Your first cruise is an exciting experience and you never know quite what to expect. However, you’ll be keen to make sure it is the incredible experience it should be, and that means there are a few things you need to know before you go away. Here are some tips for cruise newbies so you know what to avoid and make sure you have the best experience possible.
Don’t Choose the Wrong Cabin
When you book your first cruise, think carefully about your choice of cabin. Cabins vary from very small with no windows to huge suites with private hot tubs, so look at all the options to find one that is suitable for you.
Do you want a balcony? Or will you just be sleeping in your cabin and therefore you just want the cheapest you can find? Look at where your cabin is located because if it is below the gym it could be noisy. How far is it from the elevator? This will mean less walking to get to the amenities. Do you get seasick? Then somewhere in the middle of the ship and lower down is the best option. Take all of these factors into account to find the right cabin for your cruise.
Don’t Always Choose Organised Excursions
When you stop off in ports, there will normally be a wide range of organised excursions sold through the cruise. These may provide you with amazing experiences, but always look around for other options before you make your decision. You may find that there are even better excursions that cost less when you book them yourself, or you may simply want to go exploring on your own.
Just make sure you get back in time so you don’t miss your departure. If you go on an excursion organised by your cruise line, the ship will always wait for you, but this is not the case if you go off on your own.
Don’t Forget About Hygiene
There is nothing worse than getting ill on a cruise and being confined to your cabin, but with so many people all in one place, viruses like norovirus can spread easily. Reduce the risk by taking even more hygiene measures than normal. Always wash your hands before eating, and use alcohol gel or wipes throughout the day to keep your hands clean.
Don’t Pay Too Much for Your Cruise
Cruises can be expensive, but there are a number of ways to save money so don’t spend more than you need to. Start by comparing cruise lines and itineraries. There are some useful websites for doing this, and if you know that you want to go with a particular cruise line like P&O cruises, for example, visit a dedicated cruise website to learn more and find the best offers.
To save the most money, try and be as flexible as possible on your dates, book earlier to get a better price, travel in the off-season and even consider a repositioning cruise.
Don’t Overindulge
It’s one of the most dangerous aspects of cruising, but with so much delicious food available all the time, it can be easy to go over the top. But eating too much can affect your trip because you may eat so much that you end up getting ill. Try to limit yourself, especially when it comes to the buffet. You may want to eat in the dining room instead to control the urge to eat too much of the wonderful food on offer.
As well as eating healthily and avoiding overindulgence, try to stay active. Take a fitness or dance class, go into the pool and tread water, or just walk around the ship to give your body a bit of a workout.
Make Your First Cruise One to Remember
Your first cruise is an amazing experience and one you will want to remember for all the right reasons. Avoid these classic beginner mistakes, and you’ll be sure to have a better time on your cruise. You learn something new on every cruise you go on, but keep these tips in mind and you can make sure you stand a good chance of having an incredible experience on your first cruise.
Michael Wilson is the Director for Bolsover Cruise Club, a company his parents founded in the 1960’s. Michael is passionate about the business, taking interest in all aspects of it. When he’s not working, Michael enjoys spending holidays with his family and keeping up with the local rugby team games.
