First Caribbean Cruise? 12 Things to Know Before You Go
There are plenty of seasoned cruisers out there with decades of experience, but as travelers who have explored over 80 countries mostly on land, we approached our first cruise this year with a mix of excitement and a little bit of skepticism. We recently sailed on the Celebrity Ascent through the Caribbean, and while we consider ourselves savvy travelers, the “ship life” learning curve was steeper than we expected.
Even if you have mastered the art of the points-run or the perfect carry-on-only European trek, cruising operates by its own set of rules. From the way you handle your daily schedule to the unexpected logistics of shore excursions, there were several moments where we realized our usual travel habits didn’t quite apply. Whether you are eyeing a Celebrity itinerary or another line in the Caribbean – or anywhere in the world, really – these are the practical takeaways from our first time on a cruise together.
First a note: There’s so much to know about planning a cruise. So, we want to recommend our absolutely fantastic cruise planner, Julie. This is not sponsored. We love to plan our own travel, but Julie found us deals and gave us invaluable recommendations that made the experience even better.
1. Don’t Stress the Over-Packing (But Manage Your Space)
One of the biggest concerns for first-time cruisers is fitting a week’s worth of clothes into a small cabin. From beachwear to excursion outfits to dinner attire, you may need three outfits a day, and doing laundry is expensive and inconvenient. This felt overwhelming for us as light packers – especially since our cruise was 10 nights.
Since your bags can be delivered to your room upon boarding and collected the night before you disembark, you don’t have to worry about hauling heavy luggage through the ship yourself. However, you don’t want to feel “crammed in” by clutter. So, we found that unpacking completely and utilizing every drawer and closet helped maintain a sense of order in the room.
While cabins on modern ships like the Celebrity Ascent are relatively spacious and well-designed, floor space is still at a premium. The good news is that your suitcases are designed to slide right under the bed, which keeps them out of the way for the duration of the trip.
Ultimately, we still packed way less than most people and managed our own bags while getting on and off the ship. We did pack more than usual, and while most items were necessary, we still had a few unworn outfits at the end of the trip. I did find it easy to wash my workout gear in the sink (and I did actually use the gym four times). But doing any additional laundry would have been difficult.
Pro Tip: Even if you can easily pack more for a cruise, make sure you know your airline’s rules on luggage fees and weight restrictions.
2. Check for Included Supplies Before Packing
Before you stuff your suitcase with “just in case” items, check what your specific ship provides. We were surprised to find that our room came equipped with umbrellas, a high-quality hair dryer, and dedicated beach towels for use at the pool or on shore. The bathrooms also included standard shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel.
By checking these amenities in advance, you can save valuable suitcase real estate for things you actually need, like specific sunscreens or an extra pair of shoes. It’s a simple step that prevents you from bringing gear that’s already waiting for you in your stateroom.
3. Remember Your Paper Ticket on Excursions
We are used to the digital-first world of Apple Wallets and Viator QR codes, so we assumed our shore excursions would work the same way. We were wrong. On our first excursion day, we realized too late that the physical paper tickets were left in a blue envelope in our room and were actually required for check-in.
We had to scramble at the last minute to get a paper pass printed on the boat. We were lucky that our meeting point was still on the ship. If the excursion had started at the pier, we might have missed it entirely. Always check your room for that envelope and bring those physical tickets with you to the meeting point.
4. Choose Your Drink Package Based on Your Preference
The math on drink packages can be confusing, but it really comes down to what you enjoy drinking. On our ship, the basic package covered drinks up to $12, while the premium package covered up to $19. If you are happy with a standard beer or glass of wine, the basic package is sufficient.
However, if you prefer premium spirits, martinis, or specific labels like Whispering Angel rose, the premium package is a must. If you have the basic package and order a $19 drink, you’ll be charged the $7 difference plus gratuity. And the options are way overpriced al a carte: the $12 basic rose was boxed white zinfandel (an absolute “no” for me).
Pro Tip: If you have the premium package, explicitly ask for the premium liquor or wine from the bar, otherwise the staff may default to the basic house option.
5. Understand the Tipping Culture
Tipping on a cruise can be handled in a few ways: you can pre-pay before the trip, pay when you board, or pay as you go. We chose to pre-pay a 20% gratuity to keep things simple. It’s important to note that the ship will also add a 20% gratuity to almost every individual purchase, from the mini-bar and specialty dining to the premium drink package upgrades.
