Taking your first cruise is an exciting milestone. Although it's easy to make a few rookie mistakes, nobody's first voyage is ever perfect.
Believe it or not, it's easier to spot a novice cruiser than you think. Certain behaviors tend to give them away instantly. These small, telltale signs separate first-timers from experienced sailors who know the ins and outs of a cruise vacation.
Don't worry, though — every seasoned cruiser had to start somewhere! Having been on over 30 cruises, I think it's easy to spot these first-time behaviors. The good news is that with some preparation and awareness, you can act like a veteran cruiser, even if it's your first time on a cruise ship!
Don't overpack
Packing for your first cruise can be overwhelming. Unlike land trips, it's difficult to run to the store to grab something forgotten. Although ships have a small selection of items – including medication, snacks, and clothing — they cost a premium compared to what you'd pay at a store back home.
That said, cruise cabins are smaller than typical hotel rooms. You'll often find less space than you're used to, especially when it comes to storage. That's why packing smart is so important. You don't want to overpack, but you don't want to underpack, either.
For example, it's okay to rewear an outfit or two to dinner, especially if you are on a weeklong cruise. I'd also recommend prioritizing comfort and practicality.
Does it make sense to haul a sequinned ball gown to the ship? Not really. In fact, cruises are far less formal these days. Although many guests still love dressing up, you don't have to pull out your fanciest attire.
In terms of medication, it's actually best to be overly prepared. Cruise ships have limited over-the-counter meds available, and they're extremely overpriced.
Typically, I always bring a DIY first-aid kit that has pain relievers, cold & flu medication, band-aids, motion sickness meds, eye drops, toothache gel, cough drops, and antacids.
Read more: 16 Packing Tips for First-Time Cruisers
Avoid booking your flight for the day the ship departs
Never, ever book your flight on the day of your cruise — it's way too risky. One delay or frustrating cancellation could mean you miss your ship's departure. They won't wait for you!
Instead, fly to your embarkation city the night before. That way, you won't be stressed trying to catch an early morning flight.
What better way to kickstart your vacation than sleeping in, grabbing a leisurely breakfast, and heading to the cruise terminal without rushing or panicking?
Plus, arriving the night before gives you time to explore, if that interests you. You may, for instance, wish to visit Seattle's Pike Place Market or Miami's Wynwood neighborhood.
Read more: The costly cruising mistake newbies make when planning their first cruise
Don't forget to place your phone in airplane mode
Before sailing away, make sure your phone is in airplane mode — even if you bought the ship's Wi-Fi! Placing your phone in airplane mode means that your phone's cellular capabilities are disabled. This will help save you from an expensive and unexpected bill from your provider for roaming.
Depending on your plan, you may be able to connect to the port's cellular network, either for free or at a minimal charge. For example, through Verizon, I can use my phone in Mexico, Canada, and the U.S. Virgin Islands for free. However, I can also pay $10 per day for international destinations like Greece, the United Kingdom, or Italy.
If you want Wi-Fi, I'd recommend buying it in advance because you'll typically save money compared to the onboard pricing. You can do this through the cruise line's online planning portal, which you'll gain access to once you place your deposit.
Speaking of Wi-Fi, some lines have more than one internet plan. Make sure you buy the one that meets your needs. For instance, if you want to be able to stream movies, don't buy the cheapest plan.
Review the cruise line's prohibited items list
Before you go throwing items into your suitcase, take a few minutes to read about what you can't bring on a cruise ship. Many items, including illegal drugs and weapons, are common sense. However, to ensure the safety of passengers and crew members, some household items are prohibited, too.
These include irons, steamers, heating pads, and extension cords. While they might seem harmless, they're banned because of their fire risk.
You also can't bring liquor on cruise ships. Cruise lines make a lot of money off alcohol sales, so they limit what guests bring onboard. That said, some lines permit passengers to bring on small quantities of wine. For example, guests can pack one 750ml bottle of wine or champagne if sailing with Royal Caribbean or Carnival.
Read more: Cruise ship prohibited items: 23 things you can't bring on a cruise
Don't overtip crew members
Most mainstream cruise lines charge a daily gratuity to cover tips for the crew. The cost varies based on which line you're sailing with, as well as your stateroom category. However, expect them to be anywhere from $16.00 to $25.00 per person, per day.
Many experienced cruisers opt to prepay gratuities, so they aren't surprised by a large bill at the end of the sailing. If you don't prepay them, your cruise line with automatically charge them to your onboard account.
Not only that, but there's also a mandatory service charge for purchases like drinks and spa treatments. As such, you don't have to tip your bartender for every beverage, unless you feel as though the service warrants it.
On a similar note, many cruisers like to leave an extra tip for their cabin steward because these hardworking crew typically remember your preferences and tidy your stateroom up to twice a day.
Of course, this is completely optional. You aren't required to tip beyond the cruise line's gratuity.
Read more: Crew member reveals shocking truths about cruise ship tipping
Understand what is and isn't included in your fare
Cruises aren't all-inclusive vacations. While your base fare covers a lot, there are plenty of opportunities to spend more onboard.
That said, if you don't know what's included, you may not know where you want to splurge to make the experience more inclusive and convenient.
For example, although certain beverages — including water, tea, lemonade, and coffee — are covered, cocktails, wine, beer, and soda often cost extra. If you don't want to worry about counting every penny, a drink package might be worth considering.
Read more: 17 hidden cruise ship extra charges
Similarly, if you want to stay connected with friends and family back home, you will need to add the cost of an internet package to your budget.
You may find that there's more included than you think, too. For instance, you can order more than one appetizer, entrée, and dessert in the Main Dining Room. This means if you don't like your first choice, or can't decide between two options, you don't have to stress about racking up extra charges.
Additionally, youth programming in the kids' club is included, as well as most entertainment and activities. Things like Deal or No Deal or Bingo typically cost extra, though.
Don't book the cheapest cabin just to save money
Finally, the stateroom you choose can significantly impact your cruise experience.
If you really don't care about spending a lot of time in your stateroom, a windowless interior cabin may be the best option, giving you extra money to allocate toward other add-ons. However, they aren't the right fit for everyone. If you want to wake up to scenic ocean views and relax on a private verandah, a balcony might be worth the splurge.
On a similar note, there are sometimes multiple sub-categories of cabins within each stateroom type. For example, I met a family once who didn't know that Oasis Class ships had different categories of balconies. Instead of reserving an ocean-view room, they ended up with a balcony overlooking Central Park, which isn't what they wanted.
Read more: Cruise ship cabins: Everything you need to know
Not only does the cabin category matter, but so does its location. If you are susceptible to motion sickness, you won't want a stateroom in the front of the ship. Some cabins are also noisier than others due to their proximity to popular public spaces like the casino, pool deck, and theater.
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 traveled frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas during her freshman year of high school. Having sailed on over 30 cruises across different lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC, Margaritaville at Sea, and Princess, she loves sharing her insight and expertise on all things cruising!
