What to Know Before Your First Cruise

I remember my first cruise like it was yesterday. Carnival Glory out of the Port of Miami to Grand Turk, Cozumel, Honduras and Grand Cayman. Now, it’s time for yours. I’ve created a list of the best things to know before booking your first cruise. Happy sailing!

Research the Cruise Line

Every cruise line has a different vibe. It’s up to you to figure out what you like. Carnival is known for its’ “Choose Fun” motto, where everyday there’s an adventure. Virgin Voyages is adult only, so if you’re looking to get away from kids for the week - this may be the one. Royal Caribbean is known for its’ large ships with a variety of eateries and activities. I say this to say - look into the various lines before picking one or you may end up on something different than what you were expecting.

Personally, I enjoy Carnival Cruises as they are affordable and fun. Click here to watch one of my experiences.

Research Your Cruise Port in Detail

Picking where you set sail from is a big deal when planning a cruise. It's not just about getting on a ship; it affects everything. Your departure port decides what ships are in play, where you'll go, and the best time to kick off your trip. Whether you're dreaming of the Eastern Caribbean or eyeing Bermuda, choosing the right departure port ensures your cruise hits all the right spots and vibes with what you're looking for. It's not just a point on the map; it's the kick-off to your whole cruise experience.

Check The Weather Patterns

The most popular cruises head towards tropical destinations, ones that are known for hurricanes. Although cruises during those times may be cheaper, the experience of missed ports, or rough seas may not be worth it. Most hurricanes tend to occur in September - October, so avoid those time, or book with caution.

Pack Everything Possible

Make sure to pack everything you’ll need. That includes a sweater for those nights it may get chilly, or a jeans jacket for when the dining area is freezing but you still want to look cute. If you’re the adventurous type, you may want to pack a pair of sneakers as some activities require them. I’ve created a cruise packing guide for your convenience.

Plan Plan Plan

Once you book your cruise, you will receive access to everything you need ahead of time. This will break down themed nights such as “Captain’s Night” or “White Night”, wifi and drink packages, times for the ports of call. Use this to guide your packing as well as your budget for vacation, if necessary. You may want to buy a few packages ahead of your sail date as they will be cheaper. Figure out if the drink package is worth it for you. If not, you can always buy drinks a la carte.

You may also want to purchase excursions ahead of time. Please note that if you do a non cruise sponsored excursion and you are late to return to the ship, you are at risk of being left. Some ports may be best for certain excursions, while others are good for going to the beach and enjoying local cuisines. You can also not do an excursion and just explore the port area. Find what’s best for you!

Travel Smart and Avoid Delays

Just because your cruise doesn’t leave until Monday at 5pm does not mean you should fly in on Monday morning. If you are coming from out of state, save yourself the hassle and arrive the day before. There are so many unexpected issues that may come up and ruin your vacation before it starts. Book a hotel close to the port so you don’t have too much going on the morning of. You also get the benefit of exploring a possible new city for an extra day!

Embarkation Day

Okay, it’s the day you’ve been waiting for. Select your embarkation slot for around 11am for the best experience. Less lines, won’t have to wait too long for your room to be ready, and you still get to kick your vacation off early. You’ll drop your bags, go through the security protocols and then you’re boarded! Go check out all the food options, learn parts of the ship and find those all you can enjoy ice cream stations.

Know that you’re room will not be immediately available be for use so make sure to keep everything you need, including important documents in a personal bag. If you can’t go a few hours without it, don’t leave it in your suitcase!

Sail Away

Not much left to do but enjoy the vacation. Use your cruise ship app to see the daily itineraries and pick whether you want to go to karaoke, or the corn hole challenge. The app will tell you the ship time (vs the destination time), have your dining check-in, and depending on your cruise line - will have the chat option to connect you with other members of your party without wifi.