Think you know what cruising is really like? Some of the biggest “facts” about cruise holidays simply aren’t true.
From endless buffets to being trapped at sea with nothing to do, cruise myths have a habit of sticking around. And while some are easy to spot, others sound convincing enough to fool even experienced cruisers.
A few might even be putting people off cruising for no good reason.
So, which cruise myths are complete nonsense – and which ones have a surprising amount of truth behind them?
MYTH: Cruise ships are the cause of over-tourism
REALITY: Cruise passengers represent just 2% of tourists in the world. Even in a sensitive location like Venice, cruise passengers make up only 5% of visitors.
The cruise industry recognises the importance of tacking destination overcrowding and works closely with communities in key locations to address their concerns.
Photo credit: Edmund Hochmuth
MYTH: Cruise ships are breeding grounds for gastro-intestinal diseases
REALITY: Illnesses like norovirus are much more common on land than on-board cruise ships.
Despite its reputation as the “cruise ship virus”, norovirus is far more commonly associated with outbreaks on land. According to the CDC, cruise ships account for only around 1% of all reported norovirus outbreaks.
Cruise ships also have strict procedures in place to reduce the risk of illness spreading. Some cruise lines may screen passengers for signs of illness before boarding and ask those who have recently experienced symptoms to report them.
Once on board, passengers are encouraged to wash their hands regularly, while crew follow detailed cleaning and sanitation procedures. If cases of gastrointestinal illness are detected, cruise lines can introduce additional measures to help prevent an outbreak from spreading.
MYTH: Cruise ships operate outside the law once they’re in international waters
REALITY: Cruise ships are highly regulated, even when at sea. They are covered by local, national and international laws wherever they sail.
Cruise ships up to 12 nautical miles from the coast are with a country’s territorial waters and almost all of the laws of that country will apply.
Ships between 12 and 24 nautical miles from the coast are within a country’s contiguous zone and that country has certain rights.
Ships more than 24 nautical miles from the coast are considered to be in international waters and are covered by the laws of their flag state (where the ship was registered, which is often the Bahamas).
Cruise lines voluntarily report any serious crime allegation on oceangoing voyages worldwide, regardless of the ship’s location and flag.
REALITY: Serious crimes can happen on cruise ships, but reported incidents are relatively uncommon considering the millions of people who cruise each year.
Cruise ships have extensive security measures in place, including CCTV, security teams and controlled access to the ship.
In the US, the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act requires certain alleged crimes and missing-person incidents on applicable cruise ships to be reported to the FBI. The US Department of Transportation publishes this data in its Cruise Line Incident Reports, with figures broken down by cruise line and type of incident.
Take a look at the security centre on board a cruise ship…
MYTH: Cruise ships release untreated sewage into the ocean
REALITY: Cruise ships have strict rules governing how sewage and wastewater can be discharged at sea.
Modern cruise ships have onboard wastewater treatment systems designed to treat sewage before it is discharged. However, international MARPOL regulations do allow untreated sewage to be discharged in certain circumstances, including when a ship is more than 12 nautical miles from the nearest land and specific conditions are met.
So, while cruise ships can legally discharge sewage at sea, they can’t simply dump untreated waste wherever they like.
MYTH: Cruise ships are really bad for the environment
REALITY: Cruise ships do have an environmental impact, but the industry is investing heavily in ways to reduce it.
Modern cruise ships are increasingly using technologies designed to cut emissions, improve energy efficiency and reduce waste. These include more efficient engines and hull designs, shore power systems that allow ships to switch off their engines while in port, and advanced systems for treating wastewater and managing waste on board.
Waste is another area where cruise lines are making changes. Ships have extensive systems for sorting, recycling and processing waste produced on board, while strict international regulations govern what can be discharged at sea.
There’s still a long way to go, and cruising certainly isn’t impact-free. But newer ships and technologies are changing how cruise lines tackle their environmental footprint.
This video shows some of the environmental technologies and practices being introduced on cruise ships:
MYTH: People going overboard on cruise ships is becoming more common
REALITY: People do go overboard from cruise ships, but these incidents are extremely rare compared with the millions of people who cruise each year.
In comparison, Cruise Radio documented 19 overboard incidents in 2024 across the cruise industry. This figure includes both passengers and crew members and isn’t an official global statistic, but it helps put the rarity of these incidents into perspective.
