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Tips for First Time Cruisers

I’ve been on 84 cruises, and I still remember all the things I wished someone had told me before my first one. Everything here is written for people who are new to cruising, whether you’re genuinely excited, a bit nervous, or still not entirely sure it’s for you. No jargon, no assumptions, just honest advice from someone who’s made most of the mistakes already.

Emma Cruises Norwegian Breakaway ship

I’ve Been On 84 Cruises – Here’s Why I Keep Coming Back

21/02/202620/02/2026

I’ve been on 84 cruises so far – and have more planned, booked and paid for! People often assume I must be bored with cruising by now, and I only cruise because I have to – it’s my business. Nothing … Read more

Tags about me, cruising variety, value cruising
Emma Cruises Norwegian Star ship

Cruises Explained For People Who Think They’d Hate One (I’ve Been on 84)

21/02/202620/02/2026

In this article, we look at what cruising is actually like. It is aimed at people who are worried they might book a cruise – and then hate it! It addresses common worries and misconceptions and explains why many first-time … Read more

Tags Booking, cruise info, first time cruiser, Hints and tips
Emma cruise Norwegian Encore Alaska

If I Was Taking My First Cruise, Here’s EVERYTHING I’d Want To Know

11/02/2026

Step 1: Choose Where To Cruise Where you choose to cruise will have a huge impact on your cruise experience. It’s not all about beaches and hot destinations! You might want to take a cold-weather cruise to Norway or an … Read more

Tags Booking, cruise info, cruising guide, first time cruiser, Hints and tips, solo cruising
Emma Cruises on Marella Voyager

Taking Your First Cruise in 2026? 67 Things You Need to Know

21/02/202619/01/2026

Are you considering your first cruise in 2026 or 2027? This article will guide you from pre-cruise through to disembarkation, helping you avoid costly, time-consuming mistakes. I have included tips from seasoned cruisers on a range of cruise-related topics. Use … Read more

Tags cruise tips, disembarkation, embarkation, first time cruising, packing
Celebrity infinity main dining room Emma Cruises White Dress

Is It Possible to Avoid Table Sharing on a Cruise Line Where It’s The Default?

07/01/2026

I’ve been on cruises with Fred Olsen, P&O, MSC and Ambassador where I have been assigned a shared table with strangers for dinner. These aren’t the only cruise lines that do it but some cruise lines like NCL and Marella … Read more

Tags Ambassador Cruise Line, Cunard, fixed time dining, Fred Olsen, MSC, table sharing, traditional

The Weirdest Part of Cruise Dining (That No One Tells You About)

10/09/2025

If you are not used to cruising, it can feel a little weird to dine in a nice restaurant, eat a full meal with wine, and then… just walk out without paying the bill. If you are used to dining … Read more

Tags first time cruisers, Included Food, restaurants

Risky Rules I’ve Seen Guests Break on Cruise Ships (Dangerous,

11/12/2024

I’ve seen somebody break a cruise rule on almost every cruise I’ve been on. Some are the type that just make you roll your eyes, others are things people knowingly or accidentally do that are against the rules. The worrying … Read more

Tags cruise facts, cruise info, rules and regulations
Emma cruises MSC Euribia

The Best Cruise Length for First-Timers (And Why It Matters)

11/12/2024

A question I am regularly asked is, “How long should my first cruise be?” This is actually quite an important thing to think about when you decide to book a cruise. In this post, we will look at everything first-time … Read more

Tags cruise tips, first cruise, length of cruise

Why Do Cruise Lines Place Mats on Your Bed? (Here’s What NOT To Do With Them)

29/11/2024

I was recently asked what the mats on cruise ship beds are for. You may find them on the beds when you first arrive in your room. If you have been wondering the same thing, this post is for you! … Read more

Tags cabin, cruise tips, mats
marella cruises all inclusive drinks diet coke on pool deck

9 Things Kind Cruisers Do To Keep Cruise Ships Clean

22/10/2024

When you are on your cruise, there are lots of small things you can easily do that will keep the ship clean and avoid making the crew’s life harder. We can all agree that the crew work extremely hard for … Read more

Tags clean, cruise crew, cruise tips, tidy
Emma Cruises Anthem of the Seas Norway

8 Of The Best Cruise Lines For Young Adults – By Price

30/07/202522/10/2024

Deciding on a cruise line as a young person can often be a difficult task. There is so much variety within the cruise industry and it’s incredibly important that you make the right choice for you. I have been cruising … Read more

