We live on land and at sea, and I share my adventures on my TikTok (@dutchworld_americangirl). Years later, I still think cruising is one of the best ways to see the world.
It’s like tapas — you get a taste of ports around the world and you can decide whether you’d like to travel back to a certain place and have the “full entree,” one destination. That said, planning your first trip can be overwhelming.
Here are important things I think future first-time cruisers should know.
The ship will not wait for you
To most, this seems like common sense. But, add in a beautiful destination, margaritas, and music and one can easily forget there’s a ship waiting.
More than once I have witnessed people running down the pier — but if your boat has already been untied from it, you’re not getting back on board.
And yes, passengers who miss the boat are almost certainly responsible for the cost, airfare, and hotel, to get to the next port where the ship will dock.
If you’re docking for less than 8 hours, book your excursions through the ship
Everyone has a different opinion on this. But as a former cruise director, I have a simple rule that I use to book excursions when my parents come sail with me.
If you’re in a port for a long period of time — at least overnight —it’s not crucial to book your excursions through the ship because you have lots of time to navigate your way around the stop.
But if your ship is in port for less than eight hours, I suggest booking an excursion through the ship because it must wait for people to return from its own excursions.
If a taxi breaks down or you encounter traffic and you’re on a personal excursion, you’re out of luck. If you’re on an excursion through your cruise line, the ship won’t leave you behind.
You might not want to skip the international travel insurance
Yes, there are nurses and doctors on every ship. I know more than most about being sick abroad, as I was once taken off of the ship due to sickness and spent two months in a New Zealand hospital.
My medical expenses were covered since I was an employee, but cruisers should really consider talking to their insurance provider before the trip and also looking into international coverage.
Just because you’re on vacation does not mean the world will shield you in bubble wrap from accidents — or that they’ll all be covered.
Seasickness is no joke — even I get ill after over a decade onboard
I’ve been sailing for 12 years on and off and even I still get seasick.
I’ve seen many cruisers come on board unaware that they get motion sickness. And trust me, when the sickness sets in, it’s already a bit too late. In some cases, prepare to be “down for the count” for at least 48 hours.
To better prepare, you can try wristbands, patches, or other natural remedies. Personally, if I know rocky seas are in the forecast I take a non-drowsy motion-sickness medication, like Dramamine or Bonine.
Keep in mind I’m not a medical professional — just a former cruise director who has tried just about everything to nix nausea on the seas. Do what works for you.
Your cruise line is just as important as your destinations
There are so many cruise companies and each offers something different. Key factors such as age, interests, and your desired bedtime should dictate what cruise line you sail on.
For children, I’d send them straight to a ship from Royal Caribbean or Disney. For young adults or young-at-heart adults, I suggest Carnival. For a bit of posh and trend, try Virgin or Celebrity. For sophistication, music, and good food I recommend Holland America Line.
I could go on and on. And ships can vary, too. Choose wisely and do your research.
Research each destination and port before you go to them
A cruise can take you around the world to all seven continents and dock in some pretty amazing places.
That said, I’ve seen many cruisers disappointed because they picture their ship docking somewhere perfect where they can just walk off of the ship and into tons of fun activities and sights.
But this isn’t always the case. In Asia, for example, ships often dock in a cargo port — not a popular tourist spot.
You will need to either book an excursion, taxi, or shuttle to actually see anything because you can’t experience the food and culture from a shipping yard. Plan ahead.
A little bit of kindness goes a long way — and even though we’ve heard all of your jokes we’ll laugh at them anyway
Crew members are incredibly kind and hardworking. Many of us love our way of living and enjoy being at sea. We are happy to help, but you should never talk down to the crew.
A little bit of kindness goes a long way. Plus, we return the favor.
We’ve heard your cruise jokes a million times — “It looks like we’re all walking drunk,” a guest will say as we go through the ship. “I’ll pick up the check for dinner tonight,” a guest will say in the dining room, knowing full well that all the food is paid for.
Even though these are nothing new, we’ll still smile and laugh at your jokes every time.