Cruise Travel Tips For First-Timers

Have you ever dreamed of boarding a huge, white cruise ship? Eating at the decadent buffet restaurants, swimming in the deep blue pools, and visiting all the exotic destinations offered by the company? If yes, then this blog post is right up your alley as we share some useful tips for the ones that are still starting to discover the cruise scene.

Shore excursions?
An important part of the cruise experience can’t be found aboard. You must venture out of the big ship to see the wonderful sights that have been planned for the particular cruise’s itinerary. For example, if you have gone on a 10-day Caribbean cruise, then you are bound to visit at least 4-5 different port cities. There are no mandatory excursions involved, but you are always free to order one. Shore excursions can vary from simple city tours to adrenaline-fueled adventure packages. Definitely do some research beforehand to see how the different tour companies match up.

Overpacking trap
Some people are hopeless at packing, ending up with truckloads of clothes on the cruiseship, and even blocking other passengers’ entrance. Try not to be this person! Keep in mind that rooms on the cruise ships are tiny and they aren’t that big even if you have upgraded your travel class. Having loads of stuff might sound useful, but in reality, this will result in decreased comfort. Focus on the things that you’ll really need and if you aren’t sure about something, then follow this advice: leave it behind!

Go for the right ambience
Each cruise ship has a bit different atmosphere and most companies are catering to unique markets. In other words, make sure that if you want to have proper family fun, then you don’t sign up for a cruise directed towards singles ready to mingle. Also, there are differences between more standardized cruises, offering cheaper prices, and upscale cruises that might be infinitely more expensive.

Are you hungry?
Dining and cruise travel goes hand in hand. Yes, lavish buffet-style dinners and plenty of selection at your breakfast table. Wait a minute! Before starting to daydream, open the cruise company’s website to check which part of the dining opportunities are actually covered by your (future) booking. Sometimes, there are different packages that differ on the particular food & beverage choices. You might stumble upon companies offering very cheap cruises. These might come at an additional price tag for all meals. Want peace of mind? Try to find all inclusive packages, containing breakfast, lunch, and dinner.