A first cruise is one of the easiest family vacations you can take because almost everything is included, the logistics are handled for you, and you only have to unpack once… but there are a few things worth knowing before you book.
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I have booked a lot of cruises. And the questions I get from first-timers are almost always the same ones. What do drinks cost? Do I really have to tip? What happens if I miss the ship? So I figured it was time to just write it all down in one place. Consider this the thing I wish someone had handed me before my first sailing.
First things first: download the app
Before you even start packing, download your cruise line’s app. Royal Caribbean has the Royal Caribbean app, Carnival has the Hub app, and so on. This is where you will find your daily schedule of activities and events, restaurant menus, show times, your onboard account, and messaging between people in your group. A lot of lines have moved away from paper schedules entirely, so if you are not in the app, you are going to miss things. Download it before you board, set up your account, and get familiar with it. It also tends to have your pre-cruise checklist and boarding documents, so it is worth having well before sail day.
Documents, check-in, and boarding day
Boarding day is genuinely exciting and also the one day that can feel chaotic if you are not prepared. A few things that help.
What documents you need. For closed-loop cruises (meaning you leave from and return to the same U.S. port, which covers most Caribbean, Bahamas, and Mexico sailings), U.S. citizens can board with a state-certified birth certificate plus a valid government-issued photo ID like a driver’s license. That’s it. No passport required. The birth certificate has to be an official certified copy from the state vital records office, though. A hospital copy or a baptismal certificate will not work.
That said: get the passport anyway if you can. Here is why. If something goes wrong mid-cruise and you need to fly home from a foreign port, a birth certificate does not get you on an international flight. A passport does. It is also worth knowing that some itineraries, like Panama Canal sailings, require a passport no matter what. So if there is any chance your travel plans might shift, a passport gives you options a birth certificate does not.
The check-in lines. Most terminals have separate lines based on what documents you are traveling with, so passport holders and birth certificate travelers typically check in through different queues. It is also very common for lines to be organized by your assigned boarding time. Speaking of which: you will receive a boarding time when you check in online, usually a window like 11am to 11:30am.
Drop your luggage with the porters. When you pull up to the terminal, porters will take your checked bags and get them to your cabin. Tip them a couple of dollars per bag. Your bags may not arrive at your cabin until mid-afternoon, so pack a small day bag with your swimsuit, medications, valuables, and anything else you want access to right away. Do not put anything irreplaceable in your checked luggage.
The muster drill. Before the ship can leave port, every guest has to complete a safety drill. On most ships now this is done through the app rather than standing on deck in a life jacket, but you still have to check in at your assigned muster station to be marked complete. You cannot leave the port until everyone has done it. It takes about 15 minutes and it is non-negotiable. Get it done early and then go enjoy yourself.
Let’s talk about money (because it’s always more than the ticket price)
Your cruise fare covers your room and most of your meals. That’s genuinely great value. But there are a few things that catch people off guard if nobody warned them.
Gratuities. Most cruise lines automatically add gratuities to your account at the end of the trip. On Royal Caribbean and Carnival this typically runs around $18 to $20 per person per day, and it covers your cabin steward, dining room staff, and a lot of the crew working behind the scenes. My take? Just let it ride. You don’t have to carry cash, you don’t have to think about who to tip or how much, and the people taking care of you all week genuinely earn it. If you want to adjust it, you can go to Guest Services and do that, but it’s a line and a conversation. I’d rather just have it handled.
Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi is not included on most cruises and it is not cheap. You can use the ship’s app without purchasing a plan (schedules, dining reservations, messaging within your group all work without it), but if you want actual internet access, social media, or the ability to stream anything, you will need to purchase a package. On Royal Caribbean, expect to pay roughly $21 to $39 per device per day depending on the sailing and when you buy. Carnival runs about $20 to $26 per device per day pre-cruise depending on the tier.
Hot tip: Buy your Wi-Fi package before you board. Pre-cruise pricing is typically 20 to 30 percent cheaper than buying it on the ship. Same goes for drink packages, specialty dining, and excursions. The cruise planner in your account is where you will find all of these, and prices do fluctuate, so it is worth checking back periodically before you sail.
