6 Must-Know Answers to Common First Time Cruise Questions

Cruise vacations have always been desirable holiday options and over the last few years, have experienced an upsurge in their popularity. After the Pandemic Pause of the cruise industry, there is even more demand despite tourists being gathered on large ships with thousands of people.  With this increased demand, is a growth of people who are new to cruising. Many of these new passengers have questions. These can include how to choose your cruise ship and what onboard activities are available? Here are 6 must-know answers to common first time cruise questions.

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1. Can You Feel the Motion of the Ocean?

Everyone knows that cruise ships travel on the ocean. But everyone also wonders how much movement do you feel while you are cruising? This is perhaps the top first time cruise question that people ask. It has been my experience that for the most part, there is little motion from the ocean. Most cruise ships nowadays have a large stabilizer system that will balance the ship as it moves through the water. However, if ocean movement does worry you, here are some things that you can do to alleviate the motion further.

Cabin location can be a consideration in your cruise planning. Here are some tips to keep in mind when considering the location of your cabin. But keep in mind that if there is a storm or wind, there can be movement anywhere on the ship. Is it enough to bother you depends on several factors; are you prone to motion sickness? Are you in an interior area or an exterior area of the ship? Is your cabin on an upper or lower floor? Have you been drinking?

• Least Movement on A Cruise

A common first time cruise question is where is the least movement on a ship? The areas of the ship that will have the least noticeable movement will be on the interior of the ship and the lower to middle floor. Most of these areas could be allocated to interior cabins and entertainment areas including casinos. A middle promenade deck with views of the horizon can also provide less movement on a cruise.

• Most Movement on A Cruise

People often question where is the most movement on a cruise. The areas of the ship where movement is more pronounced are located at the extreme bow and stern of the ship. You will also take note that as you go to higher decks, there can also be more of a sway. These areas typically have sun decks where you can enjoy the sun or swim or just sit and watch the ocean.

In the evenings, some cruise ships may have bars and nightclubs that come alive on the highest of the floor. These will have movement and you should have a strategy for motion sickness.

If you have a sea day when there is motion, you should be advised that the pools and outside perimeter decks can be closed for safety reasons. Even walking down interior corridors can be challenging when the ship rocks.

• Alcohol Consumption

As cruises are becoming more popular for vacations, so too are all-inclusive drink packages. As with many all-inclusive packages, many people tend to overindulge at least for the first couple of nights.

If you are on a cruise and you do run into bad weather, alcohol consumption can greatly add to the effects of the motion of the ocean. The feeling of motion sickness and nausea will be exaggerated. If you are prone to motion sickness, it is better not to overindulge in alcohol consumption.

• Prevention

Another common first time cruise question is how to prevent motion sickness? If you are prone to motion sickness, it is better to prepare for the possibility of feeling unwell due to the movement of the ship. Medications, including patches, should be taken at the first sign of motion sickness. For some, lying down can alleviate the feeling while others may prefer to be seated. Being outside in the fresh air can help as well. Some people need to see a horizon that remains a focal point to alleviate the feeling of movement on a cruise.

When I booked my last Caribbean cruise, we had two sea days in a row and had the remnants of a severe storm in our corner of the ocean. Winds were very high. The pool was closed and splashed all over the deck making it slippery. Many exterior promenade decks were also closed due to safety concerns.

My cabin was outside cabin with a window on deck 5, near the bow of the ship. It was a little disconcerting to see waves wash across your cabin window! On this cruise, there was definitely Motion on the Ocean!

If you are planning a cruise in September or October, you might be interested in reading about cruising during hurricane season.

One of the most popular cruise lines is Princess Cruises. On most of their ships, they have a new cruise feature called Medallion Class. But what is this?

2. What is Princess Cruises’ Medallion Class?

One of the top first time cruise questions is what is a Medallion Class on a Princess Cruise? Medallion Class is a new way of allowing the passengers on a cruise to interact with many aspects of the cruise. From the start, you need to set up an Ocean Ready account. This account provides all your embarkation information for the cruise; your identification (passport), your stateroom preferences, your beverage packages, gratuities, internet, etc. When you arrive at the Cruise terminal, you swipe your medallion, and all your information is pre-cleared through the cruise line, and you simply walk onboard the ship after showing proof of your identification.

