Booking a cruise is always fun, and particularly if it’s your first time. Sailing the waters of the Earth while being surrounded with all the glitz and glamor is something many people dream of. However, if it’s your first time going on a cruise, think about what you need to know before going on a cruise.
Some people tend to be somewhat intimidated by cruises, as the notion of spending so much time away from the land can be unsettling. But you need to understand that all of the modern cruise ships are designed and built with state-of-the-art technology, which makes them entirely safe.
Another thing that can sometimes confuse first-timers is the fact that a cruise ship will commonly make necessary stops along the way. However, that’s entirely normal as they need to replenish their supplies regularly for example, stocking up on food and drinks or getting a fresh batch of marine gas oil for yachts. So, no matter if you’re about to board on a massive cruise ship or you’re just sailing the waters on a luxurious yacht, here are a few things regarding what you need to know before going on a cruise.
disclosure: this is a partnered post
What You Need to Know Before Going on a Cruise
#1: Choose Wisely
The first and arguably the most important thing when it comes to preparing yourself for a cruise is to choose the type of cruise you will be going on wisely. Since there are so many options available to choose from nowadays, it can sometimes be quite challenging to determine which one would suit you best.
Ideally, you should avoid deals that sound too good to be true – as they usually are, but you should also see if there’s a way to avoid overspending on the booking itself. Therefore, look for a deal that’s somewhere in between a suspiciously-cheap cruise and the one that would break your bank entirely. Good deals are out there, you just need to find them.
#2: Understand The Layout Of The Ship You’re Boarding
If you’ve never been on a cruise, it’s understandable that you won’t probably have a good grasp on what you can expect. For instance, do know that the rooms on the bottom tier of the ship are cheaper. That’s usually due to the fact that most of them don’t really have windows, which is something passengers get surprised by. So, before you book a room, you should also try to research more about what you can expect to be met with once you board the ship.
#3: Pack Appropriately
Depending on how long you’ll be on the cruise, you should definitely bring all of the essentials. But aside from those, you may be wondering what type of clothes you should bring. Even though you’ll be surrounded with water for the majority of your cruise, you will need to pack a bit more than just a bathing suit and flip-flops. Here are some considerations:
Inquire about dress codes
Many will be surprised by the fact that the majority of the luxurious cruises have kept a very strict meal-time dress code for decades. So, before you set off, try to learn more about this to ensure you don’t stand out from the rest of the crowd and to know which clothing pieces you’ll need to bring.
Swimsuit considerations
When deciding on which swimsuits to bring, consider what you’ll be doing in them first. If you’re looking to snap some amazing Insta pics, make sure you bring all of your trendiest pieces. However, if you’ll also be swimming and even scuba diving, bring at least two swimsuits you can comfortably move in, to avoid any unintentional malfunctions.
#4: Don’t Spend A Fortune On Souvenirs
Finally, the majority of cruise ships come with at least one souvenir shop onboard. And while all of us are certainly tempted to buy at least something there, it’s a better idea to simply move on. If you can’t resist, get yourself a trinket or two – but stop there. Ideally, choose a fridge magnet or some coasters, to actually have use of the thing you’ve purchased later on.
Although cruises can be super fun, many people find themselves confused as to how to prepare for them properly. Hopefully, some of these pointers about what you need to know before going on a cruise will steer you in the right direction! Safe travels.
