6 things every traveler should know when embarking on their first cruise
There are an increasing number of cruise options catering to various types of travelers, from luxury expeditions to family trips, and even adult-oriented lines for those seeking more adventurous experiences. Journalist Chris Dong embarked on his first cruise as an adult with an open mind and an empty stomach.
Apart from the concept of a floating hotel at sea, which can be daunting for first-time cruisers, Chris Dong found himself relinquishing control of the itinerary to someone else. In other words, much of his meticulous Type A travel planning and intensive trip supervision had to be set aside, as reported by The Washington Post.
Chris Dong shared six lessons from his inaugural cruise, focusing on costs and planning.
1. Plan your time both on the ship and on land carefully.
For his voyage, Chris Dong chose a week-long Mediterranean journey aboard the 1,400-stateroom Valiant Lady, one of three mid-sized ships operated by Richard Branson's Virgin Voyages brand. While the itinerary featured numerous stops along the rugged French and Spanish coastline, it also highlighted a common mistake for first-time travelers: attempting to cram too much into one port of call.
Avoid trying to do everything while ashore. Rushing through activities will hinder your ability to truly experience the destination. Most cruises only offer limited time in port during the day, or at most, one night.
Chris found this out the hard way on one of his first days in port, trying to squeeze in a day of sightseeing in Nice, the medieval village of Eze, and the state of Monaco.
On cruises where you stay in one place for less than 24 hours, the whole point is to get a preliminary idea of the destination, not to completely immerse yourself in it. Besides, I recommend choosing one activity - say, sea kayaking along the French Riviera - or exploring one specific area (in my case, one city) to have enough time to get back to the ship.
2. Explore the atmosphere of your cruise line and ship
Cruise lines - and even individual ships - come in all different shapes and sizes, and each one has its own special vibe. Don't be fooled by the stereotype of the one-size-fits-all cruise ship.
There are boomer cruise lines, family cruise lines, gay cruises, nudist cruises. You get the idea. Virgin Voyages has made a splash by serving only adults since its maiden voyage in 2021. Travelers under the age of 18 are not allowed on board. Virgin's branding is also somewhat irreverent and designed to appeal to a diverse and eclectic audience. It is a little seductive, a little risky, and sometimes both. A significant portion of guests identify as LGBTQ+.
3. What you pay in advance is not necessarily the full cost of your cruise
Although it is often assumed that cruises are mostly all-inclusive, there are a number of additional costs that can cause "price tag shock" at the end of the trip.
First of all, cruises usually operate on a cashless basis, so a simple tap of your key card or wristband (linked to your credit card) is enough to make transactions on board. It's hassle-free and maybe even too easy.
Do you like this low price for a cruise? Don't forget about the many fees. Then factor in some basic expenses such as alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. (Cappuccinos, fresh juices, and the like are usually not included.) Of course, spa treatments, casinos, and possibly even tattoos (yes, they are offered aboard Virgin Voyages) can quickly add up and inflate the initial price tag. Do not forget about tips, which on some cruise lines can be up to $20 per person per day.
Finally, if you plan to spend time on land (and you should), you should consider the costs involved. While you can often pre-book land-based activities before you sail, you'll have to decide whether to do it yourself or through the ship's shore excursion service. The former may be more cost-effective, but the latter is more convenient - and ensures that the ship doesn't sail without you.
4. Expect there to be lines even if your cruise is not full
If you're traveling on a medium or large ship, you can't do without it. While some premium cruise lines do allocate more space per person, the physics of the limited space on a ship with several thousand passengers (plus crew) means you should expect lines for a variety of daily activities.
During my particular sailing, the ship was only half full, but there were still significant lines to get on and off the ship (perhaps the biggest bottleneck for large ships), as well as for the buses running to and from the port. While this may not seem like a big deal, you have to factor in a line for anything, like getting into an evening show or waiting for your turn in the photo booth.
Don't get me wrong: there are plenty of nooks and crannies where you can get zen, but it's just not possible to feel carefree all the time on a big ship.
5. Arrive at the place of departure in advance
Try to arrive at the boarding point as early as possible, ideally the day before. Flight delays and travel hassles can ruin your entire itinerary before you even get up in the air.
And during peak travel periods, such as summer, the system cannot work without fail: A single flight delay can mean the difference between making it on time to your cruise or missing it entirely.
If possible, arrive in the port city a few days before departure and see the city. In my case, Barcelona was the starting point of my week-long trip. I used this opportunity to taste Spanish tapas, stroll along Passeig de Gracia, and see Gaudi's iconic creations.
6. Try everything on the ship at least once
If you're traveling on a large ship, chances are there are plenty of restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues. Give each experience a try and then revisit the ones you really enjoyed.
On Virgin Voyages, I dined at each of the main dining venues for several evenings in a row. Then, on the 6th day, I decided which one to return to for an encore.