Drink packages. This is where people do the most math before a cruise. Most lines offer a couple of tiers, though it varies by ship and line:
- Non-alcoholic package: Covers sodas, specialty coffees, juices, and bottled water. Usually around $30 to $40 per person per day. Worth it if you drink a lot of coffee or soda.
- Standard alcohol package: Covers most beers, wines by the glass, and cocktails up to a certain price point. Typically $65 to $90 per person per day. If you’re having three or four drinks a day you’re probably coming out ahead.
- Premium package: Available on some ships and lines. Gets you top-shelf spirits, premium cocktails, and often specialty coffees. Usually $90 to $120 per person per day.
One important note: most lines require everyone in the same cabin to purchase the same package. So if one person drinks a lot and the other barely drinks, do that math carefully. You can always pay per drink too (cocktails typically run $12 to $16, beer $8 to $10) if a package does not make sense.
Hot tip on drink packages specifically: They go on sale constantly, especially around Black Friday and major holidays. If you have already purchased one and a better sale comes along, you can cancel and repurchase at the lower price. Worth checking back periodically between when you book and when you sail.
Specialty restaurants. Your main dining room and buffet are included and are genuinely good. But most ships also have specialty restaurants (a steakhouse, sushi bar, Italian, whatever the ship offers) that run anywhere from $20 to $60 per person. Worth it for a special night. Just don’t feel like you need to do them every night.
Dining: more options than you expect
Most cruise lines offer a few different approaches to dinner in the main dining room, and it is worth knowing the difference before you board.
Early and late seating. Traditional dining assigns you a set time, either early (usually around 5:30 or 6pm) or late (around 8 or 8:30pm). You have the same table and usually the same waitstaff every night, which a lot of people love because they get to know you.
My Time Dining. This is the flexible option, where you show up when you want within a window. What most people don’t realize is that you can make a reservation for a specific time within that window through the app. That is what I always do. You get the flexibility without standing in line waiting for a table. Highly recommend.
Breakfast and lunch in the main dining room are also included and are a nice alternative to the buffet when you want a slower, more relaxed meal. Worth knowing that is an option, especially on sea days.
What’s actually included onboard (more than you’d think)
One of the things that surprises first-timers most is how much is just included. Entertainment, pools, fitness center, most of the activities running all day long. Some of it depends on the ship, but here is a general sense of what you are working with:
- Nightly shows (production shows, comedy, live music)
- Bingo, trivia, and game shows throughout the day
- Karaoke
- Pool deck parties and events
- Fitness center and fitness classes (some specialty classes may have a fee)
- Mini golf
- Rock climbing walls (on ships that have them)
- Pickleball (on newer ships like Quantum of the Seas)
- FlowRider surf simulator (on ships that have it)
- Waterslides
- Bumper cars (yes, really, on some ships)
- Arcades (pretty much every ship has one, though games cost extra)
The experience varies a lot by ship. It is worth looking at what is on your specific sailing before you board so you know what to get excited about.
Evening shows. Entertainment on cruise ships has gotten really good. Depending on your line and ship you might get Broadway-style production shows, comedy nights, aerial acts, or Cirque du Soleil-style performances. Check the app and book the ones you want early. Some shows require reservations and fill up fast.
Theme nights and dress codes. Most cruises have at least one formal night, and many have theme nights like a white party or a decade-themed evening. The ship will usually post these in the app, but the best way to find out before you pack is through the Facebook group for your sailing.
Sea days: the secret best part of cruising
A sea day is exactly what it sounds like: a full day where the ship is sailing between ports and you have no obligations whatsoever. First-timers sometimes worry about sea days. What will we do all day? I want to tell you right now: sea days are wonderful.
The pool deck is buzzing. There are trivia games, bingo, deck parties, live music, and activities running all day. The buffet and dining room are open. You can do absolutely nothing on a lounge chair and no one will bother you. After days of getting on and off the ship in port, a sea day feels like a gift. Most itineraries have one or two. Do not dread them.
The Facebook group and the rubber ducks
Search Facebook for your ship name and sail date and you will almost certainly find a group of fellow passengers who have already formed a community before the trip even starts. These groups are genuinely useful. People share tips, organize group excursions, post insider info about the ship, and are almost always where you will find out about theme nights, dress codes, and any traditions specific to that sailing.
