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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What happens when cruise ships leave guests behind?Â
Every guest’s desire for a bucket-listed cruise vacation can swiftly become a nightmare the moment a cruise ship leaves a guest behind.Â
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7 ways to get a cabin upgrade
Get more bang for your buck? Top tips on getting a cabin upgrade on your next cruise from special offers to loyalty programs.
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10 ways to stay safe on your shore excursion
The majority of cruise passengers will jet off on shore excursions during their cruise, and given the various remote and exciting destinations that cruises travel to, safety should always be a primary concern.
Popular Destinations
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Short cruises from Melbourne offered at $238 pp
Major cruise lines homeported in Melbourne are featuring a range of short cruises for cruise enthusiasts and travellers seeking for a quick getaway at sea.
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Ultimate Guide to Christmas Cruising from Australia
Christmas cruising from Australia offers a unique way to celebrate the yuletide season as summer in this region coincides with the holidays.
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2025 Best cruises from Southeast Asia from $462pp for five nights
Recognizing the potential of the region as a promising market for the cruising industry, major cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, Princess Cruises, and Norwegian Cruise Line are increasing their number of cruises in Southeast Asia.
Recommended Cruise Lines for First-Time Cruisers
Read Reviews from First-Time Cruisers
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We loved cruising with Avalon Waterways
We did the Budapest to Amsterdam River cruise with Avalon, and just loved waking up each morning in a new city or town.
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A fantastic Carnival Spirit cruise to Singapore
This was our fifth cruise with Carnival so we knew what to expect and were not disappointed. . The cabin was spacious and well equipped with a king sized bed, extra lounge and large wardrobe. The ensuite was fine with shower and vanity.
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Our stateroom was great aboard the Diamond Princess
Service was excellent. Diamond Princess is a lovely ship and our inside stateroom was great. We loved all dining experiences. Any one who likes a relaxing holiday will like the Diamond Princess.