Social media comments point to a resounding yes.

Ships Continue to Grow in Size

While ships have continually gotten bigger through time, the trend toward megaships seems to have kicked off in earnest with the introduction of Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class, which debuted about 15 years ago.

The first of these ships, Oasis of the Seas, measures a still-staggering 220,000+ gross tons, with 18 decks, nearly 1,200 feet long and the ability to handle up to 6,800 guests at full capacity.

At the time of its launch, Oasis of the Seas was the largest cruise ship in the world. Today, it is the sixth-largest as Royal Caribbean has pushed their ships even larger. And it’s not just Royal Caribbean. Today, there are now 20 cruise ships that measure 180,000 gross tons or more. Eight break the 215,000 gross ton mark.

Those numbers are going to grow in the years ahead. MSC plans to welcome MSC World America and MSC World Asia in 2025, which are slated to be around 215,000 gross tons each. Disney Adventure will debut in 2025 at around 208,000 gross tons. Royal Caribbean is building Star of the Seas at 250,000 gross tons as a sister to Icon of the Seas, already the world’s largest cruise ship.

But it was a recent announcement from Carnival Cruise Line that made us question if we’re reaching a tipping point.

Carnival is already planning two Excel-class ships (sister ships to its current fleet of Mardi Gras, Celebration, and Jubilee) to debut in 2027 and 2028. These ships should measure around 180,000 gross tons.

Now the cruise line has announced it will debut an entirely new class of ship that will carry up to 8,000 passengers and measure 230,000 gross tons. The new ships will debut starting in 2029.

That size puts them on par with Royal Caribbean’s Oasis class. Evidently, not everyone is a fan of the announcement or the overall trend in cruising.

Online Outcry Over the Size of New Ships

Carnival Brand Ambassador John Heald shared the news of the megaships with Carnival fans on his Facebook page. And while many people were excited, many of the 1,800+ comments left on the post were actually critical of the announcement of a larger class of ships.

“Why not build some new smaller ships? The smaller ships are getting older, and a lot of people like them. I’d love to see some brand new smaller ships to sail on,” wrote one reply, which received more than 200 likes.

“Wish they would make a new state of the art SMALLER ship,” wrote another. “Not everyone likes the larger ships and would like to go to the smaller more accessible port of calls.”

That post was also favored by dozens of others.

“So sad that carnival is only going in the direction of massive ships that can only sail from a few ports,” chimed in another commenter.

“Bigger isn’t better. You have many guests that don’t want to be with 6,000 [passengers] on one ship. You also have a couple ports that can’t handle mega ships,” added another.

It wasn’t just John Heald’s post that saw a significant number of people wishing for smaller ships.

Over on Reddit, the top-voted comment echoed the same opinion.

“The industry has been wearing out its welcome in dozens of ports of call due to over-tourism. Yet it keeps building bigger and bigger ships. At some point, they’ll have nowhere to go,” wrote one poster in a comment that was upvoted more than 200 times:

And on Cruzely’s Facebook page we asked if ships were getting too large. The replies were nearly unanimous that cruise ships have gone too far.

“I don’t want to sail on the Behemoth of the Seas,” replied one poster.

Want Smaller Ships? It’s Not Likely Anytime Soon

For those that enjoy smaller ships, the news is grim. We know of only one cruise line — Norwegian — that has built a new class of ships that actually decreased in size from previous builds.

Its Breakaway class was followed by the smaller Prima class. However, since then the cruise line has upped the size of future Prima-class builds and also announced a new class to debut in the years ahead that’s larger than anything else in the fleet.

Larger ships simply make more sense for cruise lines. They are more efficient to operate, generate more revenue per sailing, and frankly, generate much more buzz and interest than smaller ones.

But it’s also clearer than ever that there is a growing trend of passengers — and not a small number — who desire more manageable ships. The big question is will they continue to cruise even on megaships, make the change to older, smaller vessels, or simply take their vacation dollars elsewhere?

The post Too Much? News of Bigger Cruise Ships Creating Blowback Among Passengers first appeared on Cruzely.com.

Carnival Corporation — the parent of Carnival Cruise Line — announced today that it is ordering three new ships that are set to join the fleet in 2029, 2031, and 2033.

But these aren’t just any new ships. Carnival says they are all three part of a “new class of vessel” and will come in at nearly 230,000 gross tons.

That means this ship class will not only be something completely new for the cruise line, but they will also be the largest in Carnival’s fleet and some of the largest in the world.

“We are doubling down on the growth of Carnival Cruise Line – our highest-returning brand – to keep up with the incredibly strong demand we continue to see for the world’s most popular cruise line,” said Josh Weinstein, CEO of Carnival Corporation.

The cruise line has contracted with Italian company Fincantieri to design and construct the new ships, which will be built on a liquified natural gas platform.

8,000 Passengers and 28% Larger Than Current Ships

The yet-unnamed ships are set to be massive. Carnival says they will have over 3,000 staterooms and carry almost 8,000 passengers at full capacity, in addition to the 230,000 gross tonnage.

For comparison, Carnival’s Excel-class of vessels, which include Mardi Gras, Celebration, and Jubilee, measure 180,000 gross tons. These newly-announced ships will be about 28% larger on this basis.

Meanwhile, the largest cruise ship in the world — Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas — comes in at roughly 248,500 gross tons. Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class measures 225,000-236,000 gross tons. So you can think of these new ships from Carnival as matching Royal Caribbean’s Oasis class.

These ships will also be the largest ever built by Fincantieri.

“We are excited to join forces with Carnival Cruise Line to debut a new class of ship, which will be the largest cruise ship ever constructed by Fincantieri and the largest ship ever built in Italy,” said Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO, Fincantieri.

Smaller Ships Not on the Horizon

While it will be years before the first of these ships are delivered, Carnival isn’t just sitting on their hands. This marks five new ships the cruise company has announced this year. It already shared that two more Excel-class ships will be built, arriving in 2027 and 2028, respectively.

That’s in addition to the upcoming debut of a new private destination — Celebration Key — expected next year.

If there is any drawback to this big news, it’s that there is a definite undercurrent of cruise passengers that enjoy smaller cruise ships. Smaller ships are easier to navigate, have fewer people, and tend to be more subdued compared to modern mega-ships.

A post about this announcement on Carnival Brand Ambassador John Heald’s Facebook page was filled with comments from fans that wish there could be smaller ships.

“While this is exciting, we would like to see some smaller ships as the Mega ships are of no interest to us,” wrote on commenter.

“Why not build some new smaller ships? The smaller ships are getting older, and a lot of people like them. I’d love to see some brand new smaller ships to sail on,” said another.

However, the trend in cruising is toward larger cruise ships that carry more passengers than ever before. As time goes on, those older, smaller ships are retired, reducing the number of options for passengers who enjoy the experience they offer.

We’ll continue to look for more details from Carnival on what to expect from these three new ships. Carnival does says the “order is contingent upon financing” and that it expects that to be finished later this year. We can’t wait to learn more about design, amenities, and names.

The post Carnival Orders THREE New Ships… That Will Be Among the Biggest in the World first appeared on Cruzely.com.

The truth is, there’s no shortage of reasons that people take cruises. And each person will have their own favorite reason for setting sail.

That said, there are still a number of things that make cruising more enjoyable for many people than a traditional vacation. Whether it’s the fact that you can pack as much as you want, or that you get to enjoy exotic ports — or anything in between — the best reason to take a cruise is in the eye of the beholder.

Below, we’ve rounded up nearly 70 popular reasons that passengers decide to take a cruise. If you’ve got someone who is wavering on whether a cruise is for them, just show them this list to help them decide.

Cruises offer the uncanny ability to “disconnect”

Are you inundated with phone calls and emails? Take a cruise. Yes, internet is available, but it’s expensive. Meanwhile, there’s no cell phone service at sea unless you pay high roaming fees (or make calls through wi-fi). That means you have a chance to really disconnect on your vacation and come home refreshed… instead of feeling like you never left the office.

There are no limits on baggage

Are you an over-packer? Do you like to bring 10 outfits for five days? Or are you just sick of being charged $50 to bring a suitcase on a flight? Good news — cruises don’t charge for luggage and there are no (reasonable) limits on the amount of suitcases you can bring. So stop worrying about trying to pack everything into a small carry-on like you would on a flight.

You can visit multiple places in one trip

Maybe on a regular vacation you head to Cozumel. But heading to Cozumel, Jamaica, and Key West (or any other number of ports) on a single trip? The only affordable way to do that is with cruising. A cruise is like a vacation sampler. You get to hit several spots with only unpacking once.

Cruises are cheaper than putting it together yourself

True, you can spend as much as you want on a cruise. But in most cases, taking a cruise is much cheaper than arranging flights and hotels in several different ports on your own. After all, cruise fare includes all the basics, meaning you pay one fare and get transportation, lodging, food, and entertainment all included — instead of having to book them all on your own.

There’s tons to do without going far

Want to have a drink? Eat world-class food? Gamble? Climb a rock-wall? See a Broadway-style show? Play putt-putt? Ice skate? You can do it all on a cruise, and it’s all less than the length of the ship to get to. Nowhere on the planet is there as many things to do packed into such a close area.

Childcare is included with your cruise

Yes, the “kid’s clubs” on the cruise are for the entertainment of younger passengers. But really, they are a way to let mom and dad enjoy the trip without having to watch kids all day. Cruise lines know this and are happy to provide supervision in the kid’s club as part of the fare you pay.

It’s a great place to experiment by trying new food

Cruises are known for food. And much of it is included in your fare. Not only is that convenient, but it means you can try new dishes without worrying about the bill. Try something you’d never pay for at a regular restaurant? If you don’t like it, then it’s no big deal. Just let your waiter know and they will bring you something else. It’s the perfect test chamber to try new things.

You don’t have to worry about a ride home after the bar

Normally, if you head out to a bar, then you have to worry about getting home. That usually means calling a cab if you are out at the local watering hole. On a cruise, getting “home” is just walking back to your cabin. It means you can enjoy yourself without having to worry about getting home when you’ve had a little too much to drink. It’s safer all around.

Your own personal million-dollar balcony views

Imagine booking a hotel room that has the best views possible of the water or port. In that case, you would expect to spend a fortune. But that’s what you get with a balcony room. And since you are on the water, there are no buildings to obstruct your view. It’s a million-dollar view that’s available for drastically cheaper than most high-end hotels.

24-hour food service

Want a snack at 2 a.m.? Call up room service or head to one of the eateries on the ship. No matter when you get a urge to eat, there will always be somewhere on the cruise ship that is open and ready to serve you. It’s hard to beat having something tasty at your disposal any time of day.

Have your own personal room attendant

If you stay at a normal hotel, you likely have maid service come and clean the room. On a cruise, you have a room attendant. This person cleans your room, but also delivers daily schedules, gets to know how you like the room prepared, and can answer any questions you have about the cruise. It’s like having your own butler… who can also make towel animals.

Cruises are easy to plan

If you’ve never been to a destination, you likely read all you can about what to do, where to stay, how to get there, and where to eat. A cruise basically does all of that for you. You don’t have to worry about planning an itinerary or making travel arrangements. You just book one cruise and your entire vacation is laid out for you. All you have to do is figure out what you want to do in each port (and cruise excursions can handle that too).

