If you're confused about how to plan a cruise, you're not alone. More than 20 million people vacation on cruise ships each year, many for the first time. And with that comes questions, like "What should I pack?", "Will I get seasick?" and "Can you believe I'm going on a cruise?! How fun!"

If you're a novice to sailing the seas, read on. We'll fill you in on first time cruise tips and tricks, so you won't feel like a total newbie on your big sailing trip.

Tip #1: Know How to Book a Cruise

(You can skip this if you've already booked your cruise.)

First off: have you booked your cruise? If you haven't, this is your first step (the rest of this guide is more for people who have already booked their trip.)

Do a little research before you book. To start, answer the following questions:

1. Where do you want to go?
2. How are you going to get to the starting port?
3. How much are you willing to spend?
4. How long do you want to be gone?
5. What kind of a cabin do you want to stay in? (the cheaper cabins are inside and windowless; more-expensive cabins might be roomier and have windows or a balcony)

A good first place to search for cruises that fit all your needs is Groupon Getaways. To find them, simply click here.

 

Tip #2: Use This Cruise Packing Checklist

Packing for a cruise is a little more complicated than packing for a land vacation. In addition to the obvious vacation items, like toiletries, sunglasses, and a camera, you'll need to bring a few items specific to your cruise:

☑ Pack at least one suit or dress for dinner. Yep, the cruise will likely have a "formal" dinner. More on that later.

☑ A backpack is 100% essential. Use this as a "carry-on" for the 6 to 8 hours it takes for your luggage to be delivered to your cabin. Pack your swimsuit, a change of clothes, medication, and anything else you can't live without in this backpack.

☑ If you've got one, bring a travel laundry hamper. Most cruises do offer laundry services (at an additional cost).

☑ Bring flip flops and closed-toe shoes. You'll want the former for the pool and the beach, and the latter for walking around and wearing to dinner.

☑ Don't pack a towel for the pool. There are plenty on the ship.

☑ If you get motion sickness, consider over-the-counter medication. But don't get nervous about it—the vast majority of people aren't struck with seasickness. Bring medication just in case.

☑ Yes, you should bring some cash. Scroll down to the final section for more on this.

☑ Don't pack any alcohol. You likely aren't allowed to carry-on alcohol anyway, and this is one thing you can easily purchase once you're onboard.

☑ Otherwise, pack anything you would normally bring on a vacation. A camera, a nice hat, a jacket just in case it rains, your swimsuit, and any makeup you consider essential. Oh, and don't forget sunscreen, especially for sunny cruises.

Tip #3: Learn Cruise Ship Etiquette

There's no better occasion than a cruise to kick back, relax, and let loose—but there's never a good time for boorish behavior. Brush up on cruise ship customs to make sure you don't accidentally offend your fellow passengers.

Know the dress code for each meal.

Lunches are casual, but some dinners come with a dress code. These "formal" dinners will require you to wear a suit (for men) or a dress (for women). If you're on a luxury-class cruise, the formal dinner might even mean tuxedos.

Ask about the tipping policy.

Each cruise line has its own tipping policy. Generally, $10–$15 per day, per person, is expected. With most cruise lines, you can opt into auto-tipping at the beginning of the trip—a kind of pre-pay tipping. Or, tip as a lump sum on the last day.

Observe "ship's time."

This means that even if you cross into another time zone, the ship will observe the time from its main port of call. So set your watch to that time zone and follow it steadfastly.

Tip #4: How to Prep for Going Aboard

It's easy to forget since you're not going through an airport, but know that if your cruise stops at foreign ports of call, you'll need to do some additional planning for international travel.

Make sure your passport is up to date.

If you need to renew it or you never had one in the first place, do this now. If your cruise is in less than six weeks, pay the expedited fee.

Apply for any necessary visas.

Research each country you're visiting and find out if any require a travel visa.

Call your doctor about recommended immunizations.

Depending on where you're headed, your doctor may want you to get a hepatitis or typhoid vaccine.

Place a foreign currency order at your bank.

Most ports of call will accept US dollars, but you'll get more for your buck if you use the local currency. It's also helpful if you head farther inland.

Call your cell phone provider.

Don't assume calls from the Caribbean are covered by your plan. Check your data usage limits, while you're at it.

Tip #5: Know Each Port of Call and Plan

Even if you travel on the most luxurious of cruise ships, you'll want to get off and explore each port of call. Nearly every one of these ports has a tourist-friendly shopping district, but the best stuff is often farther inland—and requires advance planning.

Know what excursions your cruise company offers.

Oftentimes, sticking with official cruise tours is the easiest way to go ziplining, visit Mayan ruins, or view wildlife.

Book on-shore activities in advance.

Knowing you have a tee time or a whale-watching tour ready for you when you step off the boat is a great feeling.

Make sure you have time to get back to the ship.

Plan on returning with an hour to spare, just in case you get stuck in traffic while sitting in a taxi. You don't want to watch the ship pulling out of dock—you want to be on it.

Other Tips for First Timers

Here are a few other first time cruise tips and tricks to help you out on your maiden voyage:

How to mitigate motion sickness

Choose a cabin near the middle of the ship, where you'll experience less swaying. Some cruises also have special rooms specifically for passengers to relax.

Stay onboard during a port day...and save.

Not interested in a port of call? Stay onboard and you'll likely see some discounts at the spa.

How do you stop "land sickness" after a cruise?

Some people feeling a "swaying" feeling after their cruise. The normal motion-sickness medication won't work on this feeling, so doctors recommend riding it out by staying hydrated and getting plenty of rest. Some also say taking a long walk helps.

How much money should I take on a cruise?

This depends. The most-important consideration is how many ports of call you'll be visiting (budget at least $100 per port). While there are other expenses once you're on the boat, those can typically be charged to your room. Use your best judgment on cash—there's likely an ATM onboard, if need be.

Walkie-talkies are fun.

Especially if you're apart of a large family, this can be an easy way to communicate.

Save money on a specialty dinner.

Keep an eye out for discounts at the specialty restaurants–this usually occurs on the first night of the cruise.

Is there WiFi on a cruise?

This varies between cruise lines, but often the answer is yes, WiFi is available. In some cases, however, you'll have to pay for it.