First Time Cruiser
Cruising for the First Time: What Really Goes Through Your Mind
If you’re new to our channel, welcome — we’re Giles and Lisa from Travelling Light, and after dozens of cruises, we still remember exactly what it felt like stepping onboard for the first time. Whether you’ve discovered cruising through our vlogs or you’re just starting to explore the idea, we thought we’d share the things every first-time cruiser thinks about, even if they don’t always say it out loud.
1. “What on earth do I pack?”
Packing for a cruise is an emotional journey in itself. Before our first sailing, Lisa had three piles: “definitely taking,” “might take,” and “things Giles says we don’t need but I’m taking anyway.”
First-timers often worry they’ll forget something crucial because once the ship sails, that’s it — you can’t nip into Tesco for a plug adaptor. But here’s the truth we’ve learned after many, many cruises: pack comfortable layers, a couple of smart outfits, swimwear even if you think you won’t use it, and leave space for souvenirs. Ships have shops, but you’ll pay ship prices.
2. “Am I going to get seasick?”
This was Giles’ biggest worry before our first cruise. Thirty years as a police sergeant… but put him on a ship and suddenly he’s googling “will ginger biscuits save my life?”
The good news? Modern cruise ships are incredibly stable. The motion is usually gentle, and most passengers adjust within a few hours. Still, nearly every first-time cruiser boards with seasickness bands or tablets hidden in a pocket “just in case.”
3. “What will the cabin really be like?”
Cruise brochures make cabins look like boutique hotel suites. But if you’ve watched our cabin tours, you’ll know the truth — they’re cleverly designed, but compact.
Before your first cruise, you might be imagining something the size of a broom cupboard. Or worrying you’ll hear the anchor drop under your bed at 3am.
Once you walk in, though, the nerves melt. There’s storage everywhere, the bed is comfy, and once you accidentally fall asleep to the sound of the wake (like Giles does every time), you realise it’s actually a lovely place to unwind.
4. “Is cruising too structured… or will I be left to fend for myself?”
New cruisers often think their day will be tightly scheduled: breakfast at 8, shuffleboard at 10, nap at 11:30… or the opposite — that they’ll have nothing to do but wander aimlessly with a plate of chips.
In reality, you choose your pace. When we sailed on Regal Princess, some days we were racing around trying to film everything; other days, we sat on the open decks with coffee watching the world drift by. Cruising gives you permission to do absolutely nothing — and that might be the best part.
5. “What will the other passengers be like?”
This is a big silent worry for a lot of people. Will everyone be older? Younger? Loud? Formal? Do they all know something I don’t?
But once you’re onboard, you realise cruise passengers are some of the friendliest people out there. We’ve had brilliant chats on promenades, in lifts, on tenders, and even in laundrettes (Giles gives great fabric-softener advice).
The beauty of cruising is that everyone is on holiday. That creates a sense of community in itself.
6. “How does the cruise card/onboard credit/tipping thing work?”
If you’ve watched our cruise tips videos, you’ll know this one comes up a lot. The cruise card (or Princess Medallion, MSC wristband, etc.) becomes your ID, wallet, and cabin key. It takes a day or two to get used to, but after that, tapping your way around the ship becomes second nature.
Tipping varies by line, but you won’t be judged for following the ship’s guidelines. First-time cruisers often overthink this — but honestly, the staff explain everything and your fellow cruisers will happily share what they do.
7. “What if the ship leaves without me?”
Ah, the classic first-time fear. We’ve had so many comments on this. People imagine sprinting down the pier as the ship horn booms dramatically.
It almost never happens, and if you’re on an official ship excursion, they will wait for you. We normally get back at least 45 minutes before all-aboard time. It’s far less stressful — and gives you time to grab a coffee when you get back onboard.
8. “Will I get bored on sea days?”
Before we started cruising, we thought sea days might drag a bit.
Sea days are when the pace slows. You can explore the ship properly, enjoy the spa, grab a long lunch, or sit back and read your book. They’re often the days where the magic happens — sunsets, whales, dolphins, or just the joy of having nowhere else you need to be.
9. “Will I love it enough to book another?”
This question hangs quietly in your mind until the cruise is nearly over. But most first-timers — including us — realise very quickly that cruising becomes addictive.
You wake up every morning in a new place. You never have to repack. You can be social or peaceful. You can explore or relax. And once you’ve experienced it, you start planning the next sailing before you’ve even disembarked.
For many viewers of our channel, that first cruise is the one that starts a lifelong love of travel. And if our videos help make that first experience a little less daunting — that’s exactly why we do what we do.
