How to choose a cruise: a guide for first-time cruisers

Whether you’re into high-end food and wine or looking to entertain your young family, there’s a cruise out there for you. The trick is knowing where to look, writes Dilvin Yasa.

Fancy an ’80s cruise complete with distressed denim workshops and Let’s Get Physical workouts, or how about a luxury experience in the South of France teeming with Michelin moments?

When it comes to cruising, there isn’t a single market that isn’t catered for (hello, The Walking Dead and Star Trek cruises), which is great if you know what you want, but problematic if you’re still a little unsure.

Cruise length means a lot

Carl Frier, managing director Australasia, Cruise 1st , says long before you try to work out what kind of experience you’re after, it’s a good idea to take into account how long you’re willing to travel for and whether you’ve travelled internationally before.

“If you love the idea of staying on a ship and you don’t suffer sea sickness, then that’s when you can start looking at longer itineraries which are heavy with days at sea," he explains. “But those who’ve never travelled internationally before might find trips with plenty of port visits stressful and could be better suited to keeping things close to the Australian coastline."

While it’s never easy – or advisable – to fit yourself within one specific category, this is a good time to think about who you’re travelling with, what everyone’s interests include and what your expectations are of the trip itself. Once you’ve got a firm list of random words such as ‘tropical’, ‘food’, ‘penguins’ and ‘personal butler’, you’re good to move on to the following itinerary matches.

Gentoo penguins at Neko Harbour — The Gentoo penguin colony lies nestled in Andvord Bay, Neko Harbour, surrounded by the mountains and high glacier walls of the peninsula.

First-time family cruisers

Whether you’ve got little rug rats, energetic tweens or tricky teens, you’re going to need two things: a larger style cruise ship that’s loaded with amenities such as sky diving simulators, kids’ clubs and family-friendly shows, but also, good-old fashioned tropical sunshine.

“Any large ship that sails to Hawai‘i is a great – and tellingly popular – choice for this group, but you can’t go past itineraries around the South Pacific," says Deb Long, owner and manager of Weston Cruise & Travel .

“This is a trip that offers plenty of sunshine so that everyone can actually enjoy the outdoor amenities of the ship, but [also] have plenty of time and space to frolic once they get to that tropical island." Think New Caledonia , Fiji , Vanuatu and Tahiti .

Amédée lighthouse, New Caledonia — Amédée lighthouse near Noumea, New Caledonia.

First-time cruisers on a budget

If you’re still unsure whether cruising will be for you but don’t want to spend a decent chunk of coin finding out, opt for a closed-loop cruise (departing and returning to the same port) from a major Australian city, or take a two- to three-day sail along the Australian coastline, such as one from Melbourne to Adelaide.

Station Pier, Port Melbourne — An increasingly popular stop for domestic and international cruise ships, Station Pier is the gateway to your next cruise adventure.

Best of all, you can either go with a luxury ship, or get even more bang for your buck with a ship that is considered more suited to families. Itineraries around the South Pacific also tend to be geared towards the more affordable end of the cruising market.

First-time cruising for foodies

Blame it on the popularity of cooking shows or the rise of celebrity chefs, but culinary travel is one of the biggest travel trends of 2019 and happily, it’s a trend that transcends oceans.

Close to home, cross the Tasman Sea and experience the joys of wine tasting in New Zealand’s Marlborough region.

Cruising New Zealand — Book a New Zealand cruise and enjoy breathtaking scenery of the Fiordland National Park.

Further afield in Europe, there are plenty of food cruises with exclusive access to wineries across France, Germany and Austria onboard either a river or ocean cruise . If you have ever wanted to indulge in the best of Bordeaux or the Dordogne and Garonne without the hassle of planning, contacting the wineries and booking the restaurants yourself, then this is your ticket to hassle-free foodie heaven.

First-time cruising for the mobility impaired

Cruising is an outright winner for those with disabilities. The cruise lines, and Royal Caribbean in particular, are well versed in making memorable travel highly inclusive of the mobility impaired.

The bigger and newer ships will be able to accommodate the mobility impaired better with more up-to-date fit outs and technology, and dedicated accessible rooms and services.

As for itineraries, the city-based New Zealand itineraries are probably best, with great access to land without tenders. Having said that, the crew are adept at getting the mobility impaired in and out of tenders.

The Mediterranean is also a winner: you’ll find many ports here, such as Naples and Monaco, are located right in the middle of town, thus reducing the need to travel too far once onshore.

Cruising the Greek Islands — A cruise on the Mediterranean will take you to destinations like Greece, Italy and Spain.

