It can be your first time going on a cruise or like me, you’ve lost count at this point, but one thing is always certain, cruising can be a little overwhelming. From deciding on the perfect ship for your party or to what to bring, it’s easy to forget the little things along the way. Here’s my top 12 do’s and don’ts when going on your first cruise.

Do bring a carry on bag with a bathing suit and necessary essentials. It typically can take a few hours before you have access to your luggage again so take that time to hop in the pool or explore the boat.

Do turn airplane mode ON once the ship leaves port. While at sea you can get hit for high roaming fees on your phone so this is very important to remember. This does not affect you if you have already purchased a WI-FI package.

Do bring cash with you. When you check-in, you have either an option to put either a credit card on file or pre-load money onto your key. It’s easy, especially without an unlimited alcohol plan, to lose track on how much you’re spending between drinks, specialty dining experiences, excursions, at the casino and more. I have found that reloading money on the card after the funds drain is an easier way to keep track of your spending and not come back to a harsh reality with a huge credit card bill at the end.

Do pay attention to what attire your cruise line recommends that you bring. Norwegian caters to more of a casual and relaxed lifestyle, while it is typical for other ships to have a mandatory formal dining night with a required dress code.

Do sit down with your party every night and plan out your itinerary. Each ship offers a variety of things to do for all ages. From sun up to sun down, your boat is loaded with so many features that it can be overwhelming. I find that it’s best to plan out your day the night before so you can make sure to experience all that can be had.

Do exercise on the boat. Playing a game of tennis, hitting the gym, or even strolling around the boat at night helps keep those extra pounds off that are easily gained from the copious amount of food you will be eaten especially at the buffets. You got into cruise shape for a reason.

For items that you may want to bring on your cruise, check out my 10 Things To Have While Cruising Blog. Hopefully using a few of my tips will help reduce your stress and ensure that your vacation goes smoothly and just remember…DO enjoy yourself and have a leesurely time!

Don’t forget a major form of ID: Drivers License, Passport, or Birth Certificate. These are required for leaving and entering the country. Passport is mostly needed if your changing ports or need to fly home.

Don’t forget to check in online. To expedite your time, fill out all of your information online so you do not have to deal with this hassle while getting your room keys.

Don’t skip the muster drill. The muster drill is very important for your own benefit in case of an emergency and the ship is going down you might want to know where you have to go.

Don’t over pack. It’s easy to over prepare with all the new outfits you might have purchased but there is limited storage in your room. As a rule of thumb, I tend to bring on a 7-day cruise: 8 t-shirts, 6 shorts, 2 bathing suits, 2 dress shirts, 1 pair of slacks, a pair of jeans and enough underwear and socks. A light sweatshirt or jacket is also recommend since it can be a little chilly at night on the deck.

Don’t miss your boat. Most ships leave within a few minutes of when they say they will. I typically recommend to get to the boat two hours early. This applies to when you are leaving from your home port and visiting port. Unlike flying, once you go through security and checkpoints, you can board the boat and start your vacation even before the ship has left port.

Don’t miss watching the boat leave the home port. When you step foot on your boat, you are going to want to inspect every area of the boat and might miss the best part. Watching the ship drift out to sea instills the fact that you are truly on vacation from that point forward.