While tipping extra isn’t a required practice, nor did it seem common (you’re already tipping 20%), it is certainly welcome for excellent room service or a bartender who takes great care of you throughout the week.
6. Know the Mini-Bar and Room Service Rules
Don’t assume everything in your room is included just because you have a drink package. On our sailing, the mini-bar and bottled water in the room were an additional cost.
We could get a continental breakfast with coffee and juices delivered to the room for free, while a hot breakfast cost about $12 per person including the tip.
If you find yourself needing water or snacks in the room late at night, grab a few items from the buffet during the day and bring them back with you. It saves a few dollars and ensures you have what you need without waiting for delivery. The tap water on the ship is likely treated and safe to drink, too. Check your specific ship to verify.
7. Use Your “Do Not Disturb” Sign Sparingly
In a standard hotel, we often leave the “Do Not Disturb” sign up for days to avoid unnecessary housekeeping. On a cruise, this can be a mistake. Your stateroom attendant is your primary link to ship logistics. They leave essential information in your room daily regarding port times, ship activities, and weather updates.
During our first port day, we left the sign up and missed out on the beach towels and printed schedules the attendant would have provided. Additionally, in the compact footprint of a cruise cabin, having the room refreshed and the bed made daily makes a significant difference in how relaxed you feel.
8. The App is Your Lifeline
You cannot survive a modern cruise without the ship’s app. This is where you will find your daily schedule, restaurant reservations, port guides, and even your onboard spending account. We checked the app multiple times a day to see what activities were happening or to confirm our arrival time at the next island. It also told you the ship’s time zone, which might not be as obvious as you think or updated on your phone (which you should keep in airplane mode in international waters).
Make sure you download the app and log in before you leave home. It streamlines the check-in process at the pier and ensures you aren’t wandering the decks looking for a paper map that probably doesn’t exist anymore.
9. Know Your Comforts Regarding Your Room Choice
We booked a veranda room on the Celebrity Ascent, and it was a highlight of our stay. Having a private space overlooking the water to enjoy coffee and a quiet continental breakfast while pulling into a new port added a level of calm that we wouldn’t have had in an interior room.
On some nights, we left the window down to listen to the waves and catch the ocean breeze. While an interior room is a great way to save money, think seriously about how much you value your own private outdoor space. For us, the veranda was an integral part of the experience rather than just an upgrade. (Note: This ship had the controversial new infinity veranda, which is an extension of your room with a dropdown window rather than a balcony. We loved it, though many people prefer the traditional outdoor balcony.)
10. Prepare for the Caribbean Wind
The wind in the Caribbean is no joke, whether you are on the 14th-deck pool area or exploring an island on foot. We saw plenty of hats fly into the ocean and witnessed several wardrobe malfunctions on windy piers.
When packing, opt for tennis skirts with built-in shorts or wear boy-shorts under dresses to stay comfortable. Even long dresses blew up with a strong gust. If you plan on lounging by the pool, bring towel clips to keep your towel from blowing away the moment you stand up. Secure hats and hair ties are also essential for those breezy days on deck.
11. Make Dining Reservations in Advance
“Anytime Dining” sounds flexible and easy, but in reality, it can be a challenge – especially for groups. We were a party of six and found it nearly impossible to walk into the main dining rooms on the Celebrity Ascent without a long wait unless we wanted to eat very early (before 6:00 PM) or quite late (after 8:00 PM).
If you are particular about when you eat, go into the app and book your dining times as soon as they become available. It saves you the stress of waiting in line when you’d rather be enjoying the evening entertainment.
12. Watch for Pre-Trip and Onboard Deals
Our final realization was that the “sticker price” for add-ons isn’t always what you have to pay. We found significant discounts by checking the app four months before our trip, securing anywhere between 10-20% off our shore excursions. Once we were on board, we also kept an eye out for daily specials.
On the first day, we snagged a half-price deal for the “Le Petit Chef” dining experience. It was a fantastic, immersive meal that we highly recommend, even if you are traveling without children. You can also find spa deals on excursion days if you’re not going to explore the port or will just be off the ship for a brief excursion.
What More Caribbean Cruise Tips?
In our next few post, we’ll tell you all about the Celebrity Ascent, dining experiences, exactly which excursions were worth the money (and which were definitely not) and a few things we would do differently next time when it comes to exploring the islands.