Many of you know Ray, my dad. My parents have not had the ability to travel until pretty recently, in their 70’s, and have become fans of cruising. The way that started is a story for another day, but at this point, they have gone on 6 Princess Cruises and are huge fans. You know I am not really a cruise person, but after taking a cruise and watching my parents’ world bloom I have changed my mind. They are a great way for people to see the world who may not be able to travel the way I do, and we have some great cruise tips for beginners.

Mom and Dad are currently on their first Mediterranean cruise. They haven’t been to Europe in more than 30 years, and are having a blast. Dad wanted to share some tips for you about cruising, which will be helpful for anyone new to cruising or just looking to fine tune their cruising skills.

Cruise Tips from Ray

1.  Consider where you want to go. Make a list of all of your dream destinations. Using this list, you can search for cruises that hit as many places you’re hoping to go as possible.
2.   Look at the cost. Many cruises will advertise very low fares, but only for inside cabins, which I don’t recommend. Those cabins don’t have windows and are generally cramped.
3.   Look at options for your departing city. Choosing a departure that is close to home or cheaper to fly into can net you a better deal.
4.   Arrive at the departure port 1 day early and stay at a hotel near the cruise terminal. Most cruises have a shuttle to the dock, so choose a hotel near the shuttle. Arriving early will save you headaches if you’re flights are delayed.
5.   Check the weather forecast and pack accordingly. Remember that temperatures at sea can be lower than in port. Most cruises have 1 or 2 formal nights so be prepared to dress like your going to the prom.
6. Make sure you have all to travel docs handy when you reach ship. Go over your reservation carefully to be certain that you have everything arranged and print out copies. We always recommend bringing a passport even when you don’t think you need it.
7.   On arrival, check in for the cruise and then head to the buffet for lunch. Rooms aren’t always ready and the luggage delivery can take time. The earlier that you arrive for departure, the more time you have to enjoy the ship. On the other hand (Sarah speaking here) arriving at the end of the boarding process means no crowds.
8.   After lunch find out where your cabin is. By this point, the help desk probably won’t be flooded so you can ask for assistance if needed. Your luggage probably won’t be in your room until late afternoon.
9.  After you find your room, take this time to get you bearings and walk the entire ship. Find the quickest passage to the restaurants, top deck, and exit. Go find the laundry, gym, spa and other service you may need.
10.   When you get your luggage unpack and hang your clothes up. No need to leave things in your suitcase, you’re here for a while! Set up electronics, move furniture if it suits you, make sure you have all the towels and pillows you’ll need. This is your nest so make it a home.
11. The first night, eat at the free dining room, I would suggest between 6 and 7pm. You want to be done so you can go to the theater for the 9pm show. Shows are usually at either 7 or 9pm and are usually pretty good.
12. The second day and the rest of the cruise eat breakfast at the buffet. It’s usually your best bet because you can eat quickly and get on to your activities. The seated dining room is usually better food but takes time for service.
13.   After breakfast, go back to your cabin and plan your activities. Each day there will be flyers posted on what’s going on around the cruise and what excursions are available. Typically, you’ll get the schedule the evening before.
14. Their are usually choices of how to have dinner. Buffet, seated dining room, or specialty restaurant where there is an extra charge per person. The buffet is usually very average food, and I suggest it only for breakfast–I mean, it’s hard to ruin scrambled eggs. Skip the buffet for dinner for sure. The sit-down dining room has a nicely plated dinner which is included in your cruise, and the menu offers several choices. You typically have to reserve a time slot for the dining room before the cruise begins, so it’s a good strategy to make a standing reservation for dinner and skip it if you want to do something else. The one advantage to the free dining restaurant is that you can order as many entrees as you want, it isn’t limited to one plate. The have nice menus and usually offer lobster one night and of course as many great desserts as you want. The Specialty Restaurants are different on every cruise and typically charge from $25-200 per person extra. Most ships have a few different options, like a French bistrot, steak house, or sushi, and all need to be booked before the cruise begins.
15. HOT TIP: Drinks can add up! Whether you have a drink package or not, I highly recommend that you go to customer service each morning and get a printout of your bill. When the cruise ends you want no surprises.
16. Choose your excursions wisely. I have been doing fewer excursions the more I take cruises, because I am learning that they are often not necessary or very overpriced. Opting to rent a car rather than spending 4 to 6 hours on a bus can be more efficient. Some destinations have hop on hop off bus lines or consider taking a taxi to the center of town and explore on foot.
17. Make a last minute checklist. Have your passport in a handy place–not in your luggage. Any meds you have, make sure they are in your carry on. Be prepared for lost luggage (yes it does happen even on cruises!) Your carry on needs to support you for a few days just in case, so pack it wisely.
18. I like to have some foreign currency with me if I am traveling abroad  Not a lot because they have ATMs everywhere and the exchange rate is probably better in that country.
19. Last piece of advice— Have FUN and take lots of pictures! Make sure you take plenty of selfies. I have found that if you are not in a photo, they lose their importance over time. Let the ship photographers take a few formal shots and take one home. When was the last time you did that? High school? A proper portrait is a wonderful gift for your family.

Thanks for joining us for Ray’s Cruise Tips! Do you have any to add? Comment below or on Facebook.