What to expect on your first-ever cruise 

Check vaccination rules before making your booking

Many cruise liners will now require that all passengers (including children) be “fully vaccinated” – i.e., vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19 – in order to be able to board their cruise ships. You might also need to submit negative PCR tests the day of boarding, so it’s a good idea to make sure you’re up-to-date on the rules before making your booking.

The cruise ship will be bigger than you expect

When you’re on a cruise, you might sometimes actually forget that you’re on a ship and out at sea. This is because cruise ships – even those on the smaller side – tend to be much larger than you imagine. They might feel more like a small city than a ship! 

You won’t feel the ship moving

If you’re prone to a little seasickness, you might have your doubts about going on a cruise. While this is a perfectly normal fear, let me reassure you in saying that you almost never feel the ship moving when you’re on it. The ships tend to be so large that any movement is going to be unnoticeably miniscule; The best tip we can give you is to avoid hurricane season in the Caribbean if you don’t want to run the risk of choppy waters. The official hurricane season in the Caribbean runs from 1 June to 30 November, but within that, there are variations

You can enjoy a cruise at any age

One of the most enduring myths about cruise ships is that they’re mostly enjoyed by older couples and the retired. Nothing could be further from the truth; cruise ships have something fun for all the family, from swimming pools, cinemas, bowling, shops, and outdoor jacuzzis. Some cruise ships will even stream films above their outdoor swimming pools; you don’t see that at Disneyland!

You can’t take ironing tools or coffee makers with you

As it’s considered a fire risk, you won’t be allowed to take any hot appliances with you on the cruise. Luckily, hot tea and coffee will be available 24/7 on the cruise ship, should you need your morning or late-night fix. When it comes to getting creases out of your clothes, you can either pay for the cruise’s official ironing and pressing services, or steam your clothes in the shower. 

There will always be activities going on

Cruise ships are bustling, active, places – and you’ll always be able to find something going on. Most cruise ships will now have apps that you can download to see what events are organised. Most events on the ship will be free of charge, although the excursions booked via the cruise line when the ship is docked will incur an extra charge.

The ship will have “formal nights”

Formal nights are a long-running tradition on cruise ships: you may be asked to wear “formalwear” (aka a suit, tuxedo or a formal dress) when moving around in public areas of the cruise ship. While it’s not obligatory to participate in formal nights, it can be a fun way to enhance your holiday experience. Most cruise lines still like to honour this tradition. 

Some cruises have their own private islands

During a cruise, the ship will typically dock every 1-2 days in a port, and passengers will be able to disembark and explore the local area if they wish. In some cases, some cruise lines actually even own their own private islands, where you disembark and enjoy the amenities, bars, and restaurants for free (depending on your cruise package). Private islands are common for Caribbean cruises and most cruise lines own a private island.

There will be shops onboard

Forgotten something? Most cruise ships will have a shopping centre, although the size of the shopping centre will depend on the size of the cruise ship. You might also have access to duty free, where you can buy some of your favourite labels at VAT-free prices. Typically, you’ll find clothes shops, jewellery shops, beauty shops and souvenir shops. 

Many cruise ships will have a library

If you’re naturally introverted and might find yourself getting overwhelmed being surrounded by fellow passengers all the time, you’ll easily be able to find some quiet spots where you can unwind and de-stress alone. Some older cruise ships will come equipped with a full library, where you’ll be able to grab a seat and a book, and enjoy some calm before going back to the bar or entertainment. 

The food is great

You’ll find that both the food on cruise ships – and the service that accompanies it – is excellent. Typically, your cruise fee will include breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and any extras (such as coffees, teas, snacks from the bar and room service) will be charged separately. Usually, your breakfast and lunch will be a buffet-style arrangement, and your dinner each night will be a set menu, from which you can choose your courses. Most cruise ships also provide room service, so you’ll never go hungry at sea. 

You’ll never be bored

There’s something about being on a cruise ship that repels boredom: with so many things to do, it’s pretty much impossible to feel bored. Most cruise ships will come with both indoor and outdoor pools, indoor shopping centres, indoor sports, a gym, a library, bars, various coffee bars and restaurants, a casino – and that doesn’t even count the organised activities that you can enjoy both on and off the ship!

Overall, cruise ships are a fab choice for all ages, and great for couples. With so many activities to do both onboard and offboard, and so many new places to see, you won’t even have time to stop and wonder what you’re going to do next.