22 Things which always surprise first-time cruisers

The excitement of going on your very first cruise can also be tinged with a few surprises. Many holiday makers who are new to cruise encounter some unexpected elements while on ship which they might not have previously come across on a land-based holiday.

In this blog post I’ll take you through some of the key things which continue to surprise first time cruisers and top tips of what to expect on a cruise.

Onboard Amenities

Regardless of which ship you decide to sail on, the vast range of cruise ship amenities available on board can often surprise first time cruises – for example:

1. Cruise ships are much bigger than you think.

Some of the largest cruise ships can accommodate thousands of passengers and can be considered as floating resorts.

For example, the largest cruise ship in the world at the time of writing is Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas is 365 metres (1967 feet) long, with 20 decks and can accommodate up to 7,600 passengers and 2,350 crew.

It’s not surprising to see many first-time cruises get lost on board. However, there are useful deck plans and cruise ship maps to help you find your way around.

2. So much is included in your cruise fare.

The wide range of amenities available onboard modern cruise ships includes Spas, Fitness centres theatres, art galleries and even shopping malls. On some of the largest ships you’ll also find unique features such as water parks and slides, go-cart tracks and ropes courses.

While some activities incur additional costs, cruise ships still provide so many included activities and dining options in your cruise fare. For example, there’s lots of entertainment included such as shows and live music, multiple dining venues from casual to more formal and often plenty of activities for everyone including kids’ clubs, films and games.

3. It’s very easy to spend a lot more than you planned on board.

If you don’t want to spend any more money on board then this is quite easy to do so. However, cruise lines are also very skilled at finding ways to help you part with even more money when you are on board.

At the end of your cruise, you’ll be presented with your onboard statement. First time cruisers can often need a stiff drink after seeing how much they’ve spent on board at the end of a one week or two-week cruise.

Small things such as drinks, photographs, speciality dining, and spa treatments (to name a few) can often add up to a surprisingly large bill at the end of your cruise. My tip is to constantly check your onboard statement at regular intervals during your cruise and set aside a budget before you embark.

Dining Experiences

Cruise dining experiences can be quite different than dining options you might have experienced on a land-based holiday.

4. There’s always something to eat on board.

Very rarely will you find that you will go hungry on board a cruise ship. Larger cruise ships often have a dining option available around the clock. Whether this is room service or a late-night buffet. During the day you’ll rarely find a time where you won’t be able to order anything to eat.

5. You might have to share a table with people you don’t know

If you’re dining in one of the main restaurants, you may be asked whether you would wish to dine with your fellow cruises. Before you embark you are often asked to indicate your preferences in terms of table size and whether you wish to share or not.

You’re not obliged to share a table with other cruisers, but some people enjoy this aspect of the cruise holiday as it provides an opportunity to meet other people. If this is something which doesn’t appeal to you then you can ask for a private table for two.

Cabins and Accommodations

You’ll find that there is much more discussion and debate about cruise ship accommodation compared to accommodation on land-based holidays which comes as a surprise for first time cruisers. This can include things such as in cabin amenities to the location and type of your cabin.

6. Some cabins have no windows.

There are a variety of cabin options available on a cruise ship. One of the cheapest cabins is an inside cabin which is basically a room with no windows. This can be off putting for some who are new to cruise holidays.

If this is something which doesn’t appeal to you then an ocean view or obstructed ocean view cabin can be a good compromise without completely busting your budget.

7. Some cabins might not have the best view.

Many first-time cruisers book an ocean view or balcony cabin only to be disappointed when they find that their view is obstructed partially or completely by a lifeboat or some other part of the ship when they get on board.

This is often because first time cruises are not aware that they have booked an obstructed view cabin. It is therefore important to check the deck plan before you book to check whether the view from your cabin will be obstructed or partially obstructed. A great travel agent can also help you with this.

8. You have to put the toilet seat down to flush.

One of the unique things about cruise ship toilets is that they operate on a vacuum/suction system as this saves water. You’ll often find a button to flush the toilet behind the toilet seat which means you must put the toilet seat down to flush.

The toilet also makes quite an alarming sound when you experience it for the first time. However, you get used to this very quickly after a couple of hours or days on board.

9. You have to leave your room on disembarkation day at 8:00 AM.

On land-based holidays you might be able to check out around 10:00 AM or even upgrade for a late checkout in the afternoon. While there are exceptions (for late flights where day cabins are available), it is common for cruise lines to require you to vacate your cabin and remove your luggage or personal belongings by 8:00 AM.

This is to ensure that your hard-working cabin steward has enough time to turn around your room for the next guests boarding the same afternoon.

Activities and Entertainment

Cruise ship holidays provide exceptional value for money. Once you’re on board you really don’t have to spend any more money to have a fantastic holiday.

10. A cruise is such good value for money as a holiday.

The range of included activities available on a cruise ship from early morning to late at night includes Broadway style shows, comedy clubs, live music performances and movie theatres. First time cruisers are usually pleasantly surprised by just how much is included in your cruise fare.

You don’t need to worry about paying for a taxi to get back to your accommodation after a great night out. All your meals are included as well as some drinks, and even childcare is included so there’s no need to pay babysitters if parents want a date night.

11. There are some unexpected activities on board

Most cruise ships offer standard entertainment such as live music, theatre performances, movies, quizzes sports courts and deck games. However, some of the larger cruise ships also provide some unexpected activities which surprise first time cruisers.

