itinerary and daily schedule.

Royal Caribbean's app similarly lets guests view activities, menus, deck maps, reservations and onboard information.

Your phone just became your cruise concierge.”

1️⃣2️⃣ DON'T ASSUME EVERYTHING IS INCLUDED

“Here's where things can get confusing. 💸

Your cruise fare may include accommodation, certain dining, entertainment and some onboard activities…

but there can also be extras.

Depending on your cruise:

🍹 Drinks packages
🍽️ Speciality restaurants
📶 Wi-Fi
🏝️ Shore excursions
💆 Spa treatments
🎰 Casino
📸 Photos
☕ Certain premium drinks

can all add to your final bill.

So before you book the cruise, ask:

‘What's actually included in my fare?’

And then ask:

‘What am I likely to spend on top?’

That second question is VERY important.”

1️⃣3️⃣ DON'T BUY EVERY PACKAGE JUST BECAUSE IT'S OFFERED

“🚨 First-time cruiser warning!

You will be offered things.

Lots of things.

Drinks package?

Wi-Fi?

Dining package?

Excursions?

Photos?

Spa?

You don't automatically need them.

Work out how you're actually going to use the cruise.

If you don't drink much alcohol, a drinks package may not make sense.

If you're happy disconnecting from the internet, perhaps you don't need premium Wi-Fi.

And if you love the main dining room…

you may not need speciality dining every night.

Do the maths before you buy. 🧮”

1️⃣4️⃣ DON'T BOOK EVERY EXCURSION

“Your ship arrives somewhere new.

And suddenly there are 47 excursions staring at you.

🚍 Bus tour.

🏝️ Beach day.

🤿 Snorkelling.

🍷 Wine tasting.

🏛️ Walking tour.

🚤 Boat trip.

You don't need to book one every day.

Sometimes the best port day is simply:

Get off.

Walk around.

Find a café.

Eat something local.

Explore.

And get back on board.

Which brings us nicely to one of our favourite Cruise & Confused subjects:

‘What do the locals actually do?’ 🌍”

1️⃣5️⃣ ALWAYS KNOW WHAT TIME YOU NEED TO BE BACK

“This one is SERIOUS.

Your ship has a departure time.

If you've booked an excursion through the cruise line, the cruise line generally manages the excursion timing.

But if you've gone off independently…

YOU are responsible for getting back.

And the ship will not necessarily wait because you found an amazing little beach bar.

😂

So when you leave the ship:

Know the all-aboard time.

Set an alarm.

Give yourself a buffer.

And don't become the person everyone watches from the balcony while the ship waits.”

1️⃣6️⃣ YOU DON'T NEED TO PACK YOUR ENTIRE HOUSE

“First cruise?

You may be tempted to pack:

three formal outfits,

five pairs of shoes,

six swimsuits,

two jackets,

four handbags…

and enough toiletries to open Boots. 😂

Stop.

Check the cruise line's dress requirements and your itinerary.

Pack versatile clothing.

And remember:

you're allowed to wear something twice.

Nobody is keeping score.”

1️⃣7️⃣ TAKE MOTION SICKNESS SERIOUSLY

“🌊 Worried about seasickness?

Don't panic.

Modern cruise ships are designed with stabilisation systems, but some people are more sensitive to motion than others.

If you're concerned, speak to a pharmacist or healthcare professional before travelling about appropriate options for you.

And when choosing a cabin, many cruisers prefer a cabin around the middle of the ship and on a lower deck because motion can feel less noticeable there.

But don't spend your entire cruise worrying about getting seasick.

You may step onboard and discover:

You're completely fine. 😎”

1️⃣8️⃣ YOUR ONBOARD ACCOUNT CAN SNEAK UP ON YOU

“Here's the scary bit.

You buy a cocktail.

Then another.

Then dinner.

Then a photo.

Then an excursion.

Then a souvenir.

Then another cocktail because…

well…

it's a cruise. 🍹

And suddenly you're looking at your onboard account thinking:

‘WHO DID THIS?!’

Most cruise lines let you view your onboard spending through an app or account system.

Check it regularly.

It's much nicer to discover you've spent £150 than to discover you've spent £850 on the final morning.”

1️⃣9️⃣ DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK QUESTIONS

“🚢 This is YOUR holiday.

If you don't understand something:

Ask.

Don't know where dinner is?

Ask.

Don't know how the drinks package works?

Ask.

Can't find your cabin?

Ask.

Don't understand your bill?

Ask.

The crew are there to help.

And trust me…

they have probably heard much stranger questions than yours. 😂”

2️⃣0️⃣ LEAVE SOME ROOM FOR THE UNEXPECTED

“And finally…

this is the most important one.

Your cruise won't necessarily go exactly according to plan.

The weather might change.

A port might be missed.

An excursion might not go perfectly.

The restaurant might be busy.

You might discover that the excursion you were desperate to do is cancelled.

And you know what?

That's cruising.

Don't let one little thing ruin your holiday.

Sometimes the best memories come from the things you didn't plan.

❤️ Leave room for a little chaos.

Because you're on a ship…

and you're going somewhere new.”

🚢 THE CRUISE & CONFUSED FIRST-TIMER CHEAT SHEET

BEFORE YOU GO

✅ Check your travel documents
✅ Complete online check-in
✅ Download the cruise line app
✅ Check your cabin location
✅ Look at what's included
✅ Research excursions
✅ Check dress requirements
✅ Consider arriving at the departure city early

ON EMBARKATION DAY

🎒 Keep essentials in your carry-on
📱 Have your boarding information ready
🗺️ Explore the ship
🚨 Complete your safety requirements
🍽️ Check dining arrangements
🎭 Check entertainment bookings
🏊 Find the pool
🚢 Enjoy sail-away!

DURING THE CRUISE

📅 Check the daily schedule
💳 Keep an eye on your onboard spending
⏰ Know your all-aboard times
🌍 Explore your ports
😴 Take time to relax
😂 Don't try to do everything

❤️ FINAL TIP

“So…

are you still confused?

Hopefully…

a little less. 😁

Your first cruise can seem complicated before you go.

But once you're onboard, you quickly realise something:

It's actually incredibly easy.

Your cabin is there.

Your meals are there.

The entertainment is there.

Your next destination is waiting outside your balcony.

And someone else is doing the driving. 🚢

That's the beauty of cruising.

So don't worry about knowing everything before you board.

You don't need to.

Just do a little preparation…

leave some room for spontaneity…

and enjoy the ride.

And if something goes wrong?

Well…

You're a future Certified Shipaholic.

And together…

we're going to figure this cruising thing out.

More cruises. More laughs. Less confusion. ❤️

I'll see you on board!”

📌 SOURCES / FACT CHECK

This script uses current publicly available cruise-line information, including Royal Caribbean's first-time cruiser guidance, app/check-in information and muster requirements, plus Norwegian Cruise Line's current preparation, check-in and app guidance. Procedures, inclusions, fees, documentation and onboard facilities vary by cruise line, ship, itinerary and sailing, so always check the specific cruise line's current requirements before travelling.