I've taken 8 cruises in the past 12 months, and each one taught me something.

As a new cruiser, I knew I had a lot to learn from personal experience.

Not only was cruising a new form of travel when I started, but my cruises also took me to regions I'd never visited before.

Although all my sailings took place on Royal Caribbean ships, I sailed different ships each time; Wonder of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Radiance of the Seas, Enchantment of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Icon of the Seas, and Oasis of the Seas.

Each different itinerary and ship type introduced me to a new aspect of cruising.

From choosing the right stateroom to saving money on shore excursions, I'll explore the top lessons I learned from each sailing. 

Read more: I've never been on a cruise, but spent a week researching what I need to know. My top 11 important lessons I think I learned

Your cabin selection has a huge influence on the experience

Cruise: Wonder of the Seas

My first cruise took place on Wonder of the Seas, sailing a 7-night Eastern Caribbean and Perfect Day at CocoCay itinerary.

Any Oasis-class ship would make for the perfect first cruise.

I was blown away by the amount of dining, activities, and amenities onboard, and felt like I barely had enough time to experience it all.

But while we splurged on specialty dining and shore excursions, we also tried to save money by booking a guarantee stateroom.

It turned out that this cheaper cabin selection had a huge influence on the entire cruise.

We were assigned a windowless interior cabin at the very front of the ship, and I quickly learned why other cruisers tend to avoid that location.

The room was consistently dark, without a view, and we often heard the noise of the anchor chain banging on the ship's hull.

I also learned that I suffer from seasickness while cruising, and the forward location of the stateroom left me even more susceptible to the vessel's rocking motion.

If I hadn't packed Dramamine, the nausea would have been unbearable.

Although I've booked interior cabins since this cruise, and find that the darkness makes for a good night's sleep, I regret not picking a better cabin for my first cruise.

For a first cruise (or the first one in a while), splurging on a better cabin will upgrade your experience.

Snorkeling is worth it, and you don't always have to pay extra

Cruise: Freedom of the Seas

My Freedom of the Seas cruise took place over a few short days, sailing to Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay.

For this trip, I decided to invest in my experience on Royal Caribbean's private island. 

I purchased the snorkel shore excursion, which turned out to be an amazing way to see the beaches of the Bahamas.

After renting the snorkel equipment, I took a self-guided tour of the shipwreck and natural life near the shores of CocoCay.

I saw sea snakes, tropical fish, and a jellyfish!

It was a cool experience, and I later realized that there was nothing stopping me from purchasing and bringing my own snorkel equipment to the island.

At any visit to Perfect Day at CocoCay, you could experience the snorkel shore excursion for free.

Cruising smaller ships is a marvelous way to relax

Cruise: Radiance of the Seas

My third cruise was my first on a smaller ship—the 961-foot Radiance of the Seas.

The 5-night getaway sailed the Western Caribbean, taking me to ports I hadn't visited before.

While I wasn't sure what to expect, I learned that a smaller ship makes for a great way to relax.

The cruise was a calming getaway. The pool areas were always clear, and the elevators were easy to navigate.

I also noticed a more distinct ship culture; the crew members all seemed to know each other, and the captain even walked around to meet cruisers onboard.

Despite all the flack that smaller ships get, I found the cruise a quiet, enjoyable experience.

Plus, we got to visit exciting ports of call that the large ships can’t visit. 

Research thoroughly before sailing a new region

Cruise: Enchantment of the Seas

Enchantment took me to new regions as well: I cruised a 7-night Athens to Barcelona Mediterranean sailing, having never visited the continent before!

I tried to have a more flexible mindset for this cruise, assuming that I'd learn things as I went along.

While I'm usually a big researcher, I did less preparation beforehand and expected to learn from experience.

This isn't the best move when it comes to visiting a new country.

I found myself at a loss when it came to Greek culture or Spanish phrases. Also, when I visited some historical locations such as the island of Crete, I wished that I'd read up on their impact. While the tour guides did give us a lot of information, more reading beforehand would have enhanced my experience.

Read more: 8 lessons learned after trying a European cruise for the first time

The suite life is very sweet indeed

Cruise: Allure of the Seas

My 3-night weekend cruise on Allure was my first time staying in a suite—and it was luxe.

For the first time, I realized just what a huge difference splurging on your cabin could make.

We were greeted with champagne and snacks, and our own coffee machine.

The stateroom had a huge balcony we could eat dinner on and a deep bathtub I used twice during the 3-day cruise.

Plus, the Grand Suite granted access to the suite lounge and other great benefits.

Once again, I saw that splurging on your stateroom really makes a difference.

Purchase shore excursions separate from Royal Caribbean to save money

Cruise: Anthem of the Seas

For the majority of my cruises, I was a loyal to Royal shore excursion buyer.

As soon as the cruise was booked, I would hop on the website to peruse the cruise line's sponsored tours.

While I knew that it was more expensive to purchase through Royal Caribbean, I figured the safety and security it gave me would be worth it.

However, on my Anthem of the Seas Bahamas and Perfect Days sailing, I decided to branch out and find an excursion on shoreexcursions.com.

I purchased a Glass Bottom Boat Ride with a stop on Pearl Island for about $50 per person.

When we arrived at the tour, we had an amazing time, and I discovered that the guests who paid for the same excursion through Royal Caribbean had spent $100-$150 on the excursion.

That means they spent double or even triple for the same tour!

The guides winked and told us not to tell anyone how much we'd saved.

Try as many different dining venues and dishes as you can

Cruise: Icon of the Seas

My next cruise took place on the much-hyped Icon of the Seas, and I truly believe she deserves all the praise she gets.

On this 7-night Western Caribbean and Perfect Day sailing, I was grateful that I made it a priority to try all the different cuisines onboard.

The ship blew me away with its range of dining options and upgrades to previous Royal Caribbean venues.

Read more: 10 lessons learned after trying Icon of the Seas for the first time

It was the best food I'd had on a Royal Caribbean ship—and I only tried the complimentary venues!

If you're planning on cruising Icon, be sure to try as much of the food as you can, and I'd recommend splurging on the specialty dining as well.

A summer trip to Europe is rough, but a positive attitude will take you far

Cruise: Oasis of the Seas

On my second European cruise, I was determined to learn from my past mistakes, and I did tons of research beforehand.

I told myself it would be a great cruise, and it was one of my favorites!

However, sailing to Spain, Italy, and Greece during June is a sure-fire way to run into crowds of tourists, and I did.

Although my research told me I could expect huge crowds, I was unprepared for how much that affected my experience.

When I visited museums, I only got a few seconds in front of the paintings before a group would get in my way. And traffic on the roads cut into our time at port.

Although it ended up being an amazing experience, I would have much preferred a less crowded season.

As a first-time cruiser, you never want to become a public nuisance.

After spending lots of time and money to book a relaxing and fun vacation, you’d hate to turn into someone inconsiderate onboard.

Being polite and following cruise ship etiquette will ensure that crew members and other guests won’t dread running into you. 

So, what details should you know, and what rules are important to follow?

New cruisers have some common, but specific questions that we’ve seen pop up over the years.

There’s a lot to learn when it comes to getting on a cruise ship for the first time.

Some common courtesies may not come automatically or seem obvious to you, so we’ve answered all your questions right here. 

From main dining room etiquette to who is allowed into the Crown Lounge, this is your guide to five common cruise ship etiquette questions.

Read more: 20 rules of cruise ship etiquette no one ever tells you (but should)

​​Should I tell the waitstaff if I won't be in the Main Dining Room ahead of time?

Royal Caribbean’s Main Dining Room is the spot for complimentary gourmet meals served in elegant dining rooms on several decks.

Because the venue is especially popular for its multiple-course dinners, many cruisers eat there every night.

However, itineraries can get busy on a cruise, and with all the onboard activities and onshore excursions available, it’s possible that you won’t be able to attend your traditional dinner time.

There are also plenty of other restaurants to try—such as the Windjammer buffet and specialty dining.

So, if you know ahead of time that you won’t make it to the Main Dining Room for dinner, should you let your waitstaff know?

I’ve been told by culinary staff that if you have a reservation at a specialty restaurant, the Main Dining Room waiters will see it in their system and already know that you won’t make it to dinner.

The same would apply if you’ve ordered room service instead.

But what if you’re going to the Windjammer, or eating onshore at a port restaurant?

If you know ahead of time, it is considered polite and customary to let your servers know. Also, if you are seated with other guests who are not part of your group, it is polite to let them know so they don’t hold off ordering their meal waiting for you to show up.

This ensures that they can adjust their plans for the following night and avoid any food waste.

Royal Caribbean tries to stay flexible with dining options of all varieties, so it’s polite to inform them of your plans as much as you can.

Do I need to pay gratuities for my infant?

Royal Caribbean adds gratuities to the final cost of the fare as a way to ensure crew members such as bartenders, waiters, cooks, and stateroom attendants are rewarded for their service.

Usually, gratuities are charged per person, for each guest onboard.

