⚓ Top 20 Questions I'm Asked About Cruising for the First Time

Every time I post photos from a sailing, my inbox fills with questions that all begin the same way:

"Okay, be honest — I've never cruised before. What do I actually need to know?"

So here it is — my full answer, tea brewed strong and tanged with the salt of experience. These are the twenty questions that come up again and again from first-time cruisers: the things people whisper at sail-away while clutching a mimosa and a little bit of uncertainty.

I've gathered the answers from the cruise lines directly then laced them with what the sea itself teaches you after a few voyages — that the horizon is friend, not mystery.

1. How do I even start planning a cruise?

Start with the destination, not the ship. Do you want Caribbean warmth, Alaskan glaciers, or Mediterranean history? Once you know where, pick your cruise length (3-7 days for beginners, 7-14 days once you're hooked).

Then choose your cruise line based on vibe: Royal Caribbean for adventure and families, Norwegian for flexibility and solo travelers, Carnival for party energy, Princess for relaxation. Each line has a personality — find yours.

Pro tip: Book through the cruise line directly for the best customer service, or use a travel agent who specializes in cruises for deals and cabin upgrades.

2. What documents do I need?

For Caribbean closed-loop cruises (round-trip from U.S. ports): U.S. citizens need a government-issued photo ID (like a driver's license) plus proof of citizenship (birth certificate with raised seal or passport). But honestly? Just bring your passport. It makes everything easier.

For all other cruises (Europe, Alaska one-ways, international departures): You need a valid passport with at least 6 months validity remaining.

For international travelers: Check visa requirements for both the countries you'll visit AND the U.S. if you're flying through American airports. Read our complete U.S. entry guide for international cruisers.

Critical: Bring physical copies — not just photos on your phone. Print your boarding pass, passport copies, and travel insurance documents. Keep them in a waterproof pouch.

3. Which cruise line should I choose?

Each major cruise line has a distinct personality:

• Royal Caribbean: Best for adventure seekers, families, and active travelers. Newest ships, rock climbing, surf simulators, Broadway shows. Think: theme park at sea.
• Norwegian (NCL): "Freestyle Cruising" means no fixed dining times, casual dress codes, solo cabins with no single supplement. Perfect for independent travelers.
• Carnival: Fun, high-energy, budget-friendly. Great for first-timers and party crowds. More casual than competitors.
• Princess: Refined relaxation for couples and mature travelers. Excellent food, enrichment programs, smaller crowds.
• Disney: Premium pricing, unmatched kids' programs, character experiences. Adults love it too.
• Celebrity: Modern luxury without stuffiness. Excellent food, wine, and spa experiences.

First-timer recommendation: Royal Caribbean or Norwegian. Both have intuitive ships, excellent customer service, and forgive rookie mistakes gracefully.

Check out our ship reviews to see which vessels match your style.

4. When should I book my cruise?

Sweet spot: 6-12 months in advance for the best cabin selection and early booking discounts. Cruise lines reward planning ahead.

Last-minute deals (30-90 days out): You'll find steep discounts, but slim cabin choices. Great for flexible travelers who don't care about cabin location.

Peak seasons to avoid (unless you like crowds and higher prices):

• Caribbean: December-April (everyone escaping winter)
• Alaska: June-August (short season, high demand)
• Europe: June-August (school vacation stampede)

Shoulder seasons (April-May, September-November): Better prices, fewer kids, pleasant weather. This is where veterans book.

Hurricane season (June-November Caribbean): Don't panic. Modern ships navigate around storms, and you'll get incredible deals. Cruise lines are experts at weather routing.

