Taking your first cruise? I wanted to share what experienced cruisers wish they knew before their first sailing.
However, whereas veteran cruisers will have a better understanding of the cruise planning process, first-time guests might feel overwhelmed. From choosing the right ship and cabin to deciding what add-ons are worth the money, there are plenty of important decisions to make.
As someone who has been on over three dozen cruises, I've learned that, although every traveler has different priorities, there are a handful of tips that can help all types of cruisers avoid common mistakes, save money, and get the most out of their sailing.
And to be fair, I've definitely made my fair share of mistakes over the years — from booking the cheapest sailing without doing much research to overextending myself on port-intensive itineraries.
Here are my best first-time cruise vacation planning tips so you can start sailing like a pro from day one!
Use a good travel agent
Travel agents are incredibly useful when planning cruise vacations. While cruises are known for their convenience, there’s still a lot of planning involved, such as choosing the right ship and itinerary, booking shore excursions, and understanding dining options.
A good travel agent will break down the best options based on your personal preferences and highlight ongoing promotions, which will make the overall process less stressful.
However, you must vet any agent and agency before booking to ensure they are reputable and experienced. I've been using MEI Travel for years and continue to book with them due to their professionalism and level of expertise.
Choose your cruise ship based on what is important to you
With 29 ships in the fleet, it's easy to get overwhelmed by the number of options.
Some vessels, like Oasis and Icon Class ships, feature world-class entertainment venues, multiple dining options, innovative amenities, and unique stateroom options that cater to a wide range of interests.
On the other hand, Vision and Radiance Class vessels focus on a more intimate, traditional cruise experience.
However, that means that newer ships are more expensive. If you aren't interested in water slides, surfing simulators, or ice skating rinks, you may be better off choosing an older vessel and saving money.
At the end of the day, choosing the right Royal Caribbean cruise ship comes down to your personal preferences.
Book as early as possible to guarantee your preferred stateroom category
If you are eyeing a certain cruise cabin, you'll want to book as far in advance as possible. This is especially true for suites and ADA-accessible rooms. They are limited in number compared to standard staterooms and can sell out quickly.
Suites come with added perks such as priority boarding, private sun decks and dining rooms, and more spacious accommodations. As such, they are highly desirable for travelers looking to elevate their cruise experience.
The same applies to ADA-accessible staterooms, which are designed to meet accessibility needs with wider doorways, roll-in showers, lowered sinks, and more. However, there are only a handful of ADA-accessible rooms on each ship.
Other cabin considerations include connecting rooms for families, certain locations (like near the middle of the vessel), and specific family layouts.
Get travel insurance
Travel insurance is something you want to buy but hope you never have to use. While yes, it does provide crucial international medical coverage, it also protects you in other, more common situations.
For example, if your flight gets delayed and you miss your cruise ship, travel insurance can help cover the cost of catching up to the ship at the next port (if possible). Alternatively, it may cover lodging and transportation expenses.
It's also beneficial when it comes to luggage issues. If your airline loses your suitcase, travel insurance may reimburse you for things like clothing, toiletries, and medications.
Book your Royal Caribbean cruise add ons in advance
After you've placed the deposit for your cruise vacation, you can begin browsing add-ons through Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner. This includes shore excursions, drink packages, specialty restaurants, spa treatments, internet packages, arcade credits, and more.
Generally speaking, add-ons are cheaper when you buy them in advance, as Royal Caribbean offers pre-cruise discounts that are not available once you’re on the ship. Sometimes, these discounts can be as great as 30% to 40% off drink packages!
The discounts vary. However, if you see an add-on for a price you like, don't wait to book it. If the price later drops, you can always cancel and re-book with no penalty.
You don't have to book a shore excursion in every port
While Royal Caribbean's shore excursion program offers a variety of organized tours, you’re not required to book one in every port. In fact, some destinations are easy to explore on your own.
For example, if your ship is calling at St. Maarten, it's easy to find the taxi stand and hop on a shared ride to Maho Beach, rather than booking a tour through Royal. By going this route, you'll save money and have more flexibility with your schedule.
However, when it comes to destinations that are farther from the cruise pier or have limited transportation options, you're usually better off booking through Royal Caribbean, such as if you want to visit Rome when in Civitavecchia.
Read more: 4 shore excursions weren't as glamorous in real life
Is the drink package worth it on a cruise?
