Setting Sail: A First-Time Cruise Experience

Leaving from Auckland, our home for our 10-day cruise was Pacific Explorer, part of P&O’s fleet. From February 2025 the P&O brand will be retired and replaced by Carnival.

Stepping aboard felt like entering a floating city. With restaurants, entertainment venues, pools, and endless activities, the ship itself is a destination. Unlike other holidays where the excitement is what’s outside your accommodation, here, the cruise ship is part of the experience.  

Things you need to do before your cruise is choose which stateroom you want to stay in. The staterooms vary in size and prices, going from interior rooms that are the cheapest rooms and can be described as cozy clean sanctuary, to penthouse suites that offer the high life on the high seas with large balconies that overlook the ship's wake.

We chose to stay in a Balcony Room which is what I would strongly recommend to someone going on their first cruise. Having your own balcony allows you a private space to enjoy unobstructed views of the ocean and coastal scenery away from the at times crowded decks and in the comfort of your own room.

Another thing you need to plan ahead for is shore excursions. One of the best things about cruising is the chance to explore new destinations. No matter what cruise you go on, there will be a range of excursions, but these can sell out fast. Book these in advance if there’s something specific you don’t want to miss. 

When on a cruise, there is never any excuse to be hungry. With a huge range of restaurants, outlets, bars and pubs, there are plenty of options that cater to even the fussiest eater. 

The food outlets on most cruises will range in dining experiences. From casual buffets you can probably arrive in your bikini and jandals, to upscale dining where you want to dress up more, the easy accessibility to food and drinks might result in you booking a trip to the gym after your holiday!

On our cruise our main eatery was called The Pantry which was a buffet style cafeteria, was the hub of the ship where most passengers would go to have their meals with nine outlets based at The Pantry. They ranged from salads and roasts, Asian and Mexican, Fish & Chips, Mediterranean, soups and sandwiches. One day they even did Hot Dogs and people lost their minds!

You then have your restaurants that are included in your fare. We had three a la carte restaurants to choose from which were Classic Italian, Pan Asian and Modern Cuisine.

Then it comes to the drinks, as well as tea and coffee we got a premium drinks package which meant we were allowed a maximum of 15 alcoholic drinks a day. 

You could very easily get ahead of yourself and make the most of the endless different flavours of cocktails. My advice is pace yourself, as there’s nothing worse than having a sore head on a ship that is constantly moving. 

Packing for a cruise is all about balance—being prepared for both adventure and relaxation, as well as formal and casual settings. Most of your days will be spent either lounging by the pool or exploring the ship so think lightweight shorts, T-shirts, sundresses, and swimwear. I would suggest bringing at least two pairs of swimwear as it’s handy to have one ready while the other is drying out.

Many cruises feature themed nights or “gala” dinners where formal attire is encouraged. On our ship we had themed nights including Great Gatsby, Island Night and White Night. Usually, you know the themed nights before the cruise but to be prepared I would say bring a cocktail dress or nice trousers and a button-up shirt—so you can enjoy these special evenings.

For the shore excursions your activities might involve a bit of walking or trekking. Pack versatile outfits that are comfortable for walking and appropriate for the weather. Pack something supportive like sneakers or lightweight trainers. 

Other things to take onboard include a power adapter, cruise cabins typically have limited outlets, so a small power strip can be a lifesaver if you have multiple devices to charge.

I learnt this one the hard way – bring plenty of sunscreen. While you can buy it on board, it’s usually more expensive.

If it’s your first cruise and you’re worried about getting seasick, pack sea-sick tablets or wristbands. Even if you think you won’t need them, it’s always better to be prepared, especially if you are new to cruising.

You should also bring a book, while there’s plenty to do on a cruise, there’s also time to relax, especially on sea days. Bring a book or load up your e-reader with a few good reads for when you want to lounge by the pool or unwind in your cabin. 

From deck parties to trivia competitions, karaoke, and comedy shows, there’s something for everyone. On our cruise we were able to download the P&O app, which provided a daily rundown of activities. Also every night on the cruise we were given a physical newsletter which had a list of everything that was going onboard.

Every night there were several shows we could choose to attend, these ranged from live theatre performances to stand-up comedy shows to interactive game shows.

We had the pleasure of being on a cruise during the school holidays. While that may seem to be a nightmare scenario for some, because there was so much for the kids to do, I hardly noticed their increased presence.

With daily kids club, parents were able to ditch their kids and flock to the adults only Oasis area. Children were treated to scavanger hunts, egg throwing contests and could even do zipline on the ship! 

At several times throughout the day there would be trivia competitions that became a hot ticket on the social calendar. There’s also Bingo, which people take very seriously on a cruise. 

Some of my highlights included sitting underneath the stars at the top of the deck watching the NRL Grand Final on the big screen. There was also a magical comedy show called The Purple Rabbit. Described as an evening of mischief, magic and mind-blowing mayhem, there was nothing that could quite prepare me for what it was. But it was truly an impressive production and shows the investment cruises are putting in to produce world-class performances. 

There are a lot of exciting developments happening in the cruise sector and here are just some of the ships that are getting a lot of buzz!

Icon of the Seas is currently the largest ship in the world, sitting at 248,663 gross tonnage. She has 20 decks with seven swimming pools and six water slides. It claims the tallest waterfall, the tallest water slide, and the largest waterpark of any cruise ship.

It’s even got star endorsements, being christened by superstar football player Lionel Messi.

New ship alert! Sun Princess has finished her first season in Europe and she’s a beauty. The centrepiece is a nine-storey glass sphere, which houses the Piazza, the beating heart of the ship. Then there’s The Dome, an enormous air-conditioned glass sphere that sits at the front of the ship. 

She also has the new Spellbound by Magic Castle. Spellbound blends the captivating world of magic with the art of mixology to create an extraordinary, Victorian-inspired experience.

Closer to home, cruise favourites such as the Pacific Encounter and Pacific Adventure will be merging with it’s sister brand in 2025 to become Carnival. They offer kiwi travellers great options for local cruising with a fun atmosphere and good options for multi generation families and groups of friends. 

My first cruise on the Pacific Explorer gave me a new appreciation for travel. The seamless blend of relaxation, adventure, and luxury was unlike any holiday I’d experienced before. So, if you’re considering your first cruise, dive in—and contact Flight Centre to start planning your next cruise today!