Everything You Need to Know About Cruising

If you’ve been here for a while, you know I love a good cruise! At this point I’ve been to so many places from the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, Alaska, Norway, and European Christmas Markets, and more. In fact some of my earliest memories with my crew are aboard a cruise! 

As I get older, I’ve learned that time is truly a luxury, and cruises have been such a crucial way of getting that time back. Whether it’s traveling with my kids, with my parents and in-laws, with friends and family, a cruise really allows us all to get together and just focus on being in the moment together.

Since I’ve been on so many over my years, I thought I’d compile all my tips for any newer cruiser to learn from. Check them all out below!

Booking Your Cruise

When to Book – Wave Season

To start, you should know that the absolutely best time to book a cruise is during what’s known as wave season. This can start as early as Black Friday but generally happens from January to March. The name comes from the wave of deals cruise lines will tout to entice you to pick them over competitors. Think discounted fairs, special deals, freebies, extra perks, and even upgrades. They do this because around now is low season for cruises!

It’s also when the most popular cruises, like the Inside Passage of Alaska, fill up so you want to be prepared to book as soon as possible if you want to have the most choices in terms of itinerary, rooms, packages,and excursions.

I recommend starting to do your research in the fall so you know what kind of cruise you want to do, which cruise lines offer the itinerary you want, and what they’re offering in normal times to compare with the deals they’ll offer during wave season.

How to Pick Your Cruise

That brings me to my next point – actually picking your cruise. There are so many options even just clicking into one cruise line’s website can feel overwhelming. Our Season 9 sponsor, Oceania Cruises, sails to 600 destinations across 100 countries alone!

I always think it’s fun to think of cruises like relationships and matchmaking. What are you looking for in a relationship? That’s probably the kind of cruise you’ll want. Short fling? Check out 3-4 day cruises with ports close to where you live. Something calm and peaceful? Look for longer itineraries that stop off at historic ports. Excitement and adventure? Look for more outdoorsy itineraries that’ll have you off the ship and in nature.

Consider booking through a travel agent or consultant.

I’m a big fan of travel agents in general but they’re especially great when booking cruises! They’ll often have access to better deals and perks than you would just booking on your own. One thing to ask about is on board credit (OBC).

Check exactly when you’re booking

If you’re hoping to avoid sharing your cruise with a bunch of students on school break, double check when you’re going. Being on a ship with hundreds of kids is a lot different than one with just a handful of families.

Join the Cruise Line Loyalty Program

Once you’ve figured out your itinerary and who you want to cruise with, look into joining their loyalty program even if it’s your first and you don’t think you’ll do another one anytime soon. Just being a member can have privileges like priority embarkation or disembarkation and hidden deals!

Before You Set Sail

Some Good Terms to Know

Embarkation – This describes the day you board your cruise for the trip.

Disembarkation – This is the day you leave your cruise.

Port of Call – This is where your ship will dock. Besides embarkation and disembarkation days, ports are usually where you’ll get off to wander or join an excursion.

Docked – Docked ports mean you can literally walk right off the cruise ship and onto land.

Tendered – Tendered ports mean you need to be ferried between the ship and the port. It’s kind of annoying so I usually plan to stay onboard for tendered port days. At most, I opt to be tendered later in the day so I can enjoy a more leisurely breakfast and skip the morning ferry rush.

Cabin Steward – This is who will help take care of you and your room.

Check just How All-Inclusive Your Cruise is

“All-Inclusive” is not always all inclusive! Cruise prices typically include room and board but don’t necessarily include excursions, spa treatments, specialty restaurants, alcohol, and other amenities on board. Check over what’s included and what’s not and then budget accordingly so you’re not surprised with a huge bill at the end.

On the flip side, I’ve heard that quite a few newer cruisers didn’t realize just how much was included in their package so they missed out on a ton of cool amenities and dining experiences!

Book as much as possible in advance.

Once you’ve got your cruise booked, book as much as you can in advance. Popular activities or restaurants on board book up fast so it’s better to have that all organized as quickly as possible. Most cancellation policies are generous if you change your mind, but always good to double check!

You absolutely still need cash and plenty of it!

Always, always bring at least a few hundred bucks for tipping. In fact, bring more cash than you think you’ll need because ATM charges on board are brutal.

Even if tips are automatically charged, you’ll still be compelled to tip crew members in cash. They truly are some of the hardest workers I’ve ever encountered, and it’s really incredible how even though I know they’re balancing hundreds of cruisers at once, they manage to make me feel unique. That alone deserves extra appreciation.

