Cruising 101
Fun Fam Travels
Are you considering planning a cruise for your next vacation? If you haven’t taken one yet, don’t knock it ’till you try it! It’s one of our favorite ways to travel! I am going to give you the basics – cruising 101 so to speak – on how to book your trip and how to plan for it. There are so many questions that new cruisers have so I will go over many of the common ones below. Although my expertise is with Royal Caribbean, much of what I will tell you applies to most cruise lines. We just happen to be “Loyal to Royal”. I hope you are able to get the information you need so you feel prepared and excited to book your first cruise!
Why should we cruise?
Where do I start?! Cruising is kind of like an all-inclusive, relaxing, and fun way to see many places in a short period of time and for an affordable price tag. We have cruised to so many ports and although we don’t stay there for a week like a normal vacation, we get a good taste of what that location has to offer. We loved a few ports so much that we then booked a full vacation to that spot! If you are the type of person who loves to just settle in one place and really dig deep into the area and culture, then maybe cruising isn’t for you. I think there is a place for both cruises and traditional vacations though. You can love both! We try to alternate a cruise with a traditional vacation to get both types of experiences. If you haven’t cruised though, you really need to try it!
When should we travel?
We usually start our cruise planning by figuring out when we’d like to, or can, travel. Figuring out your travel dates will help narrow down the options. Something to consider is the weather during your travel dates. Historically the hurricane season in the Caribbean is June through October, so if you plan a cruise during this time (I have twice), just know that there is the potential for less ideal weather and a sudden change of ports. Cruise lines rarely cancel a cruise unless they expect a hurricane will hit the home port or there will be no way to navigate around it on the seas. They have teams of people dedicated to monitoring the weather and making sure their ships take routes well out of the way. So don’t worry, you won’t get caught in a hurricane, but it may be a little choppier on the seas at times. If your ports do change, any excursions you have booked will be refunded to you. If you plan to go on a cruise to Alaska, this will also limit your travel dates, which will likely be in the summer. Just be sure to research the weather for your specific travel dates prior to booking. Also, rates tend to be cheaper during the off-season so if you are looking for a super affordable trip, consider avoiding the peak times like spring break and holidays.
Which cruise line should we book?
Which cruise line to book depends on your travel style preferences. As mentioned, we tend to be “Loyal to Royal” because the experiences we’ve had on Royal Caribbean have always been amazing. People consider RC as a bit higher end although it caters to families. They also boast about having the largest ships in the world, currently Wonder of the Seas (soon to be Icon of the Seas in 2024). I’ll discuss our amazing experience on that ship in another post. Carnival has the reputation to be more of a “party atmosphere” with brighter colors and patterns adorning their ships. Rates do tend to be more economical than other lines so if you are on a tight budget, this may be a good option for you. This can come with downsides, like not as many perks and activities on the ships and rowdier crowds at times. Norwegian is a solid choice and its claim to fame is “freestyle” cruising. Norwegian also has some of the youngest ships on the seas which means more innovative experiences. Disney is another great choice and one you’d most likely pick when you have younger kids. Their cruise rates tend to be some of the highest in the cruise industry, but they do create magical memories! Other cruise lines include Princess, MSC, Virgin, Celebrity, Holland America, and a handful of other smaller lines, however, the four I mentioned tend to be the big ones for families.
What is included in the cruise fare?
This question depends on which cruise line you book, however, the cruise fare generally includes your stateroom/cabin, meals, entertainment, and taxes and fees. Of course, there are always extras you can purchase, although they are certainly not necessary. The extras may include a drink/booze package, specialty dining, excursions, photo packages, and a few others. Some cruise lines do offer packages that include a drink package and excursion credits, so check with your cruise line directly on what they include prior to booking.
What can we do on the ship?
The real question should be, what can’t you do on the ship?! I’ve heard many “cruise virgins” say taking a cruise is “not for them” and believe all you do is sit around the pool and eat all day (hey, what’s wrong with that?). While I, myself, certainly love to relax by the pool and try the different dining options on board, there are truly so many activities and experiences ships offer that will keep your entire family entertained. Each ship will vary in its activity offerings, so be sure to research the ship prior to booking. Below is a list of activities you may find on different ships, however, this is not an all-inclusive list as there are just far too many fun things to do!
