Tuesday, April 23, 2024

How to Book a Cruise for the First Time: 11 Expert Tips That Newbies Should Know

first time cruise

This is a chance to find where your room is on the ship and get acquainted with where you’ll be living during your cruise. Note that if boarding early in the day, your room may not be ready yet. Cruise lines offer excursions that you can book on the ship (fees apply). Excursions can range from everything from beach days to snorkeling to cultural activities. So even if someone has sailed a number of times on one line, they may still feel like a rookie the first time sailing a different cruise line. Every year cruise lines around the world welcome millions of new passengers.

10 lessons learned after trying Carnival for the first time - Cruise Blog

10 lessons learned after trying Carnival for the first time.

Posted: Wed, 10 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Hotels With Cruise Shuttles For Every Major Port in America

When you step off the gangway and onto the ship for the first time, you’ll be entering into a busy public area such as the atrium on most mainstream cruise ships. If you’re one of the first boarding groups, your cabin likely won’t be ready yet. So, you might have to hang out at the bar or one of the restaurants before heading to your room. If you’re boarding in the afternoon, you likely can head right to your cabin to drop off your things and start exploring the ship. Two ships take the concept of locally-inspired and locally-sourced food to a new level in a program called S.A.L.T., which stands for Sea and Land Taste.

Be Careful, Cruises Are Addicting

Get Back to the Ship EarlyWhenever you head into port, the staff will make it very clear when the “all-aboard” time is for your return. YouTube has tons of videos of “pier runners” — people running back to the ship as it is about to depart. Cruise ships have a tight schedule, and if you think you can arrive fashionably late to get back on the ship, think again.

Know What’s Included in Your Fare

Cruise Critic's Best Cruise Itineraries for First-Timers - Cruise Critic

Cruise Critic's Best Cruise Itineraries for First-Timers.

Posted: Fri, 20 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

There, you'll find answers to your burning questions and can discuss all things cruising with first-timers and seasoned cruisers alike. To help you get started, we added a few tips from our existing members below. Whether you're interested in a cruise for couples, kid-friendly cruise, river cruise or an adults-only cruise, there are plenty of options for all travelers. Finding reliable first-time cruise tips can be a challenge.

The cruise line might sell it as a private balcony, but there isn’t a whole lot of privacy. Your balcony on your cabin will have walls that shield you from the adjoining cabins, but the walls often don’t go from the floor to ceiling. They can easily be looked under or above, and someone could look around the side of them if they really wanted to. Keep this in mind if you’re out on the balcony when the mood for romance strikes.

first time cruise

From there, the ship will call groups to disembark, typically starting with those that are carrying off all of their luggage. NightlightCruise cabins — especially interior rooms with no windows — can get extremely dark at night. Combine that with an unfamiliar space and you’ll no doubt be bumping into things if you need to get up to use the restroom in the middle of the night. The first “day” is more like the first afternoon and evening as boarding generally starts around noon. From there, you’ll meet with an agent that will tie up any loose ends needed before boarding, such as a photo tied to your account.

first time cruise

Use a points card for onboard spending

Before you board on your first day, there are a few things you can do to help ensure smooth sailing. First, make sure all of your documentation is in order, including your passport, any required visas, travel insurance, and cruise line-provided boarding forms and luggage tags. You can also make advance reservations for the cruise line's specialty restaurants if they have them, spa treatments, and even Broadway-style shows that are offered on the ship most nights. Transits, when the ship is en route between ports, are known as sea days (like the term shore excursions, it's more cruise lingo); passengers, obviously, remain on board.

Go to Speciality Restaurants the first day

Having the fresh air — and the million-dollar views — from your balcony is worth the extra cost if you want to pay a little more for your trip. If something goes wrong, an agent can help rectify the situation faster than you may be able to if you go it alone. Most make their money via commissions from the cruise lines. Leppert calls it “the best of the best” advice to go with a travel advisor. In addition to our expert articles and reviews, you can join the Cruise Critic boards community, which has an entire section dedicated to new cruisers.

Get a workout while your shipmates dine.

The line caters to a broad spectrum of guests, with ample activities and attractions onboard that perfectly match the needs and desires of guests of all ages. It’s at the top of the list of cruise line companies that truly cater to cruisers from two to 82. Finding a cruise is simple, whether it be booking a cruise online or through a travel advisor. As the sun sets on your cruise journey, it’s time to think about disembarking.

Your luggage will show up later in the day (usually before dinner) and the staterooms will be ready at a time designated by the particular ship you are on. It is also a great time to wander around and get the feel of the layout of the ship and all that is offered. You are then given a sign and sail card (or it may be called different things on other lines). I know some people insist on having their passport with them at all times, but we just wouldn’t want to lose it. You really only need your ship sign and sail card to get on and off the ship at port. Don’t forget your passport (or birth certificate if using that instead)!

Departing from Port Everglades, it’s a stone’s throw away from FLL airport and an easy drive from Miami International Airport. Your ship will have one or more main dining rooms, which is where most guests have dinner each night. It may also be open for breakfast and/or lunch on select days. There’s a large buffet, usually located adjacent to the main pool on one of the upper decks.

Thanks to the size of cruise ships and stabilization features, the sailing is normally smooth. There are definitely times when you feel the ship move, but apart from a few outlying cases, chances are it will be clear sailing for your cruise. Take Advantage of Drink PoliciesSome cruise lines (such as Royal Caribbean and Carnival) allow you to bring on a small amount of non-alcoholic drinks with you when you board. So you can bring on some sodas, juices, teas, or anything else that you like.

The line has a strong presence of often four ships in the Mediterranean in summer and the Caribbean in winter. Suite hosts are the key to fine tuning every aspect of a Seabourn cruise. Once onboard, guests can rely on their suite host for everything from dinner reservations in the ship’s restaurants to popcorn for a movie afternoon. Seabourn luxury cruises are exceptional for offering some of the highest space for all guests in the industry while offering a private club atmosphere. Usually, just one on short cruises and two on six nights or longer sailings.

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