18 Cruise Tips and Mistakes to Avoid, According to a Cruise Director

Table Of Content

• Reduce the number of shoes you need by packing fancy sneakers
• Make any reservations early for the best times
• Mix your suitcase items
• What are the best types of cruises for first-timers?
• Dry bags are always a good idea if you plan to hit the beach
• Get seasick? Get a cabin in the middle of the boat, as low as possible
• Avoid Lines By Visiting Guest Services Late at Night or Early in the Morning

If you live within driving distance of your cruise terminal, you won’t have to worry about weight restrictions. In general, pack at least two outfits for each day—one for an excursion and one for dinner and late-night events on the ship. If possible, you can pack less by doing laundry on the ship on sea days. You won't save any money by booking your shore excursions pre-cruise, but you will be able to lock in a spot on the tours you most want to take. ► Don’t worry about the security line Port security isn’t nearly as intense a process as it might be at the airport. Passengers keep their shoes on and their laptops in their carry-ons, so the line will move faster and won’t require you to unpack and repack your bags.

Reduce the number of shoes you need by packing fancy sneakers

Each evening on a cruise you are usually given a daily calendar of what is going on the next day on the ship. On port days you will be given a guide of the port and what time to be back on the ship. The great part about booking and excursion with the ship (not an outside company) is that the ship will not leave you at port if the tour is running late.

Are cruises safe? What you need to know about cruise ship security - The Points Guy

Are cruises safe? What you need to know about cruise ship security.

Posted: Tue, 26 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Make any reservations early for the best times

I then turn on the phone's Wi-Fi, buy a Wi-Fi package and do all my calling, texting and internet surfing over Wi-Fi. That way, there's no way that I can be surprised by an unexpected charge. There are ways to make calls and access the internet from ships without spending a boatload of money. You can buy a Wi-Fi package, for instance, that will let you make FaceTime calls and stream videos (on some ships) over Wi-Fi without using phone data.

Mix your suitcase items

We saved 35% on Voom , Royal Caribbean’s wifi package, by making a pre-cruise purchase. Princess Cruises MedallionNet is also often priced at a 50% discount if you purchase it early. By taking the stairs as much as possible, even part way, you’ll get those steps in balance out some of the extra indulgences. If you don’t want to pay extra for name brand ice cream, go to the main dining room, even for lunch, and ask for the ice cream of the day.

What are the best types of cruises for first-timers?

Make sure you know what your base fare includes before you book. Cruise lines put out a calendar each day -- either a paper that's left in your cabin in the evening or electronically via their app (or both). This is your all-important guide on how to spend your day. Daily planners are loaded with onboard activities and things to keep you busy, from dance classes to trivia and theater shows. Sign up for your specific cruise, and we guarantee you’ll make friends with your fellow travelers and learn tips from seasoned cruisers.

Personally, I pack a little less and either do a load of laundry in the self-serve laundry facilities (if available) or pay for a few pieces to be washed and folded. You could pack a portable fan or bulky white noise machine to block out ship sounds at night ... Or you could save space in your luggage and download a white noise or other sleep sounds app instead. Packing for a cruise is an art form, and everyone has their favorite cruise packing hacks. When you sail in international waters, your mobile phone plan won’t usually cover.

Public transportation gets you to the port for cheap

Half Moon Cay, Carnival's private island in the Bahamas, is a great stop for a beach day. Its shores are full of soft, white sand, but there's not much shade to be found for those of us who burn easily. You do not need to tip above this, though many passengers get confused or add a tip because they're used to always adding one back on land. Tip extra for impressive service if you like, but do not feel compelled to add an additional gratuity above the automatic one. While some perks may be delivered to your cabin (such as souvenir gifts and special event invites), others you may need to seek out. Read up on which perks you're eligible for and be sure to take advantage of the money-saving offers.

Cruises in the peak season—which varies by destination—will be more expensive than those during the off-season. If your schedule is flexible, booking during the off-season or shoulder season can save you money. Most of the best deals you can find on a cruise are on older ships.

Avoid Lines By Visiting Guest Services Late at Night or Early in the Morning

We usually keep an extra set of clothes in our carry-on bag or tote in case the luggage is late showing up and it is time to go to dinner. It’s wise to spare the time and expense for a passport, even if you plan on only taking closed-loop cruises. The sense of security it will provide is worth its weight in gold. So be sure to check with your chosen cruise line/ship and see which nights are “formal”. Combat motion sickness with Sea Bands or motion sickness patches if you are prone to motion sickness to help you feel your best while traveling.

It can be common for people who forget to put their phone in airplane mode to have huge, unexpected cell phone charges. Put your phone in airplane mode before Sailaway to avoid this rookie cruiser mistake. Anything can happen, especially if you’re flying into your cruise port. Always plan to arrive at least one day before your cruise for peace of mind, plus you can visit your embarkation port city and extend your vacation. Travel agents often have extra perks that they can give you when you book with them.

If you’re planning kayaking trips or are headed to the Galapagos, where you’ll be zooming around on Zodiacs, a roll-top wet bag keeps valuables dry. While purchasing these tours through the cruise line means everything will be handled for you, costs can be steep. Whether you can fit clothing for an entire cruise itinerary into one carry-on bag is a source of fierce debate. But it's absolutely possible and, until airlines stop losing luggage, may be your safest bet to making sure you have clothing for the duration of your cruise. Check out our tips on packing before you try to cram your life into a small suitcase. On many cruises, you can go from ship to beach to shopping in one day.

► Definitely skip the beverage package – unless you get it for free With rates averaging $75 to $90 a day, drink packages are outrageously expensive. Buy drinks individually if you will only have a couple in a given day—you really will save money. Again, the drink package may be offered to you for free when you book, in which case it’s a great idea. Lower priced packages for soda drinkers are available, but they, too, are not exactly cheap. ► Understand the additional costs There are, without question, unexpected costs that will add to your cruise budget. Your cruise fare will include most of your big expenses, but specialty dining, drinks, gambling, and some entertainment may require additional fees.

That said, if you do decide to use your card, be sure call your credit card company first. It may alert their system to fraud to see a card used in three different ports in three days, leading them to put a freeze on your account if they don’t know what’s going on. Not surprisingly, many people opt to pay for the cruise line’s wi-fi service, even though it is pricey. If you do decide to purchase, then you’ll find that there are tiers of service. So you can pay less and get slower or limited service, or pay a little more to get higher speeds and full access to the web. “All you can drink” alcohol packages can really help you budget.