Cruising 101, Part 1: Welcome to Cruising
- Nov 9, 2025
- 12 min read
Some travelers hate it, some are addicted to it and others simply make it part of their travel portfolio. We're talking about taking a cruise: a form of travel that takes you from one place to another by sailing on a ship (never call it a boat, that's what you take when you want to get off a ship and you need a smaller vessel).
Cruising can be added to your travel repertoire but there are some facts you need to know to make a wise choice and to decide if this method is for you. Don't be too influenced by bloggers, vloggers and influencers who create posts that are designed to get views and followers. Make sure you listen to and read carefully the information that you find. People are going to exaggerate the positive and negative aspects of anything and it's our job as consumers to find that middle perspective that helps us to make good decisions for ourselves.
This blog series is for travelers who are beginners in cruising.
Welcome to Cruising!
Cruising used to be luxury of the upper class wealthy. Some of those movies and TV series that portray the jet set on an ocean liner before they became the jet set are accurate. Ships were luxuriously designed, people dressed in haute couture, live orchestras played in ball rooms, dinners were not cooked meals, they were cuisine.
Traveling by ship was a combination of a form of travel and a form of transportation, used to take journeys across oceans before airplane travel was invented, which in turn went through its own transformation as a form of travel for the rich to become more affordable for the rest of us.
People traveled according to what they could afford: first class, second class and third class. Third class travelers were doubled, tripled and quadrupled up in cabins at the bottom of the ship, using it as a method to travel mostly from Europe to North America, mostly likely one way, moving to another country. Meanwhile, upstairs in first class, the passenger suites were like apartments: bedrooms, huge sitting rooms and bathrooms that didn't look like telephone booths, and having the time of their lives as they used the cruise ship as a form of transportation and as a vacation.
But ironically, while airplane travel was at first almost prohibitive, it was what ultimately drove the cruise industry to reinvent itself. Catering to the wealthy, who by this time had their own private vessels and their own airplanes was not going to keep them in business. World War II, if it didn't create it, expanded a new economic class in America and around the world: the middle class. And they had disposable income. They also had lots of options when they wanted to take a vacation: travel on newly expanded and built highways, the interstate system, in cars they could purchase on credit; board an airplane like the movies stars with a pair of sunglasses on and disembark in some tropical island; or they could now take a cruise.
By the 1970s, cruising became more economical. But in order to make it appealing, one more factor had to be added to make it worth someone's while to choose that over an all-inclusive resort that you can get to by airplane.
Taking a cruise had to stop being boring. It had to be fun. And it had to be something younger people wanted to do. Enter Carnival Cruise Line and Princess Cruises. Carnival started creating ads with hip, younger travelers partying on the Lido deck, enjoying life. And Princess Cruises partnered with an enormously popular television series: The Love Boat. Not only would you get a luxury vacation at a great price, your love life would improve as well! Amazing.
Other cruise lines quickly got on board (yes, pun intended) and the cruise industry became a viable player in travel.
So, why cruise? Or why not? Lots of reasons on both sides. Let's start with the negatives:
~Can you travel by water? If you never have, practice. Take a harbor cruise in your city or while you're on a road or airplane trip. There are plenty of sunset cruises, wine tasting jaunts, cruises to nowhere, all white parties, DJ cruises, 3 hour music cruises and more. Find one and test out your sea legs. Bring an anti-nausea medicine with you, don't drink much alcohol and don't eat too much. Let your body decide if this is something for you or not.
~Can you handle not only the cruise, but being on the water. Some people may have a feeling of a phobia if they think they can't get off the ship or go anywhere. Many people can cruise, but some people don't like too many sea days. They need to know they are going to dock somewhere.
~Can you handle large crowds? There are ways to get around this, just like other forms of travel, but the larger the ship, the more people will be onboard. You will learn when to go to eat, whether to attend any entertainment activities and where the quiet places are on a ship (yes, there are some).
~Can you handle a room half the size of a hotel room? Some people need an ocean view, a balcony or a larger room and they're fine (the don't want an inside cabin, which does not have windows). Others may feel claustrophobic and have a hard time sleeping. PS: there are magnetic night lights people bring to help with the darkness at night. Remember, there are no lights when you're at sea! It gets dark.
