6 things I wish I knew before setting foot on a cruise ship that all first-timers should keep in mind

• If I could take my first cruise again, I’d pick up a case of water on my way to the port.
• I’d pack a bar of laundry soap.
• And I’d leave my formal dress at home.

Some cruise ship cabins, like those at the front of the ship, can be rockier than others.

Though it was a Caribbean cruise, I got chilly on the top decks, so bring some warm clothing.

Living in New York City, most of the apartments I’ve rented haven’t had in-unit laundry, so I’m used to paying to have my clothes washed. But rather than pricing by weight, as local New York laundromats do, Royal Caribbean charged for each article of clothing. Each shirt was $4, and a dress cost $9. Most surprisingly, washing just one pair of underwear would have cost $2.

I thought this would add up fast, so I didn’t do any laundry on my trip. In hindsight, I should have brought a bar of laundry soap to hand-wash a few things. 

I would’ve brought my own case of water if I knew it was allowed.

To ensure I stayed hydrated throughout my trip, I opted for the water bottle package while booking trip extras like restaurant reservations and excursions. For $16, Royal Caribbean delivered a case of 24 water bottles to my cabin. It seemed expensive for a pack of water, but I thought this was just part of the price of cruising.

When I was boarding the ship, though, I noticed people carrying their own cases of water. That’s when I realized Royal Caribbean allows guests to bring their own nonalcoholic beverages.

If I had known this, I would’ve brought my own water and saved a few bucks.

If I had known these details before my cruise, I could have had a better time while saving some money. Hopefully, my findings will help other first-time cruisers.

While I enjoyed parts of my cruise, some of this knowledge could’ve made my trip much more comfortable.

On my next cruise, I’ll remember what I learned about cabin locations, formal nights, and cool, windy mornings sailing in the Caribbean Sea.