Handy tips when choosing your first cruise

When it comes to deciding to embark on your first cruise holiday it can quickly become overwhelming with the amount of choices on offer, not to mention all the huge array of different definitions and terminology that cruise lines use! That's why we have created some handy tips that will help you pick who you sail with, what's included, which destination to choose. 

Call or email our cruise experts today as are we always on to hand to offer helpful & friendly advice if you can't find what you are looking for or alternatively why not check out our  handy Customer's Cruise FAQ's to find out more. 

Plan your Cruise Holiday in Advance

• Firstly you need to decide what you are looking for from your cruise. We recommend looking at your previous holidays and noting down the key 3-5 reasons you chose them. Was it price based, all-inclusive, customer service, the destination or the weather & beaches? After all there is no point in booking on a ship with over 5,000 guests that constantly has entertainment on 24/7 when you prefer the more intimate and quieter holiday experience. 

• Fly cruise or cruise from the UK? There are benefits to both, for starters if you are not a fan of flying or can't stand waiting around at the airport then cruising from UK allows you to start your holiday the moment you arrive at the port. Just unload your bags, go to check-in and your are normally on board within a hour. Where as fly-cruise can cut out all the sea days that are required when sailing from the UK, meaning you normally end up with more ports to explore and embarkation ports such as Barcelona & Rome can be reached within a couple of hours.
• Booking online or over the phone. Many agents just like ourselves are now offering the option to book online, as its available 24 hrs a day and you can receive additional discount that might not be available in store or over the phone. For example with Pure Holidays you can book your P&O Cruises, Cunard, Princess Cruises & MSC Cruises online in easy steps, which we have designed using our years of experience to make as simple and seamless as possible. If you're not confident about booking online then speaking to a person in store, over the phone or email can provide you with helpful insights and tips.

• Deciding the destination you want to explore, but remember to choose carefully. If you're more in to relaxing on sunloungers by the beach in the Caribbean, then booking a cruise to Norway Fjords or the Baltics & Russia isn't going to float your boat.

• Always ensure you have travel insurance from the moment that you have booked your holiday. This will ensure that you are covered incase you are unable to travel & have to cancel, some travel insurance providers won't pay out if you are unable to go between booking & time of travelling. All cruise ships do have fantastic medical centres with highly qualified nurses and doctors but they are not free and bills can quickly mount up.

• We will always tell you what is included as part of your cruise holiday, however we do recommend that you always double check the small print from your cruise line especially when it comes to all-inclusive drinks packages. For example some cruise lines require you to pay gratuities for housekeeping & waiters, which can quickly add to the total of your holiday. 

• Take a change of clothes in your hand luggage, especially when taking a fly-cruise just in case the airline loses your luggage enroute. Always remember to carry any medication you need in there too! One of our top tips for the first day if you are embarking during summer months or in warmer climates is to pack swimming wear, sunscreen & a good book, as your cabin isn't always ready straight away, so you can make the most of the pool facitilies.

• If you're looking at fly to long haul destinations such as Florida, Alaska & Asia to take your cruise, we recommend staying the night before. Not only does this protect you from potential flight delays & cancellations, some flights don't arrive with enough time for you to join your cruise. The expection to the rule would be when the flight is chartered by the cruise line such as P&O Cruises Caribbean, Canaries & Mediterranean fly-cruises as they are provided by them, the ship will wait for you!

Choosing the right Cabin for your needs

• Picking the right cabin is as equally important and can very much be swayed by the deciding factors when choosing your cruise. For example if you're looking to take in the scenery in Alaska or Norway then a cabin with a balcony is a must, where as an inside cabin can work out a much cheaper option especially if you're not too fussed on having natural daylight.

• One cruise line may call it a stateroom, another a cabin, what's the difference? Well nothing! It all depends on who you are sailing with, for example most american cruise lines such as Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean & Celebrity Cruises call them staterooms, where as european cruise lines such as P&O Cruises, Cunard & Fred Olsen Cruise Line call then cabins.

• The cruise fare you choose can determine your cabin. Most cruise lines offer one or two cruise fares that offer different benefits, for example P&O Cruises & Cunard offer an Early Saver Fare, which is cheaper than the brochure price but is on a guarantee basis. This means you will given the grade you booked at minimum when it's allocated by the cruise line nearer to the time of departure - perfect for those that aren't overally bothered where you are on the ship but be wary that you have no say where you can end up.

• Travelling with the family. Most cabins can accommodate up to 4 guests within one room either in the form of pull out sofa bed or 2 pull down bunk beds (often known as pullman berths) that come down from the ceilings. In the case of pullman berths you are unable to have a double bed for parents due to health and safety. If you are looking to travel with younger children and you're not to keen on the idea of your little one in a upper bed then don't worry as you can request bed rail guards or even a travel cot for children under 2.

What are the Dining & Eating arrangements onboard

• Dining on the first night. After a long days travelling the idea of going down to the main dining room doesn't really appeal. Many guests decide to go for the buffet option as it's quick and easy. Alternatively trying out one of the speciality restaurants is a good idea as they is normally offer discounts or incentives to try it out on the first night.

• Main dining rooms & dress codes. Most cruise lines have 3 different types of dress codes through out a cruise that are required in the evening to be able to eat in the main dining rooms - casual, semi-formal & formal. For those that hate the sound of this, then not to worry the buffet dinners are just as good, where no evening dress codes apply. Sometimes they offer more variety through themed nights such as Indian, Italian, Chinese etc. Some cruise lines like Oceania Cruises only offer a casual dress code.

• The description “all-inclusive fare” does not usually include bar bills, except on ultra luxury cruise lines such as Silversea, Seabourn & Regent Seven Seas. Look out for attractive deals on included drinks packages, often offered to encourage bookings at different times of the year, with Royal Caribbean, Princess Cruises & Celebrity Cruises all known for it. 

Making the most of your time ashore or in port

• Always make a note of when you need to be back onboard, if you're late the ship won't wait for you! Most cruise lines offer a daily programme delivered to the cabin nightly for the following day, if you're due in port it normally includes an all on board time & emergency contact numbers should you need them. Alternatively at the gangway is a board showing the time, we recommend taking a picture of both on your phone or taking a programme with you just in case you can't remember.

• Take an organised shore excursion. If you're not confident of going on your own and really want to see a certain attraction, then booking a tour through the cruise line is perfect. Not only is everything taken care of, you often find that you can skip the lines at major attractions such as the Colosseum in Rome - plus if it's late back the ship will wait for you.

Make the most of offers by booking onboard

• If you're having a fantastic time and can't wait to go on your next one, then head on down to the onboard cruise sales team. Many cruise lines offer the option to book your next holiday whilst you are still onboard with special offers such as discounts, extra onboard spend or low deposits available. We get notified of your booking, apply your exclusive saving and take care of the rest.

Find out more related information below

• Understanding P&O Cruises Cabins & Fares
• Understanding Cunard Staterooms & Fares
• Understanding Celebrity Cruises Staterooms & Fares
• Understanding Fred Olsen Cabins & Fares