Planning your first cruise can be exciting and overwhelming! Cruising is different than almost any other vacation, so it’s easy to get distracted day-dreaming about that delicious food and miss out on an important packing or vacation planning detail! We’ve compiled a list of the most important things to remember when preparing for your first cruise!
1. Don’t forget your passport!
If your cruise embarks from a domestic port, it can be easy to forget that you’ll need more than your identification card to board the ship. Such a seemingly small task, but this one is vital. If you forget to bring your passport, and you don’t have any other hard-to-access forms of identification (like potentially a birth certificate), the ship WILL leave without you and you MAY NOT be refunded!
2. Research Your Ship’s Alcohol Policies and Package Prices
If you’re a big drinker, alcohol is definitely part of your vacation budget. While most cruise lines do not include alcohol in their “all-inclusive” mentality, there are policies that you can use to your advantage. For example, some lines will allow you to bring your own beer and wine onboard. Others offer drink packages of varying levels. Sometimes these packages will be sold at a discount if you purchase online before the voyage begins. The important thing is to do your research and plan accordingly.
3. Pack a Day Bag.
When you arrive at the port, you’ll most likely be toting several large bags full of swimsuits, shorts, beach clothes, and, of course, a few formal night outfits. The easiest way to handle all that luggage is to tip the cruise staff and let them bring it up to your room. It’s well worth the money to not drag your suitcases through the tiny ship hallways, especially since your stateroom may not be ready for a few hours.
BUT on the other hand, your stateroom may not be ready for a few hours! Make sure you pack a small day bag for your wallet, swimsuit, medication, and any other essential items that you may need during your first few moments on the ship.
4. Skip Any Embarkation Day Raffles.
This is something that most seasoned cruisers have had to learn the hard way. While, yes, there is the slight chance that you will win a free massage or other treat for your voyage, these spa/gym/casino/whatever raffles are largely a waste of time. They’ll hold you hostage while they painstakingly describe whatever they want you to spend money on, and, of course, you can’t leave, because you must be “present to win.” All the while, the other passengers are lounging by the pool, drinking at the bar, or unpacking their bags to be ready for sail away!
5. Put Your Phone on Airplane Mode.
Lastly, if you’ve never been at sea you may not realize that you’re going to lose cell service during your trip. You can get away with it until and just after sail away, but as soon as you are far away from your home shore – turn your phone to airplane mode. Depending on the ports you visit during your cruise, you may be able to turn it back on during port days. Otherwise, airplane mode will ensure you avoid any “Cellular At Sea” charges or other unpleasant surprises on your bill.
