Your First Cruise: 12 Tips Every Beginner Should Know in 2026

A cruise sounds like a lot of effort: which ship, which cruise line, which cabin, which route? We answer exactly these questions here in concrete terms – without marketing clichés, with clear recommendations for beginners.

1. Which cruise line is best for beginners?

If you are going on board for the first time, it is best to choose a German-speaking cruise line – it lowers the barrier and makes it easier to find your way around on board.

• AIDA Cruises is Germany's most popular cruise brand and the classic entry point: a relaxed atmosphere, no dress code, a buffet concept and German-speaking staff throughout. Good ships for beginners are the AIDAprima, AIDAperla or the smaller AIDAaura.
• TUI Cruises Mein Schiff plays in a higher league: premium all-inclusive (branded spirits, wine and water in the travel price), set dining concepts and elegant service. Ideal if you want your first cruise to have a bit more of a premium feel.
• Costa Crociere is the most attractively priced alternative in the German market, with an Italian touch – a multilingual onboard experience and an aqua park for families.

2. Inside, outside, balcony or suite?

The cabin choice is the second most important decision after the cruise line. A rule of thumb:

• Inside cabin – the cheapest category, no daylight, but for someone who spends the whole day outside anyway, perfectly sufficient. Often saves 30–40% compared to a balcony.
• Outside cabin – with a porthole or panoramic window, no balcony. A good compromise on a limited budget.
• Balcony cabin – the standard recommendation from your second cruise onwards. A private outdoor area, fresh air at sea, sunsets without the crowds on the sun deck.
• Suite – only worthwhile if the cruise line offers clear suite privileges (Yacht Club at MSC, Concierge Class at Celebrity, Britannia/Princess/Queens Grill at Cunard).

3. When is a cruise cheapest?

Cruises have strong seasonal swings. Mediterranean tours are cheapest in November and February/March. Caribbean tours are cheapest in September – but that is hurricane season. School-holiday weeks cost a 30–50% surcharge. Tip: early-booking discounts 9–12 months before the trip, or last-minute 4–6 weeks before departure. In between lies the price desert.

4. How much do gratuities cost?

With US cruise lines (Royal Caribbean, NCL, Carnival, Princess), gratuities are by default USD 16–20 per person per day, charged automatically to the onboard account. With German cruise lines such as TUI Mein Schiff they are included in the travel price; at AIDA and Costa they are optional and lower (around EUR 10/day).

5. Which routes for a first cruise?

• Western Mediterranean (7 days, Genoa/Barcelona/Palma/Marseille/Civitavecchia) – compact, short sea days, many port days. Ideal for beginners.
• Norwegian fjords – short, spectacular trips from Hamburg/Kiel with the Geirangerfjord, Bergen, Flåm.
• Caribbean – only worthwhile with a direct flight from Frankfurt/Munich. A longer trip, but beach-hopping with warm water even in winter.

World or transatlantic voyages are not for beginners – too long, too many sea days in a row.

6. How much time for shore excursions?

The ship's own excursions cost 50–150 EUR per person per half-day. They are comfortable, but overpriced. More pragmatic:

• Book your own via GetYourGuide, Tours by Locals or Viator – often 30–50% cheaper
• Get around by taxi/public transport yourself – only if the port is close to the city (e.g. Barcelona, Lisbon, Hamburg)
• Pure port days for exploring the ship: perfectly legitimate, not a compulsory programme

7. How much luggage can you bring?

Most cruise lines allow 2 suitcases of 23 kg per person – more than on flights. But be careful: on embarkation day, luggage is handed in at the pier and only delivered to your cabin door hours later. So keep a carry-on with a change of clothes and medication with you.

8. What to wear on board?

During the day, casual: shorts, T-shirts, swimwear. In the evening, at German cruise lines (AIDA, Mein Schiff), smart casual is enough – a polo shirt, long trousers, closed shoes. At traditional cruise lines such as Cunard or Hapag-Lloyd Cruises there are black-tie evenings with a tuxedo/cocktail dress (1–2 times a week). At mainstream cruise lines Carnival, NCL, Costa: usually no dress code at all.

9. Are all meals and drinks charged?

The main buffet and one main restaurant are always included in the price. Premium restaurants (steakhouse, Asian restaurant, fine-dining venue) cost a surcharge of 15–50 EUR per person. Water, tea and coffee at breakfast and lunch are free. Soft drinks, wine, beer, spirits: a surcharge (5–12 EUR per drink) – except at premium all-inclusive brands such as Mein Schiff.

10. Internet on board: is it worth it?

Ship Wi-Fi costs 10–30 EUR per day and is usually slow (satellite). Fine for plain messaging and email; streaming and large data transfers often do not work. Tip: cruise lines such as TUI Mein Schiff include Wi-Fi packages in the premium price already – with others it is worth booking in advance, which is cheaper than on board.

11. What is the onboard atmosphere really like?

A cruise is not the mass-tourism nightmare many sceptics claim – but also not a luxurious private travel trip. An expectation reset:

• On a 3,000-pax ship you encounter crowds in exactly two situations: boarding/tendering and at the buffet during peak times
• The decks and cafés are usually half empty during the day, because 70% of the guests are ashore
• If you are looking for quiet, head to the solarium deck or the library lounge – they are surprisingly often empty

12. Should I take out travel insurance?

Yes. Definitely both health insurance for abroad and trip-cancellation insurance. Treatment in the ship's hospital is paid entirely out of pocket (1,000 EUR is not much) and is not covered by normal health insurance. Trip-cancellation insurance of around 50–80 EUR is essential in case the trip becomes impossible before departure.

Conclusion: the first concrete steps

For a first cruise we specifically recommend: 7 days in the western Mediterranean with AIDA or Mein Schiff, a balcony cabin, in May or October. That is the standard entry point that several hundred thousand Germans are happy with every year – and the price often ranges between 1,200 and 2,000 EUR per person.