Here it goes; Broadway shows and musicals, comedy shows, ice-skating shows, live music performers, theme parties, silent discos, high-diving shows, pools, hot tubs, mini golf, zip lining, rock climbing, ice skating, go-karting, interactive game shows, contests, water slides, art auctions, cooking/cupcake decorating classes, bingo, Abyss 10-story dry slides, fitness classes, sports courts/games, arcades, virtual reality, sports bars, carousel rides, kids/teen clubs, behind the scenes ship tours, salon and spa services, FlowRider surf simulators, rollercoasters, ropes courses, splash pads, escape rooms, laser tag, dance classes and parties, ping pong, video games, libraries, character meet and greets, movies, wine and liquor tastings, indoor skydiving, sky rides, bionic bars, bumper cars, trivia, karaoke, board/card games, piano bars, shopping, and plenty of dining options to try!
Which ship and/or ports do we want?
Once you’ve picked your cruise line, picking a ship and itinerary is the most fun part. No matter which cruise line, you’ll need to do a little research. As mentioned in the previous section, there are so many options for ship amenities and what you pick can make or break your trip. The first cruise I went on with my husband we did not do any planning, so we ended up with a smaller ship with activities that were just ok. We didn’t cruise again for YEARS. Since then, however, I have turned to YouTube to watch ship overviews that show each deck and what the ship has to offer. Royal Caribbean Blog is a great one for RC. Matt does some great video overviews and reviews which are nicely done. This way you can see and hear firsthand what people think of the ship, ports, food, activities, etc, and will know what to expect. Since we’ve spent more time planning, we have had fabulous experiences! Keep in mind that ships will have a home port, meaning they always leave that port. They often have just a few itineraries (the route for the ship including ports) for each ship as well so let’s say you really love one ship that you keep booking, you’ll likely see the same ports over and over. The good news is that there are a ton of great ships to choose from no matter which cruise line you go with! The ship’s home port will also determine where you will fly in and out of (or drive if you are lucky to be close to a cruise port). According to Cruise Hive, the top 10 busiest US cruise homeports are 1. Port Canaveral (“Orlando” Florida), 2. Port Miami (Florida), 3. Port Everglades (Florida), 4. Port of Galveston (Texas), 5. Cape Liberty Cruise Port (New Jersey), 6. Port of San Juan (Puerto Rico), 7. Port of New Orleans (Louisiana), 8. Port of Tampa Bay (Florida), 9. Port of Seattle (Washington), and Port of Los Angeles (California). This is important to consider as well because if you pick a ship leaving the West Coast but live on the East Coast, you may end up paying more for your trip in airfare. Make sure you take into account all costs, not just the cruise fare alone. If you’ve gotten this far in planning and you’ve picked travel dates, a cruise line, homeport, and ship, then you can figure out which cruise itinerary you will be sailing. Now, it’s time to book!
What type of stateroom/cabin should we get?
Again, this all depends on your preferences. My family always gets an ocean-view balcony. I can’t tell you how much I sit on my balcony staring out into the sea and sky. I have my morning coffee out there and I sit and listen to the waves at night. It’s really peaceful. I also love watching the ship dock at the ports. Other options include suites, ocean-view cabins, interior balconies (only offered on some ships), and interior cabins. Suites tend to book up early so if you want to spend the extra cash on those, plan your trip well in advance. Another thing to consider is which deck to be on. Typically, if you are prone to seasickness, I’d recommend a lower deck towards the middle of the ship. If your cabin is too far forward or aft (toward the back), or too high up, you may feel more movement. I will say that I get sick on a swing set (lol) and have yet to feel that way on a ship. Ships are so big, you will likely be just fine. I also pay attention to what is above and below my cabin. If you are a light sleeper, you may want to avoid cabins near any of the music venues, or directly under the dining rooms or pool decks. Many people want to avoid elevators, however, I try to pick a cabin close to them! Those ship hallways are long so being near one is a perk for many cruisers.
Should we book with a travel agent, with the cruise line, or with a third-party site (ie. Expedia)?