Cruises give access to world-class culture

We admit, most cruise ports aren’t steeped in culture. But they are good jumping off points to see the real beauty of a country. For instance, a stop in Belize City means you are a short excursion away from Altun-Ha — the vast ruins of a once-thriving Mayan city. It’s hard for most people to get access to these places without taking a cruise.

If you need non-stop action, a cruise has it

Belly-flop contests, go-karts, shows, dinner, waterslides… are you the sort of person who always needs something going on? A cruise ship offers a full day and night of activities all around the ship. If you are worried about getting bored, just know that a 1,000 foot ship with 15 decks always has something happening somewhere.

If you like to decompress, a cruise can do that too

Yes, there is always something going on if you are sailing on a cruise. But if you are the type that likes to decompress, you can do that too. Every ship has a spa, and if you have a balcony cabin, there is nothing more relaxing than sitting out on the balcony with a breeze and a view. There’s no better way to chill out in our opinion.

Cruises offer a family-friendly vacation

If you’re looking for a vacation that the whole family will enjoy, it doesn’t get much better than a cruise. Kids have plenty of activities and will love the kid’s area or hanging out poolside. Teens have their own special areas on most ships, as well as arcades and the freedom to explore the ship without being under the thumb of mom and dad. Parents have pool time, the beach, casino, and fine dining — with areas where they can drop off the kids for some alone time.

Cruises leave year-round… meaning they fit any schedule

These days there is no “cruising season”. Today ships depart year-round from most ports. That means if you want to leave in January to escape the winter cold, you can. If you want to take a cruise in the summer when the kids are out of school, there are tons of options. That makes cruising one of the most flexible vacations around. (See more on the best time to take a cruise.)

There’s a wide variety of things to do on any cruise

Yes, there are lots of things to do, but that doesn’t speak to the variety of things to do. No matter what gets you excited, there’s likely something for you to enjoy. Like trivia contests? Gambling? Extreme sports? Comedy shows? Pool time? Art auctions? Just hanging out poolside with a drink in your hand?

Every one of these activities is happening on a cruise ship… on a single day.

You don’t have to deal with flying

Let’s face it. Air travel has become a hassle. Between cramped seats, invasive security, delayed flights and more, it’s simply not worth the trouble to fly most places any more. And while many people fly to their cruise port, tens of millions live within driving distance of a port. Not having to deal with airports is a major reason to love taking a cruise.

You can make your cabin your home

Most hotel rooms don’t feel like “home”, but on cruises, it’s encouraged to do some decorating. You’ll find cabin doors decorated with pictures and designs. Meanwhile, inside the cabin people love to hang decorations to spruce things up and make the already fun atmosphere a little more festive. Since the cabin will be your home on the ship, it’s a fun way to add personal flair to your room.

Cruises are great for couple with different sleep schedules

Are you and early riser and your spouse a night owl? If you don’t stick to the same schedule, then a cruise can be a great choice for vacation. One person can quietly sneak out of the room in the morning (or come in late in the evening) while the other person is still in bed. Then, someone can rest while the other person can go have fun.

Cruises fit any budget… no matter how big or small

Want to sail cheap? That’s absolutely possible as some cruises cost less than $100 per person, per day. Cruising can be among the least expensive vacations that you can find.

Want to live (and spend) like a king? You can do that too. From spending on specialty restaurants to high-end suites, to tropical drinks, it’s all available.

One of the greatest reasons to like cruising is that everyone can enjoy it no matter their budget.

Various trip lengths match any schedule

We’d all love to take a month off of work, but let’s be realistic. Sometimes you can only swing a few days off. Thankfully cruises come in all lengths, from 3-day trips to trips that are 10 days or longer (there are even 180+ day cruises around the world). So no matter how much time you can afford to take off, there will always be a cruise that can match your schedule.

Cruises are great places to meet people

With thousands of people from all over the world on a ship the size of a city block, there is a lot of opportunity to mingle and meet passengers and crew. If you’re a people person, you’ll find all sorts of new friends with interesting stories. Some passengers even meet on cruises and become lifetime friends.

You make your own schedule

Cruises sometimes get a bad rap of being strictly scheduled. The only thing that’s set in stone is when you need to be back on the ship when visiting a port (you don’t want to miss the ship and have it sail off without you). Apart from that, there are activities scheduled throughout the day and night, but you set your own schedule on when you want to eat, drink, and play. It’s all up to you.

Sex is great on a cruise

Want to spice things up in the bedroom? Nothing compares to a little hanky-panky with a beautiful ocean view, the smell of the water, and the breeze as the ship sails. Sex on a cruise ship is a fun way to break out of the ordinary and enjoy some romance with your partner. While you might want to avoid doing things on the balcony, some passengers do use it as a place to get frisky.

Cruises are a great way to escape the cold… and the heat

Let’s face it. Winter isn’t fun. But it seems like summers continue to get hotter and hotter.

With a cruise to the Caribbean, it’s obviously warmer in the winter than back home. But what many people don’t think about is that while it does get hot, it can feel significantly cooler in the summer if you live somewhere that bakes. There’s always a breeze blowing, there’s plenty of water all around, and when the sun sets or a rain shower passes, things cool off significantly. 

So yes, you can keep warm on a cruise, but don’t forget that you can also keep cooler.

Duty-free shopping is available everywhere

Duty-free shopping is a strange loophole in the law where places like ports and cruise ships can offer luxury goods without the taxes and duty normally charged. This means you can get things like alcohol and cigarettes at discount to what you’d pay on land. It’s a nice little perk that means you can stock up and save some money while on your vacation.

Everything you need is on the ship

Ok, maybe not everything you could possibly need, but unlike a normal vacation, a cruise ship is a floating city. Need to see a doctor? There is one on the ship. Something to eat? Something to drink? Forget sunscreen? You don’t need to find a restaurant or convenience store near you… there is one on the ship. If you wanted, you could go the entire cruise without leaving the ship and have everything you need.

No need to learn a new language

One of the biggest obstacles to visiting a foreign country is language. If you don’t speak the language of the local country you’re visiting, then it can be tough to enjoy yourself. The good thing about cruises is that the foreign ports cater to cruise passengers.

That means if you are sailing the Caribbean, every port will have tons of English speakers and English-language signs. You don’t have to worry if you don’t speak the language (although it’s fun to try!).

No need to worry about currency exchange

Think you need pesos to vacation in Cozumel? Think again. Just as cruise ports cater to American passengers by speaking English, U.S. dollars are also widely accepted. There’s no need to exchange money to buy lunch on shore. You can spend your greenbacks just like you would in America… and even put it on a credit card.

You get to leave the “driving” to someone else

On a regular vacation, you’re in charge of getting around — from your flight to a rental car to even heading out to dinner. On a cruise, you just show up and let the cruise line take care of everything else. You get to enjoy yourself while the captain and crew guide you from port to port. And if you want to go sightsee, you can book an excursion on the ship and the excursion company will take care of all the arrangements. It makes vacationing stress-free.

You don’t have to constantly spend money (but you can!)

If you’re a budgeter, then you likely hate the feeling of trying to keep track of spending. Every time you fork over $40 for lunch, or $20 for a souvenir, you’re adding it to a running total in your head. On a cruise with basics included, you don’t have to worry about forking over cash for every meal or having to pay for entertainment. If you like to drink, alcohol is an extra charge, but the cruise lines also sell flat-rate drink packages that allow you to budget without spending money on every drink. (But don’t get us wrong, there is plenty of opportunity to spend money on a cruise.)

It’s fun to dress up for formal night

Most of us aren’t millionaires and don’t get dressed up for dinner that often. However, cruises have formal night — an opportunity to put on the fancy clothes and eat a world-class meal. For some people, nothing sounds worse than having to put on a suit or formal gown. Don’t worry, you don’t have to go to formal night if you don’t want to do so. For those who like the idea, it’s a fun way to add a bit of elegance to their evening.

There’s an opportunity to have professional photos taken

If you’ve always wanted professional portraits done, then a cruise is the perfect opportunity to make that wish come true. Professional photographers are all around the ship — especially on formal night — taking photos of passengers if they like. It’s free to take the photos. You only pay if you decide to purchase prints after you see the end result.

You get to enjoy a billion-dollar ship for just thousands… or hundreds of dollars

Today’s modern cruise ships easily cost more than a billion dollars to build. For example, Symphony of the Seas from Royal Caribbean cost an estimated $1.35 billion. The cost is so high because of several reasons. First, the ships are big. Second, everything is custom-made. Finally, the finish is high-end and meant to last for years. However, while the cruise lines spend billions, you can enjoy your time on the ship for just thousands… and sometimes hundreds of dollars.

There’s no end of things for kids to do

If you are worried about keeping the kids entertained, you can stop right now. There is an amazing amount of things for children to do on the cruise ship — especially if you are sailing on the newest ships. From movies to ice skating to bumper cars, and then kids clubs, pool time, basketball courts, waterslides, and more, cruise lines go out of their way to entertain the kiddos. After all, busy kids mean happy parents!

You don’t have to price hunt for cruises

First things first, cruises are always “on sale.” Like a department store, cruise lines are always offering some sale and warning it ends soon… only to be replaced by another one. So when you find a price you like, don’t worry about a better deal, just buy it. 

What’s nice, however, is that cruise prices are the same no matter where you shop. There isn’t some special website with cheaper fares. So once you find a price you’re happy with, it’s easy to know you can just buy it right there instead of hunting around for a better deal. 

Who doesn’t like all you can eat?

If you like to eat heartily, then a cruise is the vacation for you. Most places on the ship are all you can eat, even if you may not realize it. Sure, you can go back for seconds at the buffet, but if you still want to eat more in the main dining room, you can always ask for another plate. Meanwhile, grab and go eateries on the ship don’t care how many times you stop by for a snack or meal.

Drink packages make it all you can drink

Yes, you can buy drinks individually, but if you are someone who likes to drink, then a package may be worth it for you. Cruise lines sell drink packages that give you the ability to pay one flat daily rate and have all the drinks you’d like. That way you don’t have to worry about your bill when you hit the bar… when you’re thirsty you just get a drink. To see if a drink package is worth it for you, try our Drink Package Calculator here.

You don’t need a passport to go international

Cruises offer the only way we know to visit another country without a passport. To be sure, it’s always a good idea to have a passport anyway, however, if your cruise is departing and returning from the same U.S. port, then it likely qualifies as a “closed-loop” cruise. In this case, you need only a government-issued ID and a birth certificate — no passport is required for U.S. citizens. 

Cruises are the easiest way to visit many islands and ports

For many smaller islands in the Caribbean, it’s actually tough to visit. Take a port like Costa Maya, in Mexico. It’s actually next to a sleepy town known as Mahahual. To get there on your own, you’d have to catch a flight to Cancun or the smaller Chetumal airport, then figure out the long car ride out to the village. It could easily take you an entire day of travel. Or, you could just take a cruise. While you enjoy the day on the ship, you’re taken to exotic locations.

You can gamble without taking the family to Las Vegas

Do you love to visit the casino? Most people equate Las Vegas with gambling, but it’s not the most family-friendly place to visit. However, nearly every cruise ship offers a casino. It’s a fun way to pass the time without having to go to a vacation destination dedicated to gambling. So if you’re a gambler who wants a family vacation, then a cruise is for you.

