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Imagine a holiday where you have dinner in the evening, watch a show and return to your cabin, then wake up the next morning in a new city or even a different country.
This is one of the main advantages of a cruise: you can see several destinations without changing hotels and without packing your suitcase every two days.
Itineraries can be very different. In one week you can combine Italy, France and Spain, sail from Istanbul toward the Greek islands and the Italian coast, or choose Northern Europe with stops in Denmark and Norway.
Before a first cruise, however, many questions usually come up: what is included in the price? Which cabin should you choose? What extra costs can appear onboard? How do excursions work? And most importantly, is this type of holiday right for you?
What is a cruise?
The easiest way to think about a cruise ship is as a floating hotel that takes you between different destinations.
Instead of booking separate hotels in Barcelona, Rome, Marseille or Athens and arranging flights, trains and transfers between cities, you stay in the same cabin while the ship follows its itinerary.
A typical cruise programme may include:
- days when the ship arrives in port in the morning and departs again in the evening;
- one or more full days at sea;
- entertainment and activities onboard;
- meals according to the selected fare;
- organised excursions or independent walks in the cities along the route.
Popular options include 7-night cruises in the Mediterranean, Greece and Turkey, the Adriatic or Northern Europe.
The main advantage: several destinations without changing hotels
For example, one itinerary may combine Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Naples, Rome, Genoa and Marseille in a single journey.
Another may start in Naples and continue through Palermo, La Goulette in Tunisia, Barcelona, Marseille and Genoa.
A cruise from Istanbul may include Corfu, Bari, Athens/Piraeus and Izmir.
In practice, you travel between cities while having dinner, relaxing, watching a show or sleeping.
This is why cruises are suitable for travellers who want to see many places without turning their holiday into a constant sequence of check-ins, check-outs, transfers and long journeys.
Cruises you can compare by itinerary, price and included services
Below are the cruise offers from the provided promotional materials. The itineraries, ships, prices and listed services have been kept according to the supplied information, while the presentation is organised to make comparison easier.
Istanbul, Corfu, Bari, Athens and Izmir — MSC Orchestra
€600/person in an inside cabin · sea-view cabin +€100
8 days / 7 nights onboard in an inside cabin, buffet dining and access to part of the à la carte restaurants, live music, entertainment and shows onboard.
Flights to Istanbul and back, mandatory gratuities of about €12/day, deposit of about €150, alcohol, minibar in the cabin, bottled water and internet.
Barcelona, Mallorca, Naples, Rome, Genoa and Marseille — Costa Toscana
€390/person in an inside cabin · sea-view cabin +€150
8 days / 7 nights onboard in an inside cabin, buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner, light drinks such as water and coffee, entertainment and shows onboard.
Chișinău — Barcelona — Chișinău flight, with an indicative price of about €140 in the promotional material, service charge of about €11/day, bar drinks and excursions.
Rome, Genoa, Marseille, Barcelona, Cagliari and Naples — Costa Toscana
€690/person sea-view cabin · €640/person inside cabin
8 days / 7 nights onboard in the selected cabin category, breakfast, lunch and dinner, onboard entertainment, port fees and insurance.
Chișinău — Rome and Rome — Chișinău flights, as well as gratuities onboard.
Venice, Kotor, Mykonos, Syros and Ancona — MSC Lirica
€660/person · sea-view cabin
7 nights onboard in a sea-view cabin, full board, port fees and insurance.
Chișinău — Venice and Venice — Chișinău flights.
Hamburg, Copenhagen, Kristiansand, Oslo and Skagen — MSC Preziosa
from €855/person · cabin with window
7 nights, accommodation in the selected cabin category, buffet meals — breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks, serviced restaurants, water, tea and coffee, shows and entertainment, sports, pools and gym.
Alcohol and some drinks, flights and transfers, excursions, insurance and minibar.
Rome, Salerno, Catania, Livorno, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Marseille and Barcelona — Norwegian Epic
from €690/person
7 nights, cabin accommodation, all-inclusive meals without alcohol, tea, coffee and water, onboard entertainment — shows, music and clubs, tennis, basketball and fitness, pools and jacuzzis, kids’ clubs, port fees and taxes. The cabin includes tea/coffee, air conditioning, shower, hairdryer and TV. Dining is flexible, while room service at night is available for an extra charge.
The promotional material indicates Chișinău — Rome flights from €65 and Barcelona — Chișinău from €70.
Naples, Palermo, La Goulette, Barcelona, Marseille and Genoa — MSC Splendida
from €580/person · based on double occupancy
8 days / 7 nights in a cabin, all-inclusive meals and medical insurance.
Flights, excursions, internet and alcoholic drinks.
Which type of cruise should you consider first?
Select one or more priorities. The recommendation below can help narrow down the options, but the exact fare conditions should still be checked before booking.
What is a typical day on a cruise like?
It depends on whether the ship is in port or sailing at sea.
