Help your customers prepare for their first cruise with these practical tips, from choosing the right ship to packing smart.
Not every cruise is the same. Help your customers choose a cruise line and ship that match their travel style, whether they’re looking for family fun, luxury, adventure or a more relaxed escape.
Consider:
Ship size & atmosphere
Itinerary & destinations
Cabin options
What’s included
Cruise ships operate to tight schedules and won’t wait for late passengers. Encourage your customers to allow plenty of time to reach the port and complete check-in.
Check the embarkation time & terminal
Allow extra time for traffic and security
Consider arriving a day early for fly-cruises
Check passport, visa & entry requirements
There’s much more to a cruise than relaxing by the pool. Encourage your customers to check what’s happening onboard and book popular experiences early.
Check the daily programme
Download the cruise line app
Book popular shows, activities & dining
Explore the ship when they first board
Cruise cabins can be compact, but a few clever additions can make them much easier to organise.
Suggest packing:
Foldable storage organisers
Magnetic hooks, where permitted
A small waterproof bag
A lanyard for their cruise card
Always check the cruise line’s prohibited-items list before packing.
Not every cruise fare includes everything. Make sure your customers know what they’re paying for before they book.
Depending on the cruise line, extras can include:
Drinks packages & Wi-Fi
Speciality dining
Shore excursions
Spa treatments
Encourage customers to compare the total holiday cost, not just the headline cruise fare.
Some everyday items can be expensive or inconvenient to buy onboard. Recommend that your customers pack the essentials from home.
Prescription medication
Sunscreen & personal care items
Suitable plug adapter
Water bottle & coffee tumbler
Small waterproof bag
Remind them to keep medication, travel documents, valuables and first-day essentials in their carry-on.
Royal Caribbean’s Legend of the Seas
7-night Western Mediterranean Barcelona → Palma → Naples → Rome → Marseille → Barcelona on Royal’s brand-new Icon Class ship.
Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Apex
9-night Spain, Portugal & France Southampton → Vigo → Lisbon → Porto → Bilbao → Le Havre, a premium no-fly option combining culture, cuisine and coastal cities
MSC Cruises’ MSC Virtuosa
Northern Europe from Southampton Sail to destinations including Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany on a convenient UK round-trip.
Port of Barcelona: Tips To Share With Your Customers