For first time cruisers, choosing your first cruise can make or break whether you love this holiday style. If you decide to go down the travel agent route, they’ll give you a list of questions to determine the cruise line, fit for the destination.
But there are many other factors to consider for your first cruise: the cabin, the itinerary, the shore excursions, and even the additional packages.
Lucky for you, we’ve put together a handy guide to ensure your first cruise goes without any hiccups.
As the cruise industry has grown, so have the offerings. There is something to suit everyone’s taste – whether you’re travelling with the kids, grandma, and grandpa, if you’re on a budget, or if you want something super opulent.
Make sure you do your research – whether it be speaking to friends or family members who have cruised or speaking to a travel agent to navigate through the options.
When first time cruisers do their research, make sure you understand the demographics of each cruise line, during the year as well as the itinerary. It comes as no surprise that, for obvious reasons, during the school holidays, you’ll find more kids sailing.
If you are looking for a destination-specific cruise, like if you want to explore the Arctic or Antarctica, then it is also important to pick the right cruise line for your budget, and the differences between each line.
But perhaps if seasickness and the number of people are issues, consider taking a river cruise where you are always close to land and these ships won’t have more than 180 people onboard.
Find out more information in our guide to first-time cruisers.
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Popular Destinations
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Samoa
Considered the heart of Polynesia, Samoa is beautiful with lush jungles peppered with thundering waterfalls and golden beaches fronting emerald water. The island is also a magnet for scuba divers and surfers. But it’s the people that really make Samoa what it is. Most ships call at the capital Apia, on the island of Upolu…
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Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea is Australia’s closest neighbour – though in reality it’s a world away. Tourist infrastructure is very limited so a cruise is the ideal way to explore this fascinating destination. The capital, Port Moresby, is vibrant, colourful and often challenging, while the outer islands like Rabaul, Madang, Kiriwana and the Conflict Islands offer…
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Newcastle
Once one of Australia’s industrial titans Newcastle has cleverly reinvented itself as food-loving, outdoorsy and creative regional centre. The city is now packed with hip bars, waterfront restaurants, boutiques, art galleries, artisan bakeries and microbreweries. At the same time the world is rediscovering the city’s natural attractions, especially its magnificent surf beaches and Art Deco…
Recommended Cruise Lines for First-Time Cruisers
Read Reviews from First-Time Cruisers
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Voyager of the Seas cruise review
It was a great cabin with balcony. Voyager of the Seas offers plenty of activities, wonderful concerts. Loved the ice skating and food, especially breakfast on our balcony each morning and watching the flying fish.
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Holland America, P&O cruises review
Oosterdam was wonderful we had an inside cabin on level 6. The food, staff, service, activities to NZ and cleanliness is great.
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Carnival Spirit cruise review
The welcoming atmosphere was great, all the staff were friendly and always happy to stop and have a chat.