If the weather is bad, just wait a little while… it will change

If you book a typical vacation and it rains for a week straight, you’re out of luck. But remember that cruise ships are floating hotels — if the weather is bad one day, they will be sailing somewhere else where the weather can improve. The odds of your vacation being ruined due to bad weather is highly unlikely. Sure it could rain a day or two, but once it’s on to the next port, there’s a good chance the weather will improve.

Cruises are great for family reunions

We mentioned that cruises are great for families. In fact, they are great for any age as there are things to appeal to all ages on the largest cruise ships. That means if you have a multi-generational group like a family reunion, then a cruise is ideal.

But not only would everyone be entertained, but with a cruise you don’t have to worry about cooking or cleaning after a large group. That’s worth the cruise fare alone!

Love to meet people from all around the world? Take a cruise and talk to the staff… 

Sure, if you leave from a U.S. port, most of your fellow passengers will be from North America. Still, there will be some passengers from abroad and the crew will almost all be from somewhere other than North America. If you’re the sort of person who likes meeting people from other cultures, it’s an opportunity to meet lots of folks from everywhere without having to venture very far.

Cruises are a shopping lover’s dream

Do you like to shop? The cruising is the vacation for you. Not only are there shopping promenades on the ship — selling everything from candy to expensive watches — but ports of call cater to shoppers. Once on the ship you’ll get all the details at shopping presentations presented before each port of call. These presentations will tell you exactly where to go to shop, deals, discounts, and more. In fact, some ports even give you free transportation into town if you are heading to a shopping area.

The scenery outside your window always changes

You’ll never get bored with the view out your window. With the ship constantly on the move, the scenery changes constantly. From sweeping views of ports to the hypnotic movement of the ocean while at sea, the view is always different. One of our favorite things is to just spend time out looking at the water and feeling stress drip away.

You get to try things you can’t do anywhere else

Want to learn how to scuba dive? Take a trip in a submarine? What about see ancient ruins and then cruise on a speedboat down a wild river? Or maybe see glaciers or go whale watching? These are all things you can do on a cruise… and it’s just a start. Cruises give you an opportunity to do and see things that you would not be able to experience anywhere else.

Pack as much liquid as you want (unlike air travel)

Tired of having to put any liquids in tiny containers when you fly? And then you have to pull those little bags of liquids out for security. On a cruise, you can bring all the liquid shampoo and soap you want, without being treated like a criminal. It’s a small deal in the big scheme of things, but definitely a nice change from flying for a vacation.

You can see amazing wildlife

If you’re a wildlife enthusiast, then hang onto your hat. Alaskan cruises obviously give you a chance to experience the wilderness and all the animals — bears, moose, whales and more — that come along with it. But many people don’t realize that the Caribbean and other locations offer wildlife experiences. Want to see monkeys, crocodiles, and sloths? Excursions on Caribbean cruises can give you the opportunity to do just that in the wild.

Cruises offer a chance for independence for kids in a safe environment

You likely wouldn’t let your kids run the streets on a regular vacation, but a cruise is a little different. On the ship, it’s pretty safe to let your (older) children have some independence. This allows them to do what they would like to do while mom and dad also have kid-free time. You shouldn’t just let them run wild, but offering them a couple of hours to head to the arcade can let them feel like they are on their own vacation and not their parents’ vacation.

Even the same cruise is different on a different ship

Cruising is just as much about the journey as it is the destination. That’s because the ship is a destination in of itself. Each ship has its own personality, as well as features and amenities. That means even if you take the same cruise, it can be completely different aboard a different ship. After all, you spend most of your time onboard during a cruise, so the ship makes a huge difference to your experience.

The gambling age is just 18 years old

If you are under 21, gambling in Las Vegas is off limits. On a cruise ship, the gambling age is usually 18. That means you can pull the slots, throw the dice and yell blackjack before you can have a drink.

Some cruises are less than $100 per day, per person

It’s hard for most people to live on $100 per day… much less take a vacation for that much. Believe it or not, there are a number of cruises available for under that amount. They typically depart from the popular Florida ports, but we’ve found them sailing from ports around the country. The best advice to find these trips is to search for times like January or February. These are among the least expensive months to sail.

Cruise ships are “classless”… everyone is welcome everywhere

Yes, you can spend a lot more on a cruise and get a big fancy suite. However, that doesn’t give you much more than a bigger, nicer cabin. Except for a few exceptions, all areas of the ship are open to all passengers, as are restaurants and entertainment. There are very few areas restricted just to “first-class” passengers because there is no first class. There are some perks such as faster check-in if you book a suite or maybe an exclusive sun deck, but other than than, passengers are treated equally.

Cruises give you the opportunity to experience a private island

Are you a billionaire? Do you own your own private island? Not many people have enough money to own their own slice of the Caribbean. That said, you can enjoy a private island on a cruise. Cruise lines have purchased/leased islands in The Bahamas and use them as stops for their ships. Passengers get an entire island to themselves that’s built especially for them.

Cruise casinos feature low minimums

If you like low stakes gambling, then you’ll love cruise casinos. While most large casino resorts jack up the minimums, cruise ships only have a small number of people to gamble on any given trip. That means they need to make the casino as attractive as possible.

To do that, they place it in the middle of the ship where you are sure to pass by and also have low minimums to bet — $5-$10 tables and penny slots are everywhere. If you don’t like to bet big, it’s perfect for you.

You can watch a big screen movie while sitting in a hot tub under the stars

There’s not much that’s better than sitting in a hot tub, relaxing under the stars as the ship sails through the night. Except that now most ships have a big screen in the pool/hot tub area where they show movies in the evening. That means you can soak, enjoy the cool night air, and watch a flick. It doesn’t get much better than that. (Oh, and did we mention they often pass out popcorn?)

Cruises are great for those with mobility issues

If you or someone you travel with have trouble getting around, then you should know that a cruise is a good option for a vacation. New ships comply with the American with Disabilities Act, and the cruise lines do their best to have features for disabled cruisers.

This includes accessible cabins, automatic doors, and public rooms with ramp entrances. As well, elevators can get you up and down decks. (Even cruise line private islands are accessible, such as Royal Caribbean’s CocoCay, which features things like beach wheelchairs and pool lifts.)

If you have mobility issues, it’s advisable to look for newer ships that can provide the latest features in helping passengers get around.

A cruise lets you experience the ocean

It may seem simplistic, but no other vacation lets people experience the ocean like a cruise. There’s something magical about the open ocean with a sea of blue surrounding you that is good for the soul. Flying over open water isn’t close to the same experience of experiencing a sunrise and sunset at sea… and you can only get that with a cruise.

Cruises allow you to stay active (if you want to)

Don’t want to get out of your workout routine just because you’re on vacation? Cruises aren’t just about eating and lounging by the pool. Every ship these days comes with a full jogging track (so you can get in a run with an ocean view) as well as a fully-equipped gym. Also, these are not typically small gyms like you’d find in a hotel. They are complete with cardio and weights, as well as all sorts of accessories to help you stay fit and feeling good on your trip.

Cruises allow you to keep your diet (if you want to)

Yes, there are plenty of opportunities to overindulge on a cruise. If you have the willpower, however, then there are options to help you stick to any diet, including vegetarian, vegan, keto, and more. It’s a good idea to let the cruise line know ahead of time if you have special diet needs, but even if you don’t let them know there are so many options that you will find something that fits your diet.

You can learn how to be healthier while on your cruise

Cruise ships aren’t just all about laying around and getting a tan these days. You can also get healthier. Seminars in the spa and fitness areas can give you advice on how to achieve whole-body wellness, including stress reduction, meditation, and more. They are usually free to attend, but keep in mind that you might try to be sold something as well.

It’s the best way to see Alaska

Word is spreading about taking a cruise to Alaska, and the trips are growing in popularity. The reason? Given the remote back country, accessing the area is tough to do by car. But a cruise gives you a front-row view to the wildlife and natural scenery of America’s last frontier. Meanwhile, you also get a chance to visit some small out-of-the way Alaskan towns like Skagway that are too remote to reach by traditional means.

Cruises offer perfect views of sunrises and sunsets

Stay in a normal hotel room, and you might have a good view of a sunrise or a sunset… if you’re lucky. But since cruise ships are at sea and there are no obstructions around, you can see every sunrise or sunset on the ship when you’re in the Caribbean. There’s little that’s better than having a cup of coffee with the sunrise and a tropical drink with the sunset.

Most people live within a few hours drive of a port

A couple of decades ago, taking a cruise meant that you had to depart from Florida. Today, cruises sail from Seattle, Los Angeles, Galveston, New Orleans, Charleston, Baltimore, New York, and more. Put simply, the odds are high that you live within a few hours drive of a cruise port. No longer do you have to worry about timing flights. It’s simply find a cruise you like, drive to the port, and be on your vacation!

Have more reasons someone should take a cruise? Let us know in the comments below…

The post Why People Love Cruises: 68 Best Reasons to Take a Cruise first appeared on Cruzely.com.

Nowhere else are you on a floating resort in the middle of the ocean, making your way from port to port. Meanwhile, all your food, entertainment, and accommodations are all on one property. That means almost your entire vacation takes place in one spot.

Of course, with so much of your vacation taking place on the ship, there are bound to be things you didn’t suspect or are surprising. If you’re a first-time passenger, here are a number of things that may surprise you about taking a cruise.

How Easy It Is to Get “Lost” On the Ship

Think that it’s going to be easy to navigate the ship? Think again. It famously takes even seasoned cruisers a couple of days to get their bearing on a new ship. That’s not to say that you will get lost and not be able to find your way back to the cabin. After all, if you just walk a little bit, you’ll eventually find elevators or stairs that can take you to the deck you want to be.

Instead, we’re referring to the fact that it’s very easy to get turned around; walking forward on the ship when you want to walk back and vice versa. This is easiest to do when you are in the hallways with cabins. Row after row of cabin doors that all look the same — and no windows in the hallway — can make it feel like a maze.

Other times, there are decks that dead-end into areas like dining rooms in the middle of the ship. To go through, you have to go up or down a deck to pass. It can be frustrating at first.

Don’t worry though, after a day or two you’ll be navigating the ship like a pro.

How Much There Is Going On & To Do On the Ship

If you’re someone who always wants something to do, then you’re going to fit right in on a cruise ship. That’s because from the time you wake up until the time you go to bed there is always something (and usually lots of things) happening on the ship.

First there are the “built-in” features of the ship. Things like the pools, casinos, rock walls, restaurants, shopping, and much more. You could spend all day doing the activities on the ship and never get bored. As a rule of thumb, the newer the ship, the more it will offer.

But that’s only part of what’s going on. In addition, there is all the entertainment on the ship that’s put on by the cruise staff. This can be simple — such as trivia contests during the day — or a full on production show in the evening.

No matter what you’re looking for, the entertainment staff puts on events all throughout the day to keep passengers engaged. Just look at the daily schedule that’s put in your cabin each night (or on the cruise line app on your phone) to see the dozens of things you can do in a given day.

How Little Time Is Spent in Port

If you’re taking a week-long cruise with three ports of call, you might think that means you have three days at port and four days at sea. The ratio is actually more like one day at port and six days at sea.

That’s because the ships actually only port for eight or nine hours on average before they sail away again. For instance, a ship might dock at 8 a.m. and have all aboard be at 4:30 p.m. Added up, a week-long trip often has about 24 hours of time combined in ports.