Before automatically assuming you need a drink package, it’s important to consider your personal drinking habits.
For some, the Deluxe Beverage Package is a good deal, allowing unlimited access to alcoholic beverages, specialty coffees, fresh-squeezed juices, bottled water, and more.
However, it's not cheap, and if you don't think you can consume at least 5 to 9 alcoholic beverages per day, it might not be worth the investment.
For example, if the going rate for the drink package on the Cruise Planner is $65 per day, you'd need to drink at least 5 $14 cocktails per day. You could also consume 9 $7.49 beers.
You don't have to default to the Deluxe Beverage Package, either. Royal Caribbean has two non-alcoholic drink packages that can be a better fit for some travelers.
The Refreshment Package includes non-alcoholic beverages like specialty coffees, fresh juices, sodas, and bottled water, while the Classic Soda Package only includes unlimited fountain drinks.
These packages are cheaper than the Deluxe one, too. For example, depending on the sale, the Royal Refreshment Package can cost anywhere from $32.00 to $42.00 per day. The soda package generally comes in at around $9.99 to $18.00 per day.
Read more: I spent $600 on Royal Caribbean’s beverage package
Know what you can and can't bring on board
Royal Caribbean, like every other cruise line, has a list of prohibited items that guests cannot bring on board. Items range from common household appliances like extension cords, steamers, kettles, and coffee makers to dangerous weapons and illegal drugs.
That said, you can bring food and drinks on — with certain restrictions. For example, you are allowed to bring packaged dry snacks, such as chips, nuts, and candy. Cooked food, however, is not permitted.
Likewise, Royal Caribbean allows each guest over the legal drinking age to bring one 750ml bottle of wine or champagne with them on embarkation day only. Beer, hard seltzers, pre-made cocktails, and hard liquor are on the prohibited list, though.
Check in as early as you can
Royal Caribbean’s online check-in process opens 45 days before your cruise departure date. Checking in as soon as you can gives you the best chance of securing an early arrival time at the terminal, as they're the most desirable.
Earlier arrival times can help you get on the ship sooner, meaning you can start exploring the ship and enjoy lunch before the masses roll in. It's also just a nice feeling to spend most of embarkation day on the ship, rather than waiting in an airport hotel.
Another advantage of completing your check-in as soon as it's available is that you're less likely to forget. Those who don't complete online check-in may face longer wait times at the terminal since all your information has to be manually verified on-site.
Head to Adventure Ocean ASAP
Speaking of embarkation day, families with younger children should make Adventure Ocean one of their first stops after they've boarded the ship.
Royal Caribbean's complimentary youth program is popular for a reason, offering a wide range of supervised activities, from arts and crafts and science experiments to video games and more.
The best way to ensure that your kiddos don't miss out on any of the fun is to complete registration on embarkation day. Plus, this will give you a chance to tour the facilities and see what's offered on your specific cruise ship.
Skip the buffet on embarkation day for a more laid-back lunch experience
Another great embarkation day tip is to skip the ever-popular Windjammer buffet. While the seemingly endless options might seem tempting, the problem is that nearly everyone else has the same idea. As a result, the buffet is often packed during the first few hours of embarkation day.
Instead, I'd recommend checking out other options, such as the Park Café, El Loco Fresh, Boardwalk Dog House, or Sorrento's Pizza. For those who don't mind splurging, enjoying a specialty lunch can be a relaxing way to kick off your vacation and avoid the crowds.
Reservations can be made ahead of time on the Cruise Planner and are highly recommended. However, you can always stop by on embarkation day and see if there's an opening.
Don't be afraid to ask for help with a problem
Finally, don't be afraid to go to Guest Services if something doesn't go according to plan. Whether it's a dining reservation issue, a stateroom concern, or a billing discrepancy, you'll find that Royal Caribbean crew members are more than willing to help — you just have to reach out.
Based on my experiences from over 30 cruises, I've found that most issues can be resolved pretty quickly when they're brought to the attention of the crew members. Too often, first-time cruisers spend their vacation frustrated by a minor issue without realizing that a simple visit to Guest Services could solve it in a few minutes.
Also, Royal Caribbean loves feedback because it lets them know how to improve the guest experience. As such, even if an issue can't be resolved during your particular sailing (i.e., if you felt the dining room service was slow or the food was mediocre), it's still worth sharing your thoughts to help future sailors.