Decide if cruising is for you by taking day trips (to see if you can handle the physical aspects). Test it out with a very short cruise (there are actually 2 or 3 day cruises) by going on one with friends or family. Going by yourself might not be helpful for you to explore all of the facets of taking a cruise vacation. If it's not for you, you can get similar experiences by flying or driving to all-inclusive resorts that have lots of activities and access to excursions locally.
But if you have decided: yes, I'm on board with this (yes, another bad pun), then all we can say is "Welcome Aboard!"
1.One factor in its favor is that you can plan well in advance (sometimes over a year in advance) and pay in installments. There are a few filters you will need for your search: when you want to go, for how long, from where and to where. Where do you want to leave from (departing port); where do you want to go (itinerary, ports of call); how long do you want the cruise to be and what do you want to do while you're on board.
Many times, the filters will supercede each other. For instance, if you want to sail on a certain date, then that is the filter you will enter in first. If you have flexibility in your departure ports (a bonus for people who live near cruise ports or can get to other ports fairly easily), then you will see cruise terminals that have sailings for those dates.
Add in how long you want to be away. This used to be tricky but cruise companies have become more transparent. The days will be a higher number than the nights. An 8 day, 7 night cruise means you embark on Day 1 and get off on Day 8. You will sleep 7 nights on the ship. If you are still confused, look at the actual dates of the cruise and look at the itinerary. The last date will be the day you disembark for good.
Finally, you will narrow it down by looking at the itinerary. Is the cruise going where you want to go? We will get what to do later.
Also, check out the class of ship you might want and the activities and dining it offers. (What to Know When You Book). For more information about booking a cruise or having enough information to talk with your travel consultant, we have more info in our next article.
2. You need a passport for most cruises. I normally say for all cruises. It should not expire within 6 months of the end of the cruise. You can use that or (or sometimes other photo ID) to get back on board after visiting the ports. You need a book passport to board, when you check in at the cruise terminal. If you are traveling with a child, that child needs one, too. If you are not the parent, you will need to complete a notarized permission form from the parents and have copies of their IDs. Have everything printed out and keep it with you. Some cruise lines want to see that information again if you register the child for the kids cub. Some countries require even another letter giving permission, so always check with the cruise line's website under the FAQs.
3. What's included? Your basic meals, most entertainment, the passage itself and your stateroom. Drinks (see below about soft drinks), excursions (the activities when you dock at ports), spa packages, casinos, bingo, some events, internet packages, gratuities, taxes and fees are not automatically included. You can opt to pay for the gratuities when you pay for your passage or to leave an envelope with cash at the service desk with the amount of your choice (they put this information at the very end in teeny, tiny print). However, know that paying gratuities is no longer optional for many cruises. The gratuities are divided between the crew. If you want a crew member to get a personal tip from you, bring cash: your cabin steward, your server in the dining room if you eat at the same table each evening and maybe someone else special. If you get drinks at the bar, check to see if a gratuity is added in automatically, do not feel obligated to give anything extra.
What about money? Almost every single cruise line is cashless. You will set up your account before you board the ship: either online on the website, or when you check in. When you get on board, you can visit customer service if you prefer to put cash on your account. Make sure you reserve one credit card for your account and don't use that card for anything else. If you have a problem, they will certainly page you over the loudspeaker if they can't contact you in your cabin. Keep track of your account on the app or at kiosks located throughout the ship. You can always check your account at guest services.
4. Beverage Packages: Most cruise lines charge for soft drinks and all of them charge for alcohol, unless you bought a special all-inclusive package. Even then, top shelf alcohol may not be included. Some beverage packages are priced per person, per day. Some say that if one adult in the stateroom buys the alcohol package, all have to do so. What's included? Many lines offer basic coffee, hot water for tea and some tea bags (basic flavors), lemonade, iced tea and water (from the fountain) for free. Some cruise lines will have a flavored water, too. Almost all of them have juice during the breakfast hours. If you want juice during the day, use a cup and fill up a spare water bottle. Usually, these machines are either at the buffet or in another area that has complimentary food.