For example, you can play laser tag, go go-karting, rock climbing, ice skating, skydiving, fencing, and surfing all on board a cruise ship. Some spa treatments even include non-surgical facelifts and teeth whitening.

Shore Excursions

12. You can easily exhaust yourself on a cruise.

It can be tempting to want to experience everything, explore every port and do all of the activities on board ship.

Many first-time cruisers fall into this trap and end up becoming exhausted after the first few days on board. It’s always best to pace yourself and my tip is to use your sea days to re-energize and relax.

13. You don’t have to get off ship at every port.

When you arrive into a port on your cruise itinerary, you may wish to get off and explore. Many new cruisers think that you must get off the ship when it arrives in each port.

In fact, if you can stay on board when in port you can experience a lot of the cruise ship amenities when they are at their most calmest and quietest.

14. You don’t have to go on a cruise line’s shore excursion.

One of the ways cruise lines make additional money whilst you’re on board is to offer organised tours to help you explore ashore.

For some cruises this can provide peace of mind because if you are on a cruise line sure excursion the ship must wait for you to be back on board before it leaves port. However, many ports are easy to explore on your own without running the risk of missing the ship.

One of the mistakes first time cruisers make is to think that you must take the ship’s shore excursions to explore port. You can save a lot of money by exploring independently with a little bit of research beforehand. Or use my ports guides to help you – like the ones below.

Cruise ship etiquette

The social dynamics and etiquette on a cruise ship is one of the key things which always surprises and sometimes catches out first time cruises. These can include things such as dress codes, tipping, interactions with staff and fellow passengers.

15. There’s a new language on board.

For cruises stepping on board for the first time there can be a lot of nautical terms used on board which you might not have encountered on a land-based holiday. For example, terms like the aft and stern, port and starboard, and locations such as the purser’s office, the atrium, the bridge and the muster station.

If any of these terms confuse you then this post will be helpful to look through before you step on board ship and you can always ask any member of the crew who will be happy to help you translate any terms you’re unfamiliar with.

16. You have to attend a muster before the ship sets sail.

It can be tempting when you get on board to head straight to the bar or the buffet and enjoy a relaxing afternoon by the pool, before you set sail. However, if you are a first-time cruiser, it’s important to know that the muster drill is the mandatory safety exercise you need to attend before the ship can set sail.

Think of it like be safety briefing you have before you take off on an aeroplane. This pre-departure muster drill is a regulatory requirement, and all guests have to attend the muster station by scanning their cruise card Regardless of whether you are new to cruising or have sailed many times before.

⭐My advice is as soon as you head on board attend your muster station and view the safety video and then you’re all set to go for a relaxing afternoon and an amazing cruise

17. Pineapples and flamingos take on a whole new meaning on a cruise ship.

First time cruisers are sometimes perplexed when they see flamingos 🦩or upside-down pineapples 🍍 decorating fellow passengers cabin doors.

So it might be useful to know that upside down pineapples and flamingos are a sign of someone that someone is into swinging. Although Upside-down pineapples are more widely associated with swinging than flamingos.

Packing and Preparation

Having a great packing list is also important for first time cruisers. Remember to pack for the itinerary and climate and activities you’ll be taking part in.

Many first-time cruisers are caught out by forgetting essential items. While you can buy a range of key items on board from painkillers to formal wear, it will be more expensive to purchase these items on board.

18. There’s no cash taken on board.

When you step on board your cruise card will be the only way you’ll pay for drinks, speciality dining, spa treatments, additional activities and any other onboard purchases from the shops. Some first time cruises are surprise when they realise you don’t need to take any additional cash to pay for things on board.

Your cruise card will also be the key for entering your cabin and it’s what you need to show to gangway security when you leave the ship to explore at port and when you get on board. So it’s an important items to keep with your at all times.

19. You don’t have to carry your luggage to your room.

One of the great things about a cruise holiday is that you don’t have to carry your luggage from the cruise terminal to your accommodation like you would do on a land-based holiday. The crew and cruise terminal staff will do this on your behalf.

If you’re used to waiting at the luggage carousel at the airport before catching a transfer to your hotel, this aspect of cruise holidays can be a pleasant surprise.

20. You leave your luggage outside your cabin the night before you disembark.

Likewise, when you disembark your cruise your luggage is taken from your cabin to the cruise terminal when you disembark.

21. It’s important to switch on ‘airplane mode’.

It’s not uncommon to find stories of first-time cruisers who have not switched their mobile phone to aeroplane only mode when on a cruise ship and then being faced with an astronomical phone bill as they have inadvertently connected to the maritime network on board.

⭐My tip is as soon as you step on board ship put your phone into aeroplane mode or connect to the ship’s Wi-Fi if you have bought an Internet package. 

It can also be a good idea to set additional spending limits with your network provider too if you inadvertently forget to put your phone in aeroplane mode.

22. You can take as much luggage as you want on a no-fly cruise

No fly cruises don’t have any luggage restrictions. This means you can take as many cases as you wish. However, first time cruisers should also be aware but if you are travelling to port via public transport, you still need to be able to carry all your luggage yourself.

In summary…

One of the key things which always surprises first time cruisers is that it’s very easy to become addicted to cruise holidays. My advice is to make sure that you start to save early for your next cruise before even embarking on your first time on board.

I hope that this article has helped you if you are a first-time cruiser I’m giving you some great advice and cruise travel tips from shore excursions, cruise ship etiquette ship activities, dining experiences and Cruise ship amenities. Have a great holiday!

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