Which brings me to the rubber ducks. Duck hiding is a thing on cruises now, especially on Royal Caribbean. People bring small rubber ducks, hide them around the ship, and other passengers find them and keep them (or rehide them). You can join in as a hunter or bring your own ducks to hide. It sounds silly and it is a little silly, but it is also genuinely fun, especially if you have kids. The Facebook group is usually where you will find out whether your sailing has an active duck community.
The photographers (let them do their thing)
Throughout your cruise, photographers will be stationed at embarkation, at dinner, at ports, during activities, and at various spots around the ship. They are taking pictures constantly and you do not have to buy any of them. At the end of the cruise, you can review everything they captured of your family and purchase a digital package with the ones you love.
My advice: do not wave them off all week. Let them take the photos. You can always say no at the end. But some of those candid dinner shots and embarkation day photos end up being genuinely great, and you will be glad you have them.
If you’re bringing kids
Every major cruise line has a supervised kids’ program and it is included in your fare. Royal Caribbean calls it Adventure Ocean, Carnival calls it Camp Ocean, but the concept is the same: kids are split into age groups (roughly 3 to 5, 6 to 8, 9 to 11, and teens), and there’s programming running throughout the day and into the evening. Activities, crafts, games, themed nights. Drop them off, go have a drink somewhere, and everyone wins.
One thing worth knowing: the age groupings are firm, especially on full sailings. Your child will be placed based on their age at the time of sailing, not where they fall developmentally. It is worth looking up the specific age brackets for your ship before you board so there are no surprises, and so your kid knows what to expect going in.
Excursions: the one thing to think carefully about
When you pull into port you have two options: book an excursion through the cruise line, or head out on your own.
If you book through the ship and your excursion runs long, the ship will wait for you. If you book independently and something goes wrong or your taxi is late… the ship leaves. That is not a scare tactic, it is just how cruising works. So if you go the independent route, build in serious buffer time and know exactly how far from the port you are going.
That said, exploring on your own can be wonderful. Getting off in port, wandering a town, finding a local restaurant, poking around a market. Some of the best port days are completely unplanned. Just watch your time and get back early.
Private island stops
Royal Caribbean has Perfect Day at CocoCay. Carnival has several of their own. These are islands that the cruise line owns and operates, so the whole experience is well-run and easy. Beach access, food, bars, water activities, all of it.
The food on private island days is generally included (it functions as an extension of the ship), and if you have a drink package, it typically works on the island too. Worth confirming for your specific sailing, but in most cases you are not paying extra for food and your drinks are covered.
I have been to CocoCay and it rained the entire day, which is just the reality of outdoor travel sometimes. Even so, there was plenty to do and the setup is genuinely impressive. There are also cabanas and upgraded experiences available if you want something more private. On a sunny day I imagine it is incredible. I am going back to find out.
What to actually pack (the stuff nobody mentions)
Cabin space is tight. It is clever and efficient and there is enough room for everything you need, but organization genuinely helps. A few things I bring on every sailing:
- Over-the-door organizer. Hang it on the bathroom door and suddenly you have a place for sunscreen, toiletries, medications, all the small stuff that would otherwise be living on the tiny counter. Total game changer.
- Magnet hooks. Cruise ship walls are metal. Magnet hooks stick right to them. Wet swimsuits, bags, lanyards… suddenly you have somewhere to put things without them piling up on the bed.
- All your medications. Whatever you take at home, bring it. The ship has a medical center but it is expensive and they do not always have what you need.
- Seasickness supplies. Even if you have never been seasick in your life, throw some Dramamine and a pack of Sea-Bands in your bag. Modern ships are remarkably stable, but if you hit rough water and you are unprepared, your trip gets miserable fast. Sea-Bands are acupressure wristbands that work without making you drowsy. Worth having both options just in case.
- Themed night outfits, if you want them. Check the Facebook group or the app before you pack so you know what to expect. Formal night, white party, whatever it is. You do not have to participate, but if you want to, it is much easier to plan ahead than scramble onboard.
One last thing nobody warns you about
After a few days at sea, your body adjusts to the gentle movement of the ship. Then you step onto solid ground and your brain is briefly convinced the floor is still moving. It is called mal de débarquement and it is completely normal. Usually fades within a day or two. Just know it is coming so you do not spend your first day home convinced something is wrong with you.
