This is not my first cruise, but it is the first one I have planned this thoroughly. Looking back at what I knew before my first cruise versus what I know now, there are a few things I would have done differently.
The biggest one is port research. On my first cruise I treated port days as something that would sort itself out on the day. I would get off the ship, look around, and figure it out. This works fine for some ports. For others — particularly the ones where the port is not in the city centre, or where you need to book transport in advance — it does not work at all.
Cherbourg is a good example. The port is walkable to the town centre, which is great. But if you want to visit the D-Day beaches, you need to have sorted transport before you arrive. There is no easy way to do that spontaneously on the day. I know this now. I did not know this on my first cruise.
The second thing is sea days. I used to think sea days were the boring bits between ports. I was wrong. Sea days are some of the best days on a cruise — especially on a ship like the Virtuosa where there is genuinely a lot to do. The key is to have a loose plan rather than no plan. Know roughly what you want to do, but do not schedule every hour.
The third thing is the formal nights. I used to stress about these. I do not anymore. The dress code is smart casual at minimum, formal if you want to make an effort. Nobody is going to turn you away for not wearing a bow tie. Wear something you feel good in and enjoy the dinner.
The fourth thing — and this is the one I wish someone had told me clearly — is that the ship itself is part of the holiday. It is not just transport between ports. The evenings on board, the sea days, the sail-ins and sail-outs — these are the parts of a cruise that you cannot replicate any other way. Do not spend the whole time focused on the ports and miss what is happening around you.
I have a full guide on first-time cruise tips if you want the longer version. But those four things would have changed my first cruise significantly.
Paul
2 April 2026
Reader questions
1Do I need to book excursions through the cruise line?
Not always. Ship excursions offer convenience and a guarantee the ship will wait if you are late. Independent tours are often cheaper and more flexible, but you need to manage your own time and transport. The Port Day Planner on this site helps you decide for each port.
2What happens if I miss the ship in port?
The ship will not wait for late passengers on independent excursions. If you miss it, you are responsible for getting to the next port at your own expense. This is why I always set multiple alarms and keep the ship's departure time visible on my phone.
3How much cash should I bring on a cruise?
Not much. Onboard purchases are charged to your cruise card. Most ports accept cards, but I carry around 50 to 100 euros in cash for small vendors, tips, and places that do not take cards. ATMs are available in most major ports if needed.
4Is Wi-Fi worth buying on a cruise ship?
Ship Wi-Fi is slow and expensive compared to land. If you need it for work or staying in touch, buy a package. For casual browsing, I usually wait until I am in port and use local cafes or tethering if my phone plan allows it.
5What should I wear on formal night?
Smart casual at minimum, formal if you want to make an effort. A jacket and trousers is perfectly acceptable. Nobody will turn you away for not wearing a bow tie. Wear something you feel comfortable and good in.
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