Drinking Too Much Alcohol on Board
Many people see cruise holiday as an excuse to get drunk, and this is a very bad idea. If you’re not used to alcohol, you don’t know how it will affect you. If it turns out you’re an aggressive drunk, be prepared for steep penalties.
Going to the Buffet on the First Day
The buffet on the first day of the cruise is going to be absolutely manic. You’ll be waiting in a long line before you can make a grab at any food. Why not check and see what other food options there are?
Cutting It Too Close With the Flights
If you’re flying out to catch your cruise, you need to give yourself at least a day’s leeway. Your flight could be delayed, your luggage could be lost, all sorts of things might happen. And ditto for the return trip.
Trying to Skip the Safety Briefing
You’re not allowed to skip the safety briefing on board a cruise ship. So when “muster drill” is called, you need to be where you’re told. Yes, even if you’ve travelled before and know all the safety details in and out.
Not Paying Close Attention to the Maps
Modern cruise ships are huge and it pays to know where everything else. One of the first things you should do on a cruise ship is familiarize yourself with the layout – and especially learn where the lifeboats are.
Getting a Room Too Near the Casino
Maybe you came on board to gamble and you think getting a room near the casino is ideal. But be warned. The casino of a cruise ship is always very busy and you’ll have to put up with a whole lot of noise in exchange for the short walking distance.
Not Booking a Balcony Room
To many people (especially introverts) the balcony is the best thing about a cruise. You can simply sit out there and watch the ocean go by, with a nice cool drink in your hand. It’s more expensive, but it’s worth it.
Not Booking the Spa in Advance
There’s nothing more relaxing than a spa on board a luxury cruise. But you have to be sure to book your session in advance, otherwise you might miss out entirely. As you can imagine, spa days are much sought-after.
Not Keeping Track of the Time
Ships have their own “ship time” but they might travel to different time zones. If you’re on board such a ship, it’s your responsibility to change your clocks to the local time. Don’t get caught out and miss something important!
Forgetting to Wear Sunscreen
This goes for all sunny holidays, not just cruise ship ones. Whatever you do, don’t forget to wear sunscreen! If you didn’t pack any, you can buy some from an onboard shop. It’s very important to protect yourself from the harmful rays of the sun.
Packing Too Much
Overpacking is a common problem when going on a cruise. People overestimate just how much clothing they will need. To avoid this, pick out clothes that can be used for many different things (dining, dancing…) and go easy on things like shoes.
Making Yourself Overtired
There’s a lot to do on board a cruise ship, but you shouldn’t try and do it all at once. Pace yourself and take naps when needed. Treat yourself like a kid at Disneyland! There’s plenty of time to get everything in.
Not Knowing When to Leave
Bear in mind that you won’t be able to have much of a lie-in on the very last day of the cruise. You’ll have to leave the ship early, probably around 9 in the morning, to make way for new passengers.
Packing Too Little in the Carry-On
When going on a cruise, make sure you have everything you need in the carry-on. This includes sunscreen, phone chargers, and even your swimsuit if you want to hit the pool on the first day. You don’t know for certain when your luggage will arrive.
Packing Too Much in the Carry-Ons
But, some people over-plan and put way more than what they need in the carry-ons, ensuring they’re carrying multiple inconvenient items around for the first few hours of the cruise. Save all your bulkiest items for the big suitcases.
Thinking Chairs Won’t Be Snapped up
Many people don’t plan ahead when they want to spend a day relaxing by the pool. You absolutely have to get up early on the day, otherwise you’ll have no chance of getting a seat. Everyone else wants to do exactly the same thing you’re doing.
Having the Kids Under Your Feet
It may not be talked about often, but for many people, a cruise ship holiday is also a major break from 24/7 parenting. Many cruise ships have events and clubs specifically for children, with adult supervision, and it’s recommended you sign your kids up for them.
Not Checking to See What’s All-Inclusive
An all-inclusive cruise sounds great, but it’s not usually entirely all-inclusive. Some things like trips, activities and alcohol actually cost extra. It’s your job to keep track of what’s included and what’s not, so you don’t get a nasty surprise.
Becoming Dehydrated
If you’re spending all day relaxing on the deck of a cruise ship, make sure you take frequent breaks to drink water. This will stop you from getting dehydrated, and dehydration can make you seriously ill. If you’re drinking alcohol, taking regular water breaks is even more important.
Buying Glasses Instead of Bottles
If you don’t have a beverage package on your cruise, buying glasses of wine every night is expensive. Instead, you should buy a whole bottle of wine. Then, you can have it recorked and go back to it later.