I love sites like Expedia for travel planning, and while you have likely booked many of your vacations on your own, seasoned cruisers will strongly recommend you use a travel agent (TA) instead. I must agree. Why? There are a few reasons. First, TAs will do much of the above-mentioned work for you if you don’t want to do that research yourself. Of course, there is still some picking and choosing you will need to do as most of them will give you a few options on sailings. Second, TAs often have access to cheaper fares and frequently offer promotions or booking perks including things like on-board credit (OBC). OBC is essentially money you get to use on board for extra stuff like food and beverage purchases, shopping, pictures, experiences, etc. Who doesn’t like extra money to spend?! Third, TAs often have access to cabins that don’t show as available when you search for yourself. My family was looking for a specific cruise with two connecting cabins and when looking online, and after a call to RC, I was told there were none available. I started working with a TA and magically they were able to get what I asked for. Fourth, if you need to make any changes, have any questions, or if there happen to be any problems before or during your cruise, TAs will be the ones to answer your questions and spend time on the phone speaking with the cruise lines on your behalf. This saves you the time and hassle of calling. Fifth, using a TA is almost always FREE! Their commission is already part of the cruise fare and, no, that doesn’t mean your fare will be higher (trust me I have researched this a lot). If you don’t want to book with a TA for some reason, then I’d suggest booking with the cruise line directly.
What travel documents will we need?
Oh my, this is a popular question on Facebook cruise pages and one that many people don’t actually know the correct answer to! Here is the truth. If you are going on a “closed loop” cruise (meaning it begins and ends at the same US home port), you do not NEED a passport. You truly only need an original or CERTIFIED birth certificate along with a state-issued ID, military ID, driver’s license, or student ID. Take note of the “certified” part of birth certificate as you cannot just make a copy yourself. You will need to go to the Vital Records Department in the state where you were born to pay for a certified copy if you don’t have an original or certified copy already. A US citizen under the age of 16 only needs to present either an original, notarized, or certified copy of their birth certificate (no additional ID). If you have a passport I highly recommend using it though. While you don’t NEED the passport, if you end up getting sick or injured in another country, need a medical evacuation off the ship, or miss the ship while in port, you will NEED the passport to fly back home. I personally wouldn’t travel without one, especially with kids. Yes, it’s an extra cost but keep in mind they last 10 years for adults and 5 years for kids (15 and under). You’ll get lots of vacations out of it and will have peace of mind knowing you won’t have a complete nightmare if you have trouble while abroad.
Please note –
- Baptismal papers and hospital “certificates of birth” are not accepted. – More info here – https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/article-74?language=en_us
- Some countries require a “6 month validity period” for passports – meaning that your passport be valid at least 6 months beyond the dates of your trip. This would only apply if you got stuck in that country. – More info here when you search the country’s name – https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages.html
When should we fly for our cruise?
This is very important – do not fly on the same day as your cruise! I personally don’t even fly in the night before. I try to fly 24 hours in advance of our cruise arrival time. The reason for this is that airlines can and do have frequent weather delays, cancellations, and can overbook their flights You don’t want to have your flight bumped and then miss your cruise. I have seen this happen to people and it’s a total bummer. It almost happened to us this spring when a random late-March snowstorm canceled flights all over the Milwaukee and Chicago area and caused us to decide between driving to another airport farther away or driving to Florida. It was very stressful, and this is when we planned to fly the day before! Generally, you will arrive at the cruise terminal sometime between 10 and 3 to disembark around 4 p.m. So, if you book a same-day morning flight you are one heck of a dare-devil! Just don’t do it! In regards to your flight home, just take into consideration that while many ships arrive at the port very early (6 a.m. or so), they do not allow you to leave the ship immediately. Most ships want you off by 930 or 10 a.m. at the latest, so plan for that departure time as well as travel time to the airport when booking your flight home. I usually recommend noon or later to be on the safe side.
Do we need travel insurance?
