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.
First Time Cruisers Tips
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Best cruise activities to check out on boardÂ
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Read Reviews from First-Time Cruisers
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Queen Elizabeth – Ship Review
Queen Elizabeth’s design is that of a traditional liner, boasting elegant double and triple-height public rooms………
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Sea Cloud II – Ship Review
On a morning stroll through rainy Antwerp, I was struggling to appreciate the beauty of the Renaissance buildings in the city centre when I saw the telltale masts of a large sailing ship.
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Superstar Virgo – Ship Review
This was our fifth Star Cruise, second time on the Virgo and previously cruised on the Aries, Leo and Gemini. The ship is nearly in the same condition as it was in 2001, spotless with very few signs that she is now 10 years old.