Cruise ship railings are specifically designed to help prevent accidental falls, and simply falling overboard during normal use of the ship is extremely unlikely.
MYTH: Cruise ships don’t always have enough lifeboats for everyone
REALITY: By law, every cruise ship must be equipped with enough survival craft to accommodate at least 125% of the number of people on-board
All cruise lifeboats are tested to meet rigorous international guidelines. Cruise ships must also carry enough lifejackets for everyone on-board, although in reality, they usually have many more than are legally required.
The idea that ships aren’t safe is just one of those myths about cruising that’s hung around as a scare story.
Ever since the Titanic disaster, safety standards were completely overhauled.
Final Word
Cruising is quite different from most other types of holiday, so perhaps it’s no surprise that a few myths have stuck around.
Of course, cruise ships aren’t perfect. Illness, crime and accidents can happen, and the environmental impact of cruising shouldn’t be ignored. But some of the claims you hear about cruise holidays are exaggerated, outdated or simply missing important context.
If one of these myths has been putting you off booking a cruise, hopefully you now have a clearer picture of what life at sea is actually like.
You might assume vaping rules are more relaxed than smoking on a cruise ship. But that’s not always the case.
Some cruise lines treat vapes exactly the same as cigarettes, while others have their own rules that can catch passengers out. Get it wrong, and you could end up with your vape confiscated or even face penalties onboard.
Before you pack your vape, there are a few important things every cruiser should know. Are the rules really as strict as you think?
You Can Bring a Vape With You
You can bring a nicotine vape onto most cruise ships, but it’s generally treated the same as a cigarette. That means you can only use it in designated smoking areas. Vaping in your cabin or on your balcony is prohibited on almost every major cruise line.
However, you can’t bring THC or marijuana products onboard, including weed vapes, edibles or oils. Many cruise lines also ban CBD products, even if they’re legal where you live.
Even though marijuana has been legalized in many countries and US states, the major cruise lines still have strict zero-tolerance policies. This also applies to medical marijuana, so if you rely on it, you’ll need to speak to your doctor before you travel about suitable alternatives for your time at sea.
Bringing prohibited drugs onto a cruise ship can have serious consequences. Depending on the circumstances, they may be confiscated, you could be denied boarding or removed from the ship, and in some destinations you could even face legal action.
Cruise lines take these rules very seriously. All luggage is screened before boarding, and if security finds banned substances, you shouldn’t expect any leniency.
You can’t vape in your stateroom or on your private balcony. Cruise lines generally treat vaping the same as smoking, so it’s only permitted in designated smoking areas.
Exactly where you can vape varies by cruise line and ship. Some only allow smoking and vaping in a few outdoor areas, while others also have indoor smoking lounges or designated casino sections.
On many ships, smoking and vaping are allowed in parts of the casino while you’re playing slot machines, although table games are often smoke-free because you’re sitting much closer to other guests.
Smoking areas are usually easy to spot thanks to the ashtrays, but if you’re unsure, Guest Services can point you in the right direction.
Some vapers argue that vapour is less intrusive than cigarette smoke, especially as many use e-cigarettes to help them quit smoking. However, cruise lines generally apply the same rules to both in order to minimise the impact on other passengers.
Costa Cruises used to be one of the few exceptions, allowing smoking and vaping on private balconies. However, that policy has now changed, and vaping is now only permitted in the ship’s designated smoking areas. You may still find older information on parts of Costa’s website saying otherwise, but its current contractual terms make the updated rule clear.
Cruise Line’s Individual Policies on Vaping
Here’s a quick look at the vaping policies of some of the world’s biggest cruise lines. They’re broadly similar but it’s worth reading the policy for your chosen cruise line:
Carnival Cruise Line Vape Policy
Carnival Cruise Line treats vaping and e-cigarettes in the same way as traditional cigarettes. They can only be used in designated smoking areas, and vaping is strictly prohibited in cabins and on private balconies.
Guests caught vaping in their cabin or on their balcony face a $500 charge per violation. Serious or repeated breaches may also result in everyone staying in the cabin being removed from the ship without a refund.
Weed vapes, marijuana and CBD products are completely prohibited, even if they have been prescribed for medical use. Carnival follows US federal law, so these items are banned onboard, in cruise terminals, during transfers, on shore excursions and at private islands.
