Five tips for first-time cruisers

Posted 20 October, 2025 Sasha Oelsner

You’ve heard the siren-call, and now your sights are set on your first cruising holiday. But you have some questions.

Cruise ships are like floating resorts at sea; self-contained microcosms where your accommodation is just steps away, you dine exclusively in restaurants, and morning to night is packed with fun to suit all ages and interests. So how does it all work?

Each cruise line is different – and even ships within the same fleet can vary – so this advice is general.

Here are five tips for first-time cruisers before they set sail, from choosing the right cabin to understanding how life on board works.

1. What room should I choose?

Interior, ocean view, balcony, solo, family, suite; choosing the right lodgings can be overwhelming, and depends on your travel style, comfort preferences, and budget.

If you’re worried about seasickness, choose a midship stateroom on a lower deck. Forward, aft (rear) and upper-deck rooms tend to experience more lurching. A balcony can also help, offering access to fresh sea air.

Balcony rooms are good value, offering fresh air, more space and ideal if you prefer relaxing in private. The fresh air and view can also help combat “cabin fever. Railings are typically about 107cm high and made from open rails or flexiglass, so families with young children should supervise the little ones closely.

Interior rooms are the most affordable and suit travellers who believe hotel rooms are just a place to sleep. Some have no windows, while others feature virtual ocean views or real windows overlooking indoor areas like a promenade or atrium.

Ocean-view rooms with interrupted views or partially obscured windows are cheaper, and the obstruction is sometimes minimal. Check deck plans and review sites (like Cruise Deck Plans or Cruise Mapper) to see passengers’ critiques.

Some ships also offer solo cabins. These are specially designed for single travellers and can help avoid the single supplement fee.

For families or groups, some ships offer interconnecting staterooms which can accommodate up to nine passengers in close – but not crowded – proximity. These should be booked through a travel agent to guarantee correct room selection.

Suites and other luxurious lodgings are perfect for special occasions. Travellers are often privy to additional indulgences, such as exclusive restaurants and in-room dining.

Finally, if you have accessibility requirements, look for the wheelchair symbol when booking. This indicates which staterooms and facilities are designed with mobility needs in mind.

2. How do dining and drink packages work?

Most ships include a main dining room, buffet and several casual venues like pizzerias, cafés and pub fare where you can eat at no extra charge. In addition, there are specialty restaurants, such as steakhouses or fine dining venues that usually cost extra, although suite guests may have these included.

Some cruises have assigned dining times and tables in the main dining hall, while other eateries offer flexible dining. You’ll usually choose your preferred dining time on embarkation day. Hot tip: select early dining if you don’t want to miss evening entertainment.

Drinks like water, tea, coffee, and some juices are typically included, but soft drinks, specialty coffees, and alcoholic beverages usually cost extra.

Beverage packages (ranging from soft drink-only to full bar access) are often discounted at the time of booking. To decide if a beverage package is right for you, consider what you might drink daily on holiday (from soft drink to cocktails), check sample menus on the cruise line’s website and compare with the daily cost of the package.

Make sure you’re familiar with the cruise line’s alcohol and food policies. Some allow you to bring one bottle of wine per adult onto the ship at embarkation, others hold onto this alcohol until you disembark.

They also may confiscate it entirely even if it is a special bottle purchased before you started the cruise. Alcohol bought on shore or in duty free is usually held and returned at the end of the cruise.

You can also bring pre-packaged, non-perishable snacks in small amounts. Think along the lines of quarantine rules when flying into Australia or travelling to regional South Australia.

3. What do I need to pay for, and how?

While most onboard food and entertainment are included in your cruise fare, extras you may need to pay for include speciality dining and drinks, shore excursions, spa treatments, onboard shopping and Wi-Fi.

Most cruises are entirely cashless. At check-in, you’ll be issued a cruise card on a lanyard. This is your ID, room key and onboard wallet. Any purchases made on board are charged to your account, which is settled on the final day. This includes gratuities, which can be automatically added to your account to cover tips for dining and housekeeping staff.

Some luxury cruises are all-inclusive, meaning meals, drinks, excursions, and tips are already covered in your initial fare.

Many major cruise lines use US dollars as the onboard currency so keep this in mind when you spot a seemingly cheap $10 cocktail on the menu.

When exploring ports, you’ll usually need to pay in local currency, though some places may accept US dollars. It’s a good idea to carry a small amount of cash or use a card with low international fees, as smaller shops and markets may not accept cards.

4. What paperwork is needed?

Australian passport holders may need to obtain visas or travel authorisation for certain international ports, even if you’re only visiting for a day. Cruise lines usually provide guidance, but it’s the passenger’s responsibility to ensure documents are in order.

In addition, most countries and territories require you to have at least six months remaining on your passport. Be sure to check the entry requirements for each stop on your itinerary well before you travel.

It’s also worth considering organising travel insurance well in advance of your departure. Cruise cover is generally not automatically included in your travel insurance, but it can be selected as an optional add-on.

Depending on your chosen level of cover and the type of cruise you’re taking, you may be covered for things like cancellations and illness before departure, theft, medical emergencies or accidents while travelling. Remember to always check the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) so you know what’s covered.

5. How do onboard and shore activities work?

Cruise ships are packed with onboard activities like circus and theatre shows, trivia, movies, fitness centres, kids’ clubs and deck games, most of which are included in your fare.

On expedition cruises, you might also enjoy expert talks and citizen science activities. While many onboard activities are drop-in or first-come-first serve, others may need a reservation, which can typically be made in person through guest services, or via the ship’s app or website – both of which work even when you’re out to sea.

When in port, you can explore independently or join organised shore excursions which are typically booked in advance through your cruise booking portal.

These activities often fill up quickly, so it’s a good idea to plan ahead and book early if possible. Shore excursions usually come at an additional cost, though on luxury cruises, many are included in your fare.

Bonus tip: Try before you buy

If you want to get a feel for life onboard and see if cruising is right for you, test your sea legs with a short two to four-night cruise first. With Carnival cruising year-round out of Sydney and Brisbane, and Princess and Royal Caribbean offering summer options, it’s an easy and low-commitment way to be prepared for a longer itinerary.

This insurance is issued by Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd. ABN 80 000 438 291 (Tokio Marine), AFSL 246548. Royal Automobile Association of South Australia Limited (ACN 677 371 274, AR 000228575) acts as an authorised representative of the issuer and receives a commission which is a percentage of the premium paid and may also receive a portion of the underwriting profit. Any advice is general advice. Consider the Combined Financial Services Guide and Product Disclosure Statement, and Target Market Determination, available on the RAA website when deciding whether to purchase this product. Terms and Conditions, Limits and Sub-limits apply.