First-time cruising for adventurers

If you want to treat your cruise like an energy drink commercial, combining a pleasant onboard experience with action-packed port adventures such as hiking, kayaking with wildlife or rock-climbing, it’s hard to go past the Kimberley or Canada , says Long. “[Cruises here] tend to be [on] smaller ships as they need to navigate tiny waterways, but itineraries around these areas are often filled with adventure sports, wildlife and plenty of action."

Elsewhere, expedition cruises around the polar caps, Galápagos Islands and Alaska attract cruise passengers keen to get to know their penguins, tortoises and marine iguanas intimately.

Expedition cruise, Antarctica — Some of sights to behold on an expedition cruise around Antarctica.

First-time cruising for niche markets

Food and wildlife are great, but what if your interests are a little less… pedestrian?

In Australia alone, we have plenty of options. Have a passion for the performing arts? There’s a cruise for that (Bravo). Or country music? Yep, there’s a cruise for that too (Cruisin’ Country).

Head stateside and it gets a lot more wacky. If you are obsessively into hair metal bands, science fiction television shows or conspiracy theories, then head directly to Florida, do not pass go and do not collect $200.

First-time cruising for luxury lovers

Dreaming of a high-end onboard experience complete with personal butler service, heated marble bathrooms and Michelin dining?

As the luxury end of the market continues its upward trajectory, so too does the desire to visit polar caps and other obscenely cold places. It is, say our experts, a perfect match.

Those looking to enjoy the finer things in life should look at locking in a place on a luxury expedition voyage taking in Iceland, Greenland, the Russian Arctic and Antarctic itineraries. Or if you’d like something a little less adventurous, opt for either the Canada-Alaska or Norwegian Fjords routes. As Long recommends, “Another great itinerary for the luxury market is sailing along the coastline of Norway where you can take in the fjords or sail around the archipelago of polar bear-heavy Svalbard."

Cruising the Geirangerfjorde — The Geirangerfjorde is one of the most spectacular sites in Norway.

From thundering waterfalls to ancient Indigenous art, Kimberley’s raw beauty will take your breath away.

Wild, pristine, and shaped by nature, the Kimberley Coast is one of Australia’s most spectacular landscapes. A remote and rugged frontier that remains a bucket list destination for many travellers. Its most breathtaking attractions – including Montgomery Reef, King George Falls and Horizontal Falls – are accessible only by sea or air, making a guided expedition cruise aboard Silversea’s luxury expedition ship, Silver Cloud, the ideal way to explore it.

From its intricate intertidal zones to ancient rock art, extreme tides and rare wildlife found nowhere else in Australia – or the world – this journey offers an unparalleled exploration of one of Earth’s last true wildernesses.

Why Silversea?

Silversea offers a 10-day expedition departing Broome, or an extended 16-day expedition voyage from Indonesia, including landings on the hidden gems of Palopo Sulawesi and Komodo. Accompanied by expert guides and specialists in marine biology, history and geology, guests gain a deeper understanding of the Kimberley’s dramatic landscapes, rich cultural heritage and extraordinary biodiversity.

Silversea offers one of the experiential travel industry’s leading crew-to-guest ratios. Along with all-suite accommodation (80 per cent with private verandah), 24-hour butler service, a swimming pool and four dining options. Silver Cloud also has an experienced crew of multilingual expedition guides and specialists in marine biology, history and geology to enhance your Kimberley Experience.

silversea cruise ship pool deck — Take a dip in the pool deck.

1. Koolama Bay

Before visitors see King George Falls, they hear them – a growing rumble in the distance, steady and foreboding as the Zodiac glides through the gorge, the sound echoing off sheer rock formations. At 80 meters tall, the twin cascades carve through the red cliffs, churning the waters below in a spectacular finale – but Koolama Bay holds secrets beyond its striking scenery.

Named after a ship that beached here following an aerial attack by Japanese bombers in World War II, the bay may seem desolate, yet it teems with life. With Silversea’s expert guides on their 10-day Kimberley itinerary, guests gain a sharper eye for its hidden wonders – rock wallabies darting across the cliffs, crocodiles lurking among dense green mangroves, and high above, the silhouette of a bird of prey circling the sky.

King George Falls at koolama bay excursion on Silversea Kimberley Cruise — Take a shore excursion to see King George Falls.

2. Freshwater Cove / Wijingarra Butt Butt

Connect with Country on a wet landing at Freshwater Cove, also known as Wijingarra Butt Butt. Considered one of the most special experiences on both the 16-day and 10-day Kimberley cruises, Silversea guests are welcomed by the traditional Indigenous custodians of the land, painted with traditional ochre, and invited to take part in a smoking ceremony.