5. Meals: You choose your dinner time: early, late or flexible. Flexible dining (just showing up anytime between 5 and 10PM, or so) can result in long lines or wait times. Some cruise lines allow you to make a reservation for the flexible dining time. Others ask that you go to the maitre'd and they will give you a buzzer. Normally, the first two nights are a little hectic until the ship settles down to a routine with the new group of passengers that have boarded. Some ships have 24 hour eating: the dining rooms and the buffets will close, but sandwiches or pizza might be available. Most of them have room service. Specialty dining costs extra: specialized fine dining restaurants on the ship. Some cruise lines sell them in advance and then you can make a reservation. Some cruise lines sell a package: you can buy more than one specialty dining meal. Look at the restaurants that are offered but they basically fall into similar categories: a steakhouse, usually with a seafood or poultry option; Italian cuisine; Asian cuisine; and something specific to the cruise line, such as French cuisine or avant garde.
6. What's in a Day at Sea: this is the time to explore and enjoy the ship for itself: the activities are listed in the daily newsletters and in the app that you can download to your phone before you board, swimming, eating, the parties and events, the sales and the shops, sunning on the deck.
About the app: download it at home and set up your account (if needed). Once you are onboard, turn off your cell service and turn on the WiFi. Connect to the ship's WiFi. If you did not buy an internet package, you will only have access to info about the ship, not browsing, social media or the folks back home. For that, you have to purchase a package and they vary in levels: just to text, maybe a middle one that's a little stronger or one that supports streaming. Honestly, the higher priced one may not be worth the money, especially if your itinerary calls for you to dock somewhere every day. Use your international mobile phone plan, if you have one, or connect to WiFi when on land. Most people like to disconnect when they are on vacation, but it doesn't hurt to let your family know that you are OK while you are away.
Deck chairs go FAST! You won't feel like getting up before 10AM (after all, you are on vacation) but if you mosey on the deck around noon or so, you may not get a lounge chair or one in a prime spot.
When you choose your ship, take a look at all of the amenities: spas, beauty salons, fitness center; sports, ropes courses, race tracks, video arcades, concerts, shows and other entertainment. After all, a cruise ship is a floating all inclusive resort. Take advantage of the trivia games, cooking demos or line dancing classes. Most activities are included but there are some that charge a fee: beauty salon, barbershop, massages, casinos, some art classes, wine tasting sessions, and some of the extreme sport activities.
Believe it or not, despite those crazy videos that people post on social media, there are actually quiet places on the ship: the library, with books and board games, certain lounges and lounge chairs scattered on different decks. Some cruise ships use their specialty restaurants as quiet spaces during the day, since those places open up for dinner only. Ask at the front desk for more info or check the app or newsletter.
7. When in port: remember that sometimes an entire port's economy depends on tourism. They are eager and it is very overwhelming when you dock. Stay street smart. Watch your bag, don't be flashy with expensive items and walk as if you know the place, even if you don't. If you are touring on your own and want a cab, go past the first group you see as soon as you get off and walk a little toward town. You might get a better rate and a nice driver. Ports can vary from the typical tropical town to large cities, such as Boston, Miami and New York. Even if you don't go far, try to get off the ship. Take your cruise card and your ID, some cash or a credit card. Explore the port; many of the countries have really built them up with shopping, dining, entertainment, even small galleries and boutiques.
8. Excursions are activities sponsored by third parties at the ports. The ones you purchase with the cruise line are more reliable and secure. If you are savvy and bold, you can explore the ports on your own. Just download a travel book or pick up pamphlets when you get there. There will be plenty of locals waiting to help. Bargain graciously but firmly. The first price will be too much, don't go for it. If you cruise often, you will start to know some of the ports and will gain more confidence to explore more on your own. If you travel often, your street smarts will kick in. But if you explore on your own know that...
9. You can get left behind. Leave at least 90 minutes to get back to the ship. If you get left behind, you will have to pay to get to the next port or to get home. Just in case, carry your ID, a credit card and a phone with international service. If a ship-sponsored excursion is late, they'll wait for you.
10. You may have to pay customs (taxes) for purchases that total over a certain amount when you return back home. Many cruises may not have this anymore, but some still do. Fill in your customs slip at the end of the cruise. Be honest, there are agents when you get back to the home port and they search bags randomly. By the way, on board shops are only open at sea. No cash is accepted for purchases on board, you have to set up an account with a credit/debit card or deposit cash at the service desk.
Happy Travels!
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