First Cruise? 10 Things You Need to Know Before You Sail

1,537 views · 35 likes · 7 comments · May 10, 2026 · 13:09 · Long
Open on YouTube

🚢 Book your next cruise with me: https://bradonboard.com/cruises Planning your first cruise? These are the 10 questions every first-timer Googles before they sail — and the honest answers the cruise lines won't hand you. 📺 More Cruise Content: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgDrzV_Rq0iTpVDNFP2XTrR7iMz9BASyo 🚢Is NCL's Solo Studio Cabin Worth Booking? I Spent 4 Days in This Tiny Cabin: https://youtu.be/Wv03P-04y9o From whether to book excursions through the ship (and when NOT to), to whether the drink package actually saves you money, to what's really worth upgrading on CocoCay and Nassau — I'm giving you the real answers with actual prices, not the brochure version.Whether you're sailing Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, or any major cruise line, this covers everything you need to know before you step on board — including a bonus section for solo cruisers at the end. LINKS & RESOURCES 🗺️ Book tours & excursions: https://www.viator.com/partner-shop/bradonboard 🗺️ 🇧🇸 Nassau Walking Tour (Viator): http://vi.me/oB2iv 👇 MENTIONED IN THIS VIDEO: 🔌 My cruise power favorites: USB-C and USB-A Charger Cube: https://amzn.to/3JSjLtg International Plug Adapter (Anker): https://amzn.to/4oTQfCk 🏖️ Best Beaches at CocoCay in 2026: Which One Is Right for You?: https://youtu.be/T55XNKrS7Do 🏖️Perfect Day at CocoCay: Is Coco Beach Club Worth It in 2026?: https://youtu.be/6-eFgHRTbo0 🏖️Hideaway Beach CocoCay: Is It Worth The Extra Money?: https://youtu.be/kxwb1LQ9_XA 🚢 Royal Caribbean's Cabin Gamble: Risky or Upgrade? Explorer of the Seas Balcony Review: https://youtu.be/_UBmDP1w4-o ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 0:00 — Intro 0:50 — Q1: Book Excursions Through the Ship or On Your Own? 2:20 — Q2: What Should You Do First When You Get Onboard? 3:41 — Q3: Is the Drink Package Worth It? 4:54 — Q4: Do You Actually Need a Passport? 5:42 — Q5: What Should You Do in Nassau? 6:46 — Q6: Are Paid Private Island Experiences Worth the Upgrade? 8:14 — Q7: Can You Bring Your Own Snorkel Gear to CocoCay? 8:57 — Q8: Is a Guaranteed Cabin Worth the Risk? 9:54 — Q9: The One Cruise Gadget I Actually Use 10:41 — Q10: The Biggest First-Time Cruiser Mistake 11:35 — BONUS: Tips for Solo Cruisers ------------------------------------------------------------- 🧳 Must-Have Cruise Essentials (most under $25): Casemate Waterproof Phone Pouch: https://amzn.to/3XjfoKU USB-C and USB-A Charger Cube: https://amzn.to/3JSjLtg International Plug Adapter (Anker): https://amzn.to/4oTQfCk Electronics Organizer Travel Case: https://amzn.to/4nIHMkg Magnetic Hooks for Cabin Walls (Heavy Duty): https://amzn.to/4oXwsSm Portable Lock box (Masterlock): https://amzn.to/4415b9E Rechargeable Fan: https://amzn.to/4849rYn Clothes Hamper: https://amzn.to/43n09Ed Downy Wrinkle Releaser: https://amzn.to/4qQ1cXi Shoulder Bag: https://amzn.to/4846VkU Magnetic Wallet: https://amzn.to/47O06CS Chacos Sandals: https://amzn.to/3LR69Pu Cruise Luggage Tags: *Celebrity: https://amzn.to/49DZlyI *Carnival and Seaborn: https://amzn.to/3JSuQdV *NCL: https://amzn.to/49HV6lI *Royal Caribbean: https://amzn.to/4osVf0O *Princess: https://amzn.to/3Lw2oPu *Holland America: https://amzn.to/3WLgr69 ---------------------------------------------------------------- 👉 My Current YouTube Gear List: Sony Alpha ZV-E10 Camera: https://amzn.to/4ouLrUf DJI Osmo Nano Camera: https://amzn.to/4qMIP5C Logitech for Creators Blue Yeti Nano USB Microphone: https://amzn.to/43YSEU6 Torjim Softbox Photography Lighting Kit: https://amzn.to/43GAhDF Hollyland LARK A1 Wireless Microphone: https://amzn.to/3JJ1VJg NEEWER 9" LED Video Light Panel: https://amzn.to/4hRxLjx Aokeo AK-55 Desk Low Profile Adjustable Mic Boom: https://amzn.to/43SF04Z ---------------------------------------------------------------- ⚠️ This video is not sponsored, but the links above are affiliate links, which means anything you purchase may result in a small commission that goes towards supporting this channel.

#cruise tips for first timers#first time cruise tips#cruise tips#cruise hacks#cruise secrets#solo cruise tips#Royal Caribbean tips#first cruise tips#cruise travel tips#best cruise tips#CocoCay#Nassau cruise#drink package worth it#cruise excursions#cruise ship#cruise tips and hacks#royal caribbean#travel hacks#cruise tips and tricks#first time cruise tips princess#cruise mistakes#cruise ship tips#norwegian cruise line#ncl cruise tips

Analytics

We use Google Analytics to count visits and see which pages are popular. It sets cookies and sends your IP address and browsing on this site to Google. You can turn it off at any time.