Your first cruise, what to expect

A first cruise has a lot of small unknowns. None of them are hard, but knowing them ahead of time makes the week relaxed instead of confusing. Here is the whole arc.

After you book

You pay a deposit to hold your cabin, then the balance a while before sailing. I handle both with the cruise line and tell you the dates. A few weeks out you complete the online check in: passport or ID details, a credit card for onboard spending, and your arrival time at the pier. I will remind you.

What is included

On most lines your fare covers your cabin, meals in the main dining room and buffet, most of the entertainment, the pools, kids clubs for many ages, and the ports you visit. Water, basic coffee, tea and lemonade are usually free. On most family lines that is a full vacation before you spend another dollar, though details differ by line.

What costs extra

Alcohol and soda, specialty coffee, specialty restaurants, shore excursions, spa, wifi, photos, the arcade, and gratuities for the crew. Gratuities are usually added daily to your onboard account at a set amount per person, and most lines let you prepay them. Some lines sell drink and wifi packages before you sail, often for less than onboard. I will tell you which ones are worth it for your family and which are not.

Embarkation day

Arrive at the pier in your chosen window. You drop your big bags with the porters, keep a small bag with swimsuits, medicine and documents, go through security and check in, and you are aboard in about an hour, sometimes less. Cabins are often ready by early afternoon. Lunch is usually open as soon as you board. The ship sails late afternoon, and most lines require a safety briefing before it leaves; many now handle it on your phone plus a quick check in at a muster station.

Your cabin

Cabins are smaller than hotel rooms but smartly laid out. Your room steward visits daily and will bring extra pillows, ice or a crib if you ask. Your key card opens your door, charges purchases to your account and is scanned when you get on and off the ship. On many lines kids can have their own cards with spending turned off.

Sea days and port days

Sea days are the easy ones: pool, kids club, shows, trivia, naps. Port days are up to you. You can book an excursion through the ship, explore on your own, or just stay aboard and enjoy a quiet pool. Be back on the ship well before the posted all aboard time, because the ship will not wait.

Food and dining

You will not go hungry. The main dining room has set time or flexible seating depending on the line, with a new menu nightly and kids' options. The buffet is open most of the day. Room service is free on some lines and a small fee on others. Tell me about allergies and I will note them on the booking so the dining team knows before you arrive.

The last morning

You put your big bags outside your door the last night (keep a change of clothes and medicine with you), eat breakfast, and leave the ship in groups. You find your bags in the terminal, go through customs, and you are done, usually by mid morning.

How I help

I book your cruise with the cruise line, and you pay the same fare you would pay on their site. I stay with you from the price quote to the last morning. Questions about documents, packages, excursions or anything else are what I am here for. Ask.