Listen up first time cruisers. Want to make the best out of your cruising experience? 

In this blog post, I'll share pro tips to ensure your cruise is smooth sailing from start to finish. Here is what to know before you go (onboard)!

1. Download the Cruise Ship App

First thing to do after you book your cruise? Download the app of your specific cruise brand. The apps normally walk you through the check-in process, allowing you to be ocean ready and seamlessly book dinner reservations, spa treatments, and other activities. This sets the stage for a stress-free embarkation day. Your luggage tags will be available on the website and/or app, and it is very important to print them before you leave home.

2. Arrive a Day Before Sailing

To avoid potential travel hiccups, arrive at the port city a day before you set sail. Flight delays and other unforeseen circumstances can disrupt your plans, and you don’t want to miss the ship! Consider this part of your journey. I am happy to assist with hotel and flight reservations to ensure a worry-free adventure. Plan to board the ship 11am-noonish, giving you the opportunity to sleep in, enjoy breakfast at your hotel, and be ready to start having fun by the less-crowded pool.

3. Packing Strategies

When it comes to packing, plan on two categories. Pack your main suitcase, which will be checked with the cruise ship bellman at the curb upon arrival. Remember those luggage tags you printed on the app and/or website? That's how they find their way to your room, so attach them to your suitcases and anything else you check at the curb (don’t forget a tip for the bellman). Then keep a backpack or duffel bag with items you'll need for the embarkation day: book/kindle, medications, electronics, and valuables. Once you check your suitcase at the curb, it will be a while before you see it again in your room. Therefore, make sure you're wearing your dinner outfit, such as a nice dress and sandals. A stash of makeup is perfect for a quick freshen-up. Have your swimwear on hand, because an early arrival at the ship makes for an excellent pool day! Once your suitcase arrives, take 30 minutes to unpack and settle in. Utilize the drawers and shelves…and stash your suitcase under the bed. The cabins are small, so some pre-sail organization sets you up for success the rest of the trip.

Cruising is my jam, so here are some of my best tips for safe and efficient travel.

4. Make Reservations Early

Some people scramble around, trying to figure out where to have dinner and crossing fingers that there's some empty seats at a show. Don't be those people. Prioritize making all your reservations (that you weren’t able to do on the app) once you board the ship. It's a small effort that pays off as a more enjoyable cruise.

5. Explore Unique Ship Spots

Invest a bit of pre-cruise time into discovering hidden gems on the ship. YouTube videos and travel blogs will help you unveil unique viewpoints, like a cozy forward bar, that offer fantastic panoramic vistas for sail-away and beyond. Take advantage of any lesser-known spots before the rest of the passengers catch on!

And speaking of the sail-away celebration, it's a big deal! This exciting moment is a great way to kick off your journey. The pool area is usually a prime spot with a band or DJ - possibly free champagne? If you prefer something low key, explore other spots on the ship. A little research can pay off with big dividends!

6. Check and Confirm Details

Before leaving the port, double-check all details of your reservation to uncover any issues... ESPECIALLY if you're using a travel agent. Address any concerns or discrepancies before setting sail. Once the ship is at sea, your travel agent's ability to advocate will be limited.

Therefore, take care of all concerns immediately. For instance, I once faced a situation where my drink package was not showing up, and my travel agent had to rectify the issue. That’s when I realized the importance of using a travel agent—they can handle and resolve matters on your behalf.

7. Utilize Onboard Benefits

Familiarize yourself with the cruise line's benefits and packages. For example, are you able to access exercise classes, specialty dining/desserts or laundry options? Wait, why do you care about laundry options on vacation?? If you are flying, this is an excellent amenity, because it allows you to carry a smaller suitcase onboard your plane (instead of checking a large bag). A couple of laundry days, and you eliminate the hassle and expense of checked airline luggage. If you are on a 10 day or longer cruise, this is mission critical. I became a believer after a 15 day cruise for sure! We sent out laundry three times, and it was nice to walk into our cabin and have fresh apparel (including underpants) awaiting us! Some cruise ships have laundry rooms, so maybe take a couple of laundry pods to be safe? Be aware of each ship's benefits and packages and make the most of them.

8. Stay Healthy Onboard

Practice common-sense health measures like using hand sanitizers, avoiding crowded elevators, and taking your vitamins. Don’t forget pain reliever, band aids, allergy meds and anything else you might need. When you’re at sea, these options might be narrowed or expensive.

9. Disembarkation Choices

There are two ways to disembark the ship. 

If you leave your suitcase in the hallway the night before disembarkation, the bellman will carry it off the ship for you. So, when you disembark the next day, you will find your suitcase waiting for you on the other side. In this case, I recommend finding a distinctive ribbon to tie around the handle - something you won’t miss. Maybe a big Christmas ribbon? Or zebra print? The point is that you will see it quickly in the lineup.

Alternatively, you can often carry your own suitcase off the ship. This is our preference. However, should you decide to have one of the bellmen take it, make sure that you have everything you need before you put it in the hallway. Don’t be the person walking off the ship in your evening gown and last night’s makeup!

10. Manage Your Time During Shore Excursions

When you opt to book the ship’s shore excursions, they will hold the ship for you if the excursion is running late. If you do your own excursion or simply walk off the ship to explore the surroundings, be mindful of the time. Maybe take an analog watch that you can set to the ship’s time? I like to reboard at least an hour ahead of time to beat the rush. 

Additionally, if you're changing time zones (for example, if you're going from the U.S. to Europe) make sure you and the ship are on the same local time.  

Lastly, you won’t incur weird roaming charges if you call your cell provider to verify all details of your text, data and call coverage before departure. Put your phone in airplane mode when the ship leaves port. Or better yet, turn it off to enjoy the onboard entertainment options. 

Cruising is one of my absolute favorite ways to experience the world. Your time in each port is limited, so think of it as "auditioning" a place. If you love it, plan to go back and stay longer. And from planning ahead to making reservations and staying healthy onboard, these insights will help you navigate the seas with confidence. Bon voyage!

Did you enjoy this blog? Don't miss our expert advice! Read 'Avoid These 8 Common Mistakes When Booking a Cruise: Tips from a Travel Advisor' to ensure your next cruise is smooth sailing!