This includes children and even infants.

The cost of gratuity is applied to each individual guest, regardless of age or stateroom category.

Your child, no matter how young, is counted toward the number of people that the crew members are taking care of.

Read more: Mailbag: Why do I have to pay gratuities for my toddler?

While it makes sense that you don’t expect to pay the full price for smaller children, think about everything that crew members can do for your family.

Culinary service teams work to provide healthy food and high chairs and clean up any messes.

Your stateroom attendant will empty the trash with dirty diapers, and provide extra towels and sheets as needed.

And in the case of an emergency, crew members will also protect your children.

Even if you have a smaller human onboard, they still count as someone that the crew will be taking care of.

Read more: Should you prepay gratuities for a Royal Caribbean cruise?

Should I bring a Bluetooth speaker?

A waterfront vacation can be made even sweeter by the presence of your favorite songs, audiobooks, or even a loved one on a video call.

To hear these things better, should you bring a speaker onboard?

We don’t recommend it.

Most cruise lines ask that you keep Bluetooth speakers for use only in your personal stateroom.

By looking at any online forum, you’ll be able to tell that most cruisers do not appreciate the guests who bring their speakers and start blasting music for everyone else to hear.

Some guests may prefer silence at the beach. 

Other areas, like the pool deck on Royal Caribbean ships, could already have talented performers playing live music live.

The cruise line could even confiscate your speaker if you’re found to be disturbing the other cruisers.

Remember that, while a cruise ship has space for plenty of fun and excitement, you’re still sharing it with other guests and should be considerate of their needs.

Instead, pack along a quality pair of headphones that allow you some privacy while still listening to your favorite noises.

Is it okay to bring my friends who aren't Diamond-tier into the Crown Lounge?

The Crown Lounge is a special, elegantly decorated lounge reserved for guests who are members of the Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Pinnacle Club tiers of the Crown and Anchor Society.

The lounge access comes with snacks, nightly happy hour, and a Concierge to assist with any special needs or requests during the sailing.

It’s an exciting and luxurious benefit, so can you bring along friends and family?

The answer is no, not unless they are also a Diamond, Diamond Plus, or Pinnacle level member.

Royal Caribbean’s website reads that this benefit is “exclusive” and “cannot be extended to include friends and family.”

Now, if you have a spouse or partner who is a member of your household and lives with you, you can request for them to be added to your Crown and Anchor account so they can receive the same status.

Royal Caribbean’s website says: “A Crown & Anchor Society member can be added into a relationship with other family members in the same household and receive equivalent tier status; however Cruise Points will remain according to actual cruises taken and calculated according to the number of nights sailed.”

Otherwise, they will not be able to enter the Crown Lounge.

We missed our traditional dining time, can I still go to the Main Dining Room that night?

The Main Dining Room offers two different dinner-time options.

You can either choose “My Time” Dining or traditional dining. My Time Dining will allow you to eat dinner whenever you choose. 

But with traditional dining, you’ll receive a particular assigned time and table. Guests who select traditional dining are expected to show up at their assigned time.

Can you still show up late?

If you are more than 15 minutes late (and especially if you haven’t warned your waitstaff ahead of time), they may close the doors or they may have reassigned your table.

Especially if you’re traveling with a larger group, they may no longer have the table space reserved for you.

From this point, you still have the option to switch to My Time Dining. If you get into that line, they will attempt to seat you when a table is available, although there may be a wait.

You can always try, as many guests find that Royal Caribbean waitstaff are as flexible as possible, and will attempt to seat you.

However, if you’d like to give up and try something else after showing up late, there are always other venues such as the Windjammer.

Royal Caribbean has been one of the biggest cruise lines in the world since the company began operations in 1968, and it's flipping the script on the short cruise market in 2024.

Through a combination of new cruise ships, redeployments, and investments in the ports they visit, Royal Caribbean wants to raise customer expectations for what a weekend cruise is like and set a new standard for the cruise industry.

The company has methodically positioned some of its most important new ships along side land-side investments, and its recent announcement of new deployments indicate a clear direction: Royal Caribbean wants to target the new cruise market like no other line has done before.

Royal Caribbean is addressing a market need, where new cruisers are hesitant to go on longer sailings, but don't want to sail on older hardware. In following the old saying, "you never get a second chance to make a first impression", Royal Caribbean will put new ships serving up 3- and 4-night cruises instead of traditionally placing older hardware for those sailings.

The new cruise market is single-handedly the largest source of growth within the cruise industry, and capitalizing on sourcing new customers from this pool of growth is how any cruise line can generate the most revenue quickly.

In looking through Royal Caribbean's recent announcements and deployments, it's clear the cruise line is poised to begin a new approach to not only short cruises, but how it attracts new customers.

Utopia of the Seas

The first major focus for Royal Caribbean in appealing to the new cruiser market is to launch Utopia of the Seas later this summer and offer short cruises only.

Utopia of the Seas will be the sixth Oasis Class ship, which are the biggest cruise ships in the world.  The previous five Oasis Class ships all began service by sailing 7-night cruises.

Instead, Utopia will offer 3- and 4-night cruises from Port Canaveral in July 2024.

By starting off with short sailings, Royal Caribbean hopes a brand new cruise ship will get the attention of the public, especially when people hear they can sail on Utopia for just the weekend. It's a short commitment, and it gives new cruisers peace of mind that if they don't like cruising, it's only a couple of days.

Royal Caribbean's decision to homeport Utopia in Port Canaveral is another component to their strategy.  Port Canaveral is just under an hour away from the family vacation capital of the world, Orlando.

The company has made no secret that it is targeting the family vacation market, and wants to compete with the Orlando resorts that currently dominate that demographic.

If a weekend cruise is too short, Royal Caribbean has Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas ready as equally compelling alternatives that offer traditional 7-night cruises.

As impressive as Utopia will be, the two Icon Class ships are even more appealing to families.

Icon of the Seas was designed to be the ultimate vacation for a young family, and it has more amenities, activities, and staterooms than any other ship has offered for children.

Read more: Icon of the Seas guide and features

The plan is entice new cruisers with a short cruise, and if they love it, then they'll want to come back for more and there are two Icon Class ships waiting for them.  If a weekend cruise is too short, then they can jump right to Icon or Star. In either case, Royal Caribbean thinks these ships have the right product that no other line can match.

CocoCay expansion

When you take a short cruise from Florida, you're going to The Bahamas and that's where a new cruiser will get to meet part two of Royal Caribbean's master plan.

Perfect Day at CocoCay is the name of Royal Caribbean's private island, and it's been a guest satisfaction grand slam for the company ever since the island's refurbishment in 2019.

A combination of thrills, relaxation, food, and activities galore have made CocoCay the place families can enjoy without much fuss. Since it's Royal Caribbean's private enclave, there's no pushy vendors, one place to find all your tours and add-ons, and lots of included amenities.

Since the island's revamp, Royal Caribbean has slowly expanded what guests can do there during the day. It opened a secluded beach club and earlier this year added an adults-only beach.

While the rest of the island is family focused, Hideaway Beach offers an escape for adults who want a break from it all. It's a giant pool party with beach access, and the goal is to give customers somewhere else to consider spending their day.

Just like their cruise ships, CocoCay is meant to offer something for everyone.  There are places to go with young children, teens, and kid-free spots too.

Short cruises on Wonder of the Seas

In March 2024, Royal Caribbean made another strategic move to redeploy Wonder of the Seas to the same short cruises as Utopia.

Wonder is the newest Oasis Class ship after Utopia, and is just two years old.  She will offer three- and four-night sailings out of Miami starting in August 2025.

With Wonder in Miami and Utopia in Port Canaveral, Royal Caribbean now has two of its best ships in the two biggest cruise markets in the world offering short cruises. 

It's the same gameplan that Royal Caribbean has for Port Canaveral, but in Miami. Just like Utopia, Wonder will visit ports in the Bahamas and look to attract more new cruisers than ever before.

Nassau Beach Club

The short cruise market has always been good to Royal Caribbean, but they knew they had a problem with the primary port of call: Nassau.

Royal Caribbean regularly surveys its customers to get feedback on their vacations, and Nassau, Bahamas ranked in the bottom ten percent, according to Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley.

Customers told Royal Caribbean there wasn't anything enticing enough in Nassau, so the line took matters into their own hands.

In 2025, Royal Caribbean will open its first Royal Beach Club, which is an extra-cost all-inclusive beach on Paradise Island, just across the waterway from where Royal Caribbean's ships dock their ships in Nassau.

Unlike Perfect Day at CocoCay, this will not be open to every single passenger. Rather, it will be a limited capacity area reserved just for Royal Caribbean passengers and you'll need to pay to get in.  

The idea is to offer something no other cruise line can in Nassau: a tropical beach day escape with the familiarity of Royal Caribbean. All the benefits of a shore excursion without concern of dealing with a third party.

The Royal Beach Club will have restaurants, pools, cabanas, and plenty of beach space too.