• Medallion Class Features

Once onboard, a whole new set of features are available. When you arrive at your cabin door, it is unlocked for you. If you wish to purchase a drink on the sundeck, you order it through the app. If you are trying to locate the other members of your traveling party, you can search them through the app or simply chat with them. It gets interesting when you want to go and meet them as the app provides a live-action map showing the best route to your destination. It kind of resembles a “Marauder’s Map” from the Harry Potter Franchise.

For those who do not use a cell phone (are there any left?), there are panels available on the walls throughout the ship which will respond in the same way.

One of the common first time cruise questions is what happens at the ports of call? When arriving in ports, you swipe your medallion as you leave the ship and swipe again when you return. There are no long lines as the medallion has pre-cleared you to return to the ship. It also allows the ships’ staff to identify who has not returned to the ship. (There is always one on every cruise).

This medallion feature is of particular value in a post-COVID-19 world as it helps to alleviate the large gatherings while waiting to re-board the ship. It also clearly identifies who your traveling companions are in case there is a need to self-isolate or debark from the ship in a health emergency.

• Locating your travel group

For the parents of children and teens, a top cruise question is how do you keep track of your children? The medallion is a great way to do this. No hiding from mom and dad now!

There is also a chat feature, so communication is not a problem on these larger ships. If you are planning on meeting someone and they are detained, a simple chat will explain the situation. No longer will you wonder where anyone is. Although many other cruise lines are out there, I think I will stay with Princess just for this feature.

Tip: If you plan a Princess Cruise, select one with Medallion Class. You will enjoy the experience!!

3. Will I get Bored?

Will I get bored is a common first time cruise question as there seems to be a misconception about what is available to do on a cruise ship. If you are bored on a cruise ship, then the problem is YOU and not the cruise. There are so many activities on-board in addition to whatever you decide to do in the ports of call.

• Sports and watersports

You may not realize it but there are many sports available on a cruise ship. From the machines at the gym to fitness classes, keeping the body healthy is fully attainable on board. On some of the larger ships, there may be skating rinks, surfing, golf, go-karting, and rock climbing. Most ships have several pools, and they may offer swim lessons, water aerobics, or even water volleyball.

Outside of the pool, team sports such as soccer, basketball, and bocce ball could also be available. Indoor sports like table tennis and shuffleboard or bowling can also provide some entertainment. Running is also quite common on the perimeter of the ship.

• Arts and Culture

If sports are not your thing, then perhaps some arts or cultural experiences are more your style. Did you know there is an art gallery on board most cruise ships?

How about wine tasting? Yes, most cruise ships have quite an extensive wine collection and for the wine lover, what could be a better way to learn about something that you enjoy?

Usually, the tastings are limited to about forty people with small table sizes of about six to eight. The smaller table size allows you to focus on the presenter and chat more freely about the love of wine and cruises. And to answer the next question, yes, there is usually a small fee for this extra activity but as a wine connoisseur, it is always worth it! The wine is commonly served with cheese and fruit to clean the palate. Although the depth of the information may not equal what you would find on a typical winery tour, it is very informative, nonetheless.

One of the benefits of these wine tasting sessions is that you can meet some new friends that share a common interest. Often when people travel, they look forward to new acquaintances as part of the experience.

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• Adventure Seeking activities

Roller coasters, zip-lines, flying bikes, and circus stunts are also available on some cruises. It’s hard to believe that such potentially dangerous and challenging activities exist let alone are available onboard a cruise ship!

Do you have an activity or sport you are looking for on a cruise? If it exists, you can probably find it on a cruise and you will never be bored!

4. Are there laundry Facilities?

A common first time cruise question that no one asks is regarding laundry. We all end up with dirty clothes at some point and if you have children, that can be quite often. Doing laundry on vacation is something you don’t think about until you need to do it. Many people plan their wardrobe based on the number of days they are away, so they do not need to do laundry. But if it needs doing, cruise ships have you covered.

Laundry facilities on cruise ships are available but they are limited. Usually located on every three or so floors and with only two washers and two dryers per room. It can also be quite expensive. At about $3USD per wash and $3USD per 40-minute dry, you should be prepared for that expense. Furthermore, be aware that they are always busy. Just like a standard laundromat, line-ups are common and if you are not there to remove your clothes, they will be removed for you.

Furthermore, machine breakdowns are common and can be frustrating. Dryer cycles are typically shorter than the washer and usually take more than one cycle to dry the clothes. If a dryer malfunctions, you are faced with the choice of bringing your wet clothes back to the cabin to “air dry” or carrying your wet clothes to one of the other laundry rooms and hoping for a space in its dryer. This, I have done, and it is a pain in the pinfeathers!

