How To Plan A Cruise For The First Time

Discover Packing Tips, Port Advice and Onboard Must-Dos

By Chantae Reden | Published on December 3, 2025

Longtime cruisers know how exciting and relaxing a cruise can be. World-class entertainment, scrumptious dining options and adventure activities are just steps away from your stateroom. At sea, the stars shine brighter, and when you wake up in the morning, you're often in a new destination.

If you're looking for a memorable trip at sea, here's how to book a cruise, plus other tips for first-time cruisers.

Key Takeaways: How To Plan Your First Cruise

● Browse and book online 6–12 months in advance to compare ships, itineraries and cabins.

● Choose excursions and onboard activities for your travel style, including meal and beverage packages.

● Familiarize yourself with daily schedules, entertainment and ship amenities for smooth sailing.

● Discover cruise packing list essentials, from documents and toiletries to versatile clothing and more.

● Explore Royal Caribbean cruises today and find the perfect itinerary for you.

How To Book a Cruise for the First Time

One of my favorite first time cruise tips is booking online, where you can compare ships, itineraries and cabins all in one place. For the best rates and availability, try to book six to twelve months in advance. Planning early gives you more options.

With hundreds of ports of call around the world — from the Caribbean to Europe to the South Pacific and beyond — the options of where to go for your first-time cruise are nearly limitless. When it comes to tips for booking a cruise, start by looking at how much time you have to travel:

● For a quick getaway, a short cruise to Mexico, the Caribbean or Catalina Island might be within reach.

● For longer escapes, embark on a seven-night (or longer) cruise to Europe, Asia, the South Pacific and beyond.

There’s bound to be a cruise that fits your dream destination and ideal length of time

Watch for Last-Minute Cruise Opportunities

Embrace your spontaneous side. If a great cruise deal catches your eye, jump on it! One of my favorite cruises happened only after a friend invited me to join a week-long cruise to the Caribbean — a great travel destination for beginners. We spent the week ziplining over the treetops of Antigua, scuba diving with reef sharks off Grand Turk, kayaking in the calm waters of Saint Kitts and Nevis and indulging in spa treatments.

Cruises are all about embracing new experiences with many of the comforts you have at home, so there are no wrong choices.

Who Can Enjoy a Cruise?

● Couples: If you're traveling as a couple, a cruise offers a romantic retreat from everyday life. Spend your time watching the sunset from your private balcony or walking hand in hand down white-sand beaches.

● Families: If you're cruising with the whole family, there's an activity for every generation. Kids will love the excitement happening at the ship's Adventure Ocean® Youth Program — a youth program with kid-friendly lounges, science labs, water sports activities, games and entertainment. Adults will enjoy the endless entertainment, workshops and dining options.

● Solo travelers: With so many activities and hangout spaces onboard solo travelers, it's easy to make friends on the ship. In fact, I met some of my best travel buddies at a cruise trivia tournament.

How To Tailor Your Cruise Experience

Choose Excursions That Match Your Adventure Style

Once you book your cruise, consider the shore excursions you're interested in doing. There are countless activities to choose from, including:

● Shopping trips.

● Walking tours.

● Cooking classes.

● Cultural performances.

● Zip lines.

● ATV rides.

● Scuba diving.

● Snorkeling trips.

Your shore excursions are an important factor in what you need to pack, so it's helpful to decide before you set sail.

Explore Dining and Beverage Packages

When it comes to first-time cruise tips, be sure to consider the meal, drink and activity packages available. This will shape your cruise experience and might even help save you money. Here are a few to explore:

● Deluxe Beverage Package: Unlimited drink options, including unlimited alcoholic beverages and 40% off select bottled wine.

● Classic Soda Package: Unlimited fountain soda and Coca-Cola® Freestyle beverages.

● Unlimited Dining Package: Savor a different specialty restaurant each night — and at lunch on sea days. Enjoy discounts on wine bottles while you dine.

