A Guide for First Time Cruisers
How are cruises different from hotels?
Are you considering cruising for the first time? Do you know someone thinking of taking a cruise for the first time? Here’s some things they need to know:
One of the big differences between cruises and hotel stays is what’s included:
Meals - You’ll find included meals in the main dining room or restaurant, a buffet or food hall, grill, and coffee shop. Extra charge options will usually be clearly marked with a $ or * in the program or App. If you aren’t sure, ask before you order.
Your Cabin
Entertainment and activities including supervised kids’ club
Not included:
Alcohol or soda (except Disney and Virgin Voyages) – can purchase or get a drinks package included as part of a promotion
Crew gratuities – You’ll see a lot of gratuity charges. You get charged a daily gratuity for the housekeeping and included dining staff. Each drink adds on a gratuity. Specialty dinners add on a gratuity charge.
Shore excursions – Your time in port can be spent on your own or on a ship sponsored shore excursion.
Spa
Bingo, deal or no deal, Casino and gift shops – These will only be open when the ship is in international waters
You may be surprised that the cabins and the pools are much smaller compared to a hotel.
Be sure to remember the ship moves.
The ships have a lot of technology and stabilizers to help reduce movement, but you may still feel some motion in the ocean
This also means the ship can change the itinerary. It’s in the terms and conditions. If your trip will be absolutely ruined if you don’t go to one location, then it’s better to fly there.
You will have to do a muster drill to review the emergency procedures.
Immigration documents are required. Passport is best.
Your “room key” is a lot more
Opens your cabin door
Can charge to your onboard account
Need it to get on and off the ship
You may see different colored cards/medallions and wonder what they are. It’s usually either loyalty level ie. How many cruises you’ve taken or their cabin type. Suites may have a different card color.
The App is a must
All the cruise lines have Apps now that are basically required for check in and navigating your way around the ship. You can use it on the ship without buying the internet package.
Packing for a cruises is slightly different. You can find my packing must haves by clicking here.
Check in has three main parts:
Checking your bags – A porter will be outside the ship to take your large bags. You’ll need to print your luggage tags at home as part of the check in process. If you forget, the porter can make you one. You’ll get your bag back much later. Be sure all your medications, valuables, and documents are in your carry on bags. You won’t be able to go right to your cabin so be sure you can manage your carry on bags up an escalator or be prepared to wait in line at the elevator.
Immigration check – They will need to check your immigration documents and boarding pass to make sure you completed check in. The boarding pass may be printed or via the App. This is when they check your passport.
Security – You’ll need to pass through security. Cruise lines limit the drinks you can bring onboard. Each cruise line is a little different. We’ll cover that in the upcoming guides to each cruise line. Cruise lines are also very strict about appliances that could cause a fire: no irons, candles, candle warmers, surge protector power strips, no weapons. Each cruise line has a list of prohibited items.
Once onboard:
1. Go on airplane mode. Your phone may work, but you won’t know what the charges will be.
2. Get a program. You can view it in the App or get a physical copy from Guest Services or in your cabin.
3. Check the App for additional things that are only available to book onboard.
4. Tour exclusive areas. Spa tour will be available upon boarding if you are curious about the spa offerings. The ship will likely have a thermal suite that’s available for an extra charge. You can also learn about the available spa services. Some ships have an exclusive area that’s available for an extra charge like Sanctuary on Princess, Vibe Beach Club on Norwegian.
5. Your cabin steward may ask if you want morning or evening service. How do you choose? I think it’s really about when you shower and how you use the cabin. I like an afternoon nap and showering in the evening to get ready for dinner so I’d pick evening service to get the bathroom tidied up after getting ready. Other people shower in the morning so they like coming back to the cabin in the afternoon to everything reset. You can always request additional service or towels if you need them. You can also let your cabin steward know of other preferences like no feather pillows or if you need an extension cord.
6. Take a tour of the ship. Forward is the front. Aft is the back. Port is left as you look forward. Starboard is right as you look forward.
7. Get to know the crew. This is a big difference. You’ll meet people from all over the world. Ask about their home countries. Get to know the cruise staff and the casino host if you gamble.
8. Talk to other cruisers. Ask about their favorite cruises, their favorite things on this cruise.
9. If something is weird – say something. If you don’t like a dish – send it back. If there’s something wrong in your cabin, tell your cabin steward or guest services. If you aren’t sure about something, head to guest services and ask. The crew is so friendly and just wants you to have a great vacation.
10. Don’t feel pressured to do it all. It’s your vacation.
Getting off the ship is a little more complicated than checking out of a hotel. I cover disembarkation in this video.