My First Cruise: 10 Things I Learned (That No One Tells You)
So, I went on my first cruise. I’ll be honest: I’d always been a cruise skeptic. I had this image of cheesy buffets, forced fun, and being trapped on a floating retirement home with a bunch of strangers. I pictured rigid schedules and zero adventure.
I was wrong. So, so wrong.
My voyage was on the Seabourn Venture, a fancy expedition ship sailing around Iceland. It was less “Love Boat” and more “Indiana Jones, but with excellent champagne.” My assumptions didn’t just melt away; they jumped overboard. Here’s what I actually learned.
1. Picking the Right Boat is Everything.
This is not one-size-fits-all. There’s a huge difference between a giant floating city (think waterslides, Broadway shows, 5,000 of your closest friends) and a small expedition ship.
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The Mega-Ship: Perfect if you want 24/7 action, a buzzing social scene, and every activity under the sun. It’s a resort that moves.
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The Expedition Ship (my jam): Smaller, intimate, and built for adventure. The focus is on remote places (Antarctica, the Arctic), wildlife, and learning from experts. The vibe is elegant, quiet, and feels like a luxury lodge that can float.
Your first step is admitting what you actually want. Do you crave non-stop entertainment or profound peace and a good glacier?
2. You Are on the Ship’s Schedule. Embrace It.
You don’t control the itinerary. The ship does. It says “we dock at 8 AM and leave at 5 PM,” and that is that. On an expedition, Mother Nature is the real boss. Weather can cancel a landing faster than you can say “Zodiac tour.”
At first, this felt restrictive. Then I realized it was freeing. I didn’t have to plan a thing. The rhythm of the day—explore, eat, learn, sleep—became a comforting framework. You have to work with the ship’s clock, not against it.
3. You Will Overpack. Everyone Does.
I brought enough for a month. My cabin, while lovely, was compact. I quickly learned the art of strategic layering. For an expedition, your best friends are waterproof pants, a good jacket, and comfy boots (pro tip: many ships loan these out!). For a classic cruise, you might want a range of outfits, from daytime casual to fancy dinner wear.
The golden rule: pack half of what you think you need. Then remove two more items. You’ll thank me later.
4. The “Vibe” is a Choice.
The onboard lifestyle is what you make it. On a big ship, you can be go-go-go from dawn ‘til dusk with trivia, shows, and clubs. On my smaller ship, the evening entertainment was a fascinating lecture on Arctic birds or a quiet drink while watching the midnight sun. It was about enrichment, not partying. Neither is better—it’s about picking the vibe that suits you.
5. The Excursions Are the Main Event.
This is why you’re here. On a traditional cruise, it might be a city tour or a cooking class. On an expedition, it’s kayaking next to icebergs, hiking a volcano, or watching a whale breach 50 feet from your rubber boat. These moments are pure magic. Book them early, as the good ones sell out.
6. You Are Allowed to Do NOTHING.
This was a revelation. You don’t have to go on every single excursion. One afternoon, when a hike was offered, I opted for a book in a quiet lounge and had the entire ship almost to myself. It was glorious. There is no guilt in skipping a tour to just stare at the sea. The vacation is yours to design.
7. Traveling Solo is Amazing.
I was nervous about eating alone. Joke was on me. Cruising is arguably the easiest way to travel solo. With open seating at meals and small group excursions, you naturally meet people. I had fascinating conversations with everyone from retired professors to fellow adventurers. You can be as social or as solitary as you want.
8. It’s Okay to Be the Youngest Person (By Decades).
On my luxury expedition, I was definitely on the younger end of the demographic. And it was awesome. My fellow passengers were fascinating, well-traveled, and had incredible stories. If you’re looking for a spring break vibe, this is not it. But if you want thoughtful conversation and a calm atmosphere, it’s a feature, not a bug.
9. The Deep Quiet is a Gift.
In our always-connected world, this is the real luxury. The Wi-Fi was spotty (and expensive). Instead of fighting it, I surrendered. Without my phone buzzing, I finally slowed down. I watched the water for hours. I actually finished a book. I had conversations without glancing at a screen. It was a digital detox I didn’t know I needed.
10. You Will Get Hooked.
My first cruise was not what I expected. It was better. It was a perfect blend of adventure, luxury, and profound peace. It showed me that you can have structure and freedom, excitement and serenity, all in one trip.
I thought it would be my first and last cruise. Now, I’m already dreaming of the next one. Bon voyage