Welcome to Byte Size Cruises! We are so glad you found us! If this is your first time here, welcome. We are a small travel agency in Philadelphia, PA, and we specialize in all things cruising. If you are interested in cruising and want to stay in the know, you're in the right place. Our goal is to share the most up-to-date and relevant information with you so you can plan and go on your best cruise vacation. Today, we are speaking directly to all NEW cruisers! If you are new to cruising or have been on several cruises and are looking for the latest tips and tricks, this post is for you! If you'd like to check out this post on our YouTube channel, click here.
As travel advisors, we have been on more than 65 cruises, and these tips are some of the knowledge we have accumulated along the way. Remember, cruising is far different than land vacations, the same way that going to Disney is far different than going to Europe. These tips will help you prepare properly for your vacation so that you have the best time possible while traveling.
#1: Call a travel advisor BEFORE you book. As travel advisors, we are required to give you the best information available on cruising (and most of us are SUPER passionate about what we do!) We will give you ALL the different options on cruise lines, air providers, etc., and we will be able to make recommendations based on the type of vacation you are looking for. We aim to help inform you so you can make the best choices. Your personal details, such as whether or not you are traveling with kids, with friends, alone, your demographic, and how active of a vacation you want are all a part of that conversation. Remember, when you call a travel advisor, there should not be any additional cost to work with them. Sometimes, an advisor can offer you special deals or upgrades that are not available anywhere else.
#2: Stay on the SHIP'S time. This is something you will hear announced a lot while on a cruise ship, and unfortunately, people make this mistake all the time. When you go on a cruise, there is a high likelihood that you will travel somewhere that is in a different time zone from you. You might even change time zones multiple times while on your cruise, depending on where you are going. Anytime you are at port and get off the ship, you are going to be required to get back to the ship at a certain time. The time the ship wants you back is not always local time, and at the end of the day, it really doesn't matter what the time locally is. What matters is what time it is on the ship. It is likely that the ship time may be different than local time, and it's important that you keep track of the ship time. We recommend you do two things. First, set an alert on your phone as to when you need to be heading back to the ship from port (and set it several hours ahead of time!) Second, make sure you have the cruise ship app. The app will always have the correct ship time on it, so if you forget you can double check.
#3: Be careful with your excursions! There are a TON of options. You can certainly book an excursion through the cruise line, and they will guarantee that they will always get you back on the ship. Now, this doesn't mean that the ship won't leave without you because sometimes life happens and your excursion runs insanely late. However, in this case the cruise line will pay for transportation for you to get back to the cruise ship as soon as possible.
This is another reason to talk to a travel advisor. Many companies offer excursions for travelers at ports of call. A travel advisor will know reputable companies from non-reputable ones. If you're worried about not getting back to the ship or booking with the wrong company, there is no harm in simply booking through the cruise line. Do your research on different ports and read reviews online. The more you prepare and learn ahead of time, the more you will set yourself up for success.
#4: Be wary of nickel and diming. We love cruising, and there are some cruise lines that are more all-inclusive than others. However, there usually is an element of nickel and diming that comes along with the cruise environment. There are a lot of foods, beverages, etc., that are not included in your cruise fare, such as gratuities, extras, photos, souvenirs, etc. Do your research, use a travel advisor, and know what is included and not included in your cruise fare.
#5: BE TIMELY. If you are flying, get to your port one day ahead of time. If you are driving, you may have some wiggle room there. If you are driving and you live close, you can leave early the day off and be there in plenty of time. Make sure you are setting yourself up for success. Remember, life happens. There will be traffic; flights get delayed, etc., etc., ALWAYS give yourself extra time to get to port to leave for your cruise. Remember, they will not wait for you.
This concept applies to everything in cruise culture. It is always far better to get somewhere early than late, whether you are going to dinner, seeing a show, or looking to find a spot by the pool. Yes, you are on vacation, and sometimes it can be hard to stick to a schedule. However, getting somewhere early can be the difference between enjoying or not enjoying your experience. Now, there are the shows that are insanely popular, and you'll need to stand in line and get there way early. For the standard show, getting there 20 min ahead of time will make or break your experience.
#6: Spend a port day at sea. This is one of our favorite things to do as seasoned cruisers. When you arrive in port, most people will exit the ship and be off to adventures. This leaves the pools empty, there are no lines at the water slides, the buffet won't be crowded, and a peaceful atmosphere for you to relax. This isn't something you have to do, but something we would recommend if you're looking for some rest and relaxation.
#7: Do your MUST DO'S first. If there are things on the cruise ship you absolutely do not want to miss on your vacation, do them ASAP. For example, if there is an attraction you want to experience, a show you want to see, a restaurant you want to go to, etc. do these things ASAP. Don't wait! The reality is that things on cruise ships sometimes are closed or canceled due to weather, staffing, etc. and it is far better to have taken the initiative and done the thing than miss out due to rain.
#8: Book everything ahead of time. Make sure to buy anything you know you will want on the ship, such as a food or drink package, the WIFI package, a photo package, etc., before you get on the ship! Everything on the ship is going to be more expensive than before embarkation. You will not save money or get a special discount by waiting.
#9: This is a packing tip; overall, just pack less. Generally, we need less on a ship than we think we will need. We recommend you pack some mix-and-match outfits, and you'll find that (assume you're going to a tropical place) you'll wear a "resort casual" look.
Also, we recommend you bring a day-of bag. You'll want to have access to a bathing suit or maybe a change of clothes for dinner in case you want to change to eat and your larger luggage hasn't arrived yet.
#10: If you have children, bring them to the kids' club and register them on day one! It's good to get them in there ASAP to guarantee them that spot and make sure they have time to get a tour and get comfortable with the space. This also allows you to ask any questions you would like about the staff or space.
Those are our tips for first-time cruisers! Would you add anything to our list? We would love to hear from you! Please subscribe and comment below.