Located on the mainland near Montgomery Reef, Wijingarra Butt Butt holds deep cultural significance to the local Indigenous community. Here, rock formations along the shore represent spiritual ancestors, and guests are guided to a nearby rock overhang filled with ancient art, where traditional owners share the stories and meaning behind these sacred paintings.

welcome to country on freshwater cove during silversea kimberley cruise — Take part in a smoking ceremony. (Image: Tim Faircloth)

3. Vansittart Bay (Jar Island)

Modern history, ancient culture and mystery converge in Vansittart Bay, which is also known as Jar Island. Here, the first thing to catch the eye is the dented, silver fuselage of a World War II-era C-53 plane – a striking relic of the past. Yet, the true cultural treasures lie just a short hike away where two distinct styles of Indigenous rock art – Gwion Gwion and Wandjina – can be found.

The Wandjina figures, deeply connected to Indigenous traditions, stand in stark contrast to the enigmatic Gwion Gwion (Bradshaw) paintings, which date back more than 12,000 years. Significantly different in form and style, the two different styles create a striking juxtaposition, offering a rare glimpse into the region’s rich and complex past.

aerial view of Vansittart Bay, See it in you Silversea Kimberley Cruise. — Explore ancient Gwion Gwion rock art at Vansittart Bay. (Image: Janelle Lugge)

4. Horizontal Falls

Part illusion, part natural phenomenon, the Kimberley’s much-lauded Horizontal Falls aren’t a waterfall, but a tidal and geographic spectacle that visitors have to see to comprehend. Known as Garaanngaddim, the phenomenon occurs when seawater rushes through two narrow gaps- one just twenty metres wide, and the other seven metres in width, between the escarpments of Talbot Bay.

With each tidal shift, the force of the water creates whirlpools, furious currents and the illusion of a horizontal cascade as thousands of gallons of water are pushed and pulled in through the gap every six hours with relentless movement, making this one of the Kimberley ’s most mesmerising natural wonders.

Horizontal Falls are described as "One of the greatest wonders of the natural world". They are formed from a break in-between the McLarty Ranges reaching up to 25m in width. The natural phenomenon is created as seawater builds up faster on one side of the gaps than the other, creating a waterfall up to 5m high on a King tide. — Watch whirlpools and furious currents collide. (Image: Janelle Lugge)

5. Montgomery Reef

As the tide turns in Montgomery Reef, magic happens. With the Kimberley’s legendary tides varying up to ten metres, at low tide the submerged reef almost appears to rise from the depths: exposing up to four metres of the sandstone reef.

The impact is otherworldly: as the water drains, waterfalls cascade on either side of the channel, turtles left exposed scramble and dive, and fish leap in search of sanctuary in shallow pools. Meanwhile, the dinner bell rings for the migratory seabirds dugongs, reef sharks and dolphins that scavenge and feast in the area.

Using zodiacs, guests cruise through one of the world’s most significant inshore reef systems navigated by experienced guides, exploring the most intricate and fascinating parts of a 300-square-kilometre-wide biodiversity hotspot.

aerial view of boat going along Montgomery Reef — Witness seabirds, dolphins and reef sharks on the hunt.

6. Mitchell Falls by Helicopter

Experiencing the Kimberley by sea allows you to feel the power of the tides, but travelling by helicopter reveals the sandstone tapestry of the Kimberley, a landscape geologists believe is over 1.8 billion years old.

One of Silversea’s most popular optional excursions , guests who opt to fly into the interior from the onboard helipad soar up above the rust-coloured landscape of the Mitchell plateau, taking in one of Australia’s most scenic waterfalls: Mitchell Falls, a series of four emerald-coloured pools gently cascades into each other, before plunging down to the river below.

Seeing the landscape from above reveals a landscape weaved and shaped by the power of the freshwater wet season, juxtaposed to the constant lapping of the relentless and powerful tide on the coast.

aerial view of mitchell falls on silversea helicopter excursion — See emerald pools cascade into the river below. (Image: Tim Faircloth)

7. Indigenous Art Caves, Wandjina Art

The Kimberley Region of Western Australia is home to some of the most striking and significant

Indigenous rock art in Australia. Dotted throughout the landscape are caves, cliffs and rock overhangs depicting the striking, ethereal image of Wandjina, the rainmaker spirit and creation being central to many of the Dreamtime stories in this region.

Some of the paintings are regularly repainted by traditional custodians, while others are believed to be over 4,000 years old. Each artwork serves as both a cultural record and a living connection to the past, offering a rare opportunity to engage with the enduring traditions of the Kimberley’s Indigenous communities.

Freshwater Cover Rock Art the kimberleys — Walk among cultural records preserved in stone. (Image: Tim Faircloth)

See the best of this incredible part of the world on a Silversea Kimberley cruise. Book your 10- or extended 16-day expedition voyage at silversea.com

The best itineraries for first-time cruisers