The bottom line is that yes, laundry is available but do not plan on using it unless you absolutely have to!

5. How much food can I Order at Dinner?

When planning a cruise vacation, almost always the topic of food comes up. What type of food is served, how many restaurants, do I need reservations? But one of the top first time cruise questions that many people want to know is how much food can I eat at dinner?

• Dining Room

If you have chosen to eat your meals in the dining room, you have probably selected either an early or late seating. This is entirely your preference. You have probably chosen the number of people you want to eat with. If you are traveling with a group, you most likely will want to eat with that group. You will be eating with this group the entire cruise.

Once you are seated your waiter will present you with the menu of the evening. On it, there will be the usual categories of appetizers, mains, salads, and desserts. So, what do you choose? Again, it is entirely up to you? If the main course is not to your liking, have additional appetizers. If you want a second dessert, go for it!  On my last cruise, one of our friends loves shrimp cocktails. She ordered THREE. (She also had TWO desserts and a side salad. It doesn’t matter what you order, just be wary that food should not go to waste. You can always order more.

PS. Your waiter does remember (keep track) what you order and can offer some suggestions of food pairing.

• Dine Around or Specialty Restaurants

If you choose the dine-around option, you can eat at a different restaurant every night and have whatever you want. However, if you dine in a specialty restaurant, these will have a set menu and there is usually an additional fee for these. They can be about $18-30USD.

So, to answer your question, whatever you want to eat is entirely up to you. It is your vacation so make the most of it. Just remember that the average person does tend to gain about 10 pounds on a cruise.

6. Do I have to Dress Up?

Wardrobe selection also comes out as a top first time cruise question. How do you decide what to wear during your cruise? Do I have to dress up? Well, to some extent it depends on the cruise. If the cruise caters to a younger generation of children, then formal wear probably is not necessary. For example, on a Disney cruise, there would be many children. I don’t think anyone is expecting them to arrive in formal wear.

Typically, there are several times of the day that could be categorized into wardrobe groups. Sea days on the ship, beach days, excursions, and dinner/evenings all can have different wardrobe requirements.

• Sea Days –

If your cruise itinerary, has you staying on the ship for the entire day or two, you will probably want casual clothing. It will depend on the destination of your cruise as to whether shorts or pants are required. On these days you will relax and explore all the on-ship amenities so clothing may also depend on your chosen activity.

• Beach Days –

Planning an excursion to a beach for the day will only require very casual clothes and a bathing suit. A cover-up could work as well. Very simple. And don’t forget the sunhat and sunscreen.

• Shore Excursions –

For the shore excursions, it will depend on your chosen activity. If you are doing a sport, comfortable clothes will be required. If you are doing a shopping or cultural tour, you may want to be better dressed. Be wary of your footwear as you do not want blisters on your vacation.

• Dinner/Evenings –

In the evening and at dinner, you will have to question yourself as to how formal you will want to be on the cruise. In the dining room, people do tend to dress up more. Ladies will have on cocktail dresses while men will have a shirt and jacket. On the more luxurious cruises, you may see tuxedoes and ball gowns, but they are no longer expected on most cruises.

Conclusion –

Although these are only a few of the common first-time cruise questions that people ask, I hope they have provided some valuable information to you. If you are looking for some more cruising tips, be sure to discover how to choose a cruise ship or the Top 7 Cruise Etiquette Rules.

For cruise bookings, I would recommend Cruisecritic as they always have some great deals regardless of the destination or time of year.

Don’t forget to have fun as you enter the world of cruising and learn to travel and appreciate life!

Have you already been on a cruise?

What additional questions would be helpful to first-time cruisers?

Money Saving Cruise Tips

Flights: For getting to the cruise ports, I use different sites to try and get the best possible price for flights. I found that Cheap-O-Air and Trip.com  have great rates. Sometimes different routes can be cheaper as well.

Accommodation: For pre- and post-cruise accommodation, I mainly use Booking.com as they consistently have the lowest rates with free cancellation on most properties.

Car Rental: If you require a car rental to the departure port, try Rentalcars.com. They are the world’s biggest car rental site, comparing all main brands including, Budget, Ace, Hertz, Avis, and Alamo.

Travel Insurance: Don’t travel anywhere without travel insurance, it’s not worth the risk. Travel insurance from VisitorsCoverage.com is available to people from over 175 countries. It’s designed for adventurous travelers with cover for overseas medical, evacuation, baggage and a range of adventure sports and activities.

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