When it opens, the beach club will ensure taking a weekend Bahamas cruise means no compromise, from ship to shore.

Quantum of the Seas in Los Angeles

On the other side of the country is another big play by Royal Caribbean to improve its position.

Quantum of the Seas will sail from Los Angeles starting in October 2025, becoming among the largest cruise ship to ever sail from there.

Quantum will join Navigator of the Seas in offering cruises from LA, and will sail to ports of call in Mexico.

You'll be able sail on 3-, 4-, and 5-night cruises to Mexico and Catalina Island, California on a ship that offers so much more to do than ships traditionally based in this market.

The Quantum Class ships offer plenty of restaurants, bars, theaters and attractions too. There's bumper cars, full production shows, a sky diving simulator, surfing simulator, and observational pod that takes you over 200 feet above sea level.

California cruises to the Mexican Riviera have traditionally been dominated by other lines, but Royal Caribbean is doubling its presence in order to expand its foothold there. By placing a ship as big as Quantum, it demonstrates how much of a difference choosing Royal Caribbean is compared to other lines.

How much of a difference is there between a week-long cruise versus a short cruise?

As a new cruiser, I wanted to try cruises of different lengths to see how different they are and which I like best.

For my first cruise, I chose a 7-night sailing on Wonder of the Seas that stopped at a total of 3 ports: Perfect Day at CocoCay, St. Thomas, and Sint Maarten.

After that week, I was ready to move forward with my newfound wisdom from my maiden voyage, so I went ahead and planned a second cruise on Freedom of the Seas. 

This time, I selected a much shorter 3-night sailing. The ship traveled from Miami, Florida, to Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau, Bahamas over a weekend, embarking on Friday and disembarking on Monday.  

There were pros and cons to choosing a shorter sailing. Here are the 7 things I liked and didn’t like about my first short cruise.

Read more: What’s a good amount of days for a first cruise?

👍 What I liked about a short cruise

I'll start with the things that I enjoyed about trying a shorter cruise.

It had no long sea days

On my first cruise, day five and six were sea days and it left me feeling a little claustrophobic when surrounded by the ocean. I started to miss my own house and bed.

Despite the fact that Wonder of the Seas is the largest cruise ship in the world, I felt stuck onboard during these sea days.

I was able to mitigate the cabin fever by investigating new areas onboard.

I was very thankful that I chose the shorter cruise for my experience on a smaller ship: Freedom of the Seas was the perfect size to explore over 3 days. 

On this short cruise, we had no distinct sea days and instead spent each day at a port. I enjoyed the speed of travel and the fact that we spent less time on the open water.

Based on these experiences, I definitely recommend limiting cruises on smaller ships to no more than 5 days—but I look forward to testing this theory for myself.

I preferred visiting fewer ports

I also liked that we visited two ports instead of the three we stopped at on my first cruise.

Although I love to travel and appreciate seeing as many new places as possible, this allowed me more time to focus on the ports we did stop at.

I was able to prioritize those two locations—Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau, Bahamas—in my research and planning beforehand.

Because of that, I had a much better experience at Perfect Day at CocoCay, and I arrived at Nassau with more knowledge and background about the island. 

On my first cruise, I did enjoy getting to see the multiple ports—Perfect Day at CocoCay, Saint Thomas, and Sint Maarten—but I wasn’t able to do as much research beforehand or feel quite as knowledgeable before the trip.

Having fewer parts allowed me to focus in on each one and make the most of that time.

Shorter travel time made things simple

My cruise itself was only three days, and even with our policy of arriving at the port city the night before, my total travel time was only four days, from Thursday night to Monday afternoon.

This made it easier to schedule the shorter cruise and brought me back home quickly.

Although I love to travel, this overall eased my mind and made things much simpler.

A shorter cruise is a great option for younger or working adults who only have time for a weekend trip.

It was the perfect small getaway in the middle of September.

👎 What I disliked about a short cruise

Like everything in life, there are some downsides to a shorter cruise.

It was difficult to fit in all the events

Because of the limited amount of time on my Freedom of the Seas cruise, I had to carefully pick and choose which events I attended.

If this had been my first cruise, I would have had a lot of trouble distinguishing between which events I wanted to attend and which could fall by the wayside.

Thankfully, I came with a little more experience and was able to select the most important events I wanted to go to.

However, I still didn’t have enough time to see everything. It would have been fun to attend even more of the game shows or performances offered onboard.

We had less time to try different venues 

Similar to the previous point, a shorter cruise gave me much less time to try different dining venues.

I wrote on my must-do list to eat at the Windjammer, the main dining room, El Loco Fresh, Cafe Promenade, Sorrento's Pizza, and the specialty Ben and Jerry’s location.

I ended up having time to try Cafe Promenade, Sorrento's Pizza, and the specialty Chops Grille restaurant.

However, I mainly dined at Windjammer for the length of this cruise because of the ease of dining and the ability to choose all my own meals. 

When you’re in a rush, the Windjammer is one of the best places to grab a meal.

In the end, I completely missed the opportunity to try El Loco Fresh and Ben and Jerry’s! 

Read more: Here's the one must-eat place on every Royal Caribbean ship

People seemed less friendly 

I noticed that people were a little less friendly on my second cruise than on my first cruise. 

My theory is that for shorter cruises, passengers are focused on the groups or friends they came with and on enjoying their time together.

While I had passing conversations with people on Freedom of the Seas, I found nothing close near to the close-knit friendships I’d made on Wonder of the Seas. 

On my longer cruise, I found that people were much more willing to make friends and hang out multiple times over the week of travel.

Neither is a bad perspective to have, but I was looking forward to meeting some new people, and I didn’t quite do that on my second cruise.

The time really flew by

Despite the benefits of a shorter cruise, a major disadvantage is just how quickly it seems to fly by. Three nights and barely three full days pass by swiftly!

While it was a fun experience, and I did get to try many different things on this cruise, the time period was so short that I can hardly remember what happened.

If you’re planning to spend a lot of money on your cruise and get the most out of a longer vacation, a short cruise is definitely a disadvantage in this way.

A short vs long cruise

Overall, I learned that seven nights was too long for me.

However, a seven night cruise did allow for plenty of time to explore the ship and experience countless events and four shows.

In contrast, my short Freedom of the Seas cruise was only three nights. We stopped at just two ports, had fewer events to go on, and only attended two shows. 

Although it was a smaller ship, and there was less of it to explore, I wished I had more time to attend events and shows onboard. 

Where my first cruise had dragged a little long, my second one flew by in a flash. 

There are benefits to choosing a short cruise, but I think my personal sweet spot would be somewhere between three and seven days, such as a 5-night sailing. 

After returning from my first cruise ever, there are some things I would do differently to save money and make the most of my trip.

I booked a 7-day sailing on Wonder of the Seas, traveling from Port Canaveral, Florida, to Perfect Day at CocoCay, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten.

I had a lovely time, enjoying the ship's dining, amenities, entertainment, and shore explorations.

However, hindsight is always our best teacher. 

Looking back, I can see many missed opportunities, overlooked details, and chances for improvement.

From packing to avoiding seasickness to eating at different venues, a little introspection reveals valuable tips for future cruises. 

I’ll introduce the 13 things I wish I’d done differently.

You can learn from them too, by avoiding the mistakes I made! 

Explored more on Perfect Day at CocoCay

I had a just-alright experience on Perfect Day at CocoCay. My sister and I woke up in the middle of the morning and went out to a couple beaches. We grabbed free snacks and listened to music while lounging by the water.

By the middle of the day, it started to get more cloudy, so we packed up and returned to the ship.

Weather does make an impact on your experience there. But knowing what I know now, I think we could have maximized time on the island.

I would recommend arriving earlier and visiting the Oasis Lagoon. The pool and floating bar there looked fun, but we arrived too late to find free spaces.

I also later saw cool shore excursions offered, like snorkeling, swimming with pigs, and a glass-bottom boat tour.  Those come with an extra cost, but it could be worth it for the experience!

As far as complimentary options, I later learned that sports and fitness classes are free on Perfect Day at CocoCay. 

Although we grabbed snacks, I didn’t realize that a full lunch is complimentary, offered at Splashaway Bay, Captain Jill's Galleon, Skipper's Grill, Chill Grill, and the Snack Shack.

Gone to game shows, even if just to watch

When I scrolled through event options on the Royal Caribbean app, I saw many game shows, trivia nights, and activities listed.

While I didn’t go to all of them, I did try out a few, and they were a lot of fun!

For example, my sister and I saw the Love and Marriage game show, where the audience selected couples, and an announcer asked them funny questions.

For the most part, I avoided game shows that didn’t seem like my style. But looking back, I think I could have tried them out. 

I also chose to go to a showing of inTENse and missed the Crazy Quest game show, one of my biggest regrets. I wish that I had stayed behind and participated in the fun!

The shows and games were hilarious and a fun way to see our fellow cruisers.