A day in port
In the morning you arrive in a new destination. It could be Barcelona, Naples, Mykonos, Kotor, Marseille, Copenhagen or another city.
After breakfast, you can leave the ship and join an organised excursion or explore the destination independently.
The main rule is to always check the required return time to the ship.
After you return, the programme continues onboard with dinner, music, shows, bars, walks on deck and other activities.
A day at sea
A day at sea does not mean a wasted day.
On the contrary, this is when you have more time to discover the ship’s facilities at a relaxed pace.
Depending on the ship, there may be pools, jacuzzis, fitness centres, sports areas, kids’ clubs, shows, live music and other entertainment.
The balance between active days in cities and more relaxed days at sea is one of the defining features of a cruise holiday.
What is included in the cruise price?
This is one of the most common questions and also one of the main sources of confusion.
You should not automatically assume that a cruise is “all inclusive” in the same way as a classic resort holiday.
Conditions depend on the cruise company, ship, fare and selected package.
As a rule, the base price may include:
- accommodation in the selected cabin category;
- main meals according to the fare;
- access to some restaurants and buffets;
- shows and entertainment programmes;
- pools and some sports areas;
- certain onboard activities.
The exact list should always be checked for the selected cruise.
Therefore, when comparing two offers, do not look only at the price — also check what is actually included in each fare.
What will you have to pay extra for?
This is where the real travel budget is formed.
Depending on the offer, extra expenses may include:
- flights to and from the departure port;
- airport — port — airport transfers;
- service charges or other payments required by the fare;
- excursions during port calls;
- some drinks and drink packages;
- internet;
- speciality restaurants;
- SPA and additional services;
- minibar;
- personal expenses and onboard shopping.
Practical Admiral.Travel tip: do not choose a cruise based only on the most visible number in the offer. Estimate the full cost: cruise + flights + transfers + fare-related charges + excursions + additional services you plan to use.
Which cabin should you choose?
The cabin category affects both the price and the travel experience.
Inside cabin
Usually, this is the more affordable category, without a window or direct sea view.
It can be a good choice if you plan to spend most of your time around the ship, in restaurants, on deck and in the cities, using the cabin mainly for sleep and rest.
Sea-view cabin
Depending on the ship and category, it may have a window or porthole.
The main advantages are natural light and the possibility to see the sea directly from your cabin.
Sometimes the price difference compared with an inside cabin is relatively small, so it is worth comparing the available categories.
Balcony cabin
This is a popular option for travellers who want more private space and their own outdoor area with a sea view.
However, a balcony is not essential for having a good cruise.
If the itinerary is very intensive and almost every day is spent in a new city, an inside cabin may be enough. If the itinerary includes more scenic sailing and more days at sea, a higher cabin category may be worth considering.
How is dining organised?
Large cruise ships usually offer several dining formats.
Main restaurants and buffets may be included in the fare, while speciality restaurants, certain dishes or drinks may cost extra.
That is why the phrase “meals included” should always be considered together with the conditions of the specific fare.
Before booking, it is useful to check:
- which restaurants are included;
- which drinks are available without extra charge;
- whether dinner has a fixed time;
- which venues operate for an additional fee.
Are drinks included?
Not always, and not all of them.
This is one of the points that should be checked carefully before booking.
Cruise companies may offer different drink packages that can include water, coffee, soft drinks, wine, beer or cocktails, depending on the package.
If you regularly order coffee, bottled water, soft drinks or alcohol, compare the package price in advance with your expected spending.
You do not automatically need the most expensive package — it should match your travel style.
Internet onboard
Internet at sea works differently from Wi-Fi in a city hotel, and you should not assume it is automatically included in the base fare.
Cruise companies may offer separate internet packages for messaging, web browsing, email and other tasks.
If you need to work during the trip or stay constantly online, check in advance:
- which packages are available on your ship;
- how many devices can be connected;
- what each package allows;
- whether the price differs when purchased in advance or onboard.
Organised excursion or exploring independently?
Both options have advantages.
An organised excursion can be more convenient when the port is far from the main attractions or when the stop is relatively short.
Exploring independently gives you more freedom, especially when the city centre is close to the port.
Important: the port and the city are not always in the same place
The city name shown in an itinerary does not necessarily mean the ship docks directly in the city centre.
A good example is Rome (Civitavecchia). Cruise ships use the port of Civitavecchia, so you need to allow extra travel time to reach Rome.
This should be checked for every port call.
When is a good time to go on a cruise?
Mediterranean
For a first cruise, the Mediterranean is one of the easier options to understand: there is a wide choice of itineraries and the possibility to combine Italy, Spain, France, Greece, Turkey and other destinations.
Summer suits travellers who want to combine cruising with a seaside atmosphere, but high temperatures and larger crowds should be taken into account.
Spring and autumn can be especially attractive if your main priorities are cities, walking and excursions.
Mediterranean cruises are also available in late autumn and winter, so this type of holiday should not be seen as exclusively seasonal.
Northern Europe
The experience here is very different.
