How to Prepare for Your First Family Cruise

Cruising is one heart-warming adventure most people (if not all) would love to check off their bucket list right away or at the earliest if they haven’t done that already. Indeed, it’s lately become a favorite of single people, couples, and families for many reasons. For one, it’s a cost-effective way of traveling around the world, forming new bonds, exploring exquisite as well as local cuisines from different countries, and, most importantly, making priceless memories that will linger on throughout a lifetime.

Cruises take a top spot in the global leisure travel and tourism sector, raking in nearly $19 billion in 2022 alone. In 2023, about 31.5 million people worldwide set sail, with about 36 million expected to hit the seas this year. If anything at all, these figures indicate the growing desire for a cruising holiday—even if it’s just once in a lifetime.

While that’s the case, we believe you would probably still find yourself unsure of what exactly to expect and how to prepare for your voyage. So in this guide, we’ll walk you through the prep tips you need to ease up your first experience of life on board.

Research Cruise Lines and Destinations

With cruise ship passenger numbers breaking records each year, there’s something for everyone these days. What’s more, these luxurious ships boast amenities like spas, cinemas, art galleries, nightclubs, and swimming pools, among others. Hidden features are also a factor to consider when researching the ideal cruise line. The brand-new Disney Wish is an excellent case in point.

This Disney cruise line features a secret two-floor, four-bedroom Moana-themed suite tucked away on the top decks, called the Wish Tower. It comes with its private elevator, accessible from the 10th and 11th floors. 

If you’re thinking of booking a cruise on Wonder of the Seas and are into art, keep an eye out for three famous astronaut masterpieces cleverly placed around the ship.

You’ll find one in Central Park, peeking through glass into the Royal Promenade below. Another sits at the movie screen seating area on the pool deck, while the third hangs on the rock-climbing wall at the Boardwalk. 

Considering that you’ll be spending much of your time on the sea, it’s imperative to ensure you select a suitable itinerary and ship to match your dream vacation.

Cruise destinations like the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Hawaii, and Alaska each offer a unique style of vacation, from lively family-friendly and exciting ports to serene and more relaxing stops.

Check Documentation

International sea travel requires a valid passport for entry into each country. Aside from that, you may need a visa if your journey leads to a more exotic destination. Some countries permit visa-free entry for up to 72 hours. However, it’s important to find out which ones in advance, and even if the ports you’ll visit don’t require a passport, it’s still a good idea to carry one along.

Besides your passport, other documents like boarding passes, a notarized letter indicating permission to travel (for expecting moms), health records, travel insurance, and boarding passes (given when you board the ship) will also come in handy.

Book Early

Your pre-cruise experience is as important as the actual sailing itself. So, it’s essential to plan your trip well ahead of time, even if your cruise isn’t nearby. In your case, you may need to catch a flight, book a hotel, and find a vehicle to take you to the departure port in order not to arrive late. In such a situation, we recommend arriving a day before your ship sails to allow for any unforeseen circumstances.

If you plan to lodge in a hotel, motel, or Airbnb, ensure you do your due diligence by looking up reviews on booking sites. Scams aren’t unheard of either, so before booking a place online, reverse search its address on Nuwber, a people search engine.

Pack Smartly

Traveling on a cruise differs greatly from air or road trips. What you wear affects how you’ll get treated on the ship, particularly if your itinerary includes formal nights. Some cruise lines enforce strict dress codes at certain times of the day, while others don’t. The Royal Caribbean cruise line, for example, requires passengers to dress up for formal nights.

So, a collared shirt and long pants for men and skirts or dresses for women would suffice. Other events, like the White Night celebration, might require something more formal, like Tuxedos for men and cocktail dresses for women. But generally, the dress code on the ship is smart-casual in the daytime and casual at night.

Pack light but versatile outfits for your first sea cruise. Go for clothing pieces that can complement each other. If your trip involves visiting a foreign country, make sure you have an extra set of clothes. Carry a swimsuit and a few pairs of socks and underwear.

Have Some Cash on Hand

When booking your cruise, opt for an all-inclusive package instead of a cruise-only package to avoid last-minute costs. But if you’re on a budget and choose to purchase items like alcoholic beverages and specialty coffees on board, it would help to carry some cash. Remember, not all shops and restaurants on board accept debit or credit cards. On the flip side, your credit card will be linked to your cruise card, which you can use to purchase virtually anything.

You may also want to use cash to tip the crew on the ship, hotel staff at your destination, and tour guides. Any transaction you would be conducting at foreign ports, say for food, drinks, souvenirs, and taxis should ideally be done with cash and in smaller bills for ease of use. Some straw markets don’t accept credit cards, while hotels and large retail stores most likely accept them.

Having cash on you also means that you won’t have to deal with high ATM fees in case your bank charges you for using foreign currency.

Make Every Moment Count

Since this is your first time cruising, set out to take in everything you can as you experience new lands, cultures, and flavors. Don’t forget to spend quality time with your loved ones. Consider bringing a diary and a camera to record your most memorable moments and share them back home as soon as you get back. Take time to appreciate the spectacular scenery of the places you visit, and don’t be afraid to go off the beaten path and explore a bit.

Final Thoughts

We’re certain that our prep tips will come in handy as you make your first cruise memorable. But it would be best to remember that cruising doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg. As a matter of fact, there are relatively cheap cruises that you can find with a simple search on the Internet. We hope you do so and make the best use of your findings.