Tags costa, marella, MSC, ncl, p&o, Royal Caribbean, virgin voyages, Young cruisers
Emma Cruises Symphony of the Seas

Ready to Set Sail? Discover the Secrets to Planning the Perfect Cruise

17/02/202625/08/2024

When planning your perfect cruise, there is a lot to think about! From picking the perfect destination to making sure you pack all the essentials, a new cruiser could easily feel overwhelmed! If you make the right choices, cruising is … Read more

Tags cruise cabins, Cruise Destinations, cruise packing, cruise tips, money saving, travel agent
Emma Cruises Anthem of the Seas Bergen Norway

Why Cruises Are Perfect for Nervous First-Time Travellers

17/02/202608/08/2024

Cruising is great for first-time nervous travellers, you can have adventures and explore the world, but cruising gives you a sense of security too. If you don’t like the place you are visiting for some reason, you have a luxury … Read more

Tags cruise tips, first time cruiser
Queues in Southampton boarding Anthem of the Seas

7 Embarkation Day Mistakes That Catch Out Unsuspecting Cruisers

30/07/2024

Embarkation day is an exciting day. I am usually counting down the days to my cruise, and I can’t wait to get on board and start exploring! There are a few things that can catch out unsuspecting cruisers. In this … Read more

Tags banned items, cabins, cruise tips, Embarkation Day

5 Small But Important Things I Do The Day Before a Cruise

30/07/2024

Getting ready for a cruise can be stressful! Some people have packing off to a fine art, throwing in everything at the last minute, and never forgetting a thing. Others start to pack weeks in advance, put things into the … Read more

Tags cruise packing, cruise tips, Insurance, paperwork, preparations
Anthem of the seas life ring and Emma Cruises

Are Cruise Ships Really Safe For Kids? (Real Picture Examples of Cruise Ship Decks and Safety Barriers)

14/07/2024

When my parents first thought about taking a family cruise way back in 2005, my Mum’s major concern was about the safety of bringing her children onboard a cruise ship. I was the perfect child, (so my mum says), and … Read more

Tags children, cruise tips, first time cruiser
p&o iona sky dome swimming pool seating

5 Surprising Reasons Why Cruises Are the Best Family Getaway with Kids!

17/02/202604/07/2024

If you have children, grandchildren, or other children in the family, you might be wondering whether a cruise would be a good option for your family holiday/ vacation. I have been cruising since I was a child, and now I … Read more

Tags Costa Cruise, cruise info, cruise tips, family, MSC, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean
P&O Aurora Promenade deck

Cruise Lingo Exposed: Don’t Fall for These Tricky Terms!

12/06/2024

When I talk about cruising, it is easy for me to fall into the trap of using cruise terms that I assume everyone will be familiar with. Reading the comments on my post, I often find that people don’t actually … Read more

Tags cruise facts, first time cruise, nautical terms
Norwegian Encore Room service food

Can You Bring Food Back to Your Cabin From The Buffet on a Cruise Ship?

18/02/202607/06/2024

One of my favourite things about cruising is the availability of food around the clock. From a midnight snack to a full meal in the main dining room, there is always plenty of tempting food on offer. The buffet is … Read more

Tags buffet, cruise cabins, cruise food, cruise tips, first time cruiser

15 Common Mistakes – Things Cruisers Wish They Knew About Before Their First Cruise

18/02/202604/06/2024

When you embark on your first cruise, you may be worried about things you have forgotten about or be concerned that you aren’t as well prepared as you should be. There is no need to worry! In this article, we … Read more

Tags cruise tips, first cruise tips, Included Food, packing
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Hey hey hey, I'm Emma and I LOVE cruising! I took my first cruise when I was 11 and I've been hooked ever since. I create cruise content across YouTube, this website and my social accounts, all with the aim of helping you to find, and take your perfect cruise. 48,000 people receive my best cruise tips, insights and guides every week. You can join them for free by clicking here.

I co-founded The Cruise Globe, the cruise tracker app, where you can track, share and relive cruises like never before (for free!). 🌍🚢

Want to explore, track and share your cruises like never before? 🌍⚓️

Join over 100,000 people on our brand new cruise tracker app, The Cruise Globe. It's completely free and SO much fun. 😇⚓️

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