From cocktails to splurging: Writer’s top tips to make your cruise unforgettable

If you’re about to set off on your first cruise, the multitude of things to do, from slaying the buffet to catching the non-stop entertainment and watching the sunset from your balcony, might seem a bit overwhelming – where to start?

Luckily, cruisecritic.com.au has set out what its senior editor Erica Silverstein says are the top 15 things you’ll regret not doing on your cruise, and they range from spoiling yourself to doing a few very sensible things.

For starters, Silverstein recommends throwing yourself into the cruise spirit; order a fruity cocktail, complete with paper umbrella – served in a pineapple if you’re feeling super ‘cruise-y’, get involved in the entertainment, whether that involves dressing up, crazy competitions or a traditional conga line, and making sure you pick up at least one tacky-but-traditional souvenir to remind yourself of the time you let your hair down on a cruise.

Then, she advises splurging a little, whether that be indulging on a massage at the on-board spa or taking the wildly adventurous on-land trip you’d never normally do, whether it’s to view the gorgeous scenery from a helicopter or from below sea-level with a snorkel and fins.

On a different note, Silverstein recommends hand washing multiple times a day if you want to avoid getting sick on a cruise ship. There are certain parts of the ship you should avoid and toilet door handles, the casino slot machines and the ship’s hand rails are considered the worst culprits for the spread of bacteria.

What’s your favourite part of a cruise?