Cruising Tips to Start Your First Cruise Right
Whether you’re just about to book your first cruise or you’ve already got one in the calendar, a little bit of preparation will go a long way to make sure your experience at sea gets off to a great start.
We’ve compiled 40 cruising tips to make your cruise a memorable one, including how to choose the right cruise for you, practical tips for smooth sailing, advice for first-timers, solo travellers and families alike, an overview of onboard activities, dining and shore excursions.
Cruising tips to find the best cruise for you
Define your cruise goals
Think about what you would like to get out of your cruise. Do you want days jam-packed full with activities and adventures or some well-earned R&R – or a bit of both? Investigate which Carnival cruise holidays offer what you’re looking for, and go from there. 
Consider your annual leave days
How long do you have for your holiday? And what are your travel dates? Whether you’re planning a quick getaway over a long weekend, a week at sea, or perhaps even longer, check out cruise itineraries that suit your schedule.
Research ports and destinations
From the turquoise seas of the Great Barrier Reef and the golden sands of the South Pacific to the majestic fjords of New Zealand’s South Island, it pays to do some research on your ports and destinations before you go, so you know exactly what you want to do at every stop.
Compare onboard amenities
Is there something you absolutely have to have on your cruise? From waterparks and waterslides to kids club facilities and laundrettes, check out the onboard amenities on the cruise lines and ships you’re considering before you book your trip.
Look into dining options
Foodies, you will definitely want to check out the dining options onboard before you go, to make sure you can try everything during your cruise. From all-day pizza to upscale restaurants like Farenheit 555 (charges apply), you’ll be spoilt for choice.
Explore all of the stateroom types
There are plenty of options when it comes to stateroom types, including affordable interiors, rooms with ocean views and balconies, spacious suites and even spa-like retreats!
Read reviews from past guests
Reviews from past cruisers can go a long way towards deciding which cruise is for you, especially if you’re looking for cruising tips for first-timers, with insights on everything from onboard activities to shore excursions.
Think about your budget
Let’s face it – your budget is one of the most important factors when you’re planning a holiday. While loads of onboard activities and dining options are included as part of your fair, don’t forget to consider added extras like specialty dining and shore excursions.
Tips to keep in mind for your first cruise
Pack smart
Wondering about the dress code on board? Casual clothes are suitable during the day, while smart-casual clothes should be worn in our restaurants and lounges in the evenings. If you’re getting dressed up for a special night out, cocktail attire is a great choice – there’s no need to bring a tuxedo or ball gown, but if that’s your vibe, go for it!
Do a ship tour on your first day 
Cruise ships are big places and it’s important you don’t get lost! Grab a deck plan or take a tour to get your bearings – work your way through the ship deck by deck, from one end to the other, so you know where everything is and the quickest way to get there (and how to find your way back to your room).
Set aside money for onboard expenses
While loads of onboard activities and dining options are included in your fare, you’ll want to put some cash aside for speciality dining experiences, optional activities and – of course – some onboard shopping!
Complete the safety drill
Safety at sea is super important. Whether you’re travelling solo or in a group, everyone needs to complete the safety drill by watching the in-room safety video and visiting their muster station before the ship departs, so you know what to do in the unlikely event of an emergency.
Make the most of sea days
Sea days – in other words, the days you don’t stop at a destination– are your chance to make the most of everything there is to do onboard, whether that’s a day full of activities, dining out at every restaurant or just catching some rays by the pool or on your private balcony.
Keep health essentials handy
Make sure you know where your medication or other vital health essentials are at all times. On embarkation days, we recommend keeping important medication in your carry-on, and then keeping it close to hand or safely stowed in your room during your cruise.
Learn basic ship terms
Knowing the lingo will help you find your way around the ship and understand your itinerary. Here are some basics: embarkation and disembarkation is getting on and off your ship; ports are destinations; the bow is the front of the ship while the aft is the rear; portside is left when you are facing the bow of the ship and starboard is right.
Prepare for sea sickness
If it’s your first time cruising, you might not know whether you’re prone to sea sickness. But don’t worry, there are plenty of ways to keep any nausea at bay, from magnetic wristbands to tablets. Even seasoned cruisers might want to consider being prepared for sea sickness, just in case.
Be aware of time changes
It can be easy to lose track of time while you’re at sea. But if your itinerary includes multiple destinations, it will likely include multiple time changes, too (even if you’re just cruising Australia!). Keep your watches (or your phone) up to date, so you don’t miss any activities, dining reservations, or shore excursions.
Protect your valuables
All of our rooms include an in-room safe to keep your valuables protected. When you’re out of your room, make sure to keep your valuables close at hand – you don’t want to misplace them!
Research the season and weather
Like any holiday, research the best seasons for travelling to your dream destinations. You also might want to consider planning your cruise around long weekends and school holidays to make the most of your time off.
Capture memories but stay present
While we know it’s tempting to document every moment at sea, it’s also important to stay present. On Carnival, we have photographers all over the ship to capture your special memories in high-def – so you don’t have to worry about missing those moments.