The short answer is no – but you should! It is wise to have some form of travel insurance. Some credit cards have travel insurance included if you book the trip with that card so research your cards first. If you don’t have travel insurance through your credit card, you can book it through the cruise line, TA, or independently. This will let you recoup part, or even all, of your trip cost if you do end up missing your cruise because of travel delays, illness, or other unforeseen circumstances. When booking your cruise, ask about the options available. Generally, you don’t need to book it the day you book the cruise, but there are rules as to when it’s too late to add travel insurance to your trip. I recommend looking into Allianz or GeoBlue. These companies also offer international medical insurance since most US insurance carriers will only cover you in a true emergency when you travel outside the US.
Do we need to book excursions?
No, you do not need to book excursions. Some cruisers just research their ports and take a cab to a specific place or beach for the day. Some cruisers use third-party tour companies instead of cruise line tour companies. The benefit of booking through the cruise line, however, is that they guarantee you will get back to the ship on time or they need to wait for you. If you book with a third party and that tour gets delayed or takes longer than planned, the ship will not wait for you. Just YouTube “pier runners” and you will understand what I mean. If you do book with a third party, go for a well-known one like Viator and make sure you are aware of ship time.
What is ship time?
Ship time is the same time as the port you are embarking from (i.e. Miami time if leaving from the home port of Miami, etc.). While most cruises will remain on ship time and that time will not change, there are some transatlantic and transpacific cruises where they will change the time on the ship. This can be confusing to cruise passengers; however, the ships are very good at keeping everyone in the loop. If your phone manages to connect to a local tower while in port, it will show local time not ship time. I suggest buying a cheap wristwatch that you can set to ship time so you don’t get left behind!
Are cruise ships safe?
Absolutely! Cruise ships must follow certain regulations to keep you safe on board, including having enough life jackets and lifeboats. Everyone must complete a muster drill prior to the ship leaving so you will be aware of what to do if something should happen. I promise you won’t be in Titanic 2.
Worried about the ship tipping over? Fear not. Ships have mechanisms in place to prevent them from capsizing during bad weather. They also go through rigorous safety testing. A ship can technically list at a 60-degree angle before running the risk of capsizing. They can also handle waves up to 50 feet in height! Your captain won’t take you anywhere near where this type of weather would occur though!
Worried about falling overboard? While this has happened on very rare occasions, it is almost always due to the cruise passenger doing something they shouldn’t (like jumping over or climbing over balconies or railings). There are sturdy and high railings to keep you safe anywhere near the edge. I have taken my wild 2-year-old and I have not been worried about him falling overboard.
Worried about illnesses? Good hand hygiene is key. All cruise lines have hand sanitizer stations everywhere you look as well as hand washing stations before you enter the buffet. Washy washy! If you do happen to get sick, you can go to the ship’s medical facility for medication or treatment. They can even do minor surgeries if needed!
What is a muster drill?
A muster drill is essentially a safety drill that all passengers must complete before embarking on a cruise. This will look different depending on the cruise line. Since COVID, many muster drills are now completed virtually on the ship’s app. You will learn the ship’s emergency signal, the location of your muster station (the place you gather before boarding the lifeboats), how to put on a life jacket, etc. It is very important you complete this drill as most ships will not leave the port until everyone has completed it.
What items are prohibited to bring on board?
For most cruise lines, there are lists of items that are prohibited to bring on board. This list generally includes firearms and ammunition, sharp objects, illegal drugs and substances, CBD products, items that generate heat (with exceptions for hair dryers and curling/flat irons), hoverboards, martial arts/self-defense/sports gear, flammable liquids, explosives, hookas, HAM radios, extension cords, surge protectors, dangerous chemicals, perishable food/meat, alcoholic beverages (some allow you to bring a bottle of wine on board), and a few more. Check with your cruise line to see what is specifically listed on their prohibited items list.
What items should I take on board?
Aside from the typical clothes, shoes, medicine, personal hygiene products, sunscreen, travel documents, etc., there are a few things that you may find helpful to bring along. Many cruises have “formal” or “dress your best” nights. While these are optional, you may want to bring some dressy clothes for the occasion. There are also theme nights so if you want to be included in those, watch for details on your specific sailing on what the themes will be. Some cruise lines offer things like ice skating, rock climbing, and zip-lining. You will need close-toed shoes for these activities and long pants for ice skating. There are also many products that seasoned cruise travelers will recommend to make your cruise a little easier. I have compiled a few lists that have links to the specific products and why they will be helpful during your cruise. Click on one of the lists below to see the recommended items and links to purchase!