Cruise lines are moving toward having longer port stays in some cases (even some overnight stays at some private islands), but by and large you’ll spend a morning and afternoon in port, but the rest of your time on the ship.

How You Can Still Find Quiet Spots on the Ship

Four thousand people — plus crew — on a ship that’s about the size of a city block? Yes, cruise ships are large, but you’d also expect them to be crowded. True, many spots are. If you head to the pool on a sunny day, it will be packed with people.

What’s surprising, however, is that you can still find plenty of quiet spots on cruise ships if you want to get away from the crowds. In the evenings the pools decks clear out, giving you practically the entire area to yourself. Inside the ship is the same story. Places like the ship’s library are quiet and few people are usually there.

Each ship is a little different depending on the layout and the venues. It might take a day or two to discover the spots that don’t attract a lot of people. But once you do figure it out, you have your own little “private” space despite being on a full ship.

How Many Sales Pitches You’ll See

Massages, artwork, drink packages, jewelry… the list goes on. These things — and much more — are what you’ll be pitched as a passenger on a cruise ship.

You might think that once you’ve bought your ticket that you’re done spending money. In fact, about 30% of cruise line revenue comes from spending by passengers on the ship. And you’ll definitely be tempted to spend. From announcements over the intercom to stacks of sales flyers delivered to your stateroom door, it’s almost shocking how much advertising you’re hit with when cruising.

To be fair, if you’re looking to purchase a massage or something on the ship, these flyers can tell you about sales and discounts that can save you money. But if you’re not in a shopping mood, they can simply be an annoyance.

How Much You Can Pack for a Cruise

If you’re like most people, then you think about flying when you are packing luggage. These days air travel and baggage are like oil and water. Between bag charges, carry-on space, and having to check luggage, it’s a pain to pack hardly anything for a plane.

You might be surprised that cruising is completely different. Have two big suitcases? Bring them. What about full bottles of shampoo? You can bring those too. What if you only have a small suitcase? That’s fine as well.

In short, there are few restrictions on the size of your luggage or how much you can bring. Best of all, there are no charges for bags. So pack big, little, or in between. It’s all allowed on a ship and you don’t have to worry about the cost.

That said, there are a few restrictions on what you can bring, but they are pretty simple. Just don’t bring on any beer or liquor, nor should you bring anything that could start a fire (candles, clothes irons, etc.). Hair straighteners and curling irons are ok.

Gratuities on Purchases

By the time you board the ship, you should be well aware of gratuities. These days the charges are applied automatically to your account. In fact, you might have already paid your daily gratuity amounts by the time you step on the ship.

But that doesn’t mean you’re done with tipping. On the ship pretty much any consumable or service you buy — food, drink, spa services — is going to have an automatic gratuity tacked on. This amount is usually 18-20% of the cost, depending on the cruise line. So a $100 massage is actually around $120. An $8 beer is actually around $9.50.

These extra charges are tacked on automatically to the price, but be careful. When you get the bill, it will have the price with the gratuity added… and then another line for an additional tip. Feel like being generous? Then by all means tip more. However, it’s not required.

How Friendly Other Passengers Are on the Ship

Now, we’re not saying that everyone on a cruise ship is always full of sunshine and rainbows. But if you’re on a cruise then it’s a good chance the person next to you is going to be on vacation mode as well. That means in general people are in a great mood on the ship. This makes it easy to strike up a conversation, share a drink, and make new friends.

So don’t be shocked if you actually make a few new buddies after a little time on the ship… despite what you might see on social media.

How Big Cruise Ships Really Are

Everyone knows that cruise ships are big. It’s not until you are actually at the port getting ready to board that you realize how big they can be. Consider that cruise ships can rise 200 feet above the water water — the equivalent of a 20-story building. Meanwhile, today’s new ships are almost always more than 1,000 feet long, which is longer than a city block.

On the ship you get an even greater appreciation for their size. Inside the ship are full promenades, restaurants, and thousands of cabins. There are nightclubs, atriums, double-decker theaters, and more. Everything you would expect to be in a modern resort is on the ship, and it’s a full-size version — not something scaled down to fit on the cruise.

Be sure you bring your walking shoes!

How Stable the Ships Are

A few times a year there is always a news story about a cruise ship that hits a storm. The most compelling of these stories has video filmed on the ship of the rocking and rolling as the cruise ship fights through the waves.

Truth is, 99% of cruises aren’t like this at all. In fact, given the size of the ships and technology designed to make the ship sail smoothly, most of the time you don’t even feel the ocean.

That’s not to say you won’t feel the ship moving at all. If the waves are big enough you can definitely feel the ship rock a bit. But if you’re expecting that you’ll feel the movement of the ocean constantly, that’s likely not the case.

How Dark Interior Cabins Can Get

If you are booked in an interior cabin, then take our advice: pack a nightlight. You’ll be amazed at how dark these cabins can get. Remember that interior rooms don’t have any windows. If the lights are turned off, once you shut the cabin door there is no source of illumination. The room will be pitch black, except for maybe a small spot of light through the peephole in the door.

A small nightlight is a smart idea to give a little light in the room should you need to get up in the middle of the night. The only other alternative is to turn on the bathroom light and keep the door shut so that only a little light shines through.

How Cold It Can Get at Night

If you’re headed to Alaska, you likely pack for cold weather. But if you’re headed to the Caribbean, you might be shocked that it gets cool there too.

During the day you don’t have much to worry about. Caribbean days are sunny and warm. Even occasional rainy days are still warm. During the evenings, the temperatures drop. It might only drop into the 70s, but at sea with the wind blowing as the ship moves through the night, the wind chill can make it pretty cool. It’s at least jacket or hoodie weather… if you don’t just decide to stay inside the ship instead.

Even interior spaces the air conditioning can be a bit too much, so bringing a jacket and long pants is smart.

How Much Stronger the Sun Is At Low Latitudes

Sun is sun, right? Not exactly. Maybe you’re used to the summer sun at home where you live, and it’s no big deal to be outdoors for an hour or two and not get burned. At the lower latitudes of the Caribbean, it’s a different story.

If your cruise heads to the Caribbean, then be prepared for more direct sun rays. Sure it keeps things nice and warm, but it also makes it much faster to burn. Of course, pack plenty of sunscreen, but also pack some aloe vera in case you do get too much sun. You don’t want to be uncomfortable the rest of your cruise because you got burnt on day one.

Have a first-time cruise question? Ask us in the comments below and see our 57 tips for first-time cruisers.

The post 13 Simple Things that Surprise First-Time Cruisers first appeared on Cruzely.com.

But compared to the fanfare of Icon of the Seas, Royal Caribbean has quietly been working on something that’s nearly as big a deal… literally.

Utopia of the Seas may not be getting as many headlines as its sister ship, but that doesn’t mean it’s a slouch. This weekend marks the debut of the brand-new addition to the fleet, which comes in as the second-largest cruise ship on the planet.

How big is the ship? The 28th ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet and the sixth of its Oasis-class of vessels measures a staggering 236,500 gross tons (well, 236,473 to be exact). For reference, Icon of the Seas comes in at 248,663 gross tons, so it’s only about 5% larger.

Utopia of the Seas carries 5,668 guests at double occupancy across more than 2,800 cabins. Full capacity pushes the total number of passengers close to 7,000.

Of course, this isn’t just about creating a new ship to pack more passengers onboard. There is also more than ever to do on the ship. Utopia boasts 35 different places to eat or drink. This includes a new bar concept — Pesky Parrot (a Caribbean-style tiki bar) — as well as Utopia Station, a “train-car” experience where passengers dine while video screens change the outside views.

The ship features eight neighborhoods, five swimming pools, three waterslides and two casinos.

All the classics that have made the Oasis-class one of the most successful groups of ships ever also make an appearance. The adults-only Solarium (noticeably absent on Icon) is there. So is the AquaTheater at the back of the ship and Central Park. There’s rock climbing and mini golf, a zipline, Splashaway Bay for the little kids, and tons more.

Fresh off being officially named by godmother Meghan Trainor, Utopia of the Seas will have its first official sailing from its Port Canaveral homeport on Friday. The first sailing is a three-day cruise to CocoCay and Nassau.

Interestingly for a ship with so much to see and do onboard, the ship will sail only three and four-day itineraries. Over the years these short itineraries have grown more popular as they are generally more affordable and allow passengers to have a quick getaway.

For instance, we covered the significant price premium placed on Icon of the Seas sailings here. Currently the least expensive sailing aboard that ship starts at $1,487 per person. Trips aboard Utopia are as low as $567 per person, or about one-third as much as Icon of the Seas.

The only drawback? With short trips and multiple ports of call, being able to see and do everything on the ship might be impossible. Sailing back-to-back might be the only solution, giving you a full week on the ship to explore everything it has to offer.

With the arrival of Utopia of the Seas, Royal Caribbean now boasts all seven of the world’s largest cruise ships. Meanwhile, the company is building a sister ship to Icon — Star of the Seas — that should take over the crown as the world’s largest when completed.

The post World’s Second-Largest Cruise Ship Debuts This Weekend (See How Big) first appeared on Cruzely.com.

That seems to be the case with a type of cabin aboard new Celebrity ships, and the president of the cruise line just made some interesting comments regarding the future of the staterooms.

Celebrity introduced ‘infinite verandas’ as a new type of cabin starting with its Edge-class ships, which debuted in 2018. 

If you’ve cruised before, then you’re likely familiar with a traditional balcony cabin. These rooms have the stateroom and then a doorway outside to a balcony space. Traditionally, the indoors and outdoors are completely separated.

With infinite verandas, however, the experience is very different. Here, the stateroom and balcony are essentially one space. The far wall of the cabin isn’t a door out to the balcony. Instead, the wall is essentially one large window.

At the push of a button, the top half of the window moves down, which makes the entire cabin open to the outdoors. There are a couple of folding doors with frosted glass that can be closed to create a separate space if wanted.

The issue with the room is that it definitely has a different feel than a regular balcony. Many people say it feels more like you just have a large window instead of a real balcony. The walls and ceiling extend out to the edge of the room, creating a “closed-off” feeling instead of an expansive view.

If it is hot outside or humid (both a high likelihood on a cruise), you can’t just step out for a few minutes and then return to a cool cabin. Instead, the entire room is opened up to the weather outside.

On the plus side, having the extra space attached to the room makes it more spacious. It also offers lots of light into the cabin compared to a regular balcony.

If you’ve heard conflicting reports about these infinite verandas, however, you aren’t alone. Its obvious that not everyone is a fan. A recent comment from Laura Hodges Bethge, President of Celebrity Cruises, addressed the issue head on.

Celebrity Cruises President: “We Are Re-evaluating the Ratio”

As part of a question-and-answer session on CruiseCritic.com, Hodges Bethge hopped on the site’s message board to answer passenger questions about the line.

One of those questions covered the infinite verandas, and specifically if they could be adjusted. The question said that as designed they don’t allow one person to sleep in while another enjoyed the balcony.

Hodges Bethge offered up the following statement about the cabins:

“We have learned through the Edge series that the infinite veranda is very polarizing. Our guests either love it or they hate it. We are re-evaluating the ratio of balconies to infinite verandas in future ship classes to make sure we have the optimal mix.”

The honesty of this comment struck us as surprising. It’s rare for an executive to admit directly that something on the cruise is “polarizing” and even more to say that some guests “hate” a feature. However, we find it refreshing.

