Your First Cruise? Here's 8 Things to Know Before You Set Sail

If you are looking for an effortless vacation without the stress of catching flights, hunting for hotel deals, or lugging baggage through multiple train stations, a cruise is hard to beat.

 However, life at sea operates a little differently than a standard hotel stay.

To make sure your maiden voyage goes smoothly, here are eight practical things every cruiser needs to know before setting sail.

Before departure

1. Pack a small cabin survival kit

Cruise ship cabins are cleverly designed, but space and power outlets can be limited compared to hotel rooms. A few small packing hacks make a huge difference:

• Universal travel adapter: Cruise ships usually feature a mix of US (Type A/B) and EU (Type C) power outlets. Bring an adapter so you can charge multiple devices at once.

• Magnetic hooks: Cabin walls are made of metal! Heavy-duty magnetic hooks are fantastic for hanging lanyard keys, caps, wet swimwear, or day bags on the walls without cluttering desk space.

• Motion sickness medication: Ships departing Singapore navigate relatively calm waters in the Malacca Strait and South China Sea, but if you are prone to seasickness, pack basic motion sickness tablets just in case.

2. Don't assume your travel insurance covers cruise-related situations

Many travellers buy travel insurance and assume they're covered for everything that might go wrong during a cruise. However, not all policies offer the same level of protection for cruise-related disruptions

Income's Travel Insurance provides coverage for sea travel, and this includes cruise to nowhere.

Other benefits include:

• Up to $2,000 travel delay coverage¹

• Up to $2,000 baggage delay coverage¹ 

• Up to $8,000 coverage for loss of travel documents¹ 

• Cancel, postpone or shorten your trip for any reason²

Get your cruise travel insurance now!

3. Buy data & other activities before boarding

Pre-booking online is almost always cheaper than buying it onboard.

Once the ship sails out into the open ocean, your local telco roaming plans will stop working or automatically switch to maritime cellular network, which carry notoriously expensive pay-per-megabyte rates.

If you need to stay connected to WhatsApp, email, or social media while at sea, purchase the cruise line’s Wi-Fi package online before your sailing date. 

Similarly, if you've got your eye on certain onboard experiences, it pays to plan ahead.

Some cruise lines offer discounts on selected add-ons before departure, so waiting until you're onboard could mean paying more for the same add-ons.

Some of the extras that are commonly cheaper when booked in advance include:

• Beverage packages

• Specialty dining experiences

• Shore excursions

Booking early can also help you compare prices, secure popular activities, and avoid disappointment if certain experiences sell out before sailing. This is especially useful during peak travel periods, when sought-after restaurants, excursions, and entertainment options may sell out before the ship even leaves port.

4. Boarding day is not just for unpacking

Your cruise actually starts the moment you clear security at the terminal Marina Bay Cruise Centre. Treat Day One as a full activity day rather than just a travel day.

Your main checked luggage may take several hours to be delivered directly to your cabin. So, pack a small backpack or tote with your passport, essential medication, a change of clothes, swimsuits, and sunblock and you can start enjoying the pool deck or buffet immediately while others are stuck waiting for their bags.

Once onboard, immediately connect to the ship's intranet (free to use without purchasing an internet package) to access the cruise app. Use this to reserve show tickets, specialty dining, and high-demand activities like rock climbing or bumper cars before slots fill up.

During cruising

1. Inclusive vs specialty

You will not go hungry on a cruise, but understanding how dining works helps you make the most of your meals:

• Included dining: Your cruise fare covers meals at the main dining room where you can order multi-course, sit-down dinners, and buffet which offers a massive spread of international and Asian options.

• Specialty dining: High-end options like steak houses, teppanyaki, or specialty sushi bars cost extra, either as a flat cover charge or per item. If you want to celebrate a special occasion at a specialty restaurant, book your table early through the app.

• Dietary needs: Most major cruise lines departing from Singapore cater well to regional palates, offering dedicated Halal-certified stations or full Vegetarian/Jain menus upon request.

