Hey there, beautiful souls! If you’re like me and have been curious about cruising but felt a little overwhelmed by all the options and unknowns, this post is for you. After my recent Royal Caribbean cruise from Los Angeles to Cabo San Lucas with a stop in Ensenada, I’m excited to share the insights I wish I’d had before stepping aboard. This six-night adventure opened my eyes to both the incredible possibilities and small challenges of cruise travel. Whether you’re planning a solo adventure, a romantic getaway, or a multi-generational family trip, these cruise tips will help you sail with confidence.
Tip #1: Pack Smart and Efficiently for Your Cruise
Essential Cruise Packing List for Women
Let me start with the biggest lesson I learned: wrinkle-free clothing is essential! Choose fabrics that are wrinkle-resistant and pack some wrinkle release spray. There are no irons in staterooms, and while you can pay to have something pressed, who wants that expense?
Clothing Strategy:
Don’t Overlook Casual Wear: I made this mistake! I ended up wearing the same shorts until they were stretched out and filthy. Pack casual t-shirt dresses like the ones above and linked here and here, yoga pants or athletic shorts, and comfortable t-shirts that can double as casual or athletic wear. Cruises offer countless activities, and if you’re adventurous like me, you’ll want to try everything.
Light summer dresses that lay flat or roll up small are wonderful. You’ll need 2-3 dresses for evening dinners, and some nights are themed. If you want to participate, opt for one versatile dress and add accessories. For example, we had an 80’s themed night—a simple black dress worked perfectly one night and was easily repurposed with 80’s accessories for the theme night.
The Cruise Packing Essentials:
- Comfortable shoes for everything – Even dressy shoes should be comfy! These ships are huge, and you’ll walk miles, even when dressed up
- Light layers – Dining rooms can be chilly! Pack at least one cardigan and a sweatshirt for evening deck walks
- Two nice outfits like this white jumpsuit which fit really well and was very comfortable, or this simple black dress for formal nights – Don’t stress! I saw everything from very casual sundresses to sparkles, so wear whatever makes you feel good
- Travel hangers– Game changer! Staterooms only have about 5 hangers for two people. These lightweight, compact hangers earned their space in my suitcase
- Small string backpack for excursions – Keeps your hands free and your belongings secure. Bonus: It packs completely flat in your suitcase!
- Stylish lanyard for your cruise card – I resisted this because regular lanyards look so cheesy, but digging out your card constantly is annoying. These lanyard necklaces are stylish and so much better than standard cruise lanyards. Thanks for the recommendation @nutsinthecellar.
My Game-Changer: Magnetic Hooks– These are absolutely essential! We hung hats, bags, wet swimsuits, and barely-worn clothes on these. Staterooms are tiny, so anything that adds extra space and organization is invaluable.Skip These: Hair dryer (every room has one), too many formal outfits (you’ll wear them once), and heavy books (bring a Kindle instead).
Tip #2: Master Cruise Dining Like a Pro
Best Cruise Dining Tips and Strategies:
The food options can feel overwhelming, but here’s how to navigate them strategically.
Specialty Dining Strategy:
Purchase a specialty dining package to enjoy the ship’s specialty restaurants. You can typically buy this in advance or onboard. This really varies your dining experience and makes meals exciting! We purchased a three-night package for our six-night Royal Caribbean cruise and enjoyed Italian, sushi, and an amazing steakhouse alongside the wonderful main dining room food.
Main Dining Room Options:
If you skip specialty dining, the main dining room offers excellent variety with menus changing nightly. Portions are perfectly sized—not overwhelming. My husband often ordered two appetizers or two entrees to try more menu items. We skipped the bread (which wasn’t great) and focused on the heartier fare.
Buffet Wisdom:
We only used the buffet for breakfast, though it’s available for lunch too. We ate large breakfasts and skipped lunch (too busy with activities!). The made-to-order omelet station was fresh and delicious, and the variety was overwhelming in the best way—American and international options, fresh fruit and yogurt bars, pastries, and yes, mimosas!My Personal Discovery: Room service coffee on the balcony became my sacred daily ritual. There’s something magical about sipping coffee while watching the ocean wake up.
