Is it going to be your first time on a cruise and you’re not sure what to expect? Neither did I…
I’ve recently returned from a P&O cruise with my boyfriend! As a first time cruiser I have some tips that may be of use to anyone out there feeling some nerves about heading out onto the seas. Now, I can’t speak for what happens on other cruise lines. But I’m confident this is a good overview of what we experienced.
Also, if there’s any expert cruise-goers reading this, you might be thinking that a lot of these are obvious. And yes, that may be true. But then again, this post may not be the one for you.
The reality is a lot of our fears come from the unknown. If I can share just a small insight into what to expect, that sounds like mission accomplished to me!
If you’re looking for some tips and advice about how to navigate your first experience on the seas, keep on reading my handy first-timers guide.
Set sail or fly first?
Your initial experience will depend on how the holiday begins. Are you going to be sailing out, or flying out?
We flew out, which meant we had fewer sea days as we went from destination to destination. It also meant I could explore the ship without feeling any motion sickness on the first day. It definitely helped me ease into the journey. When it was time to set sail, I felt more comfortable as I already had one day on the boat completed.
I also found it more efficient time-wise, as I felt we got so much done in a shorter amount of days. Again, I’m yet to experience the alternative. But with more days at sea I imagine there would be less places travelled to on a shorter week trip.
Also, before I had heard stories about the dreaded Bay of Biscay, and everyone seemed to make me aware of it when I said we were going on a cruise. (That was before I told them that we were flying.)
Knowing that we were going to be avoiding this area of the sea was a lot more calming, and I think my first cruise experience could have gone very differently if we went through a rougher patch at the very start.
But that hasn’t put me off the idea of sailing out. With it being so close to home, I’d also like to give cruising out of Southampton a go!
Pick your room accordingly
It’s true what they say, you’ll feel the motion and movement a lot more within different areas on the ship. However, this doesn’t have to be an issue, particularly if you choose your room accordingly.
Having done some of my own research beforehand, a lot of people said that if you’re feeling nervous about motion sickness, go for a room that’s low and in the middle of the ship.
So when I found out that our room was going to be right at the back, safe to say I was a little more nervous. But there was no reason to be.
The views at the back were incredible – as you left the port, seeing the lights dotted across the islands, and at complete peace in the middle of the sea.
However, I think your experience will largely depend on how much time you’re planning to be in your room. With so much to do on the ship and in the ports, we really only went back to get ready for the day and to sleep. So any motion felt in the room was minimal.
Plus, in the words of my boyfriend, “the gentle motion rocks you to sleep, like a baby”…
I will say, the only thing that was quite startling on our first night was how much the cabin vibrated as we came into the port. But having done some more research since then, it’s only the aft rooms that seem to experience this.
So if you do get a room at the back, be aware that that may also startle you awake!
Don’t be afraid to explore
That means exploring the ship and the ports. There really is so much to do, and it can feel a little overwhelming on the first day.
Each day you get a little newspaper with a packed itinerary, detailing everything that’s taking place on the different decks at different times.
So whilst you can’t do everything, you can make a note of a few things that you’d like to go to. Plus, on that first day, your luggage may not have been delivered to your room yet. It’s an even better opportunity to head out and get your bearings around the boat.
When it comes to docking at the ports, these little newspapers also share some insights about what you can expect at each destination.
You can either book activities with the cruise line directly, or head out and explore independently. We opted for the latter option, as a more chilled way of touring the different islands, taking it at our own pace.
But if you choose the latter – be cautious. Have you heard the horror stories of people being left behind at a port because they weren’t there on time? It’s true… Luckily it didn’t happen when we were away, but be aware that it absolutely can. Remember that fact whilst you’re out exploring the ports!
Pack what you want
One of the great things about going on a cruise is there aren’t any luggage limits – unless you’re flying out, of course. But even then, you get your standard 22kg included within the original ticket.
(Which means no paying to upgrade from hand luggage!)
I took ‘pack what you want’ very literally. I feel like I packed half my wardrobe, as I had no idea what to expect. With this tip, you can either follow that approach – because you have the room to do so – or you can learn from my experience and be a bit more mindful of what you’re bringing.
I didn’t know how dressy the evenings were going to be, or what the weather was going to be like a lot of the time.
For example, when I first looked at the weather apps, everywhere said it was going to be quite cold. The reality is on the day, it was much warmer! But because I had space to bring a range of clothes, I ended up with so many options to choose from.
Similarly, I didn’t wear a lot of the things I packed either. But because I packed what I wanted, and had the space to do so, it all worked out in the end. And my suitcase still ended up considerably under the weight limit!
There’s just one additional point to note – you may have to leave your suitcase outside your room the night before you leave. This threw me off slightly. The next day, there were a lot of things I wanted/needed for our trip home, but they were all already packed away in my suitcase.
Therefore, make sure you have everything you need in your hand luggage. Although you might think to take your full sized toiletries, remember that if you’re flying, you won’t be able to use them on the last day.
Most importantly, have fun!
I had never thought about going on a cruise before, it never really appealed to me. I was always nervous about getting sea sick, and the thought of being alone on the sea terrified me.
To an extent, that thought can still be a bit daunting. But you forget about it a lot of the time, because there’s so much to do and so much to see. You haven’t really got any time to worry!
Hopefully with a better insight about what to expect, you can stop with any pre-cruise nerves, and focus on all the fun you’re going to have.
I know one thing is for sure, I would love to go on another one!
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