And while she doesn’t say bluntly that there will be fewer of these cabins on new ships, it certainly seems to be the case if Celebrity is “re-evaluating the ratio” of infinite to regular balconies on future ships.

If you’re a fan of Celebrity but not of this type of cabin, it certainly appears that you’ll have more traditional options in the future.

The post ‘Very Polarizing’: What Celebrity Cruises Says About the Future of a Controversial Cabin on its Ships first appeared on Cruzely.com.

Think of cruising and Philadelphia is likely the last place that comes to mind, but the City of Brotherly Love is marking a milestone. Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) just announced that starting in April 2026, it will start sailing from the city.

NCL will position Norwegian Jewel at the Southport Marine Terminal Complex at the Port of Philadelphia (also known as PhilaPort). There, the ship will sail 7-9 day cruises to Bermuda, with an additional stop in Charleston, South Carolina. Stops in Bermuda will include overnight calls, allowing passengers more time in port.

The cruise line schedule on the NCL website shows regular sailings from Philadelphia for April through October 2026. The trips are already open for booking.

Of course, before the ship can sail from a new port, it has to be built to accommodate cruise passengers. Norwegian says there are “plans are currently underway with the local government to develop a facility to welcome cruisers in 2026.” The current schedule gives roughly 21 months to complete the task.

For a city to launch completely new cruise service is a major feather in their cap, as it’s something that doesn’t happen every day. And once one cruise line makes a home there, it often leads to other lines following suit.

Meanwhile, cruises can act as a major draw to port cities, especially ones like Philadelphia that offer more than simply being a place to board the ship, but is also steeped in history.

“The Port of Philadelphia is extremely excited to partner with Norwegian Cruise Line, one of the world’s premier cruise lines,” said Jeff Theobald, CEO of PhilaPort.  “Philadelphia has so much to offer, as the birthplace of freedom and the home to much of our nation’s history, we look forward to connecting cruisers with our world class city.”

Mid-Atlantic Becoming a Major Player in Cruises

Perhaps more interestingly, the addition of Philadelphia as a cruise port marks an important step for the entire region when it comes to cruises.

No one would confuse the Mid-Atlantic with Florida as a cruise haven. However, this area has quietly become a major player in the industry.

Multiple cruise lines including Carnival, and Royal Caribbean already sail out of Baltimore, which sits just 90 miles away from Philadelphia. Meanwhile, the New York City area is also served by major lines and offers three different cruise ports.

With the addition of Philadelphia, you now have three different cities to cruise from over a roughly 180-mile span (Boston, farther up the seaboard, also offers sailings). That’s approximately the same distance from Port Canaveral to the Port of Miami.

Now for several reasons — most notably the distance to ports of call in the Caribbean — the region isn’t going to ever top Florida in sailing options. However, the growth of the Mid-Atlantic is unmistakable, and the number of options within driving distance for tens of millions that live here continues to increase.

The post NCL Announces Sailings From a New U.S. Port… Turning an Entire Region Into a Cruise Mecca first appeared on Cruzely.com.

But if there is a drawback about cruising from Galveston, it’s that the port is far from the closest airport. It can take an hour-and-a-half to get there from the biggest Houston airport. That means people flying in will most likely need to arrive the day before and get a hotel.

Even if you are within driving distance, however, arriving the day before your cruise is a good idea. Not only does it relieve any stress of making the port on time, but Galveston offers a ton to see and do before your cruise. Treating it as another port of call on your vacation is smart.

That said, where should you stay in Galveston if you’re headed in for a cruise? We’ve covered hotels with cruise parking here and hotels with shuttles here. However, if you simply want the best hotels on the island, then check out our list below. Any of them should make a great place to stay before your cruise. They are all highly rated and close to the port.

Note: This article contains affiliate links to Kayak. We earn a commission for clicks made on their website, at no charge to you. Review ratings come from Google and are rounded to the nearest half point.

Best Galveston Hotels for Cruise Passengers

Hotel Lucine
New on the scene, Hotel Lucine dubs itself “The Best Little Beach House in Texas” and the reviews seem to agree. It’s a 1960s hotel that was completely transformed and updated with a chic, retro vibe and sits right on the Seawall. A courtyard pool, rooftop bar, and tons of mid-century style, this might be the hippest hotel in Galveston. When it’s time to cruise, you’re just a mile away from the Royal Caribbean terminal… although you may not want to leave.

• Rating: 4.6 out of 5
• Distance: 1.6 miles
• Phone: 409-867-5500

Harbor House
Want to be next to the ships? We mean, right next to the ships? It gets no closer than the Harbor House, which is next door to Cruise Terminals 25 & 28, where Carnival and other lines dock. It’s also next to the historic Strand district, giving you a lot to see, do, and eat right next to the hotel. The hotel itself is higher-end without being stuffy, making it ideal for those that want to have a nice place to stay but not feel out of place in a ritzy hotel. Best of all, come cruise day you can just walk right to the ship.

• Rating: 4.4 out of 5
• Distance: 500 feet
• Phone: 409-763-3321

The Galvestonian
Are you the type that wants to relax before the cruise and not be in the middle of the hustle and bustle? The Galvestonian is a large hotel on Galveston’s East End. This part of the island is relatively empty, but only a mile from the main city. So you are close to everything, yet feel far away — especially from the beach crowds. Meanwhile, at the highly rated hotel you get Gulf views, swimming pool, and tennis courts. This is an ideal spot if you’re wanting a full-fledged vacation in Galveston before or after your cruise.

• Rating: 4.5 out of 5
• Distance: 3 miles
• Phone: 409-765-6161

Tremont House
The Tremont House is one of Galveston’s oldest and most historic hotels. It’s beautifully appointed, features a rooftop bar, and is perhaps the most chic hotel on the island. For cruise passengers, it’s literally less than 1,000 feet from where Carnival, Disney, and Princess dock (less than the length of the ship!).

• Rating: 4.6 out of 5
• Distance: 900 feet
• Phone: 409-763-0300

The Oleander Hotel
The Oleander might be the best kept secret on the island. The boutique hotel features just 10 rooms that are all a unique design from one another, meaning that no two stays are the exact same. Bright, festive, and with lots of cool touches (wild wallpaper, anyone?), this might also be the most photo-worthy hotel in Galveston. You’re right around the corner from the island’s historic district and just about half a mile from the ships.

• Rating: 4.7 out of 5
• Distance: 0.7 miles
• Phone: 409-502-7697

Residence Inn Galveston Island
A brand-new hotel on the island, this Residence Inn sits just back from the Seawall with great views of the Gulf of Mexico. It’s also just a two-minute walk from the famous Gaido’s — the most famous restaurant on the island. Because it’s new, you can expect everything to be fresh and clear. Maybe that’s why it rates a strong 4.5 out of 5 stars. Given that it’s a chain, it isn’t as unique as others on our list. But if you want clean, comfortable, and a great location, what’s not to like?

• Rating: 4.5 out of 5
• Distance: 1.6 miles
• Phone: 409-295-4111

Best Western Plus Seawall Inn
Sometimes you just want to stay somewhere that’s simple, affordable, and highly rated. If you’re wanting something like that, then this Best Western Plus should do the trick. It’s right on the eastern edge of town, so it’s much quieter than staying on the Seawall, yet you are right near everything and just over a mile to the Royal Caribbean cruise terminal. It’s also relatively new, meaning it feels much nicer than some of the older hotels around the island.

• Rating: 4.2 out of 5
• Distance: 2.3 miles
• Phone: 409-766-7070

San Luis Resort
If you want one of the few official resorts on Galveston, the San Luis is a good option. The classic haunt sits right on the island’s famous Seawall and has everything you’d need for a vacation… without leaving the grounds. There’s a massive pool, manicured grounds, spa, and even boutique shops. For a more memorable stay, be sure to book a room with a full Gulf view before you cruise.

• Rating: 4.5 out of 5
• Distance: 3.9 miles
• Phone: 800-392-5937

Hilton Galveston Island Resort
This hotel sits just a block away from the San Luis and is also right on the water. From here you’re across the island from the ships, but given the relatively compact nature of Galveston, it’s still only about four miles to the cruise terminals. The beachy resort has a large pool kids will love, plenty of parking, solid reviews, and also puts you near a grocery store should you need to pick up any last minute provisions for the cruise.

• Rating: 4.0 out of 5
• Distance: 4.0 miles
• Phone: 409-744-500

Moody Gardens Hotel and Spa
If you haven’t heard of Moody Gardens, you’ll know it by the time you reach the island. As you come to Galveston over the causeway from the mainland, Moody Gardens consists of the three large pyramids (which house a rainforest and aquarium) to the right. There’s an entire complex here to visit and next door is a waterpark.

You can stay at the hotel on site, which is perfect if you plan to make a day of visiting the attractions here. As well, it’s highly rated and about 20 minutes from the cruise ships.

• Rating: 4.3 out of 5
• Distance: 6.2 miles
• Phone: 409-741-8484

Galveston Cruise Hotel Map

The post 10 Best Galveston Cruise Hotels for Passengers (Highly Rated, Close to Port) first appeared on Cruzely.com.

What sort of things are there to do on the ship? What’s the first day of a cruise like? How do you board the ship? Or tip a waiter? Or get a drink?

If you’ve never taken a cruise before, don’t worry. You’re not alone. Every year cruise lines around the world welcome millions of new passengers. That means you won’t be alone on the ship in being a first-timer, and the staff will always be happy to help with any questions you have.

As well, no two cruise lines are the same. So even if someone has sailed a number of times on one line, they may still feel like a rookie the first time sailing a different cruise line.

The bottom line? There’s no reason to feel like you’re going to be the only one who isn’t quite sure what to do on the ship. Don’t let the worry of being unsure what to do make you feel self-conscious.

Beyond that, we’ve laid out everything you need to know about taking your first cruise… and how to sail like a pro.

Note: This article focuses primarily on sailing the Caribbean/Mexico/Bahamas. If sailing Alaska, then we suggest our article here. This post contains affiliate links. Cruzely earns a commission for purchases made through these links, at no extra cost to you.

Overview of Taking Your First Cruise

While we will get into all the details of your first cruise below, let’s start with a general overview. The specifics might vary from line to line, but the general aspects of your trip will be similar.

So what is cruising like?

Truth is, it can be whatever you want it to be. If you want it to be a wild party time with lots of sun, booze, and entertainment, then it can be. If you’re looking for something relaxing and quiet, it can be that too.

Today’s cruise ships are large enough — and offer enough things to do — that no matter what sort of trip you are looking for, you’ll be able to have it on a cruise.

It’s no exaggeration that you’ll find everything from newlyweds on a honeymoon to couples celebrating their 50th anniversary. You’ll also find families, bachelorette parties, and just folks looking to get away for a bit. (Note that some cruise lines cater to different crowds, such as Virgin Voyages, which is adults only.)

While the major cruise lines cater to a wide audience, one thing is for certain. You can expect a lot of people on the ship. Modern ships typically carry around 3-4,000 passengers, with the largest ships carrying 6,000-plus. That means the ship is usually buzzing with activity. But don’t think you can’t get away. Ships are huge, which means there are always quieter spots on the ship if you prefer.

Your Cabin
While on the ship, the cabin on the ship is your home away from home. First-time cruisers are always surprised at the size of a cruise cabin. Put bluntly, they are small. The image below is a rather large cruise cabin.

