If you've never taken a cruise, Royal Caribbean is the perfect choice for most people because of its wide appeal.
I've been cruising with Royal Caribbean for over 20 years, and I've taken my family on dozens of cruises to places around the world. It's an incredible vacation, and I think it offers something for just about everyone.
The new to cruise market is the single biggest untapped market of customers, and all cruise lines want to attract new customers to give it a try.
When considering the best cruise line for first timers, I think Royal Caribbean has fantastic choices that you won't regret.
A weekend getaway for first timers
Based on Royal Caribbean's marketing, it's clear a lot of people who have never cruised want to try a short weekend cruise as their first.
In this case, the marketing isn't wrong. Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas offer 3 and 4 night cruises to The Bahamas and they're billed as not only a short sailing, but two amazing ships to try.
The reason why these ships stand out is they're very new cruise ships that offer some of the best things you can do onboard, and because they're among the biggest ships in the world, there's also so much to do onboard.
You'll find lots for kids and adults to do on these ships, along with stops in The Bahamas every day. You'll visit Nassau, Bahamas and the cruise line's private island of Perfect Day at CocoCay.
A day at the private island is about enjoying time in the sun and surf, and it's a kind of "walled garden" that offers just about everything you'd want in a beach or pool day. Most of what you can do here costs nothing extra, but there are some extra costs, like a waterpark or adults-only area.
Nassau is the capital of The Bahamas, and what you need to know about going here is Royal Caribbean is on the verge of opening a brand new option that no other cruise line can match.
The cruise line is building its first ever beach club, Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, near where the cruise ships dock.
It will open in December 2025 and is like a Royal Caribbean owned and operated shore excursion available exclusively for its customers.
The beach club will have beaches and pools, three swim-up bars, seven beach bars, and more than 40 cabanas to rent. Plus, it's all-inclusive!
What you get with a cruise like this is a packed few days to try out not just a cruise, but sail on one of the best ships in the world and indulge in incredible days on shore and onboard.
Your time onboard will fly by, but as a new cruiser, this is perfect for someone that wants to dip their toe into the proverbial pool and try things out without compromising on what they get with the ship experience.
First time cruisers who want to see Europe
Maybe you're looking to combine seeing Europe for the first time with a cruise vacation.
Royal Caribbean not only offers cruises to just about every corner of Europe, but it's a convenient way to see a lot of places without the hassle of packing, unpacking, re-packing and getting around.
One advantage of a European cruise is it's far more port intensive than a Caribbean cruise because of all the time you'll want to spend ashore seeing these cities. This is a boon for a new cruiser, since they'll be less ship dependent.
A Mediterranean cruise is among the top choices for first time cruisers in Europe, because it takes you to the places most people dream about.
The newly updated Allure of the Seas sails 7-night cruises from Barcelona, Spain that visits France and Italy. It'll not only cover the quintessential spots in the Med, but also get you on an impressive ship that will fit the needs of families too.
An underrated ship is Odyssey of the Seas, and it is sailing from Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy.
Odyssey is a new ship, and visits Italy, Greece, and Turkey.
I love sailing on Odyssey because of how much there is to do. It's a bit smaller than Allure, but still offers plenty for families to do onboard.
If you're taking a European cruise, the ship is arguably less important given how much time you'll be in port. However, the evening is when you'll want a ship that has lots happening.
Plus, both of these ships have upgraded kids club areas too.
When picking a European cruise in the Med, I'd recommend going during the months of May, June or September because the weather is better (less hot) and the popular tourist attractions in the cities you visit will be far less crowded.
Empty nesters looking to try a cruise
The kids are off to college and now is the perfect time to try a cruise! If that's where you're at, there are a few kinds of cruises to try for the first time.
An Alaska cruise should be at the top of your must-see list, and you should go in the shoulder season when other families still have their kids in school and cannot travel.
Ever since I tried my first Alaska cruise, it blew me away with how impressive and majestic this part of the world is.
The towns you'll visit are quaint with so much to see. You're going to want to return almost immediately to experience more.
Even when you're not in port, there's so much to see around you. Cruise ships sail the Inside Passage in Alaska, and that takes you on a scenic route with wildlife viewing opportunities and simply stunning landscapes.
Royal Caribbean offers cruises to Alaska from Seattle and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. There are advantages to taking an Alaska cruise from either port, but I generally recommend first timers start with a Seattle-based ship simply because it's easier to get to and (probably) cheaper too.
Once again, I think the ship choice matters, and you'll get bigger ships in Seattle. Ship size isn't everything, but someone that has never cruised is likely expecting more of what they imagine and see commercials cruise ships can offer.
The family reunion trip
In many cases, the idea of taking an extended family vacation comes up and without a doubt, a cruise is the way to go.
When you have cousins, uncles, grandparents, and nieces involved, there are lots of competing needs. With a cruise, it allows you all to be together, but not feel like you're joined at the hip. You're vacationing together without "being on top of each other."
A short cruise might make a lot of sense for the same reasons I outlined earlier for the weekend getaway. You get to sail on a big ship that has something for everyone, it will cost less overall than a longer cruise, and you can squeeze it into everyone's schedule.
Weekend cruises on Utopia of the Seas are so popular with family gatherings because taking a long weekend is palatable for just about everyone.
I'd also point a family reunion style trip to 5-7 night cruises because you can get to spend time with each other and not feel like it's over just after it started.
If you've seen a television commercial for Royal Caribbean, it's probably for Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas and these ships are incredible.
Experiencing the very best Royal Caribbean has to offer is even better with loved ones, and it's the kind of family cruise that you'll talk about for years to come.
Icon Class ships are not only the biggest in the world, but they are a leap in cruise ship development. It's the latest and greatest, and that means you're not compromising on what there is to see, eat, or do onboard. Plus, it caters to kids just as much as adults.
The one thing you don't want to do for your first cruise
I'd caution anyone picking their first cruise to avoid one pitfall to avoid disappointment later.
Chasing the lowest price is rarely going to deliver the best vacation for your needs, but some people will simply try to find the cheapest cruise available. Later they realize that low price compromises in too many places.
I'm all for finding a good deal, but you need to weigh what kind of vacation you're looking for, and then focus on cruises that highlight that while also balancing price.
By simply sorting the cruises by lowest price first, you could end up on a ship that lacks the activities, restaurants, or shows that matter to your family. Or it could visit places you have far less interest in going to.
Worse yet, you might book a stateroom that is noisy, small, or inconvenient.
If you're looking to get a great deal, I'd advise following our advice outlined in this article, but try to take a cruise during shoulder season. That will get you to the places you want, on the ship you'll love, without spending the most for it.
