The Gen Y guide to cruising

Horror stories of floating retirement homes and dodgy buffets have been enough to scare almost everyone under the age of forty off cruising for life. But while there certainly was a time when those stories were true, things have come a long way recently.

The awkward teen of the travel industry, the one who was never quite sure where they fit in the travel world, is all grown up. Ship, experiences and dining options have been given a huge overhaul. And while it may not deliver the Insta-cred as volunteering with gorillas in Africa, there is still a lot to love about cruising.

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From one Gen Y to another, here are five tips for first time cruisers.

1.Choose your ship/destination wisely

First of all, decide what you want out of your trip. Are you looking for relaxation or exploration? Some cruises, particularly those in the South Pacific, spend much of the trip at sea - so if you're not keen on spending days rattling around a ship then this may not be the best option for you. A Mediterranean cruise could be better option, so long as you can ignore the topless grandmas sunbaking by the pool. Med cruises dock at different ports most days with minimal spent at sea, allowing you to cover a lot more ground and tick off a few of those major sights from the history books.

2. Surrender to the cheesy nature of cruising

Simple, understated design and cruising have never gone hand in hand. While some local cruise companies have custom fit their ships specifically to suit Australian tastes, most offer a more international style of décor designed to appeal to as many nationalities as possible. As a result, they can sometimes feel like stepping into a time warp… but that’s not always a bad thing. Cruising by its very nature is about excess, with everything from entertainment to design dialed up to eleven. The sooner you let the cheesiness into your heart, the more fun you’ll have.

3. Do your homework

Which ports are worth exploring solo and which would be better suited to a shore excursion? Some destinations have major attractions within easy reach of the port, while others such as Athens or Rome require a bit more travel. Rather than throw caution to the wind and head out on your own, work out how much time you will have. There's no point travelling two hours to see a particular sight if you'll only be there a few minutes for fear of missing the ship when it steams out of port. Shore excursions can vary in quality, so read reviews beforehand to find one that suits.

4. Buy the drinks package

Nothing blows the budget quicker than a few espresso martinis at sunset. From beer and wine to soft drink and coffee, drink packages help keep track of your spending and reduce the chance of nasty surprises when setting your final bill. If you know you’ll enjoy a few glasses of wine with each meal, budget accordingly. Soft drink packages are usually unnecessary, with orange juice and water all offered free.

5. Choose a room with a view

If you don't mind sleeping in a windowless room, never knowing whether its day or night when you wake, then by all means choose an inside cabin. But if you’d rather have some connection to the outside world, and your ship doesn’t feature virtual balconies in inside cabins, an outside cabin is definitely the way to go. You don’t need to break the bank, but a slight upgrade can make a world of difference. If nothing else, you can wake to the sight of the vessel arriving in port each day.

Everything is what you make of it.

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