Not to mention, it’s also expected that you tip bartenders, luggage handlers, shuttle drivers, port staff, waiters, guides, and more.

Check if Your Cruise Has an App

The Internet on board is notoriously quite slow. See if your cruise has an app and download it ahead of time. They’ll be so helpful with navigating the ship among other amenities and guides.

Make Note of Cruise Dress Codes

While many cruise lines have gone for casual, many still have recommended dress codes depending on what you’re doing. They’re pretty much the terminology as for weddings and business events, but in case you need a refresher:

• Casual –  Shorts, polos, sundresses. Think comfortable without being in your pajamas or workout gear!
• Smart Casual – Just a little dressier while still being comfortable. Think of something you’d wear to an office party. 
• Cruise Elegant – Think cocktail dresses and suits but not full blown black-tie. 
• Formal – Black-tie with tuxedos and evening gowns

In general, you do not want to plan on lounging around in T-shirts and shorts, leggings and tanks, or pajamas on a cruise.

Also Check Your Port of Call Country Dress Codes

It’s also important to make note of any country dress codes when you start packing. For example, churches in Europe may require you to have your shoulders and knees covered. Oh, and fun fact – quite a few countries completely ban camo!

What to Bring on Your Cruise

This one requires a post on its own for all the details and specific instructions. But for a quick overview:

• Double check your cruise’s recommended packing list. Besides the above dress codes, they’ll also know the local weather better than you. Remember summer doesn’t always mean hot.
• Always bring one fancier outfit. Even if there’s no obvious need for it, you’ll never be overdressed on a cruise, and it can be fun to get all dressed up one night!
• Magnetic hooks are an absolute godsend for in-room organization. All doors are metal for fire safety, and hooks are perfect for hanging up bags and clothes.
• Besides normal OTC medications, bring motion sickness remedies even if you don’t think you suffer from it. You never know, and it’s better to be overprepared for this than underprepared.
• Most hats will need some sort of chin strap. Things get windy aboard, make sure your hat has a strap so it doesn’t blow off into the sea.
• Pack shoes with nonslip, rubber soles. The deck gets slippery!

How Exactly to Pack

When I travel on a longer cruise, I tend to bring a checked bag, a carry-on, and a personal item. If it’s shorter than a week, I only bring a carry-on and personal item. (It’s doable, I promise!) Either way, prepare to not see your luggage for the first few hours of your cruise. Most of the time luggage won’t get delivered to your room until after dinner which can leave quite a few hours without access. In my personal item, I like to pack a change of clothes, a swimsuit, any medications I need, essential toiletries (specifically sunscreen!), and any important travel documents.

Bonus tip: if you’re traveling with multiple people in one stateroom or with multiple bags of luggage, label your luggage with 1/x, 2/x, etc. It’ll help luggage handlers with organization!

Do Some Emergency Planning Now Instead of Later

99.9% of the time you’ll enjoy your cruise with no issues and no major predicaments. However, in the small chance that you do experience some sort of emergency, it’s better to have a plan written out well before your trip rather than, you know, in the thick of things.

In general, I like to have a notebook with my travel agent’s number, emergency contacts, numbers of local hotels just in case, and the nearby US embassy or consulate emergency line. It’s also a good idea to have a few extra days of medicine and snacks in case you find yourself on board longer than you realize.

On Board

Get to Your Embarkation Port 1-2 Days Before

If you’re flying to your embarkation port, do NOT try to fly in on the day of. Give yourself at least a 24 hour grace period but I’d really recommend at least 48 hours. Just imagine how much more stressful a flight delay, missed flight connection, or missing luggage is if you only have a few hours leeway. Plus the few extra days in your embarkation port means you have time to enjoy the destination itself.

Go for a Long Walk Once You’re on Board

I do this when traveling to new destinations and on new cruises! Once you’re settled in, just go for a long walk to check out all the public areas, different restaurants, and hidden nooks. Even a large, popular ship has its “off the beaten path” spots. I use this walk to check out where I’m coming for my sunset cocktail, where I’m cozying up to read my book, and to see what’s looking a little quieter. Oftentimes specialty restaurants won’t be busy at all on embarkation day while the buffet will be a madhouse!

Look into Embarkation and Port Day Discounts

Many cruises offer them, take advantage!

Take the Ship’s Time Seriously

Do not, and I mean, do not be late to anything especially the return time from port of calls.

Pace Yourself

Seriously, there’s so much that goes on in a cruise, it can be easy to get overly excited and overwhelm yourself in the first few days. Just take a deep breath and pace yourself as you enjoy all the amenities and excursions.

Any tips you’d add for a new cruiser? Let’s hear them below!