Even so, a cabin will have everything that you need. From your bed to a television, from a closet to a full bathroom (shower only, no tub unless you opt for much larger suites), it offers anything a normal hotel room will have, albeit in a much cozier space. (This also includes things like an in-room fridge, a small safe, and a hair dryer.)

For two adults the size is plenty, but for more than two adults and a kid, we’d suggest looking into two cabins — even though most say they can accommodate up to four people.

Many passengers opt for a balcony cabin, and it’s hard to argue with that plan. While it is a little pricier than the cheapest interior cabins, having your own private balcony is a nice feature. Balconies are normally small, but enough for two chairs and a small table. One other nice feature is that having a balcony gives you access to fresh air, unlike interior or oceanview cabins.

During the trip your cabin will be serviced by the room steward. Each day they will make up the room and deliver things like the daily schedule. They tend to work at the times that most passengers are out of the room (e.g. dinner time), so as not to disturb people. 

The steward will introduce themselves on your first day on the ship, and you can let them know anything you might need. Don’t hesitate to ask if you want something to make your cruise better, or if you have any questions about how things work. They are always more than happy to help.

Food and Drink on a Cruise
What’s a cruise without food? And it just doesn’t feel right to hang out poolside without a drink in your hand. On a cruise, there is no shortage of food or drink.

Hungry? These days cruise ships have lots of restaurants — in some cases up to a dozen different places. These range everything from the buffet to the formal dining room to specialty restaurants. There is also usually a 24-hour restaurant or café where you can get something to eat no matter the time.

What’s confusing for many first-timers is that some food is free, and some places are a charge to eat. Apart from the buffet and the dining room, most sit-down restaurants on cruise ships these days have an extra charge for eating there.

Speaking of the buffet and dining room, these spots are where most people will eat their meals. The buffet is open for all three meals. You simply walk in when you’re hungry and grab a plate.

The dining rooms normally assign a dinner time, but many also have “anytime” dining where you just show up and you’ll be seated. Here you get the white tablecloth dining experience. Expect it to take about an hour and a half to eat. (Many people don’t realize you can also eat breakfast in the dining room as well. The food is fresher than that you’ll find in the buffet, with smaller crowds.)

Specialty (extra charge) restaurants offer up more intimate dining, with smaller venues and usually need reservations. Just like on land, the specialty restaurants can vary from Asian to Mexican to Italian, and of course, the ever popular steakhouse. Because each dish is individually made, we find the foot in specialty restaurants generally better than the buffet or dining room. 

Thirsty? Alcohol is big business on a cruise, and you’ll know it right away. That’s because there are bars everywhere on the ship. You are never more than a few steps from a bar.

While many things are included in your cruise fare, alcohol is not (unless you book a special package). Instead, you will need to buy drinks, and they can be pricey. It’s normally $6-8 for a beer and about $10-14 for a cocktail. One other thing to remember is that gratuity is automatically added (normally around 18%) to the price of each drink.

If you plan on drinking a lot, then cruise lines also sell alcohol packages. These deals allow you to pay one set price each day and drink your fill.

Non-alcoholic drinks are typically a charge too. This includes soda. You can get water, juice, and tea complimentary in restaurants.

Entertainment and Activities
Remember how we said that your cruise can be anything you want it to be? That’s because there is always something going on, and there are a wide variety of things to do. From evening shows in the theater to belly-flop contests by the pool, there’s lots happening. The good news is that it’s often included in your cruise fare.

The most popular entertainment might be the evening theater shows. Some nights this might be a Broadway-style show. Other nights it can be a live game show (spin-offs of “The Newlywed Game” are especially common). But there will be some big event in the theater almost every night.

The theater, however, is just a drop in the bucket of the things to do. There are pools, hot tubs, the casino, spa, waterslides, shopping, sport courts, and more. Newer ships will often have more things to do, including things as crazy as go-karts and a roller coaster or zipline (there are a charge).

In addition to all of those, the staff puts on activities throughout the day. These range from trivia contests to dance parties and everything in between. You’ll get a daily schedule of everything going on delivered to your stateroom the night before or you can view it on the phone app for your cruise line. (Note that different lines will have different activities that cater to their audience. You won’t find belly-flop contests on luxury lines, for instance.)

Want to just do your own thing? Of course, that’s always popular. Spend some time at the pool, grab something to eat, take a nap… it’s your vacation. Just because there is a schedule of activities doesn’t mean you have to follow it.

Visiting Ports of Call
One thing that might surprise first-time passengers is visiting ports of call. For instance, on a 7-day cruise you might have three or four ports of call. But each stop is usually only about eight hours long. In other words, the vast majority of your time is spent on the ship.

When it comes to ports of call, they can vary widely.

Cruise line private islands are popular as they are completely for the use of passengers. They have many of the amenities you’d expect on the ship, including loungers, bars, and activities, and many of these items are included for free with your fare. Have a drink package? They usually extend to cruise ship private islands.

Traditional ports of call are your chance to experience another country. They are completely separate from the cruise ship, and you are free to explore as you please.

Looking for something to do? Cruise lines offer excursions that you can book on the ship (fees apply). Excursions can range from everything from beach days to snorkeling to cultural activities. Or you can simply head out on your own.

One thing to note is that many ports of call have welcome areas right at the end of the dock. This often includes shops, restaurants, and spots to book excursions if you haven’t already. If you don’t feel like going anywhere, these spots offer something to do off the ship.

No matter where you are visiting, be sure to bring your cruise keycard (more on this in a moment), some ID, and a little pocket money.

What to Expect at Embarkation (Boarding)

Embarkation — a fancy word for when you get on the ship — is filled with excitement. So what can you expect as a first-time cruiser?

First, there are a couple of ways that you can start. Many are choosing to check-in online ahead of time. In fact, this is what we recommend if possible. Doing this allows you to fill out required forms, attach a credit card to your account, and more ahead of time. It will greatly speed up the time in the terminal and allow you to board faster.

For those that choose to check-in the traditional way, it will take a little longer, but not too long.

No matter what you choose, when you book your cruise you will have an arrival time. These days many cruise lines have moved to staggered check-in where you are given a 30-minute boarding window to arrive at the port. This helps spread passengers out over time instead of having a big rush right when the ship opens for passengers. Some cruises may simply have a boarding window of several hours, allowing you to arrive at any time you like within that period.

As you arrive at the terminal, there will be a place to check your bags if you want. Porters will load bags onto the ship, and the staff will deliver them to your room later. As a general rule, large heavy bags are good to check, but always have a carry-on with important items like medicines, your passport, and a change of clothes for the first day.

When you enter the port terminal, the first thing you’ll do is enter and show your boarding pass and ID. From there, you will pass through security. Cruise ship security is similar to going through an airport, but not as invasive. After having your documents checked, you’ll place your carry-on bag on an x-ray machine and then pass through a metal detector.

From there, you’ll meet with an agent that will tie up any loose ends needed before boarding, such as a photo tied to your account. If you’ve checked in online, your room keys will likely be waiting in a sealed envelope at your door.

These cards not only act as your room key while on the ship, but also as a credit card linked to your account. Other than the casino, you don’t use cash on a modern cruise ship. Instead, if you want to by anything onboard, you simply swipe your keycard. The bill is settled up at the end of the cruise.

After meeting with the check-in agent, you’re ready to head to the ship as long as the staff is ready to start boarding. If you arrive early, you might have to wait in the terminal until the ship is ready.

Your First Day on a Cruise

The first day on a cruise is actually a bit of a misnomer. The first “day” is more like the first afternoon and evening as boarding generally starts around noon.

For most people, the first stop is to the cabin to drop off their bags and get settled in. This is a chance to find where your room is on the ship and get acquainted with where you’ll be living during your cruise. Note that if boarding early in the day, your room may not be ready yet.

From there, many take the chance to grab a drink and explore the ship a bit. There are also restaurants open where you can get a bite to eat. If you know that you want a drink package, or to reserve your spot in a specialty restaurant, it’s a good time to get those taken care of if you didn’t do so online ahead of time.

On the first day the big event on the ship is the muster drill. By law, cruise ships have to perform this safety drill. These days, it’s largely moved to digital, making it more convenient.

You’ll watch some safety information on your cabin TV or on your phone via the cruise line app. Then, you head to your muster station to check-in and watch a demonstration of putting on a life jacket.

In total the drill takes only a few minutes, and then it’s back to the fun. Don’t try skipping the drill; you sign in with your card and the staff will know who doesn’t show.

Activities are planned throughout the evening, including the “Sail Away” party that’s held on the pool deck. The ship’s casino will open up once the ship is far enough offshore, and of course, bars will have the drinks flowing.

Want to hit the pool? Or grab dinner? The ship is now wide open for you to use. Your vacation has officially started.

What’s Included — and Costs Extra — on a Cruise

One of the most confusing things for first-time cruise passengers is what’s included with your cruise fare. Some people think that cruises are all-inclusive. That’s not usually the case on most lines. In fact, most people spend a substantial amount of money once on the ship. 

The extras you can spend money on range everything from alcohol to restaurants to gambling to souvenirs from the gift shop.

Even so, there are a number of things that are included. Below, we’ve highlighted the major things that are included with your fare, and what’s not.

Note: Some lines have started offering more “all inclusive” fares like NCL’s “Free at Sea” that include things like drink packages and wi-fi with your cruise.

What’s Included

Cabin: Of course with your cruise fare, the cabin is included. On the cruise the cabin is your home away from home. While small, it has everything you need for a week or so at sea. As well, you’ll get daily (or twice daily) steward service.

(Most) Food: Along with your cabin, food is the other major item that’s included on a cruise. What’s a little confusing is that not all food is included on most ships. Things like the buffet and main dining room and snacks are free of charge. Specialty restaurants, however, cost extra.

Entertainment/Activities: For the most part, things to do on the ship are included with your fare. So for the evening shows in the theater, just come in and find a seat. The same goes for most other activities onboard. There is a trend toward charging for some special activities like go-karts on Norwegian Cruise Line. As well, things like gambling and bingo obviously have a charge associated.

Amenities on the Ship: Except in a few rare cases, you have full run of the amenities on the cruise ship when you pay your fare. Want to go hang by the pool? Or maybe you want to work up a sweat in the gym? Or just enjoy many of the public spaces on the ship that are perfect for people watching? They are all available.

Room Service Breakfast: Room service used to all be free, but is trending toward being a charge. Even so, most lines will let you order breakfast for free.

Not Included

Gratuities: So far we haven’t mentioned gratuities, but they are a big expense for a cruise. Cruise lines charge a daily set amount per passenger that is then passed on to people like the room steward and the waitstaff in the dining rooms. Amounts vary by cruise line, but normally gratuities run around $16-$18 per person, per day. So a couple sailing for a week would pay about $220+ in gratuities. This amount can be prepaid when you buy your cruise, or it is charged daily to your onboard account.

Specialty Restaurants: While plenty of food is free, ships these days have a number of specialty restaurants that charge extra for you to eat. These are smaller restaurants that focus on one type of food. While the lineup varies by line and ship, the restaurants that charge are usually the sit-down eateries, with the exception of the main dining room.

Room Service: As mentioned above, you can normally get free room service breakfast, but cruise lines are moving toward charging for other items. So if you want a late-night snack or just want lunch in the cabin, expect to pay. (Don’t forget to tip the person bringing your food a couple of bucks.)

