Advice For The First Time Cruiser
The Cruise industry is undergoing a renaissance that has never been seen. While the cruise industry has always been an highly competitive marketplace, changing passenger tastes, coupled with an expanding customer base of newer younger passengers, has sparked an arms-race of capital investment as cruise lines seek to capture imaginations and meet extremely diverse sets of tastes.
The result of this investment arms-race is a new fleet of large mega-ships loaded with technological advancements, luxury accommodations, endless dining and entertainment and in many cases mini amusement parks at sea.
To the novice cruiser, the amount of options and itineraries can be overwhelming and daunting. The price tag can be as well. And while these realities offer a great reason to seek out a knowledgeable travel advisor to help plan a maiden voyage (I happen to know a guy), I will offer some advice here as well.
I am a prime example of someone who was a reluctant cruiser. In very recent years I would have been a labeled a “never-cruiser” as my natural semi-introversion combined with a general distaste of crowds, lines, buffets etc. caused me to look elsewhere for my vacation needs. This was not aided by the endless video and social media posts portraying certain cruise lines in a negative light (which is largely a fallacy- something I will cover in a different post). However, a very positive initial cruising experience made me a true believer in the value (especially for families) and fun that can be had on a cruise. Here are the lessons I learned that I will now share.
5 Lessons for a successful first cruise
Know your travel party and take stock of the must-haves.
Are you traveling solo, with a partner, with kids? Is it a special occasion or just a getaway? What excites you about a cruise- the itinerary, the ship amenities, the entertainment, great dining options? Do you want a family friendly cruise or a kid-free cruise? Chill or party vibe? A low cost experience or luxury experience? How much time do you have? Again, these are the questions a travel advisor can help you sort through- even if you don’t have all the answers initially.
Based on your must-haves, different cruise lines and ships can be ideal choices for the experience you want to have.
Consider a smaller ship with a reputable cruise line, and choose a short (but not too short) itinerary.
If you have never cruised you will likely experience some shock and awe at the massive size of even the smaller modern ships. My first piece advice is to find a ship with less than 3,000 passengers on a cruise line that has strong reputation for great service and entertainment. While the temptation and good old FOMO may steer you toward one of the new fancy mega ships, you may be overwhelmed with the crowds and sheer scale of endless attention grabbing features.
Additionally, you may want to choose a cruise that is longer than 3 days (3 day cruises tend to be party boats on EVERY cruise line, not just the ones you see on YouTube all the time) but no more than 7 days. 4-6 day itineraries are a great way to get a taste of cruise life. If, for whatever reason, you decide cruising is not for you then you will not have to be stuck on a ship for what could seem like an eternity.
Find reputable sources of information.
One thing you can count on is finding lots of positive and negative reviews of cruises. Keep in mind that consumer tastes are more varied and wide ranging than ever and cruise lines try their best to be everything to everyone and provide every consumer the experience that they want to have. Try and consider the source when using reviews, ratings and social media to develop your impression of a cruise line or ship. Someone else’s expectations and needs may differ greatly from yours.
Plan ahead!
While last minute deals can be found, the best prices can usually be found 6-12 months in advance. Allow plenty of time to research and decide on the right cruise experience for you.
Talk to an expert!
Well of course a great travel advisor can help you navigate the complexity of planning your first cruise! Contact me today to help you put together the trip of a lifetime!
