A cruise vacation can be one of the most pleasurable, relaxing and luxurious experience you’ll ever get to enjoy in your entire life. The luxurious sea-view suites, the endless entertainment, gourmet food and on the house drinks and the wonderful service surely make for a brilliant vacation. So if you haven’t yet experienced a cruise trip yet, maybe it’s time to book yourself a cruise trip. Yes, they can be expensive, but if you look out for good cruise offers , you can find many options which will suit your budget while providing you with the ultimate luxury vacation experience. However, for all you first-time cruisers, there are a few things which you should keep in mind before you set sail. Just remember these few things, and you can be sure that your voyage into the sea will be the most memorable experience of your lifetime.

1. Cruise ships have dress codes

The first and foremost thing to know before you go out and board your cruise is that every cruise line has their own dress codes. Also, the dress codes vary depending on the time of the day, where you are going or what’s the event. So even if packing in a suit is not your style, you just might have to pack one. Otherwise, you will be missing out on that formal night dinner. Also, the clothes you wear on deck during the daytime can be considered disrespectful when you visit the various ports. Daywear also generally differs from eveningwear. Just go through your cruise ships dress code and pack your backs accordingly.

2. Not everything is free

Although you will not be able to complain about luxury and facilities when you go on a cruise ride, still do not think that everything that comes with your cabin is free. Do not take it for granted that every meal on board is free once your board your ship. Your ticket might include complimentary drinks with lunch and dinner, but that doesn’t mean the drink you get from the minibar of your cabin are included in your ticket. Also, normally only certain brands’ alcohols are free, so remember to check out exactly what is included in your ticket and what is not.

3. Gratuities are normally included

This is one thing which you must remember when you go for your first cruise. You will experience an unparalleled level of service once you board your ship, and you may feel the urgency of handing out a tip to your porter or your waiter. But you must know that all the gratuities for all the services you receive have already been calculated and included in your ticket price. So you can tip if you want to, but you don’t need to tip anything during your voyage, as you have tipped them already when you bought the tickets.

4. Beware of the things you carry

Cruise trips are generally quite long, and you travel to multiple countries at once. But on all of those different ports, the rules for customs and duties are vastly different. So you need to keep that in mind while you pack your gadgets and your things. Some gadgets can be not permissible in some ports, and some can also cost you some customs duty at various ports.

5. You can carry alcohol with you

Although it’s not true for all the cruise lines, most of the cruise lines let you bring your own bottles of alcohol and tobacco products on board. So if you want to save up on those expensive mini bar beverages, then do check the rules of your cruise line, and bring your own bottle if you can.