5. What's actually included in the cruise fare?

Included (your cruise fare covers this):

• Accommodations (your cabin, housekeeping twice daily)
• Main dining room meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
• Buffet food 24/7 (seriously, it never closes)
• Room service (usually free, sometimes small delivery fee)
• Most onboard entertainment (shows, comedy, live music, movies)
• Pools, hot tubs, fitness center, sports courts
• Kids' clubs and teen programs
• Water, coffee, tea, juice at buffets

NOT included (these cost extra):

• Alcohol (beer, wine, cocktails, premium coffee)
• Soda and specialty drinks
• Specialty restaurants (steakhouses, Italian, Asian fusion)
• Shore excursions at ports
• Spa treatments, salon services
• Casino gambling
• WiFi internet packages
• Gratuities (auto-charged daily, usually $14-18 per person)
• Photos taken by ship photographers

Smart move: Use our Royal Caribbean Beverage Calculator to figure out if a drink package saves you money. Most people guess wrong and overspend.

6. Do I need travel insurance?

Short answer: Yes, absolutely.

Long answer: Cruise lines don't refund for medical emergencies, family deaths, hurricanes, or job loss. A $2,000 cruise becomes $0 when you can't go. Insurance costs 4-10% of your trip and covers:

• Trip cancellation: Get your money back if you can't sail (illness, injury, family emergency, jury duty)
• Medical evacuation: Helicopter airlift from ship to hospital can cost $50,000+. Insurance pays it.
• Trip interruption: Covers flights home if you need to leave the cruise early
• Lost luggage: Airline loses your bag? Insurance buys you essentials at the port
• Missed connection: Delayed flight makes you miss embarkation? Insurance covers catching up to the ship

Pro tip: Buy third-party insurance (not the cruise line's) within 14 days of your first deposit for pre-existing condition coverage. Companies like Allianz, Travel Guard, and InsureMyTrip offer better coverage than cruise line policies.

Don't skip this. The ocean doesn't care about your budget.

7. What should I pack?

The most common packing mistakes: overpacking formal wear and underpacking medications.

Essentials (don't leave home without these):

• Medications: Bring 2x what you need in original bottles. Pack in carry-on, not checked luggage. Ship pharmacies charge premium prices for basics like Advil.
• Sunscreen: Caribbean sun is brutal. SPF 50+, reef-safe formulas. You'll reapply 3-4 times daily.
• Power strip: Cabins have 1-2 outlets for 2+ people with 6+ devices. Bring a non-surge 3-outlet tap (cruise lines ban surge protectors for fire safety).
• Refillable water bottle: Stay hydrated. Buffets have water stations.
• Seasickness remedies: Even if you "never get sick." Bring Bonine, Dramamine, or ginger candies just in case.
• Formal night outfit: 1-2 formal nights per week. Men: suit or sport coat. Women: cocktail dress. Or skip formal dining and hit the buffet — no judgment.
• Comfortable walking shoes: You'll walk 10,000+ steps per port day exploring cities.
• Light jacket: Ships crank A/C to Arctic levels. You'll need layers.

Don't pack: Hair dryers (cabins have them), iron (fire hazard — banned), large bottles of alcohol (confiscated at security), drones (banned).

See our complete cruise packing lists with printable checklists for Caribbean, Alaska, and Mediterranean sailings.

8. How does alcohol work on cruises?

Pricing reality check: Cocktails cost $12-15, beer $7-9, wine $9-14 per glass. A couple having 3-4 drinks per day spends $400-600 on alcohol for a 7-day cruise.

Beverage packages: Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and Carnival sell unlimited drink packages ($65-100/day):

• Deluxe/Ultimate: Unlimited cocktails, beer, wine ≤ $14/drink, plus soda, coffee, juice
• Refreshment: Soda, coffee, juice, mocktails — no alcohol
• Soda packages: Just Coke/Pepsi products

Package rules (READ THIS):

• Everyone 21+ in the same cabin must buy the same package (no splitting)
• You can't share drinks (they track your card)
• 15-drink daily limit (trust me, that's plenty)
• One drink every 5 minutes (prevents stockpiling)

Should you buy a package? Use our beverage calculator — it's the most accurate ROI calculator online and it's free. Enter your drinking patterns, see your breakeven point, and get a personalized recommendation. Thousands of cruisers use it to save money.

Bringing your own: Most lines allow 1-2 bottles of wine per cabin (check your line's policy). Bring a corkscrew — they don't provide one.

