When it’s your first time cruising, it’s easy to miss something you need. Not only is your first cruise exciting, there is also a lot of stuff to learn, and keep track of. Don’t forget the basic advice with our handy list of five first time cruising tips to make sure your first cruise goes smoothly.
Number 1: Remember the Sunscreen
This is probably the single most common mistake cruisers make. You booked a Caribbean cruise to have fun in the sun. But without sunscreen that’s at least SPF 15 or higher you’re going to bring the heat back with you. Go ahead a buy something with a couple of extra sun protection factors, and make sure it’s waterproof. Otherwise, you may spend your first week back home wearing shorts or a dress because it’s just too painful to wear slacks.
Number 2: Don’t Forget to Plan Your Days in Port
Before you depart for your cruise, do your research and figure out what you want to see and do while you’re in port. Even regularly visited ports on inexpensive cruises, like Freeport and Nassau, have plenty of things to do. Not just on the beach, but inland and in town. If you wait until the last minute to plan your port calls then you’ll find that all the excursions are full and that even the tour guides who hang out by the docks have already left. Do your research and book your excursions well in advance.
Number 3: Don’t Forget the Crew
The crew aboard the ship travels for a living, and they routinely visit the ports of call you’re visiting for the very first time. They can point out everything from the best internet cafes to the best hole-in-the-wall local hotspots. Which may be your chief concern if you forget number 2 on the list. Don’t forget the ship’s officers, crew, and hospitality staff when you find yourself in search of something in port, or aboard the ship, and maybe think of a small way to thank them for the advice.
Number 4: Don’t Ignore the Ship’s Newsletter
When you first board the ship, you’ll find the ship’s newsletter waiting for you. More than a brochure, it details every single day of a ship’s itinerary and what is being offered aboard. Throughout your cruise it will be supplemented with handouts and announcements that keep it, and you, up to date. It is well worth your time to go through it thoroughly and highlight the things you don’t want to miss. It’s the easiest way to tell the can’t miss from the can-do-without.
Number 5: Bring a Watch
Most people use their cellphones to keep track of time on land. That doesn’t work very well onboard a cruise ship for a variety of reasons. Instead, pick up a cheap old-fashioned wristwatch and keep it set to the ship’s time. It’s cheaper than running up data charges on a cell phone, or booking a last minute flight to try to catch your cruise at the next port. Before you step off the ship check with the crew and make sure that you have it set to the correct time.
Finally, our favorite of all first time cruising tips, one of the easiest ways to save and make sure you don’t miss your cruise is to take care of your onshore needs with Go Port. Book a Fly Snooze Cruise or Snooze Park Cruise package that includes all your transportation, accommodation, and parking needs in one convenient low price package.
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