First Time Cruise Tips: Everything You Need to Know Before You Set Sail

If you’re thinking about taking your first cruise but feel overwhelmed by all the choices and details—don’t worry, you’re not alone! Cruising is an amazing way to travel, and once you get the hang of it, it can be one of the most relaxing, fun, and rewarding ways to see the world. As a cruise enthusiast and former cruise line employee, I’ve put together a simple guide to help first-time cruisers make the most of their maiden voyage.

I recently sailed on a 5 night P&O short break cruise to Rotterdam & Zeebrugge with my family and it was my Dad’s first cruise...and he loved it!

What’s the Best Type of Cruise for First-Timers?

Shorter Cruises (3–5 nights)

Iona docked in Rotterdam

Start with a shorter itinerary. A 3–5 night cruise is a perfect way to test the waters. You’ll get to experience ship life without committing to a week or longer—just in case it’s not your thing (though chances are, you’ll love it). 

A lot of people can feel anxious about being at sea on open water, or are worried about seasickness. A shorter cruise, sometimes called a ‘taster cruise’ is the best way to give it a try.

Round-Trip Departures

Choose a cruise that departs and returns to the same port. I’d also suggest looking for a cruise that sails from your home country. Fly-cruises are fantastic but for your first time cruising I’d recommend keeping logistics as simple as possible.

Major cruise ports like Miami, Barcelona, or Southampton offer lots of round-trip itineraries.

Large Ships with Plenty of Amenities

This might be a controversial opinion but for your first cruise, opt for a larger ship with a variety of dining options, entertainment, and activities. 

Cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, and P&O are beginner-friendly and pack their ships with things to do—ideal for discovering what kind of cruiser you are.

In my mind, start big and if it feels too much you can always try a smaller ship next time!

What to Do Onboard as a First-Time Cruiser

Explore the Ship Early

Take time on embarkation day to walk around the ship.

Most cruise lines offer a map or an app to help you navigate. Knowing where the pool, buffet, entertainment venues, and your cabin are will make your cruise feel less overwhelming.

Embarkation day will always be busy with lots of people milling about, so take your time, take a seat in a bar with a drink and peruse the ship map and plot out which areas you want to explore. 

Try a Little Bit of Everything

There’s usually a daily schedule of activities: dance classes, trivia, cooking demos, wine tastings, and more. Dip your toes in a few and see what you enjoy. You might discover a new hobby or make some great cruise friends along the way!

Each cruise line usually has a daily ‘newspaper’ which will be left in your cabin, or with some cruise lines the daily schedule will be shown on the app.

On my last cruise entered a free raffle and won a £75 spa credit voucher!

Catch the Shows

Cruise ships put on Broadway-style productions, comedy shows, and live music and they’re usually included in your fare. 

Some entertainment options need to be booked in advance so check out the daily schedule for details, or speak to guest relations onboard.

On our short break cruise we watched a Lady Gaga tribute act and she was amazing!

Take Advantage of the Dining Options

A starter in Sindhu

Try a mix of the main dining room, buffet, and specialty restaurants (some of which may cost extra). It’s all part of the experience! Pro tip: You can usually order multiple starters/appetizers or main dishes/entrees if you want to sample more.

I always recommend researching what restaurants are on board ahead of time. For speciality restaurants you’ll need to book in advance. Most cruise lines open up booking before you sail so check when your booking window opens. P&O Cruises opens up booking 2 weeks prior to sailing.

If you don’t manage to book a speciality dining restaurant you can always enquire once you’re onboard as there will always be cancellations.

On P&O’s Iona you are really spoiled for choice. The Horizon buffet is always a crowd pleaser any time of day or night as there is so much choice. If you prefer a slightly more laid back breakfast then my favourite is the Pearl main dining room, it has gorgeous views of the wake of the ship.

Extra Tips for First-Time Cruisers

• Pack Smart but Light: Bring mix-and-match outfits to cater for weather and comfort. Check out my cruise packing blog with free checklist.

• Arrive on time for embarkation: When excitement is high it can be tempting to get to the port early but cruise lines give you an embarkation time for a reason - it helps manage the flow of thousands of people. Try and aim to arrive no more than 30 mins early.

• Download the Cruise Line’s App: This is your go-to tool for checking the daily schedule, making reservations, and even chatting with fellow passengers or your travel companions. Once you embark there are usually designated crew members assigned to help guests with accessing apps.

• Budget for Extras: While a lot is included in your fare, extras like shore excursions, specialty dining, drinks, and gratuities can add up. Decide in advance where you want to splurge.

• Stay Flexible: Weather can change, ports can be skipped, and plans can shift. Go with the flow, especially on your first cruise. I always like to highlight a couple of options on the daily schedule so I’ve always got something I can do if plans change.

• Cruise insurance: No one wants to dwell on things not going to plan but having cruise specific insurance is vital to making sure you’re covered. Most cruise insurance covers for missed ports, meaning if you have booked an excursion not through the cruise line you can make a claim for not being able to take it. Excursions booked through the cruise line are usually refunded automatically if a port has to be missed. This has always been the case in my experience.

Cruising can be the perfect combination of adventure and relaxation. Whether you’re lounging by the pool with a cocktail or exploring a new city or island, there’s something for everyone. It’s normal to be anxious about experiencing something new, but once you’re onboard and experiencing your first sail-away, you’ll be hooked!

Got more questions about cruising?

Drop them in the comments or send me a message on Instagram @SophieAliceTravel