Itineraries can combine Hamburg, Copenhagen, Kristiansand, Oslo, Skagen and other Northern European destinations.
Instead of Mediterranean beaches, the focus shifts to northern landscapes, scenery and European cities.
It is important to prepare suitable clothing and allow for more changeable weather.
Departure ports for the featured offers
The map highlights Istanbul, Barcelona, Civitavecchia, Venice, Hamburg and Naples — the starting points for the featured offers. Coordinates are used as an approximate visual reference.
Scroll zoom is disabled by default. Click the map to activate it.
Are cruises suitable for families with children?
Yes, many modern cruise ships are designed with family holidays in mind.
Depending on the ship, there may be:
- swimming pools;
- sports areas;
- kids’ clubs;
- play areas;
- entertainment programmes;
- activities for different age groups.
There is also an important logistical advantage: the family settles into one cabin and does not need to move luggage between several hotels.
Before booking, it is worth checking the facilities of the specific ship, kids’ club conditions, the right cabin category and the documents required for the child.
Are cruises suitable for couples?
Yes, especially if you want to combine a romantic holiday with an active journey.
During the day you can explore a new city, and in the evening you return to the ship, have dinner and watch a show without looking for a new hotel or arranging another transfer.
For a trip for two or a special occasion, a balcony cabin may be worth considering if the budget allows.
Which documents are needed for a cruise?
This must be checked for the specific itinerary and the nationality of each passenger.
It is not enough to check only the country where the ship departs from.
You must consider all countries included in the itinerary and the applicable entry requirements.
Responsibility for holding the required documents and visas generally lies with the passenger, so requirements should be checked before final confirmation of the trip, not a few days before departure.
How much does a cruise cost?
There is no single answer.
The price depends on:
- the itinerary;
- the season;
- the cruise company;
- the specific ship;
- the cabin category;
- the duration;
- the selected fare;
- current availability and special offers.
A promotional fare for a one-week cruise may start from a few hundred euros per person, but such prices apply to specific offers and are not permanent.
A better way to calculate the real cost is:
Cruise + flights + transfers + mandatory fare-related charges + excursions + drinks/internet + personal expenses = the real cost of the trip.
This is the amount that makes sense to compare with a classic package holiday or an independently organised trip.
7 mistakes to avoid on your first cruise
1. Choosing only by the lowest price
An attractive cabin price does not always show the full travel budget.
2. Assuming absolutely everything is included
Drinks, internet, excursions and additional services may cost extra.
3. Forgetting the flight to the departure port
If the ship departs from Barcelona, Rome, Venice, Hamburg or Istanbul, you first need to get there.
4. Not checking the actual location of the port
For example, “Rome” in the itinerary may mean Civitavecchia. Allow time for the transfer.
5. Returning to the ship at the last minute
If you explore independently, always keep a time buffer before the required return time.
6. Choosing the cabin without considering your travel style
If you will spend almost all day outside the cabin, it may make more sense to spend the price difference on excursions. If private space and a sea view matter more to you, the opposite may be true.
7. Leaving document checks until the last minute
Passport validity, visa requirements and entry rules should be checked before confirming the trip.
Who might not enjoy a cruise?
A cruise is not a universal holiday format.
If you like spending three or four days in one city, exploring neighbourhoods without a fixed schedule and changing plans spontaneously, the limited time in port may feel restrictive.
If your main priority is a very relaxed holiday in one place, a classic resort or hotel may also be more convenient.
Cruises are especially interesting for travellers who value destination variety, simplified logistics and the combination of exploration with time to relax onboard.
How do you choose your first cruise?
It is better not to begin with the question “Which cruise is the cheapest?”, but with four other questions.
Where do I want to go?
The Mediterranean, Greece and Turkey, the Adriatic and Northern Europe offer very different experiences.
How many days do I want to spend at sea?
Some itineraries have a new port almost every day, while others include more navigation days.
Which ship suits me?
Ship size, infrastructure and atmosphere can vary significantly.
What is my total budget?
Consider not only the cabin, but the entire trip.
Once these questions are clear, comparing offers becomes much easier.
How to book the right cruise
Compare the ports, days at sea and number of cities included in the route.
Check inside cabins, sea-view cabins and balcony cabins, and decide whether the price difference makes sense for your trip.
Add flights, transfers, fare-related charges, excursions, drinks, internet and personal expenses.
Consider the passenger’s nationality and the requirements of all countries on the itinerary before final confirmation.
Is a cruise worth trying?
For the right traveller, this type of holiday is definitely worth considering.
A cruise solves one of the main challenges of travelling through several countries: logistics. You keep the same cabin, meals and entertainment are nearby, and the destinations change along the way.
However, a cruise should be booked with a clear understanding of the fare. An attractive cabin price is not always equal to the final travel cost. It is important to check the fare, drinks, excursions, internet, additional services and transport to the port in advance.
For a first cruise, the right itinerary is often more important than the lowest price.
