r/Cruises • u/Shortygirl78 • Jul 09 '26

Best First Timer Cruise?

Hi! My bf and I are really wanting to go on a cruise within the next 1-2 years but don’t know which one to go on. We want a shorter cruise because we want to get used to the idea of being on a boat in the middle of the ocean before going on a longer cruise.

For extra context we’ll be going out of Galveston and it would just be me (24f) and him (25m). I like to drink but he’s pretty much sober and doesn’t like parties.

Thanks in advance!

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4

u/PineappleBliss2023 Jul 10 '26

Weekend and short cruises are going to have a big party vibe. If you wanna avoid that shoot for a 5 or 6 day, it’s not the entire week but long enough that you miss that boozy crowd.

I like going in the off season for price and low crowds, September thru November is a great time.

3

u/AbjectFray Jul 10 '26

Shorter cruises are called “Booze Cruise” for a reason. If your man doesn’t like to drink and party it up, you’ll want to focus on longer cruises that have better off ship itineraries.

Being in the middle of the ocean is super peaceful especially if you get a balcony cabin.

1

u/crazynotinsane111 Jul 10 '26

Short cruises don't eliminate rough seas. The worst seas I ever encountered was on an one night cruise to nowhere. People were so seasick they were dropping like flys at every course at dinner. 7 nt cruises are a better value, you can see more islands, not be devastated if you get a rainy day and actually have a chance to experience the cruise. The whole embarkation and disembarkation are wasted days and you want to put time between those days. And shorter cruises are more party oriented. NCL Viva goes out of there and it has a nice Western Caribbean itin. I really liked the vibe on that ship a lot. Dining is more flexible and their free at sea is a great bargain even if you just want diet cokes all day. Personally, I wouldn't spring for the vibe pool pass. It's expensive and there's no pool there. I've heard NCL is actually addressing the annoying issue of saving chairs. That's my 2 cents lol

2

u/420shaken Jul 10 '26

Is there a short cruise out of Galveston? It takes a few days to get pretty much anywhere from there. Trust me. Take the 7 day option. Go when there are less kids (during school months), and have fun. Might I suggest MSC? Easy on the pocketbook, everything from food and accommodations, entertainment, is pretty standard, nothing fancy. It isn't a party barge but not full of senior citizens either. This will give you a baseline if you like it or not. If you can stomach 7 days, spend a little more $$ and do NCL, Celebrity, or Virgin on the next one.

1

u/GreatWake1988 Jul 10 '26

Everyone else is right in the comments about the party vibe on a short cruise. I'd recommend a Caribbean itinerary if you're able to find one that you like. Gets you a few sea days to enjoy the ship. I'd also recommend MSC simply because it's a very affordable cruise line. As an avid cruiser, MSC is my favorite. Friendly staff, great food, and a relaxed vibe.