Cruise holidays: Top 10 tips for planning your first cruise getaway

Cruise virgins face a great number of unknowns ahead of their trip.

From where to go and when to go to what to pack and how to get the most out of what could be your best holiday ever, you'll need to plan ahead.

World of Cruising has compiled a list of 10 top tips for making the most of your maiden voyage.

1. Where to go on a cruise

There are lots of different options and they all offer a different flavour of cruising. Basically, you can choose a cruise destination that suits your character and taste.

If you want sun and excitement, maybe the Caribbean is for you. Adventurers could choose to travel to the Arctic or go swimming with bay sea lions. Culture vultures might opt for a Mediterranean jaunt stopping off at Istanbul, Venice or Rome. And for the trip of a lifetime, the glamour of an around the world cruise remains unbeatable.

- READ MORE: Caribbean cruises among top bucket list experiences for Brits -

2. When to go on a cruise

There are no rules, so when you cruise depends on you. Ships are constantly on the move and offer a range of exciting itineraries taking in different geographical regions, climates and cultures.

You can enjoy a rejuvenating sunshine cruise early in the year, take a trip through European history with a river cruise as spring arrives, or look for an exciting long haul later in the year. By opting for a slightly off-peak time you could even save yourself some money.

- READ MORE: The benefits of a river cruise revealed -

3. How to prepare for a cruise

It pays to do your homework. There are many different lines and they all offer slightly different services, approaches and prices. Families can opt for lines like Disney that cater specifically for them.

The older traveller, free from the confines of travelling with children can meet like-minded sorts on a Saga Cruise. Those in search of luxury might look towards Crystal Cruises or Silversea. Get feedback from friends who have been on cruises, visit cruise shows and consult with a specialist cruise travel agent, Some cruise lines also run ship days so you can really see what you’ll be experiencing.

- READ MORE: What you must do before travelling in 2021 -

4. What to pack for a cruise

Unlike flying, there are usually no restrictions on the amount of luggage you can bring on a cruise. Of course, you may have to fly to your embarkation point so normal limits apply. Bear in mind that you have to fit what you bring into your cabin as well.

There are lots of lists that suggest things that you might want to take to make your holiday complete, but use common sense to discriminate between what is essential and what is merely useful.

- READ MORE: What to pack for a cruise holiday -

5. Pack hand luggage carefully

Your ship will be handling the luggage of hundreds of other passengers in a short time window, so it is possible that you may not receive it in your room for several hours.

Make sure that you have a walk-on bag that contains everything that you will need for that time, be it warm clothes, medicines, or nappies and food for a young child. Some cruisers like to have a few emergency supplies – toothbrush, clean pants, etc – on the slight chance that their luggage goes AWOL.

6. Your wardrobe

It’s worth checking if there is a dress code on your ship. The likelihood is that it’s fairly informal, so pack accordingly.

Cruises don’t usually require you to dress for dinner, although there will be instances when you want to look your best, so pack a range of clothing that will see you through the day, excursions and port visits, and any activities you might want to indulge in. Most ships have laundry services and laundrettes so you can cut down on your wardrobe.

7. Eating and drinking on a cruise

Live like a king or queen in any number of on board restaurants and bars. Food will be included in your package although there are usually speciality restaurants that require individual booking and that you pay for separately.

Book early as they can be very popular. In recent years celebrity chef eateries have become a bigger part of the cruising experience, from Jamie Oliver on Royal Caribbean to Marco Pierre White on P&O. Drinks on board are usually comparably priced to on land and many companies have drinks packages that cover the cost of a range of drinks.

Cruise companies will also have a policy on what booze you can bring on board. Some are relaxed about it, some charge corkage if wine is drunk outside of your room, and others absolutely forbid it. Check before you book.

- READ MORE: Best French restaurants on cruise ships -

8. Cruise excursions

As great as the facilities onboard your cruise ship are, you will really miss out if you don’t take advantage of the fact that you are visiting new ports all the time. Get hold of the itinerary in advance and plan what you want to do.

There will be days when you absolutely want to be off the ship at the first possible opportunity to cram in as much as you can. The cruise lines plan plenty of excursions, but you can also make your own arrangements. Just make sure you are back in time or the ship may leave without you.

- READ MORE: How to make the most of cruise ship excursions -

9. Cruise entertainment

The days of the cruise director tinkling the ivories in the saloon bar are long gone. Cruise companies now plough millions of pounds into ensuring that the level of entertainment on ship is second to none.

Top West Ends productions, big-name singers, exciting attractions and engaging experiences are all available. You can check out Chicago with Royal Caribbean, go to cookery school with Silversea, or question top authors about their inspiration on Saga Cruises. Take full advantage.

10. Enjoyed it? Then do it again!

Hopefully you’ll enjoy your first cruise so much that you’ll want to do it all over again. And why not? There really is a world of cruising out there, and the world is your oyster.

- BOOK NOW: Find your next cruise holiday with our handy Cruise Finder -