Read more: 50 things everyone should do on a Royal Caribbean cruise at least once

Booked a better cabin

We decided to book a guarantee stateroom for the cruise, ensuring a cheaper rate but giving up the privilege of choosing our room.

While this saved money, we ended up being assigned a small interior cabin at the front of the ship.

This location left me feeling seasick, and the room was dark and windowless. 

Although we didn’t mind having the cabin to sleep in, I would have enjoyed a nicer view and a more spacious stateroom.

For a first cruise, I think upgrading to a better cabin and getting the most out of our experience would have been worth it. 

Tried out the casino

I know this tip isn’t for everyone, and I was initially nervous about gambling. 

However, I walked through the casino a few times and noticed how crowded and active it was.

Even if they weren’t playing or betting anything, people stood and watched around poker tables or chatted at slot machines.

It seemed like a fun and sociable way to pass the time, as long as you’re gambling responsibly.

I wish I had just tried it out—and used the opportunity to chat with other cruisers. 

Gone to movie nights instead of watching TV

Prior to cruising, I knew I would want to watch TV to relax and have a quiet moment on my cruise.

When we arrived, I saw that our stateroom on the ship had a Smart TV. This allowed me to log into streaming services using my phone and use Chromecast to stream shows directly to the TV.

However, I wish I had taken advantage of the movie nights on the ship, usually playing on the pool deck or at the AquaTheater. 

Although it meant I couldn’t choose which media to watch, those movies featured a bigger screen, better sound, and the opportunity to grab food and drinks or talk to people around me. 

Visited more complimentary food venues

I had heard whispers of praise about the food on Royal Caribbean ships, so I boarded the ship ready to try all the different dishes I could.

Ultimately, all the options on the cruise exceeded my expectations. Throughout my seven-day cruise, I was blown away by the variety and flavor of the meals I tried.

I visited specialty venues, including Izumi Hibachi, Wonderland, and the Mason Jar, and found that the venues provided a more private and formal experience.

However, they didn’t necessarily have the highest quality food. Some of my favorite meals were included in the fare, like the Windjammer's beef stew and cheesecake in the main dining room.

With that in mind, I wish I had enjoyed more complimentary food options.

On Wonder of the Seas, your fare includes meals in the Windjammer, the main dining room, room service like continental breakfast, and additional grab-and-go spots. 

I enjoyed the food at Windjammer, the main dining room, and Sorrento’s pizza, but I had no idea that complimentary food was also offered at the Boardwalk Dog House, Café Promenade, El Loco Fresh, Park Café, Solarium Bistro, and Vitality Café. 

If I had known about all the complimentary food options beforehand, exploring and seeing how much was included in the fare would have been fun. 

Done less planning ahead of time

Before my first cruise, I did extensive planning and made every kind of list possible: packing, to-do, and checklists.

I even created a full itinerary, planning every event down to the hour. 

However, once we arrived onboard, I quickly realized that the trip would be much easier than expected. Most of my planning turned out to be completely unnecessary.

The intense itinerary I made turned out to be unnecessary, as the Royal Caribbean app has a full schedule and allows you to simply select an event and add it to your schedule.

Not only that, but the app also includes information on when and where each event is, any price included, what you may need to bring, and if there is any age limit.

It also automatically connects your schedule with cruises on the same reservation, so I could create and access the same calendar with my travel companion. 

Most of my planning turned out to be unnecessary, and I wish I’d spent more time relaxing! 

Read more: Cruise Planner Trick: Add custom events to calendar

Not packed a laptop 

Since I purchased the Voom Internet plan, I decided to bring multiple devices to use on my cruise. 

When I’m at home, I often use my iPhone and laptop in tandem. I thought bringing my laptop along on the cruise would make sense. However, I ended up only using my phone and regretted wasting packing space on my laptop. 

Being on a ship can be unpredictable when it comes to your valuables. By bringing my laptop, I ran the risk of falling into water, getting wet at the pool, or being dropped on a deck.

Traveling with a laptop is already a risk: I had to keep it safe in a bag and make sure it was secured in our hotel room. Considering I barely used my laptop, keeping it safe was more effort than it was worth.

It also turned out that the provided safe in our cabin was too small to fit my laptop, so I had to leave it in the cabin and hope for the best.

Purchased WiFi for fewer days

I ended up regretting the amount of access I had to the Internet.

A cruise should be an ocean vacation, with time spent at various onboard activities, the beach, or exploring ports. 

But the constant WiFi connection made the cruise feel less relaxing. 

Social media can be consuming—a beach vacation isn’t the same if you can instantly pull up your email. 

My sister, who traveled with me, only purchased WiFi for one sea day. This allowed her to check any important notifications for that day and continue to disconnect and unwind for the rest of the cruise.

In the future, I would want to follow a similar plan and bring fewer devices. Being connected to every aspect of the Internet made it hard to relax. 

Packed all essentials, including medicine, in my carry-on

I had read this tip before the cruise, but not following it entirely is one of my biggest regrets.

Before my cruise, I packed a smaller carry-on bag and bigger luggage, much like on an airplane.

Since you’ll leave a bigger piece of luggage with the porters, the line recommends that you pack all of your essentials and valuables in your carry-on.

I assumed this tip was just in case your luggage got lost, so I did pack my valuables in my carry-on but left my medicine and other essentials in my larger bag.

On embarkation day, we entered the ship around 12:30 P.M. and could access our cabin around 2:00 P.M. But we did not receive our larger bags until after 4:00 P.M. 

During that gap, I wished I had packed more toiletries and maybe even a change of clothes in my carry-on. You never want to be stuck waiting around for your bag to arrive. 

Remembered that I pre-paid tips

I never want to be tight-fisted, but budgeting your money is important on a cruise, especially a longer one.

Passengers can pay a daily gratuity to cover the services of hard-working crew members. They will see a daily charge on their SeaPass card for these tips.

These gratuities are shared among the dining, bar, and culinary teams, stateroom attendants, and the hotel service team.

On the other hand, passengers can also choose to prepay gratuities, including them in the total cost of the fare.

When I arrived onboard, I forgot that we had pre-paid gratuities before boarding. 

I paid for a drink at the bar and then added a tip, cringing at how high the price became.

Later, I remembered that we had already paid tips, so tipping again was optional but not necessary.

Taken a Dramamine immediately before boarding 

I haven’t struggled with motion sickness much before, so I did not expect to feel seasick on my cruise. 

More experienced cruisers advised me to take Dramamine before boarding to offset the chances of feeling sick when we set sail.

However, I didn’t expect any motion sickness, so I opted to just wait and see.

As soon as the ship set sail, I felt nauseous and unsteady. This was aggravated by the fact that we were assigned a forward cabin through the guarantee stateroom process. 

I found that my seasickness was worse when I was at the front of the ship or looking at the water. 

Thankfully, I felt better after taking a Dramamine pill, but I could have prevented a miserable first night by taking it beforehand.

Brought a wide variety of clothes, including gym clothes

Although I tried my best to plan ahead when packing, I didn’t foresee the sheer amount of different activities we would have access to.

If I could do it over, I would pack outfits for activities like laser tag, biking, water parks, and more. I wish I had packed more pants and shorts, and fewer beachy dresses. 

Sneakers are also required for any sports activities onboard, such as visiting the basketball court or ice skating.

I probably could not have packed for every event, but my best advice would be to bring as many different outfits as possible.
 

In preparing for my first cruise ever, I discovered a few things after I sailed that really made a difference onboard.

Last month, I took my very first cruise on Wonder of the Seas. The 7-day sailing traveled from Port Canaveral, Florida, to Perfect Day at CocoCay, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten.

There was lots to do to prepare. In addition to packing and planning my travel, I had to actually book the cruise, check in online, and plan my onboard events. 

Although there was a lot to do, planning wasn’t impossible. I had plenty of help from our travel agent, and the Royal Caribbean app and website were easily accessible.

I read articles, watched YouTube videos and TikToks, and perused the Royal Caribbean app and website for information. 

Although I still had a lot to learn from experience, researching ahead of time helped me prepare and understand what to expect and save money while ensuring I had the best experience possible.

I wanted to share the top 11 lessons I learned and what information turned out to be most helpful for my first cruise. 

1. It’s cheaper to get cash ahead of time

As someone who doesn’t usually carry cash, I was surprised to hear that I would need physical money on my cruise.

Thankfully, I listened to the advice I’d heard and went to an ATM before leaving home. I picked up about $40 in change and kept it in my wallet. 

I ended up using cash to tip the porters at the cruise terminal and to purchase souvenirs at our ports of call. 

Using an ATM before I left home also saved me money because the ATMs onboard the cruise ship charge a convenience fee. 

I wished I had brought even more cash, too—to tip our room attendant and tour guides on shore excursions. For my next cruise, I’ll be sure to get $50 to $60 in cash ahead of time.

2. Bring a water bottle—or two

I ended up feeling very thankful that I brought my trusty Hydroflask along. (Link contains affiliate link, which costs you nothing extra to use!)

