Biggest Mistakes When Cruising

Cruises are some of the most exciting and fun-filled vacation options in the world. They allow you to explore the world by sea, discover new ports and countries, and come jam-packed with exciting things to do and experience. Most of the planning is done pre-departure, an itinerary is already set in place and everything you need is available on board; what could possibly go wrong?

Mistakes and accidents are possible to occur on cruises, just like any other land-based vacation. While some mistakes are out of your control due to the cruise line itself, many things are easily avoidable if you know how to PROPERLY plan for a cruise. Whether you are a first-timer looking for advice on how to eliminate stress or an experienced cruiser looking to maximize their cruises’ potential, we’ve put together 7 of the biggest mistakes to make when cruising to help you make the most of your experience and not ruin your vacation.

After the past few years of a global pandemic, purchasing travel insurance should be second nature by now and is one of the most important things to do before going on a cruise. Travel insurance is your safety net in case of emergencies or unfortunate incidents, such as a pandemic or natural disaster. It can help you if flights are canceled, cruises are delayed at the port, medical expenses if you become sick or injured while at sea, or emergency evacuations or re-routing.

It’s likely your cruise is leaving outside of your home city and you will need to fly to the port destination. Flying in on the same day of your departure is one of the worst mistakes to make when booking a cruise. Not only are you going to be rushed and pushed for time the whole day, causing stress and heightened anxiety, but it eliminates the option of re-booking your flight if your original flight gets delayed or canceled. The last thing you want is to miss an entire cruise due to your flight having issues.

Using your cell phone while cruising can be tricky, and mistakes revolving around cell phone coverage and phone plans are some of the most common mistakes to make when cruising. Do some research with the cruise line and your phone company and see which option is best, without getting charged ridiculous amounts for roaming fees. Take advantage of wi-fi free calling and don’t forget to turn your phone on the airplane made before departure. Additionally, disconnecting from society on the cruise isn’t the worst thing in the world, the world is still going to be there when you return; enjoy your time away from technology.

Overpacking is one of the most common mistakes to make when cruising and can happen to first-timers or well-seasoned veterans. It’s really easy to bring too many clothes when trying to decide between bathing suits, day and offshore wear, shoes, and of course, nice evening gowns and fancy outfits. By the time you include miscellaneous, electronics, and other needed items, you will likely have to pay for an extra bag fee on your flight. To avoid over-packing, try to color coordinate clothing options, limit shoes to 1 pair per style, and leave the electronics at home; the cruise has plenty of other things to do to keep you occupied.

While many cruises now offer pre-departure packages for spending purposes and onboard charge cards, it’s often forgotten by many cruisers to bring cash and small bills. Small bills come in handy when tipping onboard staff; those gratuities aren’t always included in the price. Having cash on hand also makes it easier if an emergency arises, or to exchange at ports for local currency.

Many cruises offer all-inclusive or drink packages ahead of time, but not all. To avoid overpaying for alcohol onboard your ship, never buy wine by the glass; always buy the entire bottle! It’s likely 2-3 glasses of wine will be about equivalent in price to the entire bottle. What many cruisers are unaware of is, if you are unable to finish the entire bottle in one night, you can have it corked and saved for the following day. Additionally, many cruise lines allow you to bring 2 bottles of wine onboard with you, so be sure to check the guidelines ahead of time.

Neglecting to do research in advance on the ports your cruise will stop at is one of the biggest mistakes to make when cruising. Instead of wasting time on your port days wandering around, do some research to know what kind of things you want to see and do while off-board the ship. While cruise lines offer shore excursion packages themselves, many local companies run tours as well, and can likely save you a lot of money. Additionally, port stops can be some of the most exciting times throughout your cruise, but you would never know without doing research.

Cruises can be tricky, but they are so so worth it. Whether you are a seasoned veteran of the seas or a first-time cruiser, it’s easy to make mistakes when planning for an experience of a lifetime. The next you set out of port, refer back to this post to be sure you avoid making these 7 biggest mistakes to make when cruising. Happy sailing!