The golden rules of cruising: 10 things to know before you sail

A Northern Ireland cruise veteran says first-time travelers don’t need to be overwhelmed by ship choice—they need to match the right operator, vessel and itinerary to their preferences. Sandra Corkin, founder and director of Oasis Travel, has led more than 100 holidays at sea and shared 10 “insider tips” ahead of the Northern Ireland Cruise Show next weekend. Among her advice: start with the destination rather than the ship; consider booking a balcony, since modern ships are stable; and plan ahead by downloading the cruise operator’s app and reserving popular restaurants and excursions early. She also recommends checking what the fare covers before assuming drinks packages are only about alcohol, and notes that cabins should be chosen with expected sea-day and onboard use in mind.