Taking a cruise for the first time can be a very exciting experience! It is a holiday like no other, and cruising virgins are often in awe of what they discover.
How easy it is to get lost
You may have seen some fairly large cruise liners in dock before, but until you hop aboard, nothing really prepares you for the fact that you can easily find yourself getting lost for the first couple of days. While you may think you have a good sense of direction, the interlocking stairways and passageways can easily confuse even seasoned cruise ship travellers at times. With multiple decks, dining areas, pools, shopping areas and more, it’s hard not to be blown away by the enormity of it all.
The quality of the food
Your cruise fare always includes food for breakfast, lunch and dinner on a cruise ship. However, not all venues that offer food will be free. Wherever you choose to dine (main dining room, specialty restaurant or at the buffet), the quantity and quality of the food will never cease to amaze you. It seems counterintuitive to think that a ship feeding thousands of passengers can maintain high menu standards, but not many people have been disappointed with snack or meal options on a ship. The other thing is that you can eat at any time of the day. Don’t be surprised to finish your first cruising holiday several kilograms heavier than when you left.
It is difficult/expensive to stay connected
You might think you are just an email or Facebook post away from your friends and family back home; however, the reality is that unless you want to pay through the nose, you will have to relax and enjoy your holiday without sharing the experience until you get home. Wifi access on board cruise ships has come a long way, but it is still not particularly cheap or reliable. You are often better off planning to use wifi on port days to try and save some money.
There is so much to do
It is common for first-time cruisers to worry about whether they may get bored on board, especially if there are quite a few consecutive sea days involved. Experienced cruisers would scoff at such folly. Of course, the entertainment available completely depends on which cruise line and ship you choose, but there is usually plenty for everyone. Circus acts, comedy, musical entertainment, movies, games, cooking classes, dance lessons, the opportunities are almost limitless. Perhaps the biggest surprise will be how many activities you didn’t get around to doing once the cruise has ended.
What surprised you when you went on your first cruise?
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