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Do we need to sit with other people for dinner?
The only time we were seated with others we didn’t know for dinner was when I traveled with my husband on a smaller ship. I am sure I could have requested for us to sit alone, but that was our first cruise and we just went along with whatever. Keep in mind, tables for 2 are limited on many ships so request early if this is your preference. Since traveling with my family, however, we always get our own table without requesting it. I do believe the cruise lines attempt to keep families separate and will not mingle them together. If you do want to sit with others, they will try to seat you with others around your own age. I am traveling soon with a friend and we were asked our preference for dining so do you NEED to sit with others? No. It just depends on what you like to do. Sometimes it is fun to meet new people and chat about your experiences over dinner. You may just make some new friends!
Can I bring my own alcohol or drinks on board?
Most cruise lines do allow a “wine allowance” that you can bring in your carry-on luggage when boarding. RC, for example, allows one bottle per adult of legal drinking age. You are not allowed to bring beer, hard liquor, or any other alcoholic beverage on board. The cruise lines do look for bottles in your luggage when being scanned through security. They are also aware that people do all sorts of things to smuggle it in. If you are caught bringing anything on board, it will be confiscated and not returned to you, and you may not be allowed to board the ship. Don’t take the chance! Check with your cruise line for their specific wine policy if that is something you’d like to take along. As far as other drinks are concerned, you are generally allowed to bring one case of 12 bottles/cans/cartons (Carnival doesn’t allow bottles) of a non-alcoholic beverage if you desire (ounces allowed vary per cruise line). You will need to carry this on yourself, which can be a hassle when you can’t access your stateroom until early afternoon. Again, check with your cruise line on their specific policy for bringing beverages on board. If there is a dietary supplement drink or anything else special you or your family member need, you can request an exception through the “special needs” department.
What if I need to refrigerate medications, breast milk, etc.?
The cruise lines do provide a small fridge in most staterooms; however, you will hear many guests state this is more like a cooler as it doesn’t get very cold. If you have medications or anything that needs to be cooled properly, you can request a medical fridge through the special needs department. They will deliver a very small table-top fridge for you to use. You can also request a sharps container if you need to discard syringes.
How do we do our laundry?
While some ships do offer self-service laundry, many do not. They do have a laundry service for a fee and sometimes will offer a wash and press deal so you can have your nicer clothes ready to go for formal nights. Many cruisers, however, will just bring a wrinkle-release spray instead of paying the laundry prices. Honestly, you are on vacation so nobody cares if you have a few wrinkles in your clothes. You are all in the same boat (or ship, rather)!
Are there childcare services on board?
Each ship and cruise line is different regarding what they offer for childcare and youth programs. RC has Adventure Ocean for ages 3-17 and a Royal Babies & Tots program for ages 6 months up to 3 years. This program allows you to schedule times to drop off your kids while you have a nice dinner or relax by the pool. It is first-come, first-served so make sure to stop by on embarkation day to sign the littles up. For kids 3 and over this service is free. For kids under 3, there is a per-hour charge of $6/hr during the day and $8/hr in the evening. Pretty cheap in my opinion! Norwegian does not offer child care for children under the age of 3, however, they do offer complimentary youth programs from ages 3-17 as long as they are fully potty trained. Disney also offers their “It’s a small world” nursery to its youngest guests. This is available on a first-come, first-served basis for a fee. Carnival offers Camp Ocean, a youth program for ages 2 to 11 years. For little ones under 2, they have a program called Turtles. Worried about your child’s safety while in the care of the cruise line staff? Don’t worry, the kids are in a separate interior area of the ship and each ship has security measures in place so nobody else can pick up your child. There are also cameras in many areas. If you have a baby or toddler, you can often request a ship cell phone so staff can call if there are any issues. Bottom line, if you plan to use childcare services while on your cruise, make sure to check what is available on the ship you choose before booking as offerings, prices, and details can change.
Do you have additional questions?
Feel free to comment below and we will do our best to find the answer for you!
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