8 Things No One Tells You About Your First Cruise (But You’ll Wish You Knew)
What are some things no one tells you about before embarking on your first cruise? Booking your first cruise is exciting, but there’s a lot you don’t realize until you’re on board.
After cruising for over 20 years, I’ve forgotten what it’s like to be a first-time cruiser—until recently, when I sailed with family who had never been on a cruise ship before. They didn’t know what to expect beyond the obvious, and I’ll admit, I probably overwhelmed them with the hundreds of cruise tips I’ve picked up over the years.
But as we planned and sailed together, a few things stood out. Watching their amazement and surprise reminded me just how much first-timers have to take in—things I now consider second nature. So, let me share the key insights I noticed during their first cruise. From cruising quirks to hidden costs, here’s what you wish you knew before setting sail.
1. Your Luggage Won’t Arrive Right Away
Unlike a hotel, your luggage doesn’t show up as soon as you do—unless you plan to carry it onto the ship yourself (which isn’t usually recommended since cabins won’t be ready until later to drop it off). Porters will check in your bags at the terminal, and crew members deliver them throughout the afternoon. It’s common for your luggage to take a few hours to arrive at your stateroom.
Pack anything you’ll need for the first day—like a swimsuit, medications, or important documents—in your embarkation day carry-on to avoid stress. That way, you can explore the ship and start enjoying your vacation while waiting for your bags.
2. The Ship’s Card Is Your Everything
Your cruise card (or wearable band/medallion, depending on the cruise line) is much more than a room key—it’s your onboard charge card, your ID for getting on and off the ship, and essentially your lifeline during the cruise.
Lose it, and things can get complicated. I lost mine once, and thankfully, Guest Relations was able to print me a new one right away. But the thought of losing it while off the ship? That’s a scenario I don’t even want to imagine.
To keep it safe and easy to access, many cruisers swear by card holders. Lanyards are the most popular option, but wristbands, clips, and even phone wallets are designed to securely hold your cruise card. Find what works best for you, and make sure it’s always within reach.
3. You Can’t Ignore the Muster Drill
Every cruiser must attend a safety drill before sailing—no exceptions. If you miss it, best case, you’ll have to attend a make-up drill. Worst case? You could be removed from the ship at the next port.
Thankfully, the muster drill is much easier now than it used to be. Unless you’re sailing with a smaller cruise line, gone are the days of standing in the heat with hundreds of people. Most ships now let you watch the safety video on their app or in your cabin before embarkation. After that, you’ll just need to check in at your designated muster station onboard.
It’s mandatory, so don’t skip it—this quick step makes sure everyone knows what to do in case of an emergency.
4. The First Day Can Feel Chaotic
The first day on a cruise can feel a little hectic as you get your bearings. Everyone is busy exploring the ship, booking last-minute reservations, and grabbing food at the same time. Elevators? Packed. Buffet? A madhouse—try to avoid it if you can.
Instead, consider heading to a less crowded dining option, like a sit-down restaurant, for a more relaxed meal. Explore the ship either early as soon as you book or later in the day when things settle down. Once everyone can start getting into their cabins, public spaces will begin to settle.
5. You’ll Feel the Ship Move—Even in Calm Water
You will feel the ship move, but it’s more subtle than you think. You may be too busy enjoying your vacation that you won’t even notice until you look outside your balcony and realize that you’re out at see. Even the big ships have some motion. You will probably notice some slight swaying if the weather picks up. If you’re sensitive to motion, bring Dramamine or Seabands just in case.
The smoothest sailing I’ve ever had was to Alaska on the NCL Encore. I think it’s because it’s scenic cruising at its finest, so we can take in those breathtaking views.
6. Drinks and Bottled Water Are Not Included
Food is never a problem on a cruise ship—you’ll have no shortage of options. Coffee, tea, juice, and filtered water are included on most ships and are easy to find throughout the buffet and dining areas. But drinks beyond that are a different story.
Many first-time cruisers are surprised to learn that soda, specialty coffee, alcoholic beverages, and even bottled water usually cost extra. Cruise lines often offer drink packages for unlimited beverages, but these can be pricey, especially for longer sailings. It’s worth calculating if a package makes sense for your drinking habits before you buy.
Tip: Bring a reusable water bottle to fill onboard—the water is safe to drink and actually tastes pretty good. Also, check your cruise line’s beverage policy; some allow you to bring limited amounts of wine, soda, or even a case of water. This can save you money on your cruise if you plan ahead.
7. Debarkation Day Is a Hurry-Up-and-Wait Situation
You won’t be able to hang out on the ship all morning. Guests are usually required to be out of their staterooms by 8 AM and off the ship by 9-9:30 AM. Though some cruise lines, like Virgin Voyages, give you a bit more time, with a last call at 10:30 AM.
The truth is, disembarking the cruise ship can feel like a slow process, especially if you decide not to walk your luggage off and are waiting for your group to be called. It’s a lot of hurry up and wait—you wake up early to get ready and leave your cabin before you’re kicked out, only to end up waiting to be called. And, getting through customs can either be a quick breeze or involve long lines.
Plus, it’s a sad day for everyone. The excitement of the trip is over, and it’s time to say goodbye to the ship, your room, and all those vacation vibes.
Tip: Don’t book a flight that flies out before noon unless you love stress.
8. You’ll Want to Book Your Next Cruise Before This One Ends
It’ll be no surprise, but halfway through your cruise, you’ll likely realize how much you love it and find yourself booking the next one before this trip even ends. Cruise lines make it easy with special offers that tempt you to secure another cruise while you’re still on board. Reduced deposits, onboard credit, and other perks can make it hard to resist.
On a recent cruise, NCL was running a Triple Cruise Next Deposit sale that was just too good to pass up. It’s always a good idea to have something exciting to look forward to.
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Kathy Ava
Meet Kathy Ava, a food, travel, and cruise writer based in Los Angeles/Pasadena, and the owner and main writer of Tasty Itinerary. With over 20 years of experience planning trips and logistics at her full-time job and for herself, she's become a pro at crafting unforgettable tasty itineraries. She's always on the hunt for delicious, fun travel destinations and cruise itineraries. She firmly believes that life is short and we must make the most of it, so always say yes to dessert.