Leave feedback for the crew
Everyone loves a compliment. Let us know how we’re doing throughout or after your cruise – and be sure to give a special shout-out to anyone who made your cruise experience special.
Family cruising tips to keep everyone happy
Pick a family-friendly cruise line 
If you’re planning a family holiday, it’s important to choose a cruise line (like Carnival!) that caters to everyone – from the kids to teens to the adults in your group – with onboard activities and shore excursions designed for everyone to enjoy.
Check kids clubs and activities
Kids programs can make or break your family cruise. On Carnival, Camp Ocean has groups for little ones, 6-8-year olds, and 9-11-year-olds. There are two clubs especially for teens, too: 12- to 14-year-olds can hang out at Circle C for dance parties and movies, while 15- to 17-year-olds can join Club O2 for video games or karaoke.
Prepare for pool and water fun
Bring on the waterworks: hanging about in the pool, catching some sun on the loungers around them, or splish-splashing down the Green Lighting Waterslide is one of the most popular activities on our cruises. Don’t forget to pack your swimwear!
Keep health and safety in mind
Familiarise yourself with our health and safety guidelines before you embark.
Plan shore excursions for everyone 
From nature encounters to action adventures and beach days to cultural tours, we have a whole host of shore excursions that will appeal to every age and interest! We recommend booking these in advance to avoid disappointment as some do sell out quickly.
Schedule some adult time
Whether you’re treating yourself to a massage in the Cloud 9 Spa, in the adults-only Serenity Retreat, sipping on a cocktail at the bar or enjoying a kids-free dinner at one of our restaurants, there are plenty of activities just for grown-ups on board. Plus, you can relax knowing the kids are safe at Night Owls, where under-11s can play ‘til midnight.
Choose connecting or family staterooms
If you’re travelling in a group, make sure you choose a Stateroom that’s big enough for everyone. On Carnival, our flexible room configurations mean many Staterooms can fit up to four guests, and you can also opt for suites or connecting rooms to give everyone space to spread out.
Cruising tips for solo travellers
Join onboard social events to meet fellow travellers
We love a party at Carnival Cruises (it’s all in the name!). All cruises feature an 80’s Rock-N-Glow Party, 90s Night and an Elegant Evening. Longer cruises also feature our Superhero Night and a Silent White Hot Party. So don’t forget to pack your outfits!
Join in on group shore excursions
Our shore excursions are a great way to meet fellow cruisers, get out and explore our incredible destinations. Whether you’re travelling solo or in a group there will be plenty of opportunities to find common interests with your fellow cruisers.
Embrace the freedom of solo scheduling
The best part of travelling solo? You can do absolutely anything you want, anytime you want. Start the morning with a yoga class (charges apply) or sleep in and enjoy Seaday Brunch, purchase a shore excursion, lay by the pool or hit the spa (charges apply)… the choice is yours.
Be open to new friendships
You’ll never know who you’ll meet onboard! Don’t be afraid to make conversation with your dinnertime companions or others on your shore excursions – you might just make some new life-long friends!
Cruising tips for foodies
Try the Chef’s Table experience 
The Chef’s Table is an unmissable dining experience on Carnival, with a menu designed by the Master Executive Chef that will take you on a culinary journey. We recommend purchasing your tickets early so you don’t miss out – each dinner is for intimate groups of just 14.
Attend onboard cooking classes
Want to improve your cooking skills during your cruise? Carnival Kitchen is for you. Our cooking classes offer hands-on instruction in over a dozen culinary disciplines, from perfecting your sushi rolls to cupcake making.
Explore local cuisine on shore excursions
Sampling the local cuisine is an important part of every foodie’s itinerary. Here’s a taster of some of our shore excursions for foodies: try the best coffee in Melbourne, tour a brewery and distillery in Cairns, or indulge in a six-course meal at Airlie Beach. Delish!
Pair meals with drink packages
Stay hydrated with our Bottomless Bubbles package, which gives you unlimited soft drinks and juices throughout your cruise. Or add our Cheers package, which includes beer, wine, bubbles and cocktails, as well as non-alcoholic beverages.
Join wine or cocktail tastings
Explore wines from Australia and New Zealand with our Cruise the Vineyards wine tasting package or channel your inner mixologist at Alchemy Bar for a Martini Tasting.
Top tips for finding the best cruise deals
Choose Carnival
Carnival offers some of the best value cruises around, no matter whether you’re travelling with your family, your soecial someone or a larger group, how long you want to travel for, and where you want to go. And with more than 45 daily activities happening every single day, there’s always something new to do.
Book early
Lock in the best deals by booking your cruise early (and while you’re at it, we recommend making your dining reservations and booking your shore excursions as soon as you can, too). But don’t worry if you’ve left it to the last minute – we offer some great last-minute deals, too.
Get help from a Holiday Planner
Our Personal Holiday Planners are here to help you plan the perfect cruise. They can help you choose the best itinerary, give the low-down on our destinations, and help you make dining reservations, book shore excursions and more.
Set sail with confidence
From what to pack to what to eat, we hope these cruising tips will help you make the most of your first cruise holiday. Here’s to a cruise that’s as smooth as the all-day ice cream from Swirls – enjoy the journey!
