10 Things I Wish I Knew Before My First Cruise

When I booked my very first cruise, I was beyond excited. But I’ll be honest, I also made a few mistakes that I wish someone had warned me about. That’s why I’m sharing the 10 things I wish I knew before my first cruise, so you can avoid the same slip-ups. These are in no particular order. Some might be more important to you than others, and that’s totally fine.

10. Don’t Overspend on Unnecessary Extras

On my first cruise, I thought I had to book every specialty restaurant, every activity, and buy the biggest drink package. I quickly learned that spending more doesn’t always mean a better experience. One of my favorite cruises ever was when I kept things simple, enjoying the free dining and activities included in my fare. Trust me, you can have a blast without breaking the bank.

9. Bring a Jacket

Yes, even in the Caribbean. Cruise ships run the A/C full blast, and the evening sea breeze can feel surprisingly cool. Packing a light jacket or sweater keeps you comfortable, whether you are inside or enjoying the deck at night.

8. Embarkation Day is Your Friend

Boarding day can feel hectic with lines, luggage, and crowds. My tip? Head straight to the buffet and relax. If your stateroom isn’t ready yet, grab lunch, tour the ship, and soak in the excitement.

Bring a carry-on bag so you can change into your swimsuit and hit the pool while waiting for your luggage. It’s also a great time to get organized: set up your WiFi if you have a package, confirm your drink package, and get your muster drill done before the Sail Away Party. Trust me, doing this early makes the whole cruise smoother.

7. Try Self-Assist Disembarkation

Most people leave their luggage outside their cabin the night before disembarkation. If you pack light, self-assist is much faster. Roll your own bag off the ship and skip the crowds waiting for their luggage. It’s such a simple hack that makes leaving the ship a breeze.

6. Don’t Lock Yourself Into the Main Dining Room Every Night

The main dining room is beautiful and fun, but after a few nights, you might get tired of the routine. Formal nights especially can take up to two hours, which means you could miss out on evening shows and activities.

I like to mix it up with the buffet, grab-and-go spots, and other casual venues. You don’t have to sit through a formal dinner every night to enjoy your cruise. In fact, some of my best nights at sea came from grabbing something quick to eat and heading straight to a show or live music.

5. Catch at Least One Sunrise

One of my absolute favorite parts of every cruise is waking up early and walking around the ship. The halls are quiet, the decks are empty, and the whole ship feels peaceful. I love ending up on the top deck with a cup of tea in my hand, watching the sun rise over the horizon.

I’ll be honest, I didn’t do this on my very first cruise. But now, it’s a must for me on every sailing. It’s such a calm and beautiful way to start your day, and it’s a little moment to just breathe, reflect, and appreciate being on vacation. If you’re not a morning person, I get it, but at least try to catch one sunrise. You’ll remember it forever.

4. Join the Sail Away Party

This is the official kickoff for your cruise. Everyone is excited, there is music, dancing, and the views as the ship leaves port are stunning. Believe it or not, on my very first cruise, I missed the Sail Away Party. I guess I hadn’t done enough research at that time, and I was so focused on getting my stateroom ready.

It was a girls’ cruise, and we were four of us sharing one tiny room, can you believe that? We were juggling getting our dresses ready for the formal nights, ironing everything, and trying to get settled, and by the time we looked up, the party was over.

Now I tell everyone: don’t miss it. It sets the tone for your cruise. You’ll dance, laugh, and soak in the energy as the ship pulls away. Even if you are shy, grab a drink, smile, and enjoy the moment.

3. Try to Walk as Much as Possible

Skip the elevators when you can. They are always packed, and those extra steps help balance out all the delicious food you’ll be eating. Walking around also gives you a chance to explore the ship, take in the views, and maybe make a few friends along the way.

2. Formal Night is a Big Deal

Most seven-day cruises have one or two formal nights. Dress up, take pictures, and soak in the vibe. It’s fun to get fancy even if you normally prefer jeans and sneakers. Your cruise photos will thank you later.

1. Don’t Skip Your Mini Pharmacy

I’m not talking about prescription medications. You definitely need those. I mean the little essentials like medicine for headaches, backaches, stomach aches, allergies, motion sickness, or anything else you might deal with on the ship. Your future self will thank you when you feel prepared for anything.

🌴 Ready to Cruise Smarter?

These are lessons I learned the hard way, so you don’t have to. Your first (or next) Royal Caribbean cruise should be exciting, not stressful.

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