A water bottle is useful for traveling to the cruise terminal, whether by plane, car, or train.

Once you’re onboard, as well, you’ll want a way to store water in your cabin. I found that I could fill up my Hydroflask with cool water at the Windjammer, then bring it back to our stateroom and have cool water available all through the night.

When I did forget to fill it up, I found myself parched and unable to access water unless I left our room.

Our stateroom attendant did leave plastic cups in the bathroom for teeth brushing, which I could drink from in an emergency. 

However, I prefer to drink filtered or bottled water and mainly try to remember to fill up my personal bottle. 

In the future, I plan to bring at least one water bottle on my cruise.

3. The food is great, but you’ll want snacks

I enjoyed all the food offerings onboard. Some of my favorite meals were included in the fare, like the Windjammer's beef stew and cheesecake in the main dining room.

However, packing a few snacks helped tide me between meals or at nighttime when fewer options were available.

Thanks to the advice I saw online, I packed a few options for midnight snacking: Taki chips, sweet candy, and gluten-free cookies. 

I appreciated having something to eat at night or between meals without spending the money for room service or dragging myself out of the cabin to find a snack.

4. Cruise line shore excursions are a good way to get started 

I saw mixed opinions on this point: is it better to go on a shore excursion through your cruise line or to explore independently?

As a first-time cruiser, I chose to go on two Royal Caribbean shore excursions when we visited St. Thomas and St. Maarten. 

On St. Thomas, my sister and I took a bus tour of the island and then spent some time at Magen’s Bay. After relaxing at the beach for a few hours, our guides took us to an outlook and souvenir location.

On St. Maarten, we took a bicycle tour of Philipsburg, with a complimentary drink and a break at a local beach.

Although these excursions are usually more pricey than independent tours, I felt reassured when it came to finding the best activities and staying on schedule. 

Royal Caribbean’s excursions will ensure you make it back to the boat on time or even delay the ship while waiting for your group to return.

If your ship can’t stop at a port for any reason, the shore excursion will also be fully refunded.

I understood that these excursions were more expensive, touristy versions of local adventures. But for my first cruise, they were worth it to put my mind at ease. 

5. Arrive at the port a day early 

When I started booking and preparing for my cruise, I learned that arriving at your port the day before you board the ship is usually recommended.

This was a surprise, as I had to push up my travel plans one day. Since the cruise left on a Sunday, we decided to get into Port Canaveral on Saturday afternoon.

For Saturday night, we booked a hotel room near the port and were able to take a shuttle straight to the ship in the morning. It definitely made the process smoother and stress-free. 

And who doesn’t appreciate an extra night in a good hotel?

The only downside with this extra day of travel was that it made our cruise feel extra long. 

Instead of just a 7-day cruise, we had about 8 full days of travel. And by the end, I was ready to be home in my own bed.

Read more: The costly cruising mistake newbies make planning their first cruise

6. Dramamine helps with seasickness

I was glad I read up on the possibility of seasickness before my cruise. Although I didn’t think I would experience it, we packed Dramamine just to be sure.

As it turned out, I felt dizzy and nauseous as soon as the ship set sail. Since we had a forward cabin, I felt the rocking of the boat much more intensely. 

Thankfully, I was able to take a Dramamine pill right away, and I felt better. As long as I took one every 12 hours, I was able to survive feeling seasick. 

Heading midship, staring at the horizon, and limiting my alcohol consumption all helped ease my motion sickness too. 

Read more: Dramamine vs Bonine: Which motion sickness medicine is best?

7. Bring your own body wash, shampoo, and conditioner 

Before my cruise, I read many reviews that stated the complimentary body and hair wash offered on the ship were not quality.

With this in mind—and my own preferences for moisturizing, clean products—I was sure to pack my own body wash and hair care.

Sure enough, the complimentary soap in our bathroom was a 3-in-1 body wash, shampoo, and conditioner with a strong scent I didn’t like. I was very thankful I brought my own toiletries, allowing me to continue my personal self-care routine.

8. Pack a variety of clothes, including formal outfits

Knowing that Royal Caribbean charges additional fees for laundry services, I consciously packed a varied wardrobe to last me through the entire 7-day trip. 

I carefully selected outfits that would accommodate casual days at sea, outings on shore excursions, and the more formal or themed nights on the cruise. 

By packing a diverse range of clothing options, I was well-prepared without worrying about laundry expenses or missing out on any special events due to inadequate attire.

Still, my research didn’t prepare me for the sheer breadth of different activities I would have access to, from laser tag to ice skating to rock climbing. 

I’ll be sure to pack an even wider variety of clothing for future cruises. 

9. Prepare to socialize

For more introverted individuals like me, it can help to prepare yourself before social situations.

From my research, I could tell that my cruise would require a lot of social energy.

And I ended up being very sociable: from check-ins with staff, dinners with multiple waiters, friendly conversations with people on elevators to even making friends at events. 

All travel involves social interaction, but cruisers are unusually friendly—I met people in hot tubs, at the casino, and at dance parties. 

While these interactions were delightful, I felt glad I’d prepared myself beforehand.

I was also able to find some quiet locations onboard so I could escape if it all got too overwhelming. 

10. Tour the ship when you first get onboard

A lot of advice online suggests that you start by touring the ship right away when you board—and I followed this to the letter.

After my sister and I boarded, we found the fitness center, toured Central Park and the surrounding decks, and headed to the Windjammer and pool area. 

After having lunch and walking around the pool, we located our cabin.

Especially on a big ship like Wonder of the Seas, it helped to start by getting the lay of things. Handy maps were also located in every hallway and elevator, so getting lost would have been hard.

11. Unpack everything right away

This tip is most helpful for longer cruises. When you have many days of sailing, ports, and activities, it helps to unpack right away and organize your things.

For example, I put my toiletries on shelves and my snacks in drawers. I hung up all my jackets and dresses and then set out my shoes in the corner.

Later on, I was glad that I had unpacked because it helped me stay organized and get ready faster. This also ensured my clothes didn’t stay wrinkled or get smelly while packed in a bag.

Since I knew where everything was—and didn’t have to dig through a bag to find it—we could get dressed and out the door much quicker. 

This hack saved time and helped us get to activities, events, ports, and dinners on time. 

Read more: 15 Things To Do As Soon as You Get to Your Cruise Cabin

Cruising has grown in popularity over the last ten years, an enjoyable vacation choice for many individuals.

However, some people might still feel skeptical about the value of this form of travel.

Besides the fact that travel is not accessible to everyone, there are many reasons why someone might choose not to go on a cruise. 

My opinion on cruising was no exception until recently. I have explored various other modes of travel but hadn’t wanted to cruise until I ventured onto the seas for the first time just last month aboard Wonder of the Seas.

Like many preconceived ideas, my cruising reservations were based on misinformation and inexperience and could only be disproved with further research or personal experience. 

From concerns about the overall cost to health issues in the age of COVID-19, I’ll introduce the top reasons I never wanted to cruise before.

In light of my recent cruise on Wonder of the Seas, I’ll also explain whether or not I found my concerns accurate.

Read more: 10 Ways Cruising Has Changed in the Last 30 Years

1. It’s too expensive

Before my first cruise, I assumed that cruising would be a too-expensive luxury. 

As it turns out, cruising is one of the most affordable forms of travel since accommodations, meals, and entertainment are all included in the base fare.

On my Wonder of the Seas cruise, we paid $2,674.76 for the base fare, about $382 per night for two people.

Since we only booked this cruise about a month beforehand, this is still a competitive price for such a new, large cruise ship.

We definitely could have saved money by booking our cruise earlier, ahead of time, or waiting for sales. 

Considering that traditional travel includes the cost of transportation, hotel or Airbnb accommodations, and meals, even before the cost of activities and entertainment, I think our cruise offered more value for the money.

Additional expenses, like drinks, specialty dining, or shore excursions, do quickly add up, but those costs can be minimized with careful planning.

In fact, it’s possible to plan a cruise for less than $100 a day.

Read more: I’m a budget cruiser. Here are 8 easy strategies I used on my recent Royal Caribbean cruise to save money

2. There are too many options

It’s true that choosing a cruise line and ship can be overwhelming. 

Without the help of a travel agent, I may not have been able to decide on one particular cruise, especially as a first-time cruiser. 

But you can always start with online research as well. We have several posts on planning your cruise, including how to start and choose a cruise ship.

Now that I’ve experienced my first cruise, I suggest starting your cruise plans with a certain destination. Choose what part of the world you would like to sail to, and then examine your budget. Make sure you find a ship that fits your pricing needs.

After that, you can focus on the particular ship and activities available. Some people look for specific slides, shows, or speciality restaurants when choosing their ship.

In general, you can set your own criteria, then you can see what’s available within those criteria and choose from those options.

3. I’m afraid of the ocean

Deep water makes me nervous, so the idea of cruising was formidable at first. 

Nightmarish news stories seem to pop up daily in the cruising world, whether it’s people falling overboard, getting sick, or losing their way at port.