Timing tip: We ate around 7 PM each night, which was perfect for making the 9:15 PM entertainment shows.
Pro tip: With the Royal Caribbean app, making reservations is easy—just book early for the most desired times.
Tip #3: Choose Shore Excursions Wisely
How to Choose the Best Cruise Excursions
Shore excursions can make or break your cruise experience. Here’s what I learned:
Book Through the Cruise Line When:
- Visiting unfamiliar destinations
- Excursions involve transportation to distant locations
- You prefer peace of mind (the ship won’t leave without you!)
Consider Third-Party Options For:
- Popular, walkable ports (you’ll be approached by tour operators when you disembark)
- More personalized experiences
- Budget-friendly options when you’re flexible about activities
My Real Experience:
I booked excursions through a reputable third party in advance for Ensenada and Cabo San Lucas. The Ensenada canopy tour was absolutely wonderful! Our local guide Sarah shared the history, food, and culture while transporting us to a beautiful park for zip-lining—five amazing zip lines and swinging bridges. It felt professional, safe, and educational.
Unfortunately, our Cabo snorkeling tour didn’t go as well. We paid almost $90 per person, but rough waters canceled the snorkeling portion. They refused a partial refund for what became just a 45-minute boat ride. Lesson learned: Cabo waters are unpredictable, so consider booking snorkeling activities day-of, weather permitting.
Comfort Tip: Always pack a small backpack with water, snacks, and medications. Excursions often run longer than expected, and staying hydrated is crucial.
Tip #4: Maximize Every Cruise Moment
Your cruise investment deserves to be fully enjoyed:
Plan Smart, Stay Flexible:
- Review daily schedules each evening
- Book popular activities early (cooking classes, wine tastings)
- Leave room for spontaneity! We loved indoor skydiving so much that we returned three more times when free sessions opened up
Royal Caribbean App tip: Their app makes signing up for activities and monitoring your schedule incredibly easy throughout your cruise.
Make the Most of Sea Days:
- Find the best spa deals
- Fill time with as much or as little as you prefer—try pickleball, take yoga classes, read, climb the rock wall, get massages, or simply soak up sun and music by the pool
Document Your Journey:
- Take photos, but remember to put the phone down and be present
- Keep a small travel journal for treasured memories, or use my favorite-the Journi Blog App- to capture your memories in one place.
- Buy one meaningful souvenir rather than several forgettable ones
My Favorite Discoveries: Meeting people from around the world was incredible! Most cruisers are genuinely friendly—we loved sharing stories and reconnecting throughout the week. Oh, and my husband discovered the free ice cream station on day one. I’ve never seen a man happier!
Tip #5: Master Cruise Etiquette
These unwritten rules make everyone’s cruise experience better:
Elevator Etiquette:
- Let people exit before boarding
- Consider stairs for one floor (your body will thank you!)
- Hold doors for others—we’re all in this floating city together
Pool and Deck Courtesy:
- Don’t save chairs with towels unless actively using them
- Keep noise levels considerate
- Reapply sunscreen regularly (trust me!)
Dining Manners:
- Be patient with servers—they work incredibly hard
- Try new foods, but don’t waste what you take
- Tip generously for exceptional service
My Observation: The friendliest cruisers smiled, greeted people in hallways, and treated staff with kindness. This positive energy was absolutely contagious and created such a wonderful atmosphere!
Final Thoughts: Your First Cruise Should Be Pure Joy
Your first cruise should be about relaxation, discovery, and fun! The most important advice I can give? Go with an open heart, mind, and sense of adventure. Some of my best cruise memories came from unexpected conversations with fellow travelers and crew members who shared their stories and perspectives.Ready to start planning your cruise adventure? I’d love to hear about your cruise dreams in the comments below! If you found these tips helpful, save this post for when you’re packing your bags and tag a friend who’s been dreaming of their first cruise, too! And don’t forget to follow @grace_globe for more travel tips and adventures!
P.S. This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you when you make a purchase through these links. This helps support Grace & Globe and allows me to continue sharing honest travel tips and product recommendations with you. All the products I mentioned are tried and tested by me. You can find my complete cruise packing essentials and travel favorites by subscribing at Grace and Globe.com —I only recommend what I truly love and use myself.
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