It does not matter whether you are just a novice in cruising since you can expect help from the veterans. Learn from their experiences how best you can benefit from your cruise while you evade unknown but undesirable situations.
To enjoy cruise tour learn to enjoy crossing formalities first
Be ready to produce at the airport or customs your passport or identification and your cruise ticket too if required. Never forget where you have kept those to remain free from tension and any awkward situation. It would be fine if you keep all those in a small case like a business card holder. Keep it in a safe but quickly reachable place.
To keep copies of your passport, visa, driving license, and other important documents would be wise. That applies for your traveler's checks and credit cards too. For maximum safety precaution, keep at your home a set of the copies with a trustworthy person who is capable of taking out quickly those if your need be, while in the ship's safe or in your cabin's safe, if there is one, keep another set. Retain with you the originals and a set of the copies, in different places though.
Travel wise, be practical
You have no idea when it is morning time if you are in an inner cabin inaccessible for direct sunlight. An alarm clock can save you from botheration of rising from the bed now and then and go up the steps to the deck to check if someone else is already up there.
During the cruise you may not wash the clothes and therefore check that clean and worn clothes are not mixed up. Keep a laundry bag for dirty clothing.
Fun holidays-share joys with distant friends!
You can use the phones on the ship but prepaid phone cards will be cheaper. In case you prefer your cell phone better ask your service provider for extension of your calling area, get from them probable cost for receiving and making calls and at special rates, if any.
For taking pictures to record the valuable moments remember to carry enough batteries for your camera and extra memory cards too. Do not forget to bring your charger if you use rechargeable batteries. For use of camera with film be cautious to keep it at such a place that scanners do not spoil the film.
You will learn from knowledgeable cruisers that closer the look better is the view. Therefore for true appreciation of the surrounding beauty you need binoculars.
An important advice waits for you still. Despite your best efforts for a perfect cruise if it goes otherwise you should not take it as a tragedy. If there is a stain on your clothes or a camera film is spoilt you should not ruefully dampen the special vacation spirit. Why should you forget that you are on a pleasant holiday mood on a cruising spree away from your daily worries? To enjoy yourself is the solitary goal there.