In general, sailing out into the vast ocean can be quite nerve-wracking. 

But cruising is very safe when you stick to ship protocol. Cruise ships are prepared with safety drills, onboard medical professionals, lifeguards, and emergency lifeboats.

Rather than ocean safety, seasickness would be a genuine concern. But this can also be minimized by taking medication, gazing at the horizon, and staying in the middle of the ship.

Even as someone who experienced seasickness, I could power through it and found that the vacation was worth it.

Also, if you are scared of the ocean, cruising can be a fun way to overpower that fear! 

I enjoyed gazing at the sea in the mornings, experiencing beautiful new beaches, and swimming in pools, knowing we were perfectly safe.

4. Time in ports is limited

If you’re like me, you may prefer longer international travel where you can fully immerse yourself in a destination and explore it to the fullest. Cruise itineraries don’t usually allow for this slow-paced cultural immersion. 

On my first cruise, we visited multiple ports of call—Perfect Day at CocoCay, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten, and purchased Royal Caribbean shore excursions on St. Thomas and St. Maarten.

While I enjoyed seeing multiple places on one cruise, it’s true that the short stop did not allow us enough time to get out of the tourist traps and see more authentic parts of the islands. 

In fact, while we relaxed at Magens Bay in St. Thomas, a lifeguard told us that it was not nearly the best beach St. Thomas had to offer, just the most commonly known among tourists. 

Cruising port visits and excursions may not provide the authentic cultural experiences some travelers prefer.

Read more: Your really dumb cruise ship shore excursion questions answered

5. It’s not for my age group

A common misconception about cruising is that only old, retired folks go on cruises. 

Many people believe that cruises take much more time and money than other forms of travel. 

In that case, it would make sense that only those who are retired and have money saved up could afford to go on a cruise vacation.

On my cruise, I learned about seniors who choose to cruise instead of living in an assisted living facility. This choice is a cheaper option that allows more independence for senior citizens.

However, this group was not the majority. I was also surprised by the amount of couples, younger friend groups, and families with children of all ages on my cruise. I saw people from every age group on my cruise, from retirees to young adults.

I could also tell that the Royal Caribbean ship had tried to include activities for people of all ages: child-sitting services, kids club, teen group, and the Hyperlink young adults group.

Personally, as a young person in my twenties, I enjoyed the Hyperlink meet-ups, spending time at the nightclub, and relaxing by the pool. I'm not ashamed to say I loved the laser tag, too! 

6. There won’t be any people of color

Another common misconception is that only white people go on cruise vacations. 

Although luxury sailing has long been associated with rich Caucasian communities, cruising has become popular among many other groups. 

African Americans, in particular, are increasingly rating cruises as a preferred form of vacation.

It was to my pleasant surprise when I realized that my prior misconception about the demographics of cruisers was one of the most false things I believed before my cruise. 

Once we got onboard, I saw much more diversity than I expected.

This diversity was not just limited to crew members—who hailed from all over the world, a majority from Southeast Asia—but expanded to passengers and the people we met at ports of call.

The passengers I saw onboard were made up of every race, and many were from international locations.

For example, I met many Black people from all over the diaspora, from Trinidad and Tobago to the U.K.

7. I might get sick 

Illnesses can indeed spread quickly in the close quarters of a cruise ship.

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people have become much more aware of the potential for disease or infection in certain locations. 

However, whether you’re cruising or not, travel of any kind runs the risk of contracting a disease, especially between different cities or countries. 

Although this is just a personal anecdote, I can share that I did not contract any sicknesses from my first cruise or see anyone sick. 

In case of any emergency, I also felt assured knowing there were medical professionals onboard the ship.

However, those who are immunocompromised or concerned about potential illness might want to avoid cruising. 

Read more: What happened when I tested positive for Covid on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship

8. It would take too long

Due to the history of sailing, many people associate cruising with long, excruciating days of travel on the wide sea. 

Many first-time cruisers are concerned they will get bored on the ship while waiting to dock at port. 

Personally, I did take a slightly longer cruise at 7 nights, but we only had 8 full days of travel in total. 

Considering that this was an international trip, we visited 3 separate islands in addition to our port in Cape Canaveral, Florida, which is remarkably quick.

Additionally, we didn’t suffer from jet lag or face any major time differences. 

If you have time for a more extended vacation, I recommend a cruise for the value: you’ll be able to experience many different ports, shows, and activities within that timeline. 

And even if you don’t have a longer vacation planned, plenty of shorter cruisers are available, such as 3-day trips that sail Friday through Sunday.

9. I don’t like big crowds 

If you have social anxiety or an aversion to large crowds, a cruise vacation may not be the spot for you. 

Depending on your cruise's date, size, and popularity, the ship can be pretty crowded. 

My Wonder of the Seas ship, currently the largest cruise ship in the world, accommodates up to 6,988 passengers and 2,300 crew members. 

Although the ship itself was expansive, with lots of space to explore, it makes sense that the cruise would feel pretty full.

As someone who doesn’t like large crowds, I appreciated that there were many places to go, some with a peaceful and quiet atmosphere. 

But I can confirm that there were people everywhere. You would be hard-pressed to find a place to be completely alone. 

And—a warning for the introverts out there—most events did take a lot of social energy, whether they were main dining dinners, shore excursions, or trivia game nights. 

Additionally, there was noise and music in almost every location: a cruise feels like a constant celebration, and it’s hard to escape.

10. I don’t have anyone to take with me

Who should you cruise with?

If you’re single or far from family, it can be challenging to figure out who to take on your cruise, and many people (understandably) have an aversion to traveling alone. 

Don't be afraid if you’re still concerned about convincing someone to go with you. 

Personally, I took my younger sister with me, and we had a blast! 

Cruising with another person can be much different than a land vacation: cruising provides much more independence while ensuring you both are safe in the same space.

For my sister and I, we enjoyed time together in our cabin, on shore excursions, and at the same activities we enjoyed. 

If we had been on a land vacation, my sister and I might have been worried about the safety of separating and spending time apart.

However, on one private ship with security and staff everywhere, we felt comfortable separating and doing the activities we liked most. Some days, I could spend time at the pool while she slept in. Other times, we felt like eating separately, and neither of us had any problems eating alone. 

A cruise vacation gave us much more freedom to enjoy time together but also to be alone without feeling unsafe. 

Booking my first cruise ever opened my eyes to a few lessons I never would have known before trying Royal Caribbean.

Last month, I booked my first cruise on Wonder of the Seas. The 7-day sailing traveled from Port Canaveral, Florida, to Perfect Day at CocoCay, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten.

There was lots to do to prepare. In addition to packing and planning my travel, I had to actually book the cruise, check-in online, and plan my onboard events. 

Although there was a lot to do, planning wasn’t impossible. I had plenty of help from our travel agent, and the Royal Caribbean app and website was easily accessible.

However, booking and preparing for my cruise was still a longer learning process. I made sure to do research as I went along, to save money and get the best experience possible.

Read more: Top things you didn't know travel agents can do for your cruise vacation

Here are the 7 most surprising things I learned when booking my first cruise.

1. Many features are included in the fare

As expected, the base fare was expensive: we paid $2,674.76 for myself and my sister, totaling about $382 per night. 

But as I began planning ahead for the cruise, I was surprised to learn how much was included in this base fare. 

This fare includes meals in the Windjammer, the main dining room, the Solarium bistro, room service like continental breakfast, and grab-and-go spots like Sorrento’s Pizza, Park Cafe, and Cafe Promenade. 

Some of my favorite meals were ones included in the fare, like the Windjammer's beef stew and cheesecake at the main dining room.

As a coffee lover, I was also satisfied with the complimentary coffee options. 

The fare also includes access to accommodations, entertainment shows, the fitness center and jogging track, pools, sun decks, and hot tubs.

Gratuity will also be prepaid in your base fare, so tipping is not expected while onboard. 

2. You can book a guarantee stateroom

During the booking process, I learned that you can choose a guarantee stateroom to save money. This means that you give up your choice of a specific room, and are assigned one for a lower price.

We ended up getting assigned a windowless inside cabin at the very front of the ship, and I later learned why it was a less desirable location. The cabin turned out to be quite noisy, and I suffered seasickness from all of the movement at the front.

However, my sister and I both sleep soundly and were active enough to be out of the cabin most of the day, so saving money was worth it in the end.

3. It’s important to arrive at your port a day early

When I started booking and preparing for my cruise, I learned that it’s recommended to arrive at your port the day before you board the ship.

This was a surprise, as I had to push up my travel plans one day. Since the cruise left on a Sunday, we decided to get into Port Canaveral on Saturday afternoon.

For Saturday night, we booked a hotel room near the port and were able to take a shuttle straight to the ship in the morning. It definitely made the process smoother and stress-free. 

And who doesn’t appreciate an extra night in a good hotel?

The only downside with this extra day of travel was that it made our cruise feel extra long. 

