A first cruise is easy to book and surprisingly easy to get wrong. The headline fare covers less than many first-timers expect, cabins that look similar online feel very different in person, and the rules on cancellation, health and insurance are set by the cruise line and by government bodies rather than by the booking site. This guide walks through the choices in the order that matters: the style of line, the cabin, the real cost, and the paperwork that protects you if something goes wrong. It is not medical, legal or insurance advice; where health or coverage is concerned, it points to the official sources.

Start with the style of cruise, not the ship

Cruise lines differ more in character than in price, and the right fit matters more on a first trip than a bargain.

  • Big-ship resort lines carry thousands of passengers on ships built around pools, water slides, theatres, many restaurants and constant activity. They suit families, groups and people who want plenty to do on sea days. Expect crowds at peak times.
  • Mid-sized, more traditional lines put more emphasis on dining, lounges and itineraries, with a calmer atmosphere and fewer attractions on deck.
  • Adults-focused and premium lines aim at couples and travellers who want a quieter or more stylish ship; some include more in the fare.
  • Expedition and coastal lines sail smaller ships to places large ships cannot reach, such as fjords and polar waters. The destination is the point, the ship is simpler, and fares are higher.

For a first cruise, a short sailing of three to five nights is a sensible test. You learn whether you enjoy sea days, how you handle motion and whether the ship's style suits you, before committing to a week or more.

Choosing a cabin

Cruise lines name their categories differently, but nearly all fall into four groups:

  • Inside (interior) cabins have no window. They are the cheapest and the darkest, which some people find helps them sleep. They are a good choice if you plan to spend little time in the room.
  • Oceanview cabins have a window or porthole that does not open. Natural light makes a small room feel larger.
  • Balcony cabins add a private outdoor space. They cost more, and the value depends on the itinerary: a balcony is worth more on a scenic route such as Alaska or Norway than on a Caribbean trip with many port days.
  • Suites are larger and often come with perks such as priority boarding or a private lounge. They can also carry higher daily charges, as the section on gratuities below shows.

Location matters as much as category. Cabins in the middle of the ship and on lower decks move least in rough seas. Cabins directly below the pool deck, a nightclub or the theatre, or above the engine area at the back, can be noisy. Deck plans on the cruise line's website show what is above and below each cabin.

What the fare includes, and what it usually does not

On most mainstream lines the fare covers your cabin, meals in the main dining room and buffet, basic drinks such as water, tea and coffee, most entertainment and the use of pools and gyms. Common extras include:

  • Gratuities. Many lines add a daily service charge per person to your onboard account. According to a Travel Market Report roundup of each line's published policy, Royal Caribbean charges $18.50 per person per day for standard cabins and $21 for suites, Princess Cruises $18 for most cabins, and Norwegian Cruise Line $20 for guests outside its suites. Some lines, including Virgin Voyages, include gratuities in the fare. For a family of four on a week-long cruise, these charges add up to several hundred dollars, so include them when comparing lines.
  • Taxes, fees and port expenses. These are often shown separately from the cruise fare. Royal Caribbean says they "vary by sailing and are based on several different factors." Look at the total price including them, not the headline fare.
  • Drinks beyond the basics, including alcohol, sodas and speciality coffee, either by the glass or through a package.
  • Speciality restaurants, which charge a cover or menu price on top of the included dining.
  • Shore excursions booked through the cruise line, and any you arrange independently.
  • Wi-Fi, which is usually sold by the day or the voyage.
  • Spa treatments, fitness classes and some activities.

Packages for drinks, dining and Wi-Fi can save money if you would use them heavily and waste it if you would not. Price your likely spend before buying one.

Deposits, final payment and cancellation

Cruises are usually booked with a deposit and paid in full weeks or months before sailing. After that date, cancelling costs money, and the charge grows as the sailing approaches. Royal Caribbean's published schedule, for example, charges nothing apart from nonrefundable deposits if you cancel far enough ahead, then a rising share of the fare, reaching 100% at 30 days or less before sailing, with the free window depending on the length of the cruise. Lines change these schedules from time to time, and the terms that apply are generally the ones in force when you book, so save a copy of your booking confirmation and the policy on the day you book.

Check, too, whether the deposit itself is refundable. Some fares are cheaper precisely because the deposit is not.

Health on board: what official sources say

Cruise ships are crowded, shared spaces, and gastrointestinal illness such as norovirus can spread quickly. In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) runs a Vessel Sanitation Program that inspects cruise ships on "international voyages with a stop at a U.S. port." Inspections are scored out of 100, and ships "fail inspections when they score 85 or below." All scores are public: you can look up the ship you are considering on the CDC's inspection database before you book.

The CDC's main advice to passengers is simple: "wash their hands often (and not rely on hand sanitizer)." Before travelling, check the CDC's Travelers' Health pages and any health notices for the countries on your itinerary, and speak to a doctor or travel health clinic about vaccines or medicines you may need. If you take prescription medicine, the U.S. State Department advises carrying written prescriptions and extra supply, because medicines legal in the United States are not always legal abroad.

Insurance and medical cover

A ship's medical centre can treat many problems, but serious illness or injury may mean leaving the ship for care ashore. The State Department recommends that cruise passengers get insurance covering medical care, emergency evacuation and other unexpected expenses while abroad.

Do not assume your health plan travels with you. Medicare, for example, "usually doesn't cover health care while you travel outside the U.S." It may pay for some medically necessary care on a cruise ship, but only if the doctor is allowed to provide care on board and the ship is in a U.S. port or no more than six hours away from one. Medicare also notes that travel insurance "doesn't necessarily include health insurance," so read the policy wording. Check what any policy covers for pre-existing conditions, cancellation, missed connections and medical evacuation, and ask a licensed insurance professional if anything is unclear.

Documents

Some cruises that start and end at the same U.S. port can be sailed on other documents, but the State Department strongly recommends that cruise passengers travel with a passport book anyway, because you would need one to fly home from a foreign port in an emergency. Check visa requirements for every port of call, and note the contact details for the U.S. embassy or consulate in each country on the route.

When a cheaper choice is fine

A first cruise does not need a balcony, a drinks package or a premium line to be enjoyable. An inside cabin on a short sailing is the lowest-risk way to find out whether cruising suits you. Spend where it changes the trip: a cabin location away from noise if you are a light sleeper, a scenic itinerary if that is why you are going, and insurance that covers medical care and evacuation.

A first-cruise checklist

  1. Pick the style of line first, then the ship and itinerary.
  2. Choose the cabin category, then check its location on the deck plan.
  3. Compare total prices including taxes, fees, port expenses and daily gratuities.
  4. Note the final payment date and the cancellation schedule, and save a copy of both.
  5. Look up the ship's latest CDC inspection score and check health advice for your ports.
  6. Arrange insurance that covers medical care and evacuation, and confirm what your own health plan covers abroad.
  7. Travel with a passport book and any visas you need.