2. Tipping & gratuities are charged separately

One common surprise for first-time local cruisers is the auto-gratuity fee. 

While your cruise fare covers your room, main dining, and entertainment, most cruise lines automatically add a daily service charge per person (usually ranging from US$16-US$20, depending on your cabin class and cruise line.

Drinks, spa treatments, and specialty dining bills also usually carry an automatic 15 percent to 18 percent service charge on top of the listed price. Account for these extras when planning your total holiday budget!

3. Shore excursions: Ship-sponsored vs DIY

When your ship docks at port stops like Penang, Phuket, or Port Klang (Kuala Lumpur), you have two choices for exploring:  

• Ship-sponsored excursions: Booking directly through the cruise line is slightly pricier, but it comes with one massive benefit: the shop guarantees it will not leave without you if your tour gets delayed in traffic.

• Independent / DIY exploration: Booking local rides or private drivers gives you more flexibility and lowers costs, but you bear 100 percentof the responsibility to be back at the gangway before the strict boarding time. Cruise ships operate on strict schedules and will sail off without late passengers!

While on shore excursions, it's also a good idea to carry some small notes for things like:

• Tips for local tour guides

• Driver gratuities

• Baggage porters

• Snacks, souvenirs, or small purchases at local markets

You don't need to carry large amounts, but having some local currency or widely accepted cash on hand can make shore excursions more convenient and help you avoid scrambling for an ATM when you need it most.

4. Your SG Arrival Card (SGAC) applies when returning home

Even though you are departing from Singapore and returning to Singapore, sailing into international waters counts as exiting and re-entering the country.

All Singapore citizens, PRs, and long-term pass holders must submit an SGAC within three days prior to arriving back at the Singapore port.

Set sail with greater peace of mind

A cruise holiday should be about relaxing, exploring new destinations, and making memories with the people you care about.

A little preparation before you leave, from arriving at the departure port early to understanding how travel insurance with cruise benefits works, can help you avoid common travel headaches and focus on enjoying the journey.

If you're planning a cruise and would like help finding a travel insurance plan that suits your needs, speak with an Income Insurance advisor before you set sail.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about travel insurance for cruises

1. Do I need travel insurance for a cruise?

While travel insurance is not always mandatory, it can be particularly useful for cruises because a cruise is still a holiday. Unexpected hiccups like flight delays, sudden illness, or lost baggage can ruin your trip just like on land. Having appropriate coverage can help reduce the financial impact of these disruptions.

2. Can I buy travel insurance after booking my cruise?

Yes. In fact, many travellers purchase travel insurance after they have booked their cruise. However, buying your policy earlier may provide protection for certain covered events that occur before departure, such as trip cancellation or postponement due to unforeseen circumstances.

If you've forgotten to buy travel insurance before leaving Singapore, Income Insurance is the only insurer that allows you to purchase travel insurance up to a day after you have departed from Singapore (available for Per-trip plans only). 

That said, it is generally a good idea to arrange your travel insurance as early as possible so you can enjoy protection both before and during your trip.

3. Can I use my health insurance instead of travel insurance on a cruise?

It depends on your health insurance policy. Some health insurance plans may not cover medical treatment received overseas or onboard a cruise ship. Even when overseas treatment is covered, benefits such as trip cancellation, travel delays, lost baggage, or emergency evacuation are typically not included. Before travelling, it's worth checking what protection you already have and whether additional cruise travel insurance may be helpful.

4. Does cruise travel insurance cover missed ports or itinerary changes?

It depends on why the itinerary changed and the terms of your policy.

Cruise itineraries can sometimes be affected by severe weather, port closures, transport disruptions, or other unexpected events. Depending on the cause of the disruption and the plan selected, Income's Travel Insurance may provide benefits for covered events such as travel delays, missed connections, or trip disruption, subject to policy terms and conditions.

Before you travel, review your policy carefully so you understand what types of cruise-related disruptions may be covered and what documentation may be required if you need to make a claim.