You're thinking about your first cruise and you're wondering, "How can I make the most of my amazing trip?!" Don't worry, I've got you! I've been on 10 cruises (and counting) and I'm sharing everything I know to make you look like a cruising expert.

#1 Rule of Cruising: Don't Show Up the Day of your Cruise!!!

If you get nothing else from this article, please always, always follow this rule. Imagine you're so excited for your cruise, but your flight gets delayed. All of a sudden, you're showing up to a cruise port that your ship has already left! We can't let this happen. Make the most of your vacation and fly out at least the night before your cruise. Stay in a hotel, have a nice leisurely breakfast, and stroll onto the ship when the time arrives.

Speaking of Timing, Don't be Late Back to the Ship

You WILL be left behind, forced to fend for yourself to the next port or to get home at your expense. That ship has a lot of other people to consider and a strict schedule to follow, so keep time wisely!

What to bring

Obviously bring your favorite outfits, your swimsuit, and your full skincare routine, but here are some less-obvious things you may want to bring on your cruise:

• A reusable water bottle and straws. Some cruises will have water stations to refill your bottle, others will have you fill a glass first, but it's just nice to have water on hand. And straws that aren't paper or plastic!

• Magnetic hooks/clips. Hang these on your walls for some extra storage and organization. Those rooms can be teeny-tiny!

• Over the door hanging storage. Same reason, get that extra storage!

• On-theme outfits. Every cruise I've ever been on has had a theme party...where everyone wears themed clothing and there's blacklights and dancing. Most cruises have a "white hot party". The last cruise I went on (Norwegian Cruise Lines) had a "glow" party, that was white or neon. Virgin Voyages has a red party (and a PJ party)! The point is, you don't want to be the only one out of theme, so check your cruise for what outfits to bring.

• A full medicine cabinet. I paid $50 for a Benedryl once on a cruise. That alone should explain this tip LOL. Bring plenty of the essentials and basic first aid!

• Towel clips. They can be used for towels and for keeping curtains closed for bright mornings!

• Electrical tape. Cover up those random lights, the peephole, whatever brightness is keeping you up in your otherwise dark room.

Ducks? Pineapples???

You may see a lot of rubber ducks hidden around the ship and pineapples that are not-so-hidden. Both are just for fun, but very different types of fun!

People will bring ducks on a ship and hide them for kids (or adults) to hunt and find. Sometimes there will be a tag or something written on the duck to tie it back to who originally left it so you can connect with them!

Pineapples are for connection too, IYKYK. Pineapples signal couples who are open to sharing their cruise experience with others. If that's your vibe, keep an eye out!

What to do After Your Cruise?

These ships will kick you off super early to make room for the next sailors (shout out to Virgin Voyages for late disembarkation!) so you may find yourself with some time before your flight heads back. I recently used ResortPass in Miami after a Virgin Voyages cruise, and I loved it! My three friends and I spent the afternoon before our flight home to Austin in a private poolside cabana at The (former) Confidante Hotel (soon to be The Andez Miami Beach) with beach access. The process was seamless, and it really extended our vacation!

If you'd like help booking your first (or 20th) cruise, I'm here to help!