Read more: The costly cruising mistake newbies make planning their first cruise

Instead of just a 7-day cruise, we had about 8 full days of travel. And by the end, I was ready to be home in my own bed.

4. A passport isn’t required

I frequently travel internationally, so I had my passport ready to go, and it did make the process a bit smoother. However, my sister didn’t bring a passport, only her birth certificate, and she didn’t run into any problems.

Departure day was the only time we felt a difference: I simply got off the ship and had my photo taken, while she had to stand in a line to get her birth certificate checked. 

As far as international travel goes, I was surprised at how little we had to prepare beforehand. No visas, passports, or customs forms were required. 

5. Shore excursions are offered through the cruise line

As someone unfamiliar with the booking process, it was a pleasant surprise to see that you can easily find shore excursions through the Royal Caribbean app or website and book them ahead of time.

I was able to scroll through a list of options for our days on St. Thomas and St. Maarten, add the ones I wanted to my cart, and pay right away.

For our first shore excursions on St. Thomas, we met the staff at the Royal Theater on-ship and were guided down the gangway. 

At the start of the excursion, our group got onto a truck-like taxi with a tour guide. After driving around the island, we stopped at Magen’s Bay, where we enjoyed the beach for a few hours on our own.

Afterward, we got back in the taxi and stayed with the guides until the end of the excursion. 

On our second shore excursion on St. Maarten, we met staff on the dock just outside the ship, where we were guided to bicycles for our bike tour of St. Philipsburg. 

We also stayed close to our guides until the tour was over, and we were able to do some shopping on our way back to the ship.

For each tour, we had a lovely experience and felt assured that no one would be left behind on shore.

6. Porters carry your larger luggage on and off the ship

Much like an airplane, you can pack a large suitcase and a smaller carry-on bag for your cruise. 

I also learned that your larger suitcase can be carried on and off the ship for you, so that you don’t have to lug it around with you during the boarding process.

Before the trip, I made sure to print out the provided luggage tags for our suitcases and staple them on.

On embarkation day, my sister and I took a shuttle from our hotel to the port. Once we arrived, porters took our larger suitcases and loaded them onto carts. We took our carry-ons onto the ship at around noon and proceeded to explore. 

I noticed that Royal Caribbean advises you to pack any medicine or essential items in your carry-on. While I didn’t take that advice, I later found myself wishing that I did, as our luggage wasn’t delivered to the room until about 4:00 p.m. 

When it was time to depart, I was able to select my departure preferences on the app and I opted for “luggage assistance.” 

Luggage tags were delivered to our room on day 6 (the next-to-last-day), and that was when I learned that our bags needed to be outside our stateroom by 10:00 p.m. that night.

Thankfully, we came back to the cabin after dinner and spent some time packing up our bags and leaving them outside our door so they could be taken off the ship. 

On the last day, we exited the ship, went through customs, and found our bags at the provided station number. Other than the longer times we spent without our bags, it was an easier process than I expected.

Read more: 6 tips to help keep a cruise line from losing your luggage

7. Reserve specialty restaurants ahead of time

We purchased the 3-night specialty dining package for our cruise. Our first day onboard, we decided to go in person to Izumi Hibachi to make our reservations for the 3 dinners.

At the time, we were waitlisted for Izumi Hibachi, and able to make reservations at Wonderland and Mason Jar. 

Although we later got a call that there was a cancellation for Izumi, and we could have dinner there, we received a $35 upcharge for our reservation.

In the future, I would definitely attempt to reserve specialty dining ahead of time on the app or website, to avoid any waitlists or upcharges. I know now that the restaurants fill up fast, especially Izumi Hibachi!

Read more: First time cruisers: When can I prebook entertainment, dining and more for my Royal Caribbean cruise?

Growing up and into adulthood, I had the privilege of being able to travel to many different states and countries.

I fell in love with travel, marveling at how much you can learn and explore in a new place. I’ve been able to experience many different cultures and learn other languages. 

I believe that travel lets you discover more about the world and more about yourself at the same time.

In my lifetime, I’ve traveled by planes, cars, trains, scooters, and motorboats, but until this past month, I had never been on a cruise ship.

This August, I took my first cruise on Wonder of the Seas. I took my sister along on the sailing, and we traveled from Port Canaveral, Florida, to Perfect Day at CocoCay, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten.

On this cruise, I saw a part of the world I’d never been to before. Additionally, I found that being on a ship for seven days was a completely new method of travel. 

Cruising provided a distinct experience, different from my usual travels. Here are the 8 most notable differences between cruising and my previous traditional travel experiences.

1. Payments were quick and easy

Anytime I travel, I expect to use several methods of payment, including cash and card. During international travel, I also have to convert my cash into local currency.

In contrast, our cruise simply used our SeaPass for all payments, and all our ports of call used US currency. 

Payments were simple and easy, without requiring extra planning to convert cash.

2. The ship felt safe

As a young woman of color, I have to be extra cautious of my safety when it comes to travel. 

It’s essential to stay aware and alert. For example, I use special door locks at hotels and don’t share my location or travel plans.

However, I felt very safe on a cruise ship with security guards, lots of staff members, cameras everywhere, and private rooms with locked doors. We also felt reassured knowing that there was a medical bay located on deck 2 if we ever needed it.

Of course, I didn’t let my guard down completely—it’s always important to take precautions—but we felt very secure on our cruise.

3. The ocean was inescapable

The most significant difference between this cruise and my previous travels was the presence of the ocean.

Being in the middle of the sea meant constant movement. I experienced seasickness when we first set sail, but daily doses of Dramamine kept me feeling healthy for the rest of the cruise.

On the other hand, we also had a special view of passing boats and islands. The sight of the ship pulling into its ports was uniquely beautiful.

Despite the ship’s size, I did experience some moments of claustrophobia knowing that I was stuck on a boat in the middle of the sea—I couldn’t leave until the cruise was over. 

4. Everyone was friendly and welcoming

I was pleasantly surprised to notice how friendly and helpful everyone was. The crew members were lovely and kind, greeting us with "good morning"s and “hello”s throughout the ship.

The waitstaff in the dining areas were charming, and this open atmosphere extended to fellow passengers.

Contrasting other travels where you may explore an entire city, you start seeing familiar faces around the ship during a week-long cruise. Everyone uses the same dining halls, pool, and elevators, so it became common to recognize my fellow passengers.

I delighted in having conversations with everyone and exchanging smiles in the halls.

5. A wide variety of events onboard

In my past travels, I often visited one area with a few main goals in mind for that city. Orlando has Disney World, for example, or we’d visit Pattaya City, Thailand, for the beach.

But the cruise had many different activities, all on one ship! I was blown away by the options, from laser tag to ice skating, water parks, and more. 

In addition to that, we visited multiple ports with their own events and tourist spots.

It would be almost impossible to thoroughly prepare ahead of time for all the activities. But now I know for the future just how diverse my options will be.

6. Everything is scheduled for you on one app

Most of my previous travels have been very independent, combining ideas from Google, Tripadvisor, or friends in the area. This travel requires a lot of self-driven planning and forethought to get your activities in order.

But being on a cruise was utterly different. I found that all the activities were scheduled out for me in convenient proximity. I simply had to decide which events I wanted to attend.

I could even create and update my itinerary in the Royal Caribbean app. The app provides a full daily schedule and event details such as timing, location, pricing, and age restrictions. 

The Royal Caribbean app also has a free chat feature, which can connect you to other passengers even without Wifi. This allows cruisers to communicate, connect schedules, and plan their day all in one app. 

These features made my cruise so much more convenient. I could put down my planner and relax, just going along with the ride. 

7. The world is brought to you

The best way I can describe a cruise is that it feels as if the world's wonders are brought right to you. Usually, land travel feels like rugged exploration: you go out, find a location, and make the most of it.

On the other hand, a secure cruise ship has everything and everyone you need onboard. I was surprised by the diversity onboard, in both crew and passengers, that made me feel as if I was having an international experience.

I spent most of my teenage years living in Java, Indonesia, and I don’t usually expect to be reminded of the country unless I return.

But on our cruise, we met many Indonesian staff members, including our waiter and assistant waiter in the main dining room. It was an unexpected delight to chat with them in Indonesian and reminisce about the country. 

The passengers we met, as well came from all over: Toronto, East London, and Turks and Caicos, to name just a few. I enjoyed making new friends and learning all about their homes and cultures. 

8. Access to WiFi made the cruise less relaxing

Before the cruise, I purchased the Vroom WiFi package on one device for all seven days. 

Whereas other trips might require me to use my data plan or even to purchase an international SIM card, the package gave me access to a typical WiFi network, similar to what I might have at home.

The WiFi access was very convenient, easing my mind whenever I needed to research something quickly and allowing me to post photos on social media immediately.

It also allowed me to cast to the cabin’s TV and stream my favorite shows from my phone, a comforting way to relax during a long day.

However, I also found that the constant WiFi connection made the cruise feel less relaxing. We all know how consuming social media can be—a beach vacation just isn’t the same if you can instantly pull up your email. 