Drinks: Apart from tea, coffee, water and juices, expect to pay for drinks. This includes non-alcoholic beverages like soda, as well as beer, wine, and cocktails. Some cruise lines let you bring on a small amount of non-alcoholic drinks and a bottle of wine/champagne, so be sure to take advantage to save money.

Internet: The good news is that the internet is available on cruise ships, so you can check email, keep up with social media, and in most cases even stream Netflix. The bad news is that it can be pricey. There are different service levels available, but it’s not unusual to pay $15-25+ a day for wi-fi access.

Excursions: Want something to do when the ship is in port? That’s an extra cost. Excursions can be booked before you sail, or you can wait until you get on the ship. There is always a spot where you can go and ask questions about different offerings and book your outing.

What to Pack for Your First Cruise

What to bring with you on a cruise is always a big question. In fact, we’ve covered it in detail on Cruzely with the following articles:

• 39 Useful Things to Pack for a Cruise
• Cruise Packing Checklist: 85 Items to Bring (Printable)
• What to Pack for an Alaskan Cruise

We will assume that you know to pack a swimsuit and a toothbrush for your cruise. Here are a few other things that first-time cruisers might not think to bring but are helpful on a cruise…

Outlet Adapter
While the problem isn’t as big on newer ships where more outlets are included, many older ships have only one or two spots to plug anything in. So if you want to charge your phone and use a hair straightener, then it’s one or the other.

The solution is to pack an inexpensive outlet adapter that provides several plugs in a single space. They can be bought for about $5 each on Amazon and are a lifesaver on a cruise.

Nightlight
Cruise cabins — especially interior rooms with no windows — can get extremely dark at night. Combine that with an unfamiliar space and you’ll no doubt be bumping into things if you need to get up to use the restroom in the middle of the night.

Instead, pack a small nightlight that you can plug in to provide a some illumination. They aren’t big and won’t take up much room in your luggage.

Poo-Pourri
Ok, let’s get real for a moment. Whoever you share a cabin with, you’re going to know them very well after your cruise. Cabins are small and the smells from the bathroom can linger.

That’s why it’s a good idea to bring some air freshener or some Poo-Pourri. This spray isn’t an air freshener, but instead you spray it over the water in the bowl before you go. Your cabinmate will be thankful that you brought it.

Copy of Your Passport/Birth Certificate
For sure you need your real passport or birth certificate with you. But we suggest keeping them in the cabin safe during your trip so that they are secure. Instead, make a color copy of the front page of your passport or your birth certificate and bring this into port with you when you go.

You typically don’t have to show your documents in port. Instead, your cruise keycard and a photo ID (like a license) are asked for. Having a copy of your passport or birth certificate are simply nice to have in case you need it. They will provide something to show any officials in a pinch, and you can keep your real documents safe on the ship.

Towel Clips
Towel clips are cheap and worth their weight in gold. If you cruise, you’ll no doubt spend some time catching some sun. But many people don’t realize that when the ship is underway there is a constant breeze as the ship moves. That means your towel will be whipping around.

Clips help secure the corners of the towel down instead of flying around at your feet and around your face.

Wrinkle-Release Spray
Pack anything into a suitcase — even if only for a few hours — and you’re going to get wrinkles, no matter how careful you fold. As well, due to fire risk, irons aren’t available in cabins. You’ll need to send your items down to the laundry room to get them pressed. 

Instead of that hassle, just pack some wrinkle-release spray. You simply spray it on the wrinkles, smooth them out, and they vanish. 

OTC Medicines
First, any cruise ship will have a small store where you can pick up small items that you might have forgotten at home. But they are expensive (we’ve seen cold medicine for $17 a bottle) and not open around the clock. So if you have a stomachache in the middle of the night or a headache, you don’t want to have to wait… or pay tons of money. 

Instead, bring a little of all types of over-the-counter medicines so that you have whatever you might need no matter what comes up.

Hand Sanitizer
Unfortunately, it’s a new world we live in. Even without the pandemic, things like stomach viruses are relatively common on cruise ships. You should take matters into your own hands, literally.

There will be sanitizer stations all around the ship, but bringing your own means you’ll always have it ready.

Click here for more on what to pack for a cruise.

Disembarkation at the End of Your Trip

Unfortunately, the saying is that all good things must come to an end. That includes your cruise. Don’t think, however, that disembarkation — getting off the ship — is as simple as just hopping off when the ship returns home. There’s a procedure to get thousands of passengers and luggage off the vessel, and it can take a couple of hours from when the ship arrives.

Actually, the disembarkation process begins the night before your cruise. At that time you’ll want to put any bags (with the provided luggage tags) you won’t carry off yourself outside your room. The staff will pick them up, and your bags will be waiting for you in the terminal when you get off the ship the next morning.

On the morning that your ship arrives in port, the ship will first be cleared by the officials. Only then will the ship allow passengers to leave. From there, the ship will call groups to disembark, typically starting with those that are carrying off all of their luggage.

The pace of disembarkation depends on what is going on in the terminal. Passengers need to go through the return process, which involves showing citizenship before they are allowed to leave.

In recent years technology — including passport scanners and facial recognition software — have made this faster at ports that have the latest devices. Even so, those sailing with a birth certificate or ports that still require manual checking of documents can take longer.

In all, the time to get off the ship can vary widely. Some people will get off within 15 minutes of the ship letting passengers exit, while others might not get their turn to leave until 2-3 hours after arrival.

Helpful First-Time Cruise Tips

Need tips for your first cruise? We have dozens and dozens aimed at first-time cruisers here. As well, we’ve included some of our favorites below.

Take Advantage of Drink Policies
Some cruise lines (such as Royal Caribbean and Carnival) allow you to bring on a small amount of non-alcoholic drinks with you when you board. So you can bring on some sodas, juices, teas, or anything else that you like. Take advantage. If your favorite drink isn’t something that’s sold everywhere, then it may not be on the ship. You can also save some money versus buying your drink of choice on the ship.

As well, cruise lines allow you to bring on bottles of champagne or wine (usually one bottle per adult) free of charge. If you’re a wine drinker, there’s no reason not to bring on a bottle to avoid the bar prices.

Know the Ins and Outs of Drink Packages Before Buying
Alcohol is big business on a cruise, and it’s not unusual to spend hundreds on it during the course of a sailing. To help you budget, cruise lines offer “all you can drink” packages. With these deals, you pay one set amount each day and then get to have (almost) whatever you want from the bar.

But before you jump at the deal, you should know some of the details. Most importantly, if you buy the package, you have to buy it for the entire cruise. If there is a day that you don’t want to drink or you are in port (packages only work on the ship and on some private islands), then you likely won’t get your money’s worth.

As well, many cruise lines make every adult in the cabin buy the package if one adult does. This is likely to limit “sharing” of packages (which is against the rules). But if you have one person who drinks and another that doesn’t, then it could waste a lot of money to get the package.

For more on drink package rules, see our article here.

Many Hotels Have Free Cruise Parking
One of the big attractions to cruising is that many people live within driving distance of a port. Instead of having to fly for a Caribbean vacation, you can drive to the port and then hop on a ship.

Of course, that means you need a place to park your car. Parking is always available at the port, but can be expensive. Instead, many hotels near cruise ports offer free or cheap parking if you stay with them the night before your cruise. It’s an easy way to save $100 or more if you plan to stay the night before anyway.

See our list of hotels with cruise parking here.

Don’t Go Naked on the Balcony
First-timers (and frequent cruisers for that matter) often have the same idea — why not enjoy the fresh air on the balcony… everywhere?

It’s tempting with your own private space and a million-dollar view to maybe get some sun on places where the sun doesn’t shine, but just know that balconies aren’t as private as you think. Cabins are close together and there is only a small wall separating each balcony. As well, glass railings can actually reflect the view of one balcony to another.

If you do decide to fully enjoy the balcony on your first cruise, it’s best to wait until night… and make sure the lights are off.

Pack a Passport, Not a Birth Certificate
One good thing about cruising is that you can visit a foreign country with only a birth certificate and a government-issued ID. If your cruise leaves and returns from the same port, then you can likely sail without a passport. That can save you the time and money of getting one.

However, it’s much smarter to sail with a passport. Not only does it give you more flexibility if something happens and you have to fly home in the middle of your cruise, but it can also save you time.

Many homeports have moved to facial recognition scanning to help passengers disembark more quickly. You walk up, take a picture that compares with your passport, and then head on your way home. But if you have a birth certificate, you often still need to wait in line to meet with a Border Patrol agent, which can take half an hour or more.

Always Pack a Little for Cool Weather
Of course cruises go everywhere, but the Caribbean is the biggest cruise hot spot in the world. And when you think about sailing there for the first time, you likely picture tons of sun, warm water, and swimsuits.

But at night on the ship, it can get cool. As the sun sets things cool off, but also the ship will be sailing at night, adding a stiff breeze. Even indoors the air conditioner can be chilly. It’s smart to pack something for those breezy nights like a light jacket and some long pants. If you only bring tank tops and shorts, you’re going to get cold.

Get Back to the Ship Early
Whenever you head into port, the staff will make it very clear when the “all-aboard” time is for your return. This isn’t a suggestion. YouTube has tons of videos of “pier runners” — people running back to the ship as it is about to depart. Cruise ships have a tight schedule, and if you think you can arrive fashionably late to get back on the ship, think again.

Instead, always be back to the ship half an hour before the all-board time. This gives you a little extra cushion should something come up, but also ensures you should be back well before the ship departs and you turn into a YouTube viral video.

Try not to Schedule a Flight Home Before Noon
Each year millions of cruise passengers fly into port cities to start their cruise. That means they will also be flying back home.

Now, no one wants to spend hours and hours just waiting in an airport, but it’s important that if you are flying, try not to schedule your flight before noon. Yes, it is possible that you will make a noon flight in plenty of time, but you don’t want to risk missing your plane home.

Cruise ships arrive back in port early in the morning, but it can be several hours before everyone is off the ship. As well, you then have to get to the airport, get through security, and find your gate. A departure time of noon or later gives you plenty of time so you don’t have to stress if there is a delay getting to the airport.

Formal Night Doesn’t Mean Tux (But It Can!)
Formal night poses one big question: What do I wear to dinner? The answer is likely much more lenient than you expected.

First things first, if you want to wear a tuxedo and a formal evening gown, you won’t be out of place. Some people do. But if you want to simply wear a nice shirt/pants (men) or a nice blouse (women), then that’s perfectly acceptable and won’t be out of place.

In fact, the only rules are things like shorts and tank tops aren’t allowed. 

Don’t want to get dressed up on your cruise? That’s ok, too. Formal nights are only a couple of nights on a week-long cruise. If you don’t want to participate, you can just eat somewhere other than the main dining room during those nights. While you’ll see people dressed up around the ship, formal night only applies to dinner. You’re not expected to be dressed up if you are just around the ship. (See more details about formal night here.)

Things That Surprise First-Timer Cruisers

When you sail for the first time, there is so much that is new. At the same time, cruising is very different from any other vacation. Combined, that leads to plenty of surprises.

See our full list of things that surprise first-time cruisers here.

