Advice for a first time cruiser

1) PACKING; depending of course on whether you are flying to your ship or going to a port) as to the weight allowed ! We use the lightest case that we've got, especially if flying as the hard cases are heavy to start with !!! But even if you're not, the people that have to put them in your cabin don't want bad backs , so most companies will have a maximum weight ! I make a list of what I'm going to be wearing each evening including underwear, jewellery, accessories to go with each outfit AND STICK TO IT ! When I'm packing them, I use tissue paper and ROLL them, that way less creasing. I then put in the clothes that I will be wearing during the day. Then I pack. I then WEIGH THE CASE ( if going to be flying ! ) if underweight, I know that I can add the extra clothes that I have as standby! ( could always sneak extra into husbands case !!!! )

2) The other thing that I found is that on a maybe longer cruise you DO GAIN WEIGHT with all that lovely food ! So I NUMBER THE CLOTHES and wear the fitted ones first ! ! I did this after one cruise where I couldn't fit into a new dress because I'd put WEIGHT ON !!!

3) I buy perfume tester cards on EBay as on a cruise you have a small amount of different perfumes to take for each night. Also small enough to take into the plastic clear bag that plane companies make you use.

4) I download programmes/ films from BBCiplayer etc onto my iPad so I have something to watch while on a plane, or onboard the ship. Also ebooks. That saves taking books , although the libraries are always good on ships.

Best thing.....ENJOY ! Once you've been on your first one...........BET YOU WILL GET "HOOKED"

My partner and I are hoping to go on a cruise either next year or the year after. We would like to go on a less formal cruise ship and more adult orintated as I work with children full time. Any tips would be helpful as we have never been on a cruise before thankyou

Hi Adele, I have been on a number of cruises and preferred the more informal arrangement. Thomson provide a more informal arrangement and offers good value for money, do be careful which ship you choose though. The Celebartion was particular poor and would not recommend it. We have cruised on the Majesty twice and have booked another of their ships next year; the newest addition to their fleet.

Hope this helps

I have traveled with Royal Carribean on 5 cruises. Some obvious things are to pack light. The least amount of luggage you can take the better. Pre order breakfast in your cabin on the days you have excursions. It will help with getting off the ship in time. Wait till later in the cruise to buy anything from the cruise lines.

I have only cruised with P&O which I have always enjoyed. My tips are relax and enjoy it. I have read reviews that staff are surly and rude. On the contrary, I find if you are pleasant and courteous the staff are wonderful. I have seen the way staff are treated by some passengers and if someone spoke to me in that way I would find it difficult to smile. Look at all the positives and forget the snags, does it really matter if you have to wait a few minutes to be served, you are on holiday not rushing off to work. The cruise experience is fantastic and is enjoyable as you want to make it. Excursions can be expensive. Check out places to visit before you go and get a local taxi there are plenty at the ports. In the Caribbean we paid $25 per person for an island tour compared to €80-100 for a P&O organised excursion. Enjoy your cruise

We have just returned from a circumnavigation of Aus/NZ on Royal Caribbean's 'Radiance of the Seas'. We have mixed feelings about that cruise, which I shall happily explain to anyone interested. Should anyone be booking with Royal Caribbean, please be aware of all the hidden extras one soon is made aware of. Drinks Packages are one of the scams used by this Line, and perhaps others too. On RC passengers it is compulsory for all sharing Staterooms to purchase Drinks Packages , albeit whether or not all members wish to do so. We opted not to do so, and bought direct from the bars/restaurants. Other costs for Bingo, for example: US$32 each! I am happy to advise further upon contact.

I love cruising, and you are never too old to start either. My sisters and I took our grandmother for the first time for her 99th birthday, she loved it so much we took her again for her 100th. We even got her into the Jacuzzi, her face was a picture, such memories. This year I went to Alaska on my own, it is what you make it. You can do as much as you want or as little. I thoroughly enjoy cruising but understand it is not to everyone's taste. If you want any specific questions answered give me a shout. Happy sailing

Hi, my wife and I are both travel writers and we have been on and reviewed over 30 ships.

It is difficult to advise without knowing which cruise line and ship you are sailing on. However, here are some general points and happy to be more specific if you want to say which ship you will be on. Orchid 10 has mentioned Allure which is a monster of a ship!

DRESS
You need to check if there are any formal nights on the cruise, usually there are and you would need to reckon on two on a seven night cruise. This means ideally dinner suits for men and cocktail/evening dresses for ladies. On ships other than Cunard, however, this applies only to the main dining room so if you don't want to dress up you can eat in the buffet.

If you are on Cunard then men need to wear a jacket every evening after 6.00pm (though a tie is not mandatory) and ladies wear cocktail dresses or evening separates on non-formal nights. Formal nights tend to be very dressy with ladies in full-length gowns.The dress code on Cunard is enforced and inappropriately dressed passengers are restricted to the buffet and one bar. Royal Caribbean/s newest ships, Quantum and Anthem of the Seas do not have formal nights.

GRATUITIES
The cruise line will add an automatic amount per passenger per day to your onboard account for gratuities. This usually ranges from around £4 to £8. You may be able to alter this or pay tips directly. Ask at the purser's desk.

Most ships will also add an automatic service charge to drinks, although some such as P&O don't. Others such as Royal Caribbean and Norwegian will add 18%. It it non-negotiable. However, some cruise lines offer drinks packages which may be cost-effective for you.

EXCURSIONS
Some are very good but they can be expensive. You would need to be selective if you are trying to stay within a budget.

SPA TREATMENTS
Usually very expensive and remember they will also add a service charge "for your convenience". Check before booking!

TRAVEL INSURANCE
You should already have this but do ensure that it covers cruising as this is usually an add-on.

This may sound a bit structured but by and large cruises are hugely relaxing trips once you have got into the swing of things. The service is usually way above anything you will find in hotels and there is often food available 24x7. So, do pace yourself otherwise, as the old saying goes, you will join as a passenger and leave as cargo!

Hope that helps.

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I am due to cruise on the Royal Caribbean,Allure of the Sea to the Med.in October any advice would be welcome as this is our first cruise.

It depends which cruise line you are going with and which ship. Go with an open mind and don't make the mistake of eating far too much from the first day on board. If money is an issue, you can often get the trips ashore cheaper by arranging them yourself once you have docked. Be careful about the stops which are purely designed to get you to spend more money at their shops (Royal Carribbean are particularly bad at this). Have a wonderful time and enjoy letting them spoil you!