First Time Cruisers

Cruising is often described as a luxury floating hotel in which a traveler wakes up to a new destination every morning! Specific amenities vary by cruise line, but where available and unless otherwise indicated, the following are included in your cruise fare: delicious dining, a well-appointed stateroom, most drinks including coffee, tea, and water, room service, and most onboard entertainment — Broadway-style shows, piano bars, poolside entertainment, and main stage comedy and magic acts. A variety of onboard activities are also included, such as waterslides, bingo, trivia contests, cooking demonstrations, live stage shows, karaoke nights, rock climbing, sport courts, children's programs, and the use of fitness center equipment. Some cruise lines — such as river and luxury — offer an all-inclusive experience that includes boutique wines, spirits, and specialty coffees with meals, and may even include shore excursions.

With new state-of-the-art cruise ships it's easy to find something exciting to do onboard, however not all features are included in your cruise fare. Each cruise line is unique, so be sure to check pricing for any additional spending you do onboard. The following are generally not included in the fare, unless otherwise indicated: specialty coffees, sodas, and alcoholic beverages; meals in alternative or specialty restaurants; spa and salon services; exercise classes like yoga and Pilates; casino gaming; organized shore excursions; laundry; photographs taken by the crew; medical services; and gratuities. Your Cruise Consultant can walk you through exactly what's included on the ship you've chosen.

Your fellow passengers will come from many different cultural backgrounds, and tipping is not customary in many cultures. Over the years, cruise lines have adopted minimum service charges or gratuities per day. There are exceptions — special promotions or varying cruise line policies — however, gratuities or service charges are generally added to your shipboard account. Tipping is not mandatory but is certainly appreciated, especially if a crew member has gone above and beyond to make your voyage special. Crew members work hard to ensure your onboard experience is enjoyable and comfortable, and a tip is an exemplary form of thank you. Sometimes your verbal admiration goes a long way in making someone who gave you exceptional service feel appreciated.

There is never a dull moment aboard a cruise ship — with onboard events such as live performances, impromptu poolside parties, cooking classes, enrichment activities, adult-only decks, water activities, specialty programs, and a whole lot more, you'll always have something to keep you busy. How you choose to spend your day onboard is entirely up to you! Each cruise line is different, but every cruise line is designed to optimize your vacation adventure or help you relax onboard, whichever you choose. No matter which cruise line you choose, you can expect gracious and exceptional service — all you have to do is decide what activity you want to partake in next. For an experience of being completely pampered, some cruise lines even offer Butler service in your stateroom!

The dress code on ships varies from contemporary casual to formal. Many cruise lines will have a formal night, and you can check your itinerary before setting sail to confirm whether formal wear for one or two nights is required. Over the years, cruising has become contemporary and larger cruise lines have incorporated facets that appeal to all types of passengers. The nautical sailing outfits, formal gowns, and tuxedos of the past are now only required on certain formal evenings — and for some cruise lines are completely optional. As a general rule of thumb, resort wear is a good option for every cruise line: sundresses, skirts, golf shirts, and slacks. Swimwear is generally limited to the poolside, and a cover-up is required for lunch in the lido dining rooms. Shorts and swimwear are never permitted in the dining rooms during dinner, and in some cases neither are jeans and caps.

Morning: Start your day with a reinvigorating workout at the fitness center or a rejuvenating yoga session, coupled with a hearty and healthy breakfast. You can head to one of the specialty restaurants, buffets, or bistros onboard, or enjoy an array of breakfast selections in the main dining rooms. Once breakfast is done, it's time to enjoy one of the many activities available! Noon: Hopefully by now you've had a refreshing swim, mastered a chocolate soufflé in a cooking class, or taken an enriching onboard lecture. Head to one of the exceptional dining venues for lunch — whether you're craving sushi, pizza, or a healthy salad, there's something for everyone. Then head to the spa for a massage, lounge on an adult-only deck with a book, or catch a movie as the sun sets. Evening: Enjoy the perfect cocktail in one of the lounges, try your hand at Blackjack in the casino, take in a Broadway-style show, dance the night away, grab a quick bite at the midnight buffet, and retreat to your elegant stateroom to rest for the next big day ahead!

Cruise lines are continuously evolving and investing millions of dollars to deliver the most innovative and creative onboard amenities and features. Today's ships are destinations in themselves, offering everything from rock climbing walls and waterslides to surf simulators, skydiving simulators, escape rooms, mini-golf, basketball courts, and ice skating rinks. You can attend wine tastings, art auctions, dance classes, and enrichment lectures. Many ships feature world-class spas with thermal suites, adults-only retreats, and multi-level water parks. Whether you want to be active or simply relax by the pool with a good book, there's something for everyone — and the best part is, you can do as much or as little as you like.

With so many cruise lines, ships, and itineraries to choose from, picking your first cruise can feel overwhelming — but that's where we come in! Consider what matters most to you: the destination, the size of the ship, the length of the cruise, the onboard atmosphere (family-friendly vs. adults-only), and your budget. A shorter three or four-day cruise is a great way to test the waters for first-timers. If you prefer a more relaxed pace with fewer ports, a sea-day-heavy itinerary might be perfect. River cruises offer an intimate, destination-focused experience with smaller ships that dock in the heart of each town. Our Cruise Consultants know the character of each ship and cruise line and will match you with the perfect first voyage.

A little preparation goes a long way toward a smooth first cruise. Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your return date. Check whether you need a visa for any of your ports of call. Consider purchasing travel insurance to protect your vacation investment. Pack smart: resort wear for the day, smart-casual attire for dinner, and a light jacket for cool evenings at sea. Bring motion sickness remedies just in case, and a universal power adapter if your cruise departs from outside North America. Most importantly, arrive at your departure port a day early to avoid any travel delays. Your Cruise Consultant will provide a detailed pre-cruise checklist tailored to your specific itinerary.

There's nothing like the excitement of looking forward to your dream vacation! Feel free to contact us any time for more information, and we'll make the process as simple as possible. We'll work with you to find the ideal vacation, and make your booking experience for your bucket list destinations seamless! Generally, a low refundable deposit is required at the time of booking, and full payment is required closer to the sailing date. We can help you book a cruise up to 18 months in advance. If you're comfortable searching your own itineraries and booking online, our online booking tool is perfectly safe and easy to use.

When you purchase a "category guarantee" you are not purchasing an exact stateroom. You are, rather, guaranteeing a cabin in a certain category. The cruise line will place you in that cabin category or higher depending on availability. If you chose this option, you will not receive an exact stateroom number at the time of booking. Your assignment is made either a couple of weeks prior to sailing or at the pier.