What To Expect on Your First Cruise

Make the Most of Your Port Arrival

Your cruise will depart from a port where you'll check in, find your cruise schedule and board the ship. As far as tips for first-time cruisers go, it's recommended to arrive early for extra time at your port destination. It's worth arriving a night or two before your cruise departs so you have time to enjoy the activities and scenery that the port city has to offer. It's like a mini vacation before a vacation!

Before my cruise from Miami, my friend and I went to museums, buzzed through Everglades National Park and enjoyed the city's nightlife.

Explore Your Ship on Boarding Day

Once it's time to board your cruise, you'll check in with your luggage, which will be taken to your stateroom. This is a great time to explore the ship and discover your soon-to-be favorite:

● Lounge spots.

● Dining areas.

● Entertainment rooms.

● Spa.

● Shops.

For a laid-back start, pack a bathing suit and a change of clothes in your carry-on bag and head straight to the pool.

Enjoy Onboard and Offboard Fun at Sea

Cruise days are spent either at sea or at a port of call. While the ship is at sea, take advantage of all the activities, entertainment areas, dining venues and spa treatments available. Or, spend the day in the shade with a drink in one hand and a book in the other. Once the ship arrives at port, you'll venture out for planned shore excursions or explore the destination on your own.

If you don't feel like getting off the ship, you're in good company. With so many things to see, eat, drink and do on your cruise ship, many travelers choose to spend their day extending their onboard experience.

First-Time Cruise Tips for Packing

When you're packing for your cruise, consider the destination you'll be traveling to and the weather it'll likely have that time of year.

Lightweight fabrics you can layer are ideal for cruises to the Caribbean, while jeans, a blouse and a jacket might be more suitable for an autumn cruise to Europe. No matter where you're going, clothing that’s comfortable, versatile and easy to mix and match should always be on your cruise packing list. Many itineraries also have a formal night onboard, so check your cruise ship schedule and enjoy the experience of going all out.

Multifunctional pieces are great to bring on a cruise, no matter the destination:

● A sarong can act as a scarf in chilly weather, a lounge towel on the beach and a cover-up for a night on the town.

● Sporty sandals with tread will carry you from the pool deck to jungle trails in comfort.

● A button-up is great for protecting your skin against sun and wind, and it can be dressed up or down.

● Athletic attire is an essential if you're planning plenty of adventure excursions.

The great thing about a cruise is you only have to unpack once, no matter how many ports of call you visit.

First-Time Cruise Essentials Checklist

Here’s a checklist of essentials you won’t want to board your first cruise without:

● Identification documents.

● Your wallet.

● Toiletries.

● Medications.

● Sightseeing clothes.

● Swimming attire.

● A formal outfit.

● Socks and undergarments.

● Sun protection.

● A camera.

● Binoculars (for wildlife watching).

● A dry bag.

● Sandals.

● Closed-toe shoes.

● Sunglasses.

● A hat.

Discover What Your Ship Has to Offer

The ship will be your home away from home on your cruise. Ships such as the Royal Caribbean fleet of Oasis Class ships offer multiple:

● World-class dining venues.

● Thrill-seeking rides.

● Theaters.

● Lounge spaces.

● Pools.

● Entertainment areas.

You can learn about each ship before your trip online on the Cruise Ship Hub. Here, you'll find an overview of the ship's highlights, deck plans, things to do, room options and trip details. Don't be surprised if you find yourself choosing a ship and then the destination you'll cruise to based on upcoming itineraries.

Cruise Your Way: Spontaneous or Scheduled

If you're a spontaneous traveler who prefers to go with the flow, you can save many of the ship's highlights as a surprise for when you get onboard. Or, if you don't want to miss a beat with on-deck offerings, feel free to plan your cruise days around the cruise ship schedule and features you're most excited about. For example, if you're traveling on Wonder of the Seas:

● Spend your morning catching a wave on the FlowRider® surf simulator or riding down one of the many water slides.

● Then, grab a lunch of country classics at the Mason Jar Southern Restaurant.

● Once afternoon arrives, head to the AquaTheater to watch an incredible feat of aqua acrobatics.

● Afterward, you can enjoy a chilled cocktail at the bar before dinner.

● For dinner, savor Mediterranean eats at Giovanni’s℠ Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar.