If you are reading this, you are probably trying to learn as much as possible to help you prepare for your upcoming cruise.
Those who have taken cruises in the past love to share their knowledge to help brand-new cruisers get the most out of their time onboard. While the experience will vary from cruise line to cruise line, there are some helpful tidbits of information that are applicable to nearly every ship at sea!
Here are 10 reader comments about cruising and how to help make your experience more memorable
Read more: What cruisers wish they knew before going on their first cruise
Shop around for onboard credit before booking
Onboard credit is essentially free money that you are able to spend on cruise add-ons, whether that be shore excursions, alcoholic beverages, spa treatments, and more.
Reddit user madmaxx said that "there is a lot more on board credit (OBC) available than most people realize. By using a travel agent (TA), we each get some OBC, but in addition to that you can get OBC when fares drop (after paying in full), by owning cruise company stock, and if you're a member of a number of different groups (like first responders, people who have served in the military, teachers, and so on)."
"On one of our cruises last year we had almost $1000 of credit, that we spent frivolously in the spa and on specialty dining."
On an upcoming sailing on Freedom of the Seas in October 2023, I was able to take advantage of the $50 credit by booking at Next Cruise while onboard. Afterwards, I transferred the booking to my travel agent, who gave me another $50. In total, I have $100 of onboard credit to spend because I knew my options!
Do not overpack
"Take half the clothes you plan to take," suggested user piemom9397, "Wear the same outfit a couple of times — no one cares! Don’t stress about stuff - you’re on vacation."
While it might be tempting to use your upcoming cruise as an excuse to go shopping for new outfits, the overall experience has become much more casual over the years. On any given night, you will see people in anything from cocktail dresses to jeans and t-shirts.
The key is to bring a good mix of casual clothes as well as nice clothes for the evenings. You never know how you will be feeling after a day spent by the pool or exploring ashore.
Research your ship and know what dining options included
While mainstream cruise lines are not all inclusive, you do still get a lot included, so it is important to know what is available onboard your specific ship!
According to Reddit user PurpleEngineer, "I wish I knew what food options were included in the fare. I missed out on so much stuff thinking they were at an up charge."
Some Royal Caribbean ships, for instance, have El Loco Fresh, a quick-service poolside Mexican joint that is included. You do not want to spend all week going to the buffet if there are other (often less crowded) options available.
Read more: Are cruises all inclusive?
Know that there will be things that cost extra
Like with dining, there will be complimentary activities onboard, as well as some that cost an additional fee.
"I thought that everything activity wise would be included in the price of the cruise," remarked user Hot_Egg_9353, "The first time we went we joined our family for Bingo and it cost us about $70! For freaking Bingo! I was so pissed. I love cruising and we already have our next cruise booked for February but it’s frustrating that there are so many possible added expenses that I was not aware."
Carnival's newest ships, for instance, are home to the only roller coasters at sea. Riding it, however, is not included in the cost of your cruise fare. A single ride on BOLT will cost you an extra $15 per person.
Likewise, some of Norwegian Cruise Line's ships have go-karts tracks onboard. This fun and unique activity is not free. Racing on the Norwegian Speedway allows guests to drive a go-kart that can reach up to speeds of over 20 miles per hour for $15 each.
Read more: 14 cruise ship extra charges you should know about
Make sure you read your cruise line's prohibited items list
When packing for any vacation, there are some common sense items that you know not to pack, such as drugs, fireworks, etc. Other items, though, are regular household items that you might not realize are not allowed onboard.
User general-illness forgot that he had packed a pocket knife in his shaving kit and had it confiscated prior to embarkation. "I picked it up on dis-embankment," they wrote, "There were about 15 irons sitting on the table with my knife."
Make sure that you do not pack an extension strip, baby monitor, or steamers!
Read more: Banned: 23 Things You Absolutely Cannot Bring on a Cruise
When you take your cruise matters
What_if_I_fly advised, "Paying attention to school and college break schedules is vital if you aren't into screaming kids or...frat boys."
Spring Break is the first opportunity for friends and families to travel together following Christmas and New Year's. If you opt to take a cruise during the months of March and April, it is likely that you will see more families and college aged kids than if you were to cruise in February or October.
Many American schools schedule their spring break for either the week before or after Easter, so these sailings are often booked at full capacity in advance, meaning that you most likely will not find a great last minute deal.
Read more: Spring break cruises: are they fun and should you try one?
Do not feel like you have to make a decision in the main dining room
Find yourself at dinner with multiple different dishes sounding appetizing?
"I didn't realize until my 2nd or 3rd cruise that I could order multiple appetizers, multiple mains and multiple desserts at same time in MDR," said scotsman3288.
It is your vacation, so you should feel free to indulge as much as you want! When you place the order with your waiter, just make sure to indicate that you want two dishes within a specific course.
That being said, you do not have to order something for all three courses, either. Maybe you want to get dessert at the buffet or would rather have two appetizers and two desserts. Your experience in the main dining room is fully customizable to suit your dining preferences.
Read more: Your really dumb cruise ship dining questions answered
Eat breakfast in the main dining room
Most people associate cruising with buffets; however, the main dining room is often often for breakfast and/or brunch in addition to dinner.
"Eating breakfast in the dining room is leaps and bounds above the buffet. You'll usually get fresher food and full service. I skipped this on my first few cruises and have seen the error of my ways," said stevensokulski.
The buffet is great for those who are in a hurry. If you have time to spare, consider going to the main dining room for breakfast. You will be presented with a menu and tended to by a waiter, meaning that you can order fresh made-to-order dishes.
On a recent cruise onboard Navigator of the Seas, I went to the Main Dining Room twice for breakfast. The first was on a port day, as we had a later arrival time. It was a great way to kickstart the day without feeling overwhelmed by the crowds in the buffet. I ate there again on disembarkation morning, and while the menu was smaller, it was a great way to end the cruise!
Read more: How to beat the crowds on your cruise ship
Consider your vacation preferences when browsing itineraries
"I personally find sea days boring, so I need to find cruises with more ports," wrote Neat_Crab3813.
Not all cruisers enjoy spending sea days on today's mega ships. Water slides, go-kart tracks, sky diving simulators, and ice skating rinks do not appeal to everyone.
Instead, some would rather explore a new port of call each day, returning to a relaxing environment at night. Smaller ships tend to visit more unique ports of call, as these places are unable to accommodate larger ships.
If you are more focused on the destinations, you will want to ensure that you allocate a higher budget for shore excursions.
Those with children should utilize the youth programming
Most cruise lines have award-winning youth programming, meaning that you can rest assured that your children will be taken care off while you get some much needed adults-only time.
User RazielKainly said, "Don't be afraid to use the children club as a day care as soon as possible."
Even the smallest cruise ships will have complimentary children's programming. The larger ships, however, will have more updated spaces and more activities for them. This is something important to consider when debating what ship to sail on!
While spending time together as a family is important, there is nothing wrong with letting them meet new people their age, too!
Read more: Best Royal Caribbean ships for kids by age
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer.