Not Trying Out Different Restaurants
The average cruise ship has multiple restaurants, but many people will pick only one or two and stick to them. Don’t be like those people! Push your own boundaries and try out different foods while you’re on holiday. Yes, even stuff you think you won’t like.
Not Bringing Cash
It’s often said that we live in a cashless society, but we don’t, not really. You’ll need cash if you’re planning to visit the onboard casino, and you’ll also need it if you want to tip any staff for the hard work they’re doing.
Not Considering Where Your Room Is Situated
For many people, the best rooms are the ones at the very back of the ship. In these, you get a fantastic view of the ocean and you may even be able to spot dolphins in the water. If you’re not much of a party animal, this is a must.
Always Opting for the Cruise Shore Excursion
The cruise ship will offer you all sort of excursions when the ship docks. But you don’t necessarily have to do what the rest of the cruise passengers are doing. You can go to shore yourself and have your own adventure.
Not Mentioning a Special Day
If you’re celebrating a birthday or anniversary on board the ship, be such to mention it to a member of staff. While there’s no absolute guarantee you’ll get some freebies out of it, most cruise ships will offer at least something small as a gift for you.
Not Taking Seasickness Meds Right Away
If you know you suffer from seasickness, you should bring medication with you and take it on the very first day of the cruise. If it’s your first cruise and you didn’t know you’re prone to seasickness, best to go to the on-board doctor.
Taking the Elevator Too Much
Just because a cruise ship has a lot of elevators it doesn’t mean you have to use them all. You’ll end up waiting longer for elevators than it would have taken you to use the stairs! Plus, walking up and down stairs is good exercise.
Eating Buffet Food With a Utensil in It
The cruise buffet is a great place to go to fill up, but beware of germs. If you see a tray with a utensil in it – a utensil that’s been touched by hundreds of people and is now touching the food – avoid it and alert a member of staff.
Not Putting Your Phone on Airplane Mode
It can be incredibly expensive to check your phone while on a cruise. If you don’t have a Wi-Fi package, it connects you to the Maritime Network and you’ll almost certainly run up a big bill. Put your phone on airplane mode to stop that happening.
Buying Too Much Merchandise
Many cruise ships have a gift shop on board where you can buy things emblazoned with the cruise company’s name. Unless you have a real affinity for the company, you should avoid spending money on those things, you’ll never use them.
Not Planning Your Excursions Properly
When disembarking your cruise ship for a day out in a new country, it can be easy to be overwhelmed with things to do. But make absolutely sure you don’t get caught up in the excitement and miss the boat.
Spending Too Much Time Posting on Social Media
Many people go overboard making social media content when they’re on holiday. But unless you’re a professional social media influencer and a lot of money is at stake, you should put the phone away and focus on having a good time.
Not Buying Travel Insurance
Many people skip over buying travel insurance because it’s expensive and they think they won’t need it. Those people are unfortunately dead wrong. Travel insurance is very important – what if you get injured or sick? You could end up thousands of pounds out of pocket.
Not Packing First Aid Supplies
This is vitally important when traveling with children. Always make sure you have a first aid kit with you when you travel, all the basics like antiseptic spray and sticking plasters. It’ll give you extra peace of mind.
Gambling on What Kind of Cabin You’ll Get
Some cruise ships offer a “surprise” option when booking a room on board the ship. Plenty of people go for this because it’s less expensive, but it’s really not recommended. You have no idea what room you’ll get and if it’ll suit your needs.
Not Checking the Prohibited Items List
There are certain things you’re not allowed to take on board a cruise ship. Some of these are obvious, such as guns and explosives. But others are less obvious – did you know travel steamers are not allowed, for example?
Forgetting to Have a Valid Passport
You’d be surprised how many people forget their passport when going on a cruise holiday. Don’t be one of those people. When booking a cruise, or indeed any overseas break, the first thing you should be checking is where your passport is and if it’s in date.
Not Checking the Cabin for Problems
Before you settle into your cruise holiday, you should go over your cabin with a fine tooth comb and check that everything’s clean, present and working. If there are any issues, don’t stay quiet about them, bring them up with a member of staff.
Not Washing Hands Frequently
Illnesses spread very quickly on a cruise line, but you can help prevent that. After interacting with anyone, or being in an area where lots of people congregate, wash your hands as soon as you can. You can carry a bottle of hand sanitizer if you like.
Not Booking the Right Cruise
Not all cruises are the same, and what’s right for one person may not be right for you. Consider what you want to get from your cruise. If you have kids you might want a Disney cruise, and if you’re a senior you might consider Holland. Do some research!
