Why Cruises Are Perfect for Nervous First-Time Travellers

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 cruise ship as a base. You can just return to a ship to enjoy great food, entertainment and comfortable cabins.

The crew are always on hand to make you feel at home and help with any problems or worries you might have.

First-time travellers get convenience and comfort while they visit new places. Having the ship to return to can give them a sense of security that can help ease travel anxieties

Easy and Stress-Free Planning

Cruises are easy to book and plan. You can book a cruise that includes flights and transfers, or you can sail from your local port. That is a great option because your holiday begins the moment you step onboard.

There is no airport stress, security is easier, and you can be on board quickly, sometimes in a matter of minutes.

Just pack your bag, get your paperwork in order, drive to the port – and you are good to go!

Ship Itineraries Are Pre Planned

• You can book a cruise with an itinerary you would like to take.
  • It removes all the hassle of booking and organising transportation and suitable accommodation in different countries and towns yourself.
• There is no language barrier to worry about.
  • There might be difficulties if you are trying to make your own bookings for another country.

Lots Included Within The Cruise Fare

• Meals, entertainment and activities are included.
  • You won’t have to be constantly making decisions about what you wish to do whilst on holiday.
• Everything is laid on for you.
  • You can do as little or as much as you want. The choice is yours.

Easy To Book

• Booking your cruise is easy.
  • You can book through a cruise Travel Agency or directly with the cruise line.
• Travel Agents can offer advice on the best cruise for you, and may think of things you might not have considered.
  • I would always choose to book with a trusted travel agent, as you will get unbiased advice, and often added extras that you don’t get booking directly with the cruise line.

Find out more about booking through a travel agent here:

Is It Best To Use a Travel Agent or Book Directly With The Cruise Line? (Money-Saving Hints and Tips For Booking, and Much More…)

The above itinerary is from my Fred Olsen “In Search of the Northern Lights” Cruise. We had a really memorable holiday.

Find out more about that here:

Safe and Secure Environment

A cruise ship is ideal for nervous travellers. It has a safe and controlled environment.

• There is CCTV in all the public spaces.
  • If the cruise line finds any passengers to be troublesome, they will disembark them at the first available port!
• Cruise ships employ a full security team to deal with any incidents.
  • Some ships also have their own jails! Luckily, they rarely need to use them.

Find out more about that here:

Cruise Ship Jails and Security (A Security Officer Reveals All) – What Are They Like?

Medical Facilities Onboard

• If you are worried about falling ill or having an accident whilst travelling, rest assured the ship has medical staff onboard who are available around the clock if needed.
  • Although they have a well-equipped sick bay, if a passenger becomes so sick they can’t be helped onboard, the ship will detour to the nearest available port so the passenger can get to hospital.
  • In the worst-case scenario, passengers can be airlifted to land.
• Medical care onboard isn’t free though.
  • Make sure you never travel without adequate travel insurance!

Find out more about what happens if you do become ill onboard here:

What Happens if You Get Sick on a Cruise? – Simple Step-by-Step Guide

Find out about passengers who have made the mistake of not taking out adequate travel insurance here:

Muster Drills (Safety Drills)

• All passengers are required to carry out a Muster Drill before the cruise starts.
  • That way, everyone knows where they should muster in case of emergency.
• All crew are highly trained to deal with any emergencies – chefs, bar staff, waiters – they all have a second role to play in an emergency situation
  • They help at the Muster Stations, and some are trained as firemen or lifeboat crew – all sorts.
• If there is an emergency at sea, you go to your Muster Station – and you will already know where that is.
  • The crew will then instruct you what to do from there on in.

You can’t say that about a hotel on land. If there were a fire, you would have to fend for yourself and probably rely on the escape route map on the back of the hotel room door.

Find out more about Muster Drills on cruise ships here:

What is a Muster Drill on a Cruise? Everything You Need to Know (REVIEW of Traditional and Virtual Muster Drills)

A Wide Range Of Experiences Available

• You can travel to many countries and experience many things on a single cruise journey.
• There is no stress over finding your way to the destinations, it feels like they come to you!
  • All you have to do is get off and explore – if you want to, of course!
• If you are nervous about exploring alone, you can take a cruise line excursion.
  • You will be looked after from start to finish and delivered back to the ship at the end.

Cruise line excursions are available in different activity levels – from easy to strenuous. You can pick one that suits you and your family.

There are all sorts of excursions to choose from. Historical sights, wonderful sightseeing trips, or adventure trips – such as Kayaking, Cycling Tours, and Rib Boat adventures.

Find out about all the trips I took on my most recent Alaska cruise here. We saw some amazing things!

Crew Are Always On Hand

• Crew members are always available to help with any practical concerns or questions you may have.
• You may also meet other like-minded travellers and make new friends, which can make the whole cruising experience even more enjoyable.

Cruising Is A Flexible And Adaptable Experience

I always say, there is a cruise to suit everyone, but not every cruise will suit every person. Do your research.

Everyone likes different things. That is the great thing about cruise ships – there is entertainment and activities to suit everyone.

• You can take part in every game show or Trivia quiz – or you can sit on your balcony and read a book.
  • You can relax and take things at your own pace.
• The number of food choices onboard is great for multi-generational family trips.
  • You can enjoy a sit-down meal in the main restaurant or go to the poolside grill or buffet for a burger.
• You are bound to find food to suit everyone.
  • It is great to have a break from the constant cooking and meal organising of everyday life.
  • Dietary requirements are catered for
• Children and teenagers can go to the kid’s clubs to take part in fun activities and meet people their own age.
  • These clubs don’t cost extra, it is all included within your cruise fare.
  • Children can be off having fun whilst you enjoy some quality time for yourself.
  • You won’t have to feel guilty about leaving them – you may find they don’t want to come out of the Kid’s clubs at all!

A week is the perfect length for the first cruise. A shorter cruise may be more crowded, and they can sometimes turn out to be “party cruises.” These cruises don’t give a true reflection of what cruising is really like.

It’s great to have a week to explore the ship and try everything onboard.

You can then build your confidence and move to longer cruises or cruises that travel further afield to more exotic locations in due course.

Before You Go

Find out what real cruisers wish they had known before taking their first cruise here:

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

Find out about additional costs on a cruise that may catch you out here:

The 5 Cruise Costs That Catch Out Unsuspecting Cruisers