First Time Cruise Tips: How to Plan Your Maiden Voyage

• The Basics of Booking Your First Cruise
• Things to Sort Out Before You Board
• Preparing for Your First Cruise Holiday
• Flight Centre's Top Tips for First Time Cruisers

We're gonna start by saying that if you just can't be bothered with all the little details, our team of cruising experts are more than happy to help. Reach out online, over the phone or even in-store and we will take care of the details.

If, however, you're keen to dive in and do your own research, please keep reading (though the help of one of our cruising experts is never a bad idea). 

When, where and who to cruise with?

There are a few key decisions you need to make when booking your first cruise.

1. Where should you go on your first cruise?
2. How many days should your first cruise be?
3. What cruise line do I choose?

In order to answer these, you need to figure out what kind of holiday you want. Are you after a quick getaway to recharge, a chance to explore new horizons, an accessible way to see the world, a week in the tropics or something different?

Once you know what you're after, it's much easier to pick a destination. Add in any budget considerations to further narrow down cruise lines, cabin class and trip length.

Top Tip: If you're a bit apprehensive about your first time cruising, we highly recommend a shorter sailing of 2-4 nights. This will give you enough time to steady those sea legs, explore the ship and determine if cruising is for you.

Other things to consider:

• Demographics - are you after an adults-only escape, a family-friendly holiday or something in between?
• Sea days vs port days - does your ideal cruise involve jumping off at new and exciting ports every day or two, or making the most of the ship's facilities with plenty of days at sea?
• Time of year - do you have to time your cruise with school holidays, or can you go at any time of year? This will impact where you can go based on the climate and pricing.

With your destination, time of year, holiday vibe and budget sorted, it should be pretty easy to pick your cruise. A lot of different lines will do similar routes at similar pricing (e.g. sailings to the South Pacific from the east coast of Australia), so it's just a matter of comparing the cruise ships and seeing which one tickles your fancy. 

Cruise companies cheat sheet

Unsure which cruise line to pick? Here's a quick guide for Aussie and NZ travellers. Keep in mind that this is a guide only, with most cruise lines servicing a number of routes.

Mega Ships Best for Families, Couples & Accessibility (South Pacific, New Zealand, Caribbean & Asia)

• P&O Cruises (budget-friendly option)
• Royal Caribbean International
• Carnival Cruises
• Princess Cruises
• Disney Cruise Line

Luxury Lines (Ocean Cruising)

• Celebrity Cruises
• Cunard
• Seabourn  
• Viking Cruises
• Regent Seven Seas

Europe & Mediterranean Cruise Lines

• MSC Cruises
• Royal Caribbean International
• Virgin Voyages (all ships are adults-only)
• Norwegian Cruise Line

North America & Alaskan Cruising

• Princess Cruises
• Holland America
• Disney Cruise Line

European & Asian River Cruising

• Scenic Tours
• APT Touring
• Avalon Waterways
• Uniworld River Cruises 

Picking your cabin class

Think of your cabin as your bedroom for the duration of the cruise. Cabins are located on upper, middle and lower decks (depending on the size of the cruise ship) and situated inside (no windows) or outside (with a window or a balcony). All cabins have a private bathroom, a wardrobe, linen and enough facilities to keep you comfortable for your time at sea. 

Cabin tips:

• While it's always tempting to book the cheapest cabin, think carefully about the location of your room relative to noisy parts of the ship, as well as windows and balcony access (deck plans can be accessed online for easy reference).
• Early bird deals often enable passengers to upgrade their cabin at little or no extra cost, so always chat with your cruising expert to see what is available. 

Best time of year to cruise

The time of year that you take your cruise depends on your cruise destination as cruising seasons vary for different regions.

Families usually travel during school holidays, and shoulder seasons (the start and end of cruise seasons) can help provide great cruise deals.

Keen for an extended time at sea? Keep your eyes peeled for transatlantic and transpacific cruises which operate between popular cruise seasons. 

Group cruises

Cruises are a fantastic holiday option for groups, whether you’re planning a reunion for old friends or a large family get together. Better yet, cruise lines will often provide discounts for group bookings, so tell your Travel Expert if this is the case.

We recommend booking your shore excursions well in advance if you're hoping to do them as a group, as numbers are often limited.

Airfares

Unless you book a fly and cruise package or are cruising from your home city, you will have to make your own way to and from the port. Our team can easily add flights as part of your overall package, having you arrive with plenty of time to recover from any jetlag before you set sail. 