Food allergies? Cruise lines handle gluten-free, nut allergies, kosher, vegan, and religious dietary restrictions excellently. Note it when booking and remind your waiter first night.

9. Will I get seasick?

Probably not. Modern mega-ships have stabilizers that smooth out 80% of wave motion. You'll barely feel you're moving.

If you're worried:

• Book midship, lower deck: Center of the ship moves least. Physics.
• Medication: Take Bonine or Dramamine the night before boarding and first morning. Non-drowsy formulas work best.
• Natural remedies: Ginger candies, Sea-Bands (acupressure wristbands), green apples (seriously — they help).
• Avoid: Heavy meals, alcohol, reading in rough seas, staring at your phone in bed.
• Look at the horizon: Your brain needs a fixed reference point. Go outside, breathe fresh air, watch the horizon.
• Guest services has free patches: Scopolamine patches behind your ear. They work but can cause dry mouth and drowsiness.

Reality: Maybe 5% of passengers get seasick, and it's usually only on rough sea days. Caribbean and Mediterranean cruises are typically calm. Alaska and transatlantic crossings can get bumpy.

10. What's daily life like on the ship?

Your typical day:

• 7-9am: Wake up, buffet breakfast or room service (it's free!)
• Port days: Dock 7-8am, explore the island/city, back by 5-6pm
• Sea days: Pool, shows, trivia, spa, gym, read a book, nap in the sun
• Lunch: Buffet, poolside grill, or main dining room
• Afternoon: Activities (cooking classes, art auctions, sports, games), or just relax
• Dinner: Main dining room (6pm or 8:30pm seating) or specialty restaurants
• Evening: Broadway-style shows (9pm), comedy club, live music, casino, dancing, late-night food
• Midnight: Still hungry? Buffet is open. Pizza is calling.

You set the pace. Go-go-go with every activity, or disappear with a book on a deck chair for a week. Both are valid cruising styles.

Phone/WiFi: Your phone works in port (international roaming charges apply — TURN OFF DATA ROAMING). At sea, you're offline unless you buy WiFi ($15-30/day or $100-200/week for streaming plans). Many cruisers love the digital detox.

Dress code: Daytime is casual (shorts, swimsuits, flip-flops). Evening main dining room is "smart casual" (jeans OK, no swimwear/tank tops). Formal nights: suits/cocktail dresses or skip and eat at the buffet.

11. How do gratuities and payments work?

Automatic gratuities: Cruise lines auto-charge $14-18 per person per day to your onboard account. This covers your cabin steward, dining room staff, and behind-the-scenes crew.

Can you remove them? Technically yes (visit Guest Services), but please don't unless service was truly terrible. Crew members work 10-12 hour days for months at sea, far from family, and gratuities are a significant part of their income.

Additional tips: Slip your cabin steward $20-40 extra on the last night. Tip bartenders $1-2 per drink (or 18% auto-added with packages). Room service: $2-3 per delivery.

Onboard spending: Everything charges to your cabin keycard (your room key, credit card, and ID all-in-one). Link a credit card at check-in. You'll get a bill on the last night — review it carefully for errors.

Budget reality: Beyond the cruise fare, expect to spend $50-150/day per person on drinks, excursions, specialty dining, and souvenirs. Plan accordingly.

12. Which cabin should I book?

Cabin types explained:

• Inside (no window): Cheapest, pitch dark for sleeping, great if you're never in your room. $800-1,200/week.
• Oceanview (window): Natural light, view of the ocean (sometimes obstructed by lifeboats). $1,000-1,500/week.
• Balcony: Private outdoor space, sunrise coffee, sea breeze. Worth every penny. $1,400-2,200/week.
• Suite: Separate living area, priority boarding/dining, concierge service, bigger bathroom. $3,000-10,000+/week.

Location matters:

• Midship, lower decks: Least motion, quieter, convenient to dining/elevators.
• Avoid directly under pool deck/nightclub: You'll hear furniture scraping at 2am.
• Forward/Aft: More motion in rough seas, but better views and often cheaper.