Gratuities on Every Service
We’ve discussed the daily gratuities that are charged to your account. But there are other gratuities on the ship. Any time you buy a drink, or a meal, or get a spa service — any sort of service that’s delivered by a staff member — you can expect an extra charge on top of the menu price.

This extra charge normally runs 18-20% (rates vary by cruise line) and is automatically applied. So if you order a cocktail with a $10 menu price, expect it to actually cost you about $12.

One other thing to note is that even after this gratuity is applied, your receipt that you sign will have a line for an additional tip. You aren’t obligated to give more, but if you’re happy with your service, it’s there to show your appreciation.

How Stable the Ships Are On the Water
Worried about seasickness? It impacts some people, but if you are thinking the ship will be rocking and rolling the entire time, think again. Most days you’ll likely not even notice you are on the water.

Thanks to the size of cruise ships and stabilization features, the sailing is normally smooth. There are definitely times when you feel the ship move, but apart from a few outlying cases, chances are it will be clear sailing for your cruise.

Still, it’s a good idea to bring along some sort of seasickness remedy if you’re worried. It’s better to have it and not need it than to be without.

How You Can Get “Lost” On the Ship
Cruise ships are big, and the first couple of days you’ll likely be turned around trying to navigate the ship. Even to veteran cruise passengers, new ships can be a maze to figure out until they get their bearings.

The good news is there are maps everywhere around the ship to help you find your way. They are usually located near stairwells or elevators. As well, the cruise line apps on your phone always have maps of the ship as well. Don’t be embarrassed to stop and look for directions. You definitely won’t be alone!

All the Sales Pitches You’ll See
If you think that you’re done spending money once you buy your ticket to cruise, think again. Cruise lines depend on the money that passengers spend on the ship, and they have lots of pitches throughout the cruise.

You’ll get announcements about sales over the ship’s loudspeaker. You’ll get flyers on your door telling you about offers. And the daily schedule will also highlight daily deals.

If you haven’t cruised before, the advertising can be surprising. Just be prepared.

You Can Still Find Quiet Spots on the Ship
For all the thousands of people on a cruise ship, you might think that it would be shoulder to shoulder the entire trip.

It couldn’t be further from the truth. In general, cruise ships are no more crowded than a busy shopping center or restaurant. And that’s only certain places at certain times. For example, hit the casino at 10 p.m. and it will be buzzing with activity. But during the afternoon, it will be largely empty.

No matter what time of day, however, you’ll be able to find quiet spots on the ship. The promenades on lower decks tend to be less busy, as do the outdoor areas at the ends of the ship. The pool deck in general is also largely quiet in the evening and nighttime.

Frequently Asked Questions About Your First Cruise

What do I do if I have an issue on the ship?
Have bad service? Or maybe an incorrect charge to your account? Or anything else under the sun? Head to Guest Services.

Every ship will have a Guest Services desk that is staffed 24 hours a day. They can help with any issue you have, or at least point you in the right direction. Keep in mind that the lines can get long at the start and the end of the cruise (when people have the most questions about their accounts), so going during off-peak hours will ensure you don’t spend your vacation in line.

When should I schedule a flight back?
As mentioned above, if you are flying home then we suggest not booking a flight before at least noon. Ships get in early, but it can take several hours to get thousands of passengers and their luggage off the ship and through customs. Add to that the time it takes to get to the airport, through security, and to your gate before boarding begins.

If you schedule for noon, there’s always the chance you may arrive earlier, but it’s not worth the risk. Having some extra time will make debarking the ship much less stressful instead of having to constantly check your watch.

Do I have to get a passport to sail?
For many cruises, a passport is not actually required. Most of your standard cruises that begin and end at the same port — such as a five-day cruise from Miami to the Bahamas and back — are known as “closed loop cruises.” These trips fall under a provision that allows you to sail with just a birth certificate and a photo ID (ID is required for passengers 16 year or older).

Even so, it’s a good idea to get a passport. Passports can allow for faster re-entry into the U.S. but are also helpful in the event that you need to head home in the middle of the cruise. You’ll have to jump through bureaucratic hurdles if you need to fly home from a foreign country without a passport.

What’s the difference between cruise lines?
Every cruise line does things a little differently, so no two lines are exactly the same. But in general, we find that the experience is largely the same when it comes to the mass-market lines like Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and the like.

These lines have broad appeal, with ships that have something for everyone. There are kids clubs for the little ones, spas, casinos, pools, hot tubs, theaters, and more. Put frankly, if you can’t have a good time, it’s your own fault.

While each cruise line has their devotees, we think you’ll be happy with any of them.

For the differences between each line, you can read more here.

How do I pay my bill at the end of the trip?
Ah, the bill. You get to have all the fun on a cruise… but then you have to pay.

When you check in for your cruise, you’ll use a credit card (or cash deposit) to attach to your account. Then, spending on the ship is done via your room keycard, which you use like a credit card on the ship.

At the end of the cruise, you’ll get an itemized bill. Assuming there are no issues, the amount will be charged to your credit card after the cruise. If you do have issues, be sure to see Guest Services before you leave.

Related Articles:

• 57 Must-Have Tips, Advice, and Info For First-Time Cruisers
• 22 Basic Things Every First-Time Cruiser Should Know
• 39 Useful Things to Pack For Your Cruise (Including 17 You’d Never Think Of)
  

The post Taking Your First Cruise: Complete Guide to What to Know Before Sailing first appeared on Cruzely.com.

Truth is, there are lots of little items that can make your trip go a lot smoother, yet most people don’t think about packing them. And they also won’t break the bank but are worth their weight in gold.

That’s why we’ve rounded up 15 things you’ll want to bring on your next cruise that all cost under $10…

Note: The links to Amazon used below are affiliate links. Should you make a purchase, we receive a small percentage of the sale at no extra cost to you.

Outlet Adapter

If you’re a cruising veteran, then you know an outlet adapter is one of the most important things to pack. If sailing an older ship, many cabins have only one plug to power your electric items, so bringing a small adapter to increase the number of outlets is a necessity.  Newer ships are better about plug space, but we like to pack an adapter just in case. Specifically, we like this compact one that only costs about $6-8.

Cell Phone Dry Case

Sure, you used to be able to cruise and leave your cell phone in the cabin. But these days you use everything from the phone’s camera to take pictures to downloading cruise line apps that have schedules and maps. That’s not to mention using your phone to actually keep in touch. If you want to make sure it stays dry while by the pool or on an excursion, then spending $8 on this one from Amazon is the best investment you can make.

Wrinkle Release Spray

Iron? While on a vacation? Like that’s going to happen (they don’t even let you have an iron in the cabin anyway). Instead, a cheap bottle of wrinkle-release spray can easily do the trick without the hassle of having to get your clothes ironed by the laundry staff. Best of all, bottles cost only a few bucks and are small enough to pack on a flight.

Over-the-Door Shoe Organizer

No, you shouldn’t bring so many shoes that you need an organizer for them all. That would be way too much to pack. Instead, you can use the pockets of one of these organizers to keep items tucked away. Put everything from phones to toiletries to sunscreen and keep it out of your way while also knowing exactly where it is. Best of all, it’s only $10.

Magnetic Hooks

While you can’t tell at first glance, the ceilings and walls of most cruise cabins are made of metal. That makes magnetic hooks really helpful to pack. Put up a couple of these in your cabin and you have a great place to hang swimsuits and towels to dry without having them take up the bathroom. We also like to use them to hang hats.

Ziploc Bags

From packing to keeping things dry, a few Ziploc bags can be a lifesaver. Keep a handful in your luggage and put them to use organizing when you pack. They are great for keeping toiletries separate from other luggage and the gallon-sized bags can keep your dirty socks/underwear from mingling with clean stuff. As well, using a Ziploc to hold your phone and other important items is a quick and easy way to keep them dry.

Cruise Card Lanyard

If you’ve never been on a cruise, then you might be surprised at how much you use the keycard you are given at the start of your trip. It acts as your room key, but also like a credit card for things purchased on the ship, and a boarding pass when you exit/return to the ship. In other words, you are constantly using your card throughout the trip. Instead of having to dig in pockets, many people bring a cheap lanyard to keep the card convenient. There are a ton of different styles available for less than $10.

Cabin Nightlight

Ever stubbed your toe on a piece of furniture? Then you know why you need a nightlight. Cabins — especially those on the windowless interior of the ship — can get really dark. Combine that with an unfamiliar layout that you aren’t used to, and it’s a recipe for bumping into things in the middle of the night. A cheap nightlight (these are two for about $10) is a must have.

One good thing is that some ships are recognizing the issue and keeping the bathroom light dim, even when it is off. With the door closed, that helps provide a little unobtrusive light.

Air Freshener/Potty Spray

It should be a rule that before you marry someone, you need to spend a week on a cruise with them. If two people can share a bathroom in a small cabin for a week straight, then you know it’s true love.

To help out, bring some air freshener with you. This spray goes directly into the toilet and provides a cover over the water to trap smells. Cabins don’t have vent fans in the bathroom, so be warned. As an added tip, you can also scout out a public bathroom that’s out of the way (for privacy) if you don’t want to use the cabin toilet.

Wine Bottle Protector

If you plan to drink on a cruise, we highly recommend that you bring a bottle of wine. It’s one of the few beverages that cruise lines will let you bring aboard, making it an easy way to save some cash instead of buying wine at a bar on the ship.

If you do pack wine, put it in your carry-on. As well, protect it with something like this $10 bottle protector (2-pack) to keep it from getting accidentally broken during boarding.

Corkscrew

There’s nothing worse than bringing a bottle of wine… and forgetting the corkscrew. Having to cut out a cork is no fun and leads to spitting out little bits of it as you sip your wine. Simply throwing a cheap (this one is $6 on Amazon) corkscrew in your luggage right now makes sure you’ll have one when it’s cruise time.

Towel Clips

Everyone thinks about getting some sun on the deck of a cruise ship, but few people actually think about the reality. Being on a vessel that can cruise 20 mph or more means there’s a constant breeze when setting sail. And if you’re trying to relax on a deckchair, the wind is going to be whipping at you and your towel. A few towel clips can keep that towel secure so you don’t have to fight it while trying to lay back and get some sun. These are about $6-7 for an 8-pack.

Seasickness Medication

A little tip — if the boat gets rocky there are often free seasickness pills at the Guest Services desk. A better tip — you are much better off bringing your own so that you have them at your disposal whenever you need them. Given that a pack only costs a few bucks, it is well worth it to bring them on board with you.

Travel Bottles 

Cruise ships are like hotels in that they provide guests with shampoo and soap in the cabin. Still, most of us have particular brands that we like to use. That’s why having some travel bottles are good to have. In addition, small bottles make perfect containers for sunscreen so you don’t have to carry around a huge bottle when you are in port. This set is under $8.

A Lightweight Bag/Backpack

If you’re headed into port, then you won’t be going empty handed. From towels to a change of clothes to anything else you might need, the amount of stuff you take into port quickly adds up. Bringing along a lightweight collapsible backpack is a lifesaver. It can fold up to nothing to fit in your luggage but carry plenty when you need it. Best of all, the bag shown above is one we personally use and is just $9.

More Cruise Packing Ideas:

• 39 Useful Things to Pack For Your Cruise (Including 17 You’d Never Think Of)
• THE Cruise Packing Checklist: 85 Items To Bring (Printable)

The post 15 Things Under $10 to Have For Your Next Cruise first appeared on Cruzely.com.