No longer the preserve of the wealthy, cruise vacations are now an affordable and popular option with tourists from around the world. However, once you’ve booked your first cruise, your mind will inevitably turn to things like seasickness, luggage to pack, and how to keep your kids entertained, etc. Follow the tips below and your first cruise will be an enjoyable experience.

If you can, it is best to limit your travel time before leaving for your first cruise. Ideally, you should book a cruise that departs from your home country and (if possible) close to where you live. You’ll have enough to think about when you embark on your inaugural cruise, without the hassle of taking a flight.

However, sometimes the only way to get the kind of cruise vacation you want is to find a ship in a foreign port. Obviously, if you live in a country where the major cruise lines do not have ports, this is unavoidable. If this applies to you and it is your first time on a cruise, your best option is a package with return flights included. These package deals are much less stressful for novice cruise planners, because your travel agent will arrange airport transfers, taking into account any unforeseen issues, such as flight delays.

Obviously, the last thing you want, on your first cruise, is to lose your ship. However, it is surprising how many people do this (or come close to doing it) just because they didn’t allow themselves enough time to travel to the port. On the same note, you should verify and re-verify that you have all relevant documentation for boarding (including your passport) before leaving your home. Believe it or not, many first-time travelers are so distracted by all the other aspects of their novelty vacation that they don’t remember these essentials.

Many newbie cruises will convince themselves that their luggage has been lost, just because it may not show up for a while after they have arrived in your stateroom. In general, this is because first-time passengers are used much more to stay in hotels, where guests do not all check in together. Obviously, on a cruise ship, this is precisely what happens, which is why there are countless pieces of luggage that are transported simultaneously. So if your luggage doesn’t show up for several hours after your arrival, you can save yourself some anxious moments by keeping this in mind.

One way to survive until your main luggage arrives is to put your essential small items in your carry-on. This is particularly useful if you are traveling with children or if you need to take medication. Before leaving home, always pack enough things in your carry-on luggage to get you through the first day. This way, if you go without your luggage for an unusually long time, you avoid any unnecessary stress.

Regarding what to wear on board, each cruise restaurant has its own dress code. So before you go, you should check if the dress code on your ship is smart, casual, black tie, or casual and pack appropriately. Cunard and P&O cruises typically have a more conservative dress policy, while RCI and celebrity cruises allow you to wear just about anything you want. As a general rule, smaller ships will enforce stricter dress codes. Some people don’t like the idea of ​​having to dress for dinner. Obviously, if this applies to you, this will govern your cruise line choice from the start.

Don’t forget that even if you are sailing in exotic waters, the temperature can get very cold at night. You don’t want to have to stay in your cabin all night, because it’s too cold to venture out. Always wear warmer clothing; otherwise, you might be forced to give up stargazing from the deck of the ship.

Inevitably, it will take a few days to get used to being on board a cruise, regardless of which cruise line you choose to book with. Ultimately, though, it’s the same as a normal holiday, except you’re floating on water. Heed the advice above and you will definitely blend in with the seasoned cruisers on board your ship.