Your First Cruise

Home Choosing a Cruise Cruise Line Choices Choosing a Cabin All About Pricing First Cruise Cruise Questions Family Cruising Travel Insurance Preparing to Cruise Air/Sea Packages Packing Tips On Your Cruise Dining & Dress Codes Shore Excursions Staying in Touch Extra Costs Tipping About Us Travelocity Cruises at Priceline Smarter Cruiser	Ask just about any cruiser to reminisce about their first cruise and you'll probably receive a flood of their memories. Although each and every cruise is likely to be unique, most people will hold a special and dear space in their heart for the first time they cruised. Much of the information found here on Cruise Guide Direct will be helpful to first-time cruisers, but there are some specific questions and issues that most of those preparing for their first cruise will find helpful. In addition, we link to other areas of the site where more in-depth information can be accessed. Preparing for your first cruise First things first Obviously, one of your very first tasks is to select the cruise! You'll want to do this based on a number of factors: Length of vacation time available Budget Type of cruise (more active or more passive) Type of cruise line (casual or more formal) Type of cabin: Inside, outside, veranda (balcony) or suite Itinerary Fly to port or drive to port You can find a number of hints on choosing both a cruise and a cruise line right here on this site as well as links to additional resources that will help you with your decision. Choosing a Cruise Cruise Line Choices Choosing a cabin Looking to book a cruise? See our section devoted to comparing and booking a cruise. Pre-Cruise Jitters Before your first cruise, it is fairly common to have some concerns about life onboard. For example, worries about seasickness. Although this is occasionally an issue with some cruisers, it is not as common as you may think. If this is a concern, your doctor can probably give you some choices--either prescription or over-the-counter--that will be effective. Another potential concern is the fear that you will be "cooped up" in a small stateroom. In actuality, you most likely will be spending very little time in your stateroom. With calls at ports, meals, entertainment and much more, it is pretty common for cruisers to spend not much more time than sleeping, showering and dressing in their staterooms. Obviously, the bigger the stateroom (and if you have booked one with a verandah--a balcony) you may spend a bit more time in the room. See the section on choosing a cabin for more information. Still, there is a whole world outside your door! Before you leave The Internet has made preparing for onboard life a whole lot easier in the last few years. For example, many cruise lines allow you to set up your onboard account before you leave (you will need no cash on the ship--all charges will be posted to your onboard account). You also may be able to complete most of your paperwork online--even check-in online with some cruise lines. In addition, you may be able to book shore excursions and spa appointments long before you set foot on the ship. More information on shore excursions Once onboard Now the fun begins! Whether you are on a smaller, mid-size or mega-liner ships, you will probably be amazed at the level of services, activities and facilities that are available onboard. You'll most likely find showrooms, bars, restaurants (both sit-down and buffet), decks for walking, quiet areas for reading or conversation, a fitness center, shopping, a spa and much, much more. Take the time to get your bearings and get acquainted with your new home! Questions often asked by first time cruisers Won't I be bored? This is one of the most common fears of first time cruisers. The idea that they are going to be "locked up" on a ship for a week sends shivers of fear through many. The reality is probably just the opposite: How will I ever be able to take part in all of the activities available AND the port calls AND the entertainment? Cruises are very expensive. Can we afford it? That one depends. Cruising, although generally a pretty good value for your dollar, is not the cheapest way to vacation. When comparing to other forms of travel, though, consider that all of your accommodation and virtually all of your food, entertainment and onboard transport is included with your cruise price. What is included and not included in the price? This varies a bit from cruise line to cruise line. In general, though, except for some of the luxury lines where drinks are included, you will be responsible for: Tips or service charges (see the article devoted to that topic) Alcoholic beverages and most soft drinks Shore excursions On-board gift purchases On-board spa and beauty salon treatments Internet access Ship-to-shore phone calls Specialty restaurant dining What about all that food? I'll gain a ton of weight! Although you will not have a lack of opportunity to eat, how much you eat is up to you. Cruise lines are actually helping to cut back on consumption as most have cut the famous midnight buffet back to one night per cruise or eliminated it completely. Plus, for many of us the activity level on a cruise is more extensive than at home with shore trips, walks around the deck and visits to the fitness center. Although this doesn't happen all the time (believe it!), we actually have returned from cruises with our weight slightly below where it was when we left. Web Resources for First Time Cruisers Travelocity Expedia.com First time cruisers--here you can find what you need to know, before you go. More information. The "All About Cruising" section is full of information for first-time cruisers. More information.