First Time Cruisers

Planning for your first time on a cruise ship can be a daunting process. Cruise Critic saves you hours of research, with not only first time cruise tips that help you prepare, but also info on cruise ports, cruise line secrets and expert hacks that will have you sailing like a pro.

With its wealth of easily readable articles, fun videos and other avenues of cruise advice, first time cruisers will be well-equipped to choose the best ship and destination for their needs while getting the most out of their first time cruise.

The Best Cruise Lines for First Time Cruisers

If you've never been on a cruise, choosing a ship and cruise line can seem like a daunting task. With so many options, it can be tough to know where to start. Fortunately, Cruise Critic has all the information you need to make a sound and confident decision. Cruisers can read through forums, reviews, browse photos from past itineraries, and learn all about the pros and cons of each line and ship.

• Royal Caribbean - emphasizes the "wow" factor with the most high-tech fun at sea on most of its cruise ships
• Carnival Cruise Line - specializes in fun, laid-back, family-friendly cruises

• Norwegian Cruise Line - Known for its "freestyle" cruising, the laid-back Norwegian experience is all about choice, offering one of the largest selections of dining and entertainment venues per ship

Find more tips and information on selecting a cruise line as a first time cruiser from our experts.

Cruise Itineraries on Cruise Critic

Cruise Critic partners with cruise lines across the globe to offer our readers access to exclusive cruise deals as well as the ability to search through thousands of cruise itineraries available to book through our partners. Filter by destination, cruise line, length, style, and more. On Cruise Critic you can compare cruise itineraries side-by-side to find the best itinerary and price for your next cruise. Let us help start planning your next vacation on the water.

Find Cruise Ship Reviews from Experts and Members

We strive to provide visitors with all the necessary information they'll need to research and plan for their next cruise. Our cruise experts share their on-board experiences to help inform travelers on every aspect of the cruise including dining, excursions, on-board activities, shopping, entertainment, kid-friendly activities, and so much more. Interested in other opinions? No problem! Our site features over 650,000 cruise reviews from travelers just like you sharing their experiences and opinions. Make Cruise Critic your first stop for planning your next cruise!