First-timer recommendation: Balcony, midship, decks 6-8. It's the sweet spot for comfort, convenience, and motion stability.

Solo travelers: Norwegian offers studio cabins designed for one person with no "single supplement" penalty. Read our solo cruising guide for more tips.

13. How do ports and shore excursions work?

Port days: Ship docks 7-8am, you explore the destination, back on board by 5-6pm ("all aboard" time). Miss it and the ship leaves without you.

Do you need excursions? No. You can walk off the ship and explore independently (cheaper, more flexible). Many ports have beaches, shops, and attractions within walking distance.

Cruise line excursions: $50-200+ per person, but guaranteed to get you back on time. Good for:

• Remote locations (Alaska wilderness, ancient ruins)
• Safety concerns (research your port first)
• Convenience (they handle transportation)
• Peace of mind (ship waits if the excursion is late)

Independent exploring: Walk off, hire a taxi, negotiate your own tour, or just wander. Cheaper and more authentic. Critical: Be back 30 minutes before all aboard time. Ships don't wait.

Best ports for beginners: Cozumel (Mexico), Nassau (Bahamas), St. Thomas (USVI). Safe, easy to navigate, beaches close to port.

Check out our port guides for walking maps and local recommendations.

14. What happens if I miss the ship?

Short answer: You're on your own to catch up.

If you're on a cruise line excursion: The ship waits. They won't leave their own tour group.

If you're exploring independently: The ship leaves exactly on time. No exceptions. You'll need to:

• Book a flight to the next port (expensive, especially last-minute)
• Arrange hotel, meals, transportation (all out of pocket)
• Reunite with the ship at the next stop
• Deal with customs/immigration paperwork

This costs $500-2,000 depending on location. Set your phone alarm for 30 minutes before all aboard. Seriously.

Medical emergency? If you're hospitalized, the cruise line's port agent will help coordinate care and travel, but your travel insurance pays for it (see why insurance matters?).

Cruise line tracking: Your keycard scans when you leave/board. They know who's still ashore. They'll make announcements if someone's missing, but they won't delay departure for port shopping.

15. Is cruising safe?

Yes. Statistically, cruising is one of the safest forms of travel.

Ship safety:

• Muster drill: Mandatory safety briefing before sailing. You'll learn where your life jacket is and which lifeboat is yours. Don't skip it — it's required by maritime law.
• Medical facility: All ships have doctors and nurses onboard 24/7. Basic care is excellent. Serious emergencies get airlifted to shore hospitals.
• Security: Cameras everywhere, security officers patrol, keycard access to cabin decks.
• Fire safety: Sprinklers, fire doors, drills, trained crew. Modern ships are incredibly fire-resistant.

Port safety:

• Research port safety ratings before booking excursions
• Stick to tourist areas in unfamiliar ports
• Don't flash expensive jewelry/electronics
• Use ship's safe for passports (don't carry originals in port)
• Travel in groups, especially at night

COVID/illness protocols: Cruise lines have enhanced cleaning, air filtration, and medical screening. Norovirus (stomach bug) outbreaks make headlines but are rare — ships sanitize obsessively.

Overboard prevention: Railings are chest-high. You'd have to climb over intentionally. Don't sit on railings, don't drink to excess near edges, watch your kids.

16. What if I get sick on the ship?

Medical center: All cruise ships have licensed doctors and nurses onboard. They handle:

• Seasickness, infections, minor injuries
• Prescription refills (bring documentation)
• Stabilization for serious conditions before medevac

Cost: $75-150 for a basic doctor visit, more for procedures/medications. Your health insurance probably doesn't cover it — travel insurance does.

Quarantine: If you have contagious illness (norovirus, COVID), they'll isolate you in your cabin with room service and monitor you. Not fun, but necessary.

Emergency evacuation: Helicopter medevac to shore hospital for heart attacks, strokes, serious injuries. This costs $20,000-50,000+. This is why you need travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage.

Prevention: Wash hands obsessively (sanitizer stations everywhere), avoid buffet utensils others touched, stay hydrated, take vitamins, get enough sleep.

