Experiencing a Cruise Ship for the First Time: A Personal Travel Goal

[sammy02]

I’ve never been on a cruise ship before, but the idea of sailing across the ocean and living on the water for a few days has always fascinated me. The thought of waking up to endless sea views, exploring different parts of the ship, and visiting new destinations without constantly packing and unpacking feels both relaxing and adventurous. For someone who has only experienced land-based travel, a cruise feels like a completely different world waiting to be discovered.

What appeals to me most is the balance between comfort and exploration. Cruise ships seem to offer everything in one place—dining, entertainment, quiet spaces, and opportunities to meet people from different backgrounds. As a first-time cruiser, I imagine taking things slowly, walking around the deck, watching sunsets, and simply enjoying the movement of the ship.

Cost, weather, and crowd levels are things I would carefully consider before booking, since this would be my first experience at sea. I would want the journey to feel calm and enjoyable rather than overwhelming. Even without having sailed yet, the idea of a cruise represents a personal travel goal—one that combines curiosity, relaxation, and the excitement of trying something completely new.

 

[BSeabob]

I’ve never been on a cruise ship before, but the idea of sailing across the ocean and living on the water for a few days has always fascinated me. The thought of waking up to endless sea views, exploring different parts of the ship, and visiting new destinations without constantly packing and unpacking feels both relaxing and adventurous. For someone who has only experienced land-based travel, a cruise feels like a completely different world waiting to be discovered.

What appeals to me most is the balance between comfort and exploration. Cruise ships seem to offer everything in one place—dining, entertainment, quiet spaces, and opportunities to meet people from different backgrounds. As a first-time cruiser, I imagine taking things slowly, walking around the deck, watching sunsets, and simply enjoying the movement of the ship.

Cost, weather, and crowd levels are things I would carefully consider before booking, since this would be my first experience at sea. I would want the journey to feel calm and enjoyable rather than overwhelming. Even without having sailed yet, the idea of a cruise represents a personal travel goal—one that combines curiosity, relaxation, and the excitement of trying something completely new.

Sounds like youve got it down and thought out really well if you are not a bot .

 

[Paige Palmer]

Haha, definitely not a bot, BSeabob! Just a very organized dreamer. Though after staring at office walls for too long, I might agree that I’m "not all there" either—which is exactly why I need that ocean view.
It’s impressive that you’ve done the same ship, same route, and even the same cabin two years in a row! That tells me the Koningsdam must be doing something right. Since you clearly know that ship inside and out, I’d love your take:

• Crowds vs. Calm: On a ship that size, is it easy to find those quiet "slow-paced" spots I’m looking for, or does it feel like a constant hustle?
• The Hawaii Run: How was the movement of the ship on that Vancouver-Hawaii route? As a first-timer, I’m curious if the "sea legs" take a while to kick in.

Since you're currently "Dry Docked," I’m happy to let you live vicariously through my over-planning for a bit!

---

 

[BSeabob]

Yes its a Great ship. Not too big not to small. It's HAL and so there are quite a few older folks and lots of folks in that 40 to older range. I'm in that Older range now but I could see this ship looking after my needs from about 30 on if you get my drift.
No problem finding quiet spots ever.
Look at the Entertainment deck....3 rooms going pretty well everynight. Rock and on my two cruises pretty hard. Too Loud for my old yrs but room full everynight. Two paired up pianos in another room, singer/players. Room full evernight. Blues in another. Band good both sailings. One better than the other year and was great. Longer sail you are stuck with what you know. Art classes just monitored while you work away one yr not much talent. I do miss the old piano bar lounge singer. The piano is still there but not used at all either yr.
Rooms on HAL we were in the same room so I can vouch for the restricted view cat. being ok and cheaper. There's a big choice as with most newer updated cruise ships these days.
Always check overhead and around on the deck plans. For Staff movement during your quiet times. That great deal on a large room under the pool deck or restaurant with moving chairs and cleaning may not be a great deal after all. Smoking on the Konny was on the starboard side just around the aft Elevators outside. Didn't bother us at all but could get a wiff ever once in a while.

The ship movement caused issues for some on both trips. Neither time for us although i needed my cane for balance more on those nights more for sure. Mother nature still can move those big stabilized ships when she wants. A cruise to Hawaii out of California one year back a while now however, was dead flat over and back. Never even knew you were moving. Further north you start the more the odds are for movement off shore and time of year also in play.

Time out lol

 

[BSeabob]

1) That Crowded feeling on Board. I was actually on this ship out of Vancouver prior to taking those Longer cruises. It was a one off 5 dayer up the coast to The fantztick Ports of Prince Rupert and Ketchikan. The ship was full and there were a lot of first time cruisers. It was also the first cruise of the season out of Vancouver the ship having just arrived from the S. Pacific. There was a fair bit of confusion at the Port Also. This ship was not staffed properly with the numbers needed for a full ship of new cruisers Almost did not cruise again on her. But for the Hawaiian Cruise there was only one ship in Port the first trip and 2 on the last trip.

1a) We couldn't get early dining and never ate in the main dining room as there was a Cattle call set up every night for Anytime first sitting. 2)Experienced a bit of the same on the 1st. Hawaii cruise but with mostly previous cruisers and a not as frantic feel AND more crew on board ...plus an experienced Maitre D it was sorted for the 2nd day with a great table and we got our time and we were off. #2 All smooth as we had booked our cruise early and got our early time and table easy.

1b) Canada Place was originally built for the 1986 Expo. and Two ships . Was expanded to 3 sort of but the building didnt get much bigger. 40 yrs later The ships now of course are up to 3 times bigger and many more Pax. Its a bit of a cluster on 3/4 big ship days. But it works better as the season goes on. First full week is still a lottery. We were 3 hours getting on with lines for what seem like miles for the Short Rupert cruise. The ship was 2 hours late leaving. This of course depends on a lot of things here in Vancouver. The ships being classified as US means everyone Non US has to see US customs before they board. New Staff every year for both the port and Replacement of crew on contracts for the Alaska routes. etc etc. Moral of this tale of woe. Dont cruise the first week of the season out of Vancouver and if possible pick a ship that ports on a 2 or less day with other ships. Our 2 Hawaii cruises with all our knowledge of timing had a painless boarding process.. Of course "Ship" can still happen.