First cruises have a funny way of turning into second and third cruises pretty quickly. There is something about unpacking once, waking up somewhere new, and having most things just taken care of that gets under your skin in the best way. I hope yours does the same.
Cheers to smooth sailing.
Thinking about booking a cruise? Working with a travel advisor for your cruise means perks, pricing protection, and someone in your corner if anything goes wrong.
Wondering what it costs to work with a travel advisor? The answer might surprise you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cruising for First-Timers
How much does a cruise actually cost beyond the ticket price?
Plan for gratuities ($18 to $20 per person per day on most major lines), Wi-Fi if you want it ($20 to $39 per person per day depending on the line and tier), a drink package if you want one ($30 to $120 per person per day depending on the tier), specialty dining if you choose it ($20 to $60 per person per meal), and excursions in port (anywhere from $50 to $200 per person depending on the activity). A realistic all-in budget for a family of four on a 7-night cruise, beyond the base fare, often runs $1,500 to $3,000 depending on how much you add on.
Do I need a passport for a cruise?
For closed-loop cruises (leaving from and returning to the same U.S. port), U.S. citizens can sail with a state-certified birth certificate plus a government-issued photo ID. No passport required. That covers most Caribbean, Bahamas, and Mexico itineraries. However: the birth certificate must be an official certified copy, not a hospital copy. And if anything goes wrong mid-cruise and you need to fly home from a foreign port, a birth certificate will not get you on an international flight. A passport will. Some itineraries, like Panama Canal sailings, require a passport regardless. If there is any chance of your plans shifting, get the passport.
Is cruising a good vacation for families with kids?
It is one of the best formats for families. You unpack once, there is built-in kids’ programming included in your fare, the food is always accessible, and there is genuinely something for every age. The ship handles most of the logistics so you can actually relax. The key is picking the right ship for your family’s interests, since the activity lineup varies a lot between older and newer vessels.
Do I have to tip on a cruise?
Most cruise lines add gratuities automatically to your onboard account at the end of the trip. You do not have to do anything. If you want to adjust the amount you can go to Guest Services, but the automatic gratuity is the standard and it covers the crew who take care of you throughout the sailing.
What is the difference between My Time Dining and traditional dining on a cruise?
Traditional dining assigns you a fixed early or late seating in the main dining room every night. My Time Dining lets you show up when you want within a flexible window. What most people do not know is that you can make a reservation for a specific time within that window through the app, so you get the flexibility without the wait. That is the move.
What should I pack for a cruise that I would not think of on my own?
An over-the-door organizer for the bathroom, magnet hooks for the cabin walls, all your regular medications, and seasickness supplies even if you have never needed them before. Also worth packing: any outfits for theme nights or formal nights, which you can find out about in advance through the ship’s app or the Facebook group for your sailing.
Can I get off the ship and explore on my own, or do I have to book excursions?
You can absolutely get off and explore on your own. Wandering a port town, finding a local restaurant, poking around a market. Some of the best port days are completely unplanned. The one thing to know: if you book an excursion independently and you are late getting back, the ship will leave without you. Book through the cruise line if that is a concern, or give yourself serious buffer time if you go out on your own.
Are there things to do on the ship that do not cost extra?
Yes, a lot. Most ships include nightly shows, pool access, fitness center, trivia, bingo, karaoke, deck parties, sports courts, rock climbing walls, waterslides, and more depending on the ship. The arcade and some specialty experiences cost extra, but the baseline of included activities is genuinely impressive. Sea days especially tend to have a packed schedule of free activities from morning through late night.
Becca Marsh is a certified travel advisor affiliated with Fora Travel and the voice behind Wanders & Wink, based in Grants Pass, Oregon. A lifelong traveler who has explored every U.S. state and dozens of countries from the street food stalls of Vietnam to the Michelin-starred restaurants of Paris, she specializes in food-forward family travel that actually delivers on the fantasy. She takes her own family on at least six trips a year (research, she calls it…) and brings that firsthand experience to every itinerary she builds for her clients. She believes great travel is accessible to everyone and will always tell you exactly where to go and what to order.