Accessibility

Cruising is one of the most accessible ways to see the world, and cruise ships continue to go above and beyond to meet the accessibility needs of their travellers. With almost all the services of an entire city contained on a ship connected via elevators, you don't have to stress about finding an accessible taxi, wondering if your wheelchair will fit in a restaurant or hotel room, or worrying about wayward stairs.

Those with sensory impairments, special needs and neurological disabilities are also catered to with a range of onboard elements to promote smooth sailing for your next holiday.

We've written a whole blog on accessible cruising, so check that out for more tips and tricks to help elevate your next holiday at sea. 

Travel insurance

A wise person once said "if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel". While no one ever plans for something bad to happen, it's always better to be safe than sorry. Cruising is no exception, especially if you need to see a doctor or receive hospital treatment while on board.

The peace of mind that comes with having travel insurance means you can relax and not worry about a thing. Long story short, chat with one of our Travel Experts who can easily bundle travel insurance into your cruising package. 

Passport

Some countries require six months' validity left on passports in order to enter. Check the requirements of the destinations you're visiting to avoid any issues when you arrive in port. 

Vaccinations

If your cruise takes you through parts of Asia, Africa or Latin America, you may need to get some vaccinations before you depart. Some vaccinations must be taken several weeks before travel and some can't be taken together, so plan ahead to ensure you're fully protected. Visit your doctor or travel clinic for the lowdown on destinations in these regions and health requirements.

Visas

Some cruise destinations require a visa for entry, many of which have to be acquired before you arrive in port. Chat with your booking agent and check your itinerary to confirm your visa requirements.

The alternative? Without the correct travel documents you won't be permitted to disembark, which means missing out on exploring a new country and port. 

With the cruise booked, passports sorted and insurance purchased, now it's time to start packing and prepping for your holiday. 

What do I pack for a cruise?

Luckily for you we've created a detailed packing guide and lists for a wide range of cruises. 

Top Tip: Don't forget to research any dress codes or special dress-up nights before you depart!

Travelling with children

Cruises provide the ultimate balance of fun and relaxation, with options to make memories as a family AND drop the little ones at kids club while the parents relax. Our packing list above details all the extra things you'll need to bring to suit your kids.

Once on board, there is a wide range of activities and options to keep your kids entertained. Our guide to cruising with kids is a great place to start. Here you can suss all the details on kids club, shore excursions, cabin recommendations, kid-friendly dining venues and more. 

Foreign currency and money onboard

The amount of money and foreign currency you require will vary depending on your destination and cruise plans.

Many cruise lines are cashless, meaning all passengers charge any extra food, drinks, onboard spending and spa services outside of their package to the room. At the end of the cruise you can settle your onboard account with a debit or credit card before disembarkation.

With this in mind, the only time you'll need cash is when you're in port. Some locations may accept your credit card or travel card, while others may prefer cash (think island ports and remote destinations).

Research the requirements of your ports before you depart, that way you're not left struggling when you try to buy a snack or souvenir on land.

P.S. Most ships will have foreign exchange services on board, however the rates aren't great. Grab any forex before you depart to guarantee more bang for your buck.

Dining options

One of the best perks about a cruise holiday is the fact that all of your meals and some drinks (bar specialty restaurants) are included in your cruise fare. Better yet, most cruise ships pride themselves on offering a wide variety of fresh, delicious cuisine that caters to everyone on board.

If you're a real foodie, then it may be worth splurging on a meal at any of the specialty restaurants onboard. Boasting everything from sushi bars to teppanyaki restaurants, grill houses and Italian pizzeria's, there is no shortage of culinary experiences on board. 

Onboard entertainment

When you're not eating, relaxing or exploring the ship, take your pick from a wide variety of onboard entertainment options designed to enhance your cruise experience.

Choose from the likes of sports, games, shows, movies, classes and more depending on your cruise line and destination. Each day you get a cruise itinerary and timetable of activities, so you can plan your ideal day at sea. 

Shore excursions

While there is the option to explore most ports at your own pace, if you're a first time cruiser it's highly recommended you join a shore tour. Not only are they designed to help show travellers the best of a destination or niche interest (think sport, history, culture, adventure etc.), but the benefit of a tour guide means you don't have to stress about getting lost or being late for the ship.

Most cruise lines offer a wide array of shore excursion tickets that can be booked online before you even depart. In fact, we highly recommend researching ports in advance and booking shore excursions to avoid missing out.

If you can't find what you're after, chat with our Cruising Experts about booking your own adventure or independent tours.

The boarding process

Hooray! It's finally time to set sail. We recommend first time cruisers arrive at the port with plenty of time to avoid any stress on embarkation day.