17. What if there's bad weather or a hurricane?

Cruise ships are among the safest places during storms. Captains monitor weather 24/7 and navigate around hurricanes — not through them.

Itinerary changes: If a port is in a hurricane's path, the ship skips it and goes elsewhere. You might miss Cozumel but add Grand Cayman. No refunds for skipped ports (it's in the contract).

Delayed departure: Ship might leave port late or stay an extra day to avoid storms. You won't miss your cruise — they'll wait.

Rough seas: You'll feel the ship move more, maybe some creaking, stuff sliding off tables. Modern stabilizers handle most of it. If you're prone to seasickness, this is when Bonine becomes your best friend.

Hurricane season reality: June-November Caribbean gets the best deals because of storm risk. Most cruises sail perfectly fine. Ships can outrun hurricanes (23+ knot cruising speed vs. 15-20 knot storm movement).

Trip insurance covers hurricanes: If a named storm impacts your departure port and you can't embark, insurance reimburses you. Another reason to buy it.

18. How does disembarkation (getting off) work?

Last night:

• Pack everything except morning essentials (keep medications, change of clothes in carry-on)
• Put luggage outside your cabin by 11pm-midnight (tagged with your disembarkation group number)
• Review and pay your onboard account (check for errors!)
• Keep your customs declaration form (they distribute it)

Disembarkation morning:

• Self-assist (carry your own bags): Walk off as early as 6:30-7:30am. Fastest option if you can carry your luggage.
• Tag luggage: Crew delivers it to the terminal. You wait in your cabin until your group number is called (8am-10am usually). They call by cabin number, loyalty status, and flight times.
• Suite guests/high loyalty: You get off first. Perks.

Customs/Immigration: U.S. citizens scan passport, walk through. Quick. International passengers may wait longer.

Find your luggage: It's organized by tag color/number in the terminal. Grab it and go.

Transportation: Taxis, shuttles, ride-shares are outside. Book airport transfers ahead or arrive early for surge pricing.

Pro tip: If your flight is before noon, do self-assist or book the cruise line's transfer — don't risk missing your flight waiting for group disembarkation.

19. Will I gain weight on a cruise?

Probably. And it's worth it.

Reality check: Unlimited food, desserts at every meal, midnight pizza, poolside burgers, specialty restaurants, ice cream stations. Average cruiser gains 5-10 pounds per week.

Damage control:

• Use the gym: It's free, ocean views, usually empty at 7am
• Walk the deck: Promenade deck laps (3-4 laps = 1 mile)
• Take the stairs: Skip elevators, burn calories between decks
• Share desserts: You don't need three different chocolate cakes (but you'll want them)
• Pace yourself: You don't have to eat every meal like it's your last
• Active excursions: Snorkeling, hiking, kayaking burn more than beach lounging

Or just enjoy yourself. You're on vacation. The diet can wait until you're home. This is why elastic waistbands were invented.

20. What are the dress codes?

Daytime (anywhere on ship): Casual. Swimsuits, shorts, t-shirts, flip-flops, tank tops — all fine. Cover up when leaving pool areas for buffet.

Evening main dining room:

• Casual nights: "Smart casual" — jeans OK, no swimwear/tank tops. Sundresses, khakis, polo shirts.
• Formal nights (1-2 per week):
  • Men: Suit and tie, tuxedo, or sport coat with dress pants
  • Women: Cocktail dress, evening gown, dressy pantsuit

Don't want to dress up? Skip the main dining room on formal nights and eat at the buffet, specialty restaurants, or room service. No one will judge you.

Specialty restaurants: Usually smart casual minimum (no shorts/flip-flops).

Shows/entertainment: Wear whatever you wore to dinner. No dress code.

Reality: Cruise lines have relaxed dress codes significantly. You'll see jeans in the dining room most nights. Formal nights are fun if you enjoy dressing up, but totally optional.

Packing: 2-3 casual dinner outfits, 1 formal outfit per formal night, comfortable daywear. See our detailed packing lists for specific recommendations.