In the future, I think I would follow my sister’s example: she purchased the WiFi package for just one day (day 5, when we were cruising and not stopping at any ports). That allowed her to check any important notifications for that day and relax for the rest of the cruise.

I took my first cruise this past week on Wonder of the Seas, a 7-day trip sailing from Port Canaveral, Florida, to Perfect Day at CocoCay, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten.

Before my cruise, I made sure to do lots of research, planning everything from my outfits to where I would eat each night.

I made every kind of list possible: packing lists, to-do lists, checklists—and even created a full itinerary, planning every event down to the hour. 

Of course, I should have remembered to ultimately expect the unexpected. 

After my cruise, I realized there are many things one can plan ahead of time, but there’s no way to perfectly control your experience. Diving in and being flexible is the best way to ensure you have a good time.

Despite my extensive research, there were many things that surprised me about this new type of travel. 

1. Everything was easy to figure out

Once we arrived on board, I quickly realized that the trip would be much easier than I expected. Most of my planning turned out to be completely unnecessary.

Staff members were ready and willing to help us, guiding me through any questions or concerns I had. 

For example, I was completely confused about the safety briefing we had to complete on day one. But as soon as we got onboard, crew members guided us to our muster station, where the staff told us how to open the briefing and complete it on the app.

The procedure was entirely painless, and we finished the briefing in just a few minutes. 

I could even ask questions through the app’s chat feature, which utilizes an AI to assist but connects you to a crew member online if the AI cannot answer your questions.

This feature was so convenient; any question I had was answered immediately, and I would have been able to connect to it even without the WiFi package. 

2. The app became my helpful cruise guide 

Along with my surprise about the ship’s accessibility, the Royal Caribbean app far exceeded my expectations. 

Remember that intense itinerary I made before the trip? As it turned out, I didn’t need it at all: the app has a feature where you can simply select an event and add it to your schedule.

Not only that, but the app also includes information on when and where each event is, any price included, what you may need to bring, and if there is any age limit.

Additionally, the app allows you to chat with other cruisers using their full name. This works without WiFi, so I could still coordinate with my sister, who did not purchase the WiFi package. 

We could even make a group chat with friends we met onboard and plan which events to attend together. 

The app can also connect your schedules with other cruisers so my sister and I could create and access the same calendar.

Something to note, however, is that the chat feature is blocked for cruisers from the EU, so our friends from the UK could not connect and chat with us.

3. International travel was incredibly simple

As someone who has traveled to other countries, I was shocked at how easy cruising made the process. No visa, passport, or even ID was required when we visited St. Maarten; they simply checked our SeaPasses on the way back onto the ship. 

Disembarking onto American shore was also simple. I brought my passport, so I just had to get my picture taken for identification. My sister brought her birth certificate and had it checked. After that, we picked up our luggage and were good to go.

4. Some of my favorite meals were included in the fare

From an array of options at the Windjammer to classy dinners in the main dining room, we were blown away by the quality of the food and service.

The fact that the Windjammer and main dining room were included in our fare made the experience even more amazing. My sister ordered escargot, for example, at no extra charge.

We also purchased the 3-night specialty dining package and visited Izumi Hibachi, Wonderland, and Mason Jar. All were incredible, with disarmingly friendly service and diverse food choices. 

Read more: 21 Tips for the Best Cruise Ship Main Dining Room Experience

5. The performers were more talented than I could have imagined 

Although I’d already planned to attend the shows before my cruise, I was surprised by the sheer amount and quality of the different shows. 

There was something for everyone, from ice skating to comedy to acapella music. I was amazed by how many different performers must be onboard and how each seemed passionate and skilled in their work. 

My favorite was InTENse, which included a dazzling combination of water stunts, lights, dancing, tightrope walking, and diving. 

I also couldn’t get any reservations for shows before the cruise, so I expected them to be sold out with no way to get in. But seeing each show was no problem: more reservation spots opened up, or I just showed up and could grab a seat. 

6. I enjoyed the parties but found the DJ disappointing 

Although my expectations weren’t too high on this front, I love a good party or nightclub, so I was excited to see what the cruise offered.

The ship’s nightclub was open every night, with a resident DJ and one special event: the RED experience. 

Although I enjoyed each event, I was left disappointed by the music. With such a wide variety of cruisers, I’m sure it would be hard to please everyone, but I would have appreciated more modern music with better transitions between songs.

Most of the DJ’s selections seemed to come from the early 2000s and were poorly mixed, to the point of playing the same song multiple times a night. 

Considering how amazing the show’s performers were, I was surprised the cruise didn’t have an equally impressive DJ.

My favorite parties were the silent disco nights, where guests were given headphones with two channels. We could select which music channel we listened to, giving everyone more options and a sense of camaraderie between people on the same channel.

7. The ship was overwhelmingly large

Our cruise was, of course, on the world’s current largest cruise ship, and I could tell. 

The size blew me away—I was quite overwhelmed my first few days. The ship has 18 decks, multiple pools and hot tubs, an entire Boardwalk and Central Park, and many shops and restaurants.

Thankfully, maps were located everywhere, and it became easy to find my way around, but even seven days didn’t feel like enough time to explore every corner of the ship.

8. It's hard to escape the ocean

It goes without saying that the most significant difference between a cruise and the travels I’ve done in the past is the ocean. It is a very unique experience to be traveling in the middle of the ocean.

Being on the sea meant that we were constantly moving. Looking down from higher decks, we could see the water, other ships going by, or even islands we were passing.

I did experience some seasickness on the first day but was able to recover quickly by taking Dramamine once a day. 

Although the ship was huge, I also felt a few moments of claustrophobia since you can’t get off until port days or the cruise’s end. 

9. I didn't pack for the wide variety of activities 

Although I tried my best to plan ahead and pack for any and every occasion, I could not have predicted the sheer amount of different activities available.

I had no idea we would have the option to do laser tag, ice skating, various parties, water parks, slides, and so much more. 

And that’s just on the ship—many options for shore excursions would also require different items packed. 

I probably could not have packed for every event, but my best advice would be to bring as many different outfits as possible.

10. Friendliness from crew and cruisers

Although I did expect quality customer service from a luxury cruise line, I was surprised at the level of friendliness and kindness displayed by crew members all over the ship. 

We couldn’t walk down the hall without a “good morning” from everyone we passed. Our waiters in the main dining room and specialty restaurants were hilarious and charming, and I shared smiles with all the staff at the Windjammer. 

The atmosphere was infectious and seemed to spread to fellow cruisers, too. I had conversations everywhere, on the elevator or while waiting in line.

During a week-long cruise, you start to see some familiar faces, and I was delighted to remember them and say hi every time. 

11. Frequent, sometimes confusing, announcements

Compared to other forms of travel, I found that my cruise had much more frequent announcements, such as check-ins from the captains or invitations to events from the activities director.

There were even a few announcements in code that I had to research, such as “alpha alpha alpha,” which indicates a medical emergency on Royal Caribbean ships. 

While these announcements were surprising initially, I appreciated the frequent updates over time. 

12. Finding time alone

I'm someone who often needs time by myself to decompress, which can be challenging when traveling with friends or family.

I didn’t expect much alone time on a ship with over 5,000 passengers, but I was pleasantly surprised.

The ship’s size ensured I could always find a space to myself, such as in Central Park or the Solarium in the mornings. Especially on port days, when more people were exploring the shore, I had plenty of peace and quiet. 

13. The weather can make or break a Perfect Day at CocoCay

Day 2 of our cruise was dedicated to Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private island. 

Through my previous research, I understood that most of the activities and food on the island were included in our fare, but I was surprised to see how many things that included. There were multiple beach and pool locations, beach chairs and umbrellas, and a wide variety of complimentary food and drinks.

However, the day started out cloudy and looked even worse as the afternoon approached. My sister and I packed up around 1:00pm, not wanting to get caught in any rain.

On an island like this one, made up of pools and beaches, the weather turned out to have a huge influence on our experience there.

14. The drinks were expensive

The first few times I ordered a drink, I had to hide my expression at the high price. 

I had to keep in mind that the price came with the tip already factored in, but most alcoholic drinks I had onboard came to $16.50 each time, which added up over seven days.

Read more: Royal Caribbean drink prices

I chose not to purchase the drink package beforehand and didn’t end up drinking enough to have justified the purchase. Still, every time I ordered a beverage, I found myself cringing a little. 

15. I booked an inside cabin that left me feeling seasick 

Before my cruise, I heard that cruisers can feel the most seasick in the very front and back of the ship. I didn't expect to get seasick myself, but our guarantee stateroom had other plans for me.

Since we opted for a cheaper assigned room, we were given an inside cabin in the very front of the ship. The room was surprisingly rocky, leaving me feeling dizzy and nauseous. 

The front location also came with a lot of noise, constant banging and clanging from the anchor and the waves. Nevertheless, the room was kept clean daily and I was still able to sleep soundly.