Your cruise line will send you information a few days beforehand, detailing a window in which you can board. Generally, the busiest time is between midday and 2pm, so get to the ship early or after this window if you're not keen on lines.

Once you arrive, make sure you've got your boarding documents and identification handy. Just like flying, you'll have to go through a check in process and security, during which you'll receive your cruise card. This cruise card will act as your boarding pass, room key and credit card while on board, so don't lose it.

From here, you'll board via the gangway (ramps) and can officially start exploring the ship! Your bags will be delivered to your cabin location later that day, so you don't have to stress about lugging your suitcase up to your cabin door.

Aside from a mandatory safety briefing (aka the muster drill), you are now free to make the most of the ship's facilities, restaurants and entertainment options. Enjoy! 

We asked some of our cruising veterans for their top tips for first time cruisers to help you make the most of your maiden voyage.

1. Arrive at your departure port a day early. It means you won't miss your ship, takes the stress out of the morning and gives you a bit of time to recover from jetlag if you're arriving from overseas. Better yet, give yourself a few extra days to enjoy the port city before you depart.
2. Luggage may take a few hours to arrive in your cabin, so pack swimmers and anything else you need for the first few hours onboard in your carry on bag. That way you can hit the pool ASAP.
3. Board early! Start your holiday sooner by booking an early boarding time and make the most of the ship before everyone is on board.
4. Take a ship tour when you get on board so that you've got your bearings and don't waste time getting lost.
5. Double check the rules of your cruise line and bring your own drinks on board. While drinks packages are available, BYO-ing is an easy way to save some cash.
6. Pack extra toiletries, especially things like sunscreen, band aids, painkillers etc. While you can purchase them on board, you will be charged some ridiculous prices. The same goes for batteries and chargers.
7. Worried about getting seasick? Book a cabin in the middle of the ship (to minimise rocking) and pack seasickness tablets.
8. Feeling seasick onboard? Get plenty of fresh air, keep your eye on the horizon and stay off screens and books. If all else fails, head to the cruise doctors who can assist.
9. Sign up for activities, shore excursions and spa treatments as soon as possible to avoid missing out. This includes booking meals at specialty restaurants for your preferred day and time.
10. Save the ship's contact information in your phone when you go ashore. That way you can contact the ship if something goes wrong.
11. Don't feel pressured to do it all. There is a bounty of activities on board and it's easy to get overwhelmed. Remember it's your holiday and it's completely fine (and encouraged) to spend your days relaxing by the pool, sleeping in and indulging in some well-deserved RnR.
12. Keep your phone in airplane mode to avoid racking up massive roaming charges. You can use wi-fi on board, or even look at getting an eSIM if you need internet access.
13. Download the cruise app for a list of daily activities. You can also make restaurant reservations, book shore excursions, order drinks and more. The best bit? You won't even need Wi-Fi to use it.
14. If in doubt, use a travel agent to help find the right cruise for you. They can also be your point of contact and even help secure bonus onboard credit or other perks during the booking process.
15. We've already said this, but travel insurance is a must. If you get sick or injured and need to visit the onboard doctor, or a doctor in port, the costs can quickly add up.
16. Cabin location matters! If you're keen for some peace and quiet, book rooms away from elevators, nightclubs, late night venues and the casino. Under the pool deck and near the anchor can also be pretty noisy. If you do have a room near these locations, consider bringing some earplugs.
17. Research the average weather for the time of year you are cruising to avoid delays or missing ports.
18. Understand the service charges on board to avoid double tipping. While tipping isn't common in Australia, cruises through America and Europe may expect tips. Double check what the policy is on board your ship, and whether tips have already been included in prices.
19. Avoid the buffet on the first day. Most people will head straight there after the muster drill and the lines will be massive.
20. Timing is everything! Make sure you avoid cruising during school holidays to avoid sharing your cruise with heaps of kids (and potentially save money).  
21. Cruising is ideal for travellers with accessibility needs. Just let your cruise line know in advance and ensure you book an accessible cabin.
22. Research the ship, not just the cruise line. There are heaps of great reviews online to tell you exactly what to expect on board your specific ship.
23. The staff are there to help, so don't be afraid to ask for what you need! They are also pretty fun to talk to, have often travelled the world, and come with plenty of fun stories and recommendations for things to do while in port.
24. A balcony cabin is so worth the extra expense, especially on scenic voyages to places like New Zealand and Alaska.
25. Use the stairs if you're able. It's often way quicker than waiting for the elevators, plus it will help make more room for the buffet.