{"id":24413,"date":"2026-01-19T17:55:43","date_gmt":"2026-01-19T22:55:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/samantha-brown.com\/?p=24413"},"modified":"2026-01-19T17:56:53","modified_gmt":"2026-01-19T22:56:53","slug":"cruising-guide-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/samantha-brown.com\/tips\/cruising-guide-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"Everything You Need to Know About Cruising"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you\u2019ve been here for a while, you know I love a good cruise! At this point I\u2019ve been to so many places from the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, Alaska, Norway, and European Christmas Markets, and more. In fact some of my earliest memories with my crew are aboard a cruise!\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As I get older, I\u2019ve learned that time is truly a luxury, and cruises have been such a crucial way of getting that time back. Whether it\u2019s traveling with my kids, with my parents and in-laws, with friends and family, a cruise really allows us all to get together and just focus on being in the moment together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since I\u2019ve been on so many over my years, I thought I\u2019d compile all my tips for any newer cruiser to learn from. Check them all out below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Booking Your Cruise<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When to Book – Wave Season<\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

To start, you should know that the absolutely best time to book a cruise is during what\u2019s known as wave season<\/em>. <\/strong>This can start as early as Black Friday but generally happens from January to March. The name comes from the wave of deals cruise lines will tout to entice you to pick them over competitors. Think discounted fairs, special deals, freebies, extra perks, and even upgrades. They do this because around now is low season for cruises!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s also when the most popular cruises, like the Inside Passage of Alaska<\/a>, fill up so you want to be prepared to book as soon as possible if you want to have the most choices in terms of itinerary, rooms, packages,and excursions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I recommend starting to do your research in the fall so you know what kind of cruise you want to do, which cruise lines offer the itinerary you want, and what they\u2019re offering in normal times to compare with the deals they\u2019ll offer during wave season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Pick Your Cruise<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

That brings me to my next point \u2013 actually picking your cruise. There are so many options even just clicking into one cruise line\u2019s website can feel overwhelming. Our Season 9 sponsor, Oceania Cruises<\/a>, sails to 450 destinations across 100 countries alone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I always think it\u2019s fun to think of cruises like relationships and matchmaking. What are you looking for in a relationship? That\u2019s probably the kind of cruise you\u2019ll want. Short fling? Check out 3-4 day cruises with ports close to where you live. Something calm and peaceful? Look for longer itineraries that stop off at historic ports. Excitement and adventure? Look for more outdoorsy itineraries that\u2019ll have you off the ship and in nature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Consider booking through a travel agent or consultant<\/strong>.<\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m a big fan of travel agents in general but they\u2019re especially great when booking cruises! They\u2019ll often have access to better deals and perks than you would just booking on your own. One thing to ask about is on board credit (OBC).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check exactly when you\u2019re booking<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re hoping to avoid sharing your cruise with a bunch of students on school break, double check when you\u2019re going. Being on a ship with hundreds of kids is a lot<\/em> different than one with just a handful of families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join the Cruise Line Loyalty Program<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Once you\u2019ve figured out your itinerary and who you want to cruise with, look into joining their loyalty program even if it\u2019s your first and you don\u2019t think you\u2019ll do another one anytime soon. Just being a member can have privileges like priority embarkation or disembarkation and hidden deals!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Before You Set Sail<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Some Good Terms to Know<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Embarkation – <\/strong>This describes the day you board your cruise for the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Disembarkation – <\/strong>This is the day you leave your cruise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Port of Call – <\/strong>This is where your ship will dock. Besides embarkation and disembarkation days, ports are usually where you\u2019ll get off to wander or join an excursion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Docked – <\/strong>Docked ports mean you can literally walk right off the cruise ship and onto land.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tendered – <\/strong>Tendered ports mean you need to be ferried between the ship and the port. It\u2019s kind of annoying so I usually plan to stay onboard for tendered port days. At most, I opt to be tendered later in the day so I can enjoy a more leisurely breakfast and skip the morning ferry rush.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cabin Steward – <\/strong>This is who will help take care of you and your room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check just How All-Inclusive Your Cruise is<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAll-Inclusive\u201d is not always all inclusive! Cruise prices typically include room and board but don\u2019t necessarily include excursions, spa treatments, specialty restaurants, alcohol, and other amenities on board. Check over what\u2019s included and what\u2019s not and then budget accordingly so you\u2019re not surprised with a huge bill at the end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the flip side, I\u2019ve heard that quite a few newer cruisers didn\u2019t realize just how much was included in their package so they missed out on a ton of cool amenities and dining experiences!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Book as much as possible in advance.<\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Once you\u2019ve got your cruise booked, book as much as you can in advance. Popular activities or restaurants on board book up fast so it\u2019s better to have that all organized as quickly as possible. Most cancellation policies are generous if you change your mind, but always good to double check!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You absolutely still need cash and plenty of it!<\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Always, always bring at least a few hundred bucks for tipping. In fact, bring more cash than you think you\u2019ll need because ATM charges on board are brutal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even if tips are automatically charged, you\u2019ll still be compelled to tip crew members in cash. They truly are some of the hardest workers I\u2019ve ever encountered, and it\u2019s really incredible how even though I know<\/em> they\u2019re balancing hundreds of cruisers at once, they manage to make me feel unique. That alone deserves extra appreciation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not to mention, it\u2019s also expected that you tip bartenders, luggage handlers, shuttle drivers, port staff, waiters, guides, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check if Your Cruise Has an App<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The Internet on board is notoriously quite slow. See if your cruise has an app and download it ahead of time. They\u2019ll be so helpful with navigating the ship among other amenities and guides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Make Note of Cruise Dress Codes<\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

While many cruise lines have gone for casual, many still have recommended dress codes depending on what you\u2019re doing. They\u2019re pretty much the terminology as for weddings and business events, but in case you need a refresher:<\/p>\n\n\n\n