Aussies love cruising so much it is no surprise that Australia is the biggest cruising country in the world per capita.

In particular, for retirees, cruising is a popular form of land travel because of many good reasons. A cruise holiday is a list topper among senior citizens and if it’s on your bucket list too, there’s no reason why you should wait any longer to hop on your first cruise.

If you’re a first-time cruiser, here are some tips to help you get ready and have a memorable cruise experience.

1. Pack light

One of the benefits of a cruise holiday is that you only need to unpack once. However, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you need to zip up your entire closet unless maybe you’re on a month-long cruise. Only take the necessities and bring comfortable, and light clothing if you are on a tropical cruise.

However, if you are visiting cold places, plan your winter outfits to keep you protected from the cold. In most cases, you’ll need a nice shirt and a pair of pants, a dinner jacket, and swim wears (if visiting tropical countries) and winter clothes (for colder places). Also, don’t forget that cruise ships are floating citadels complete with shops so leave some space for a bit of shopping.

2. Book tours in advance

If you are looking for a helicopter adventure in Hawaii or your first paragliding experience in Papua New Guinea, booking your excursions as soon as you board of before you pull out of port is always recommended. The reason why is so you don’t need to stand in long queues at the start of your trip.

3.  Bring cash

Although most cruise ships implement cashless systems, once you step off the boat, you need to use the currency of the country you are in in most instances. It’s good to research which currencies you’ll need and exchange your dollars beforehand to avoid hefty ATM fees onboard.

4. All you can eat

One of the most exciting perks of cruising are the amazing buffet spreads that offer all sorts of food at all hours. With the exception of some specialty restaurants that may have specific operating hours, you can have your food in the main dining area whichever time of the day and you can also have your food delivered in your room and dine al fresco in your balcony.

Are you a seasoned cruise traveller? Share your best tips below in the comments.