Royal Caribbean Vape Policy
Royal Caribbean only allows electronic cigarettes and vape pens to be used in designated smoking areas onboard. They aren’t permitted in staterooms, on private balconies or in any other indoor public area. Guests who smoke or vape in their cabin or on their balcony will be charged a $250 cleaning fee and may face further action under the cruise line’s Guest Conduct Policy.
Princess Cruises only allows e-cigarettes and vapes to be used in designated smoking areas. These generally include a section of the open deck, and on some ships may also include a cigar lounge or part of the nightclub.
Smoking and vaping are prohibited in all staterooms and on private balconies. Guests who break this rule will be charged a $250 fine for each occurrence, which is added to their onboard account.
The casino is also non-smoking, except for designated slot machines where guests may smoke or vape while actively playing. You can find full details in Princess Cruises’ smoking policy.
NCL Vape Policy
Norwegian Cruise Line treats vaping and e-cigarettes the same as traditional cigarettes. They can only be used in designated smoking areas, which include selected indoor and outdoor locations depending on the ship.
Smoking or vaping in your stateroom or on your balcony is prohibited. Guests who break this rule will be charged a $250 cleaning fee, and may also have to pay for any damage caused to furniture, carpets, towels or other furnishings.
You can find the designated smoking areas for every ship in NCL’s smoking policy.
Disney Vape Policy
Disney Cruise Line only allows e-cigarettes and vapes to be used in designated smoking areas. These are more limited than on many other cruise lines, and on some ships certain smoking areas are only available between 6 pm and 6 am.
Guests who smoke or vape in their stateroom or on their verandah will be charged a $250 stateroom recovery fee to cover the cost of deep cleaning.
If you’re sailing on Disney Adventure, be aware that vapes and e-cigarettes are completely prohibited because the ship sails from Singapore, where they are illegal.
On almost every cruise line, vaping is treated the same as smoking a traditional cigarette. That means you won’t be able to vape in your cabin or on your balcony, and you’ll need to stick to the ship’s designated smoking areas instead.
If you’re used to taking a quick puff whenever you fancy it, that might take a little getting used to. But it’s not worth breaking the rules. Depending on the cruise line, you could be hit with a hefty fine, charged for extra cleaning or even removed from the ship.
The good news is that as long as you know the rules before you sail, bringing your vape onboard shouldn’t be a problem. Just make sure you only use it where it’s allowed, and you’ll avoid any unpleasant surprises.
Don’t assume that cruise cabins are just hotel rooms at sea!
They might look that way at first glance – but there are loads of little quirks that can catch you out if you’re not prepared.
From hidden storage to slightly odd bathroom setups, here are some cruise cabin secrets that’ll make your trip smoother (and a lot more comfortable).
1. There Usually Aren’t Enough Plug Sockets
If you’re travelling with phones, tablets, cameras and maybe a hair tool or two, you’ll quickly notice the lack of plug sockets. Modern ships are a little better, but there are still limitations – and on older ships, expect just a small number of outlets.
Most cabins have a mix of US and European outlets – UK plugs are rare, but it depends on the ship. A simple EU adapter and a USB hub (non-surge protected) will make life much easier, although you need to check what’s permitted on your cruise line, as the rules can vary.
One rule that you should always follow – avoid bringing anything with surge protection, as those are typically banned for safety reasons. Cruise ship wiring doesn’t like surge protected adapters.
Some people find cabins freezing, others say they’re too warm – it really depends on the ship and even the exact room.
Air con is centrally controlled, so while you can usually adjust it slightly, you won’t get full control. If you like it cool, you might struggle. If you feel the cold, it can get a bit chilly at night.
Make sure you get used to the air con controls and find a setting that works for you early. And if you’re finding that the room is too cold, ask your cabin steward if they can help – they can often rustle up some blankets.
Rooms being too warm is a trickier issue – fan availability on ships is limited. A lot of cruisers bring their own small ones.
3. Cabin Location Matters More Than You Think
Not all cabins are created equal – and location can make a big difference to your experience.
Cabins near lifts are convenient but can be noisy. Staying under the buffet or directly under the pool deck? Expect early morning scraping chairs. Forward cabins can feel more movement, while aft cabins sometimes have vibration.
Midship cabins on lower decks are usually the most stable if you’re worried about seasickness.
It’s worth checking deck plans before you book – it can save you a lot of hassle later.
4. Cruise Toilets Are Vacuum Powered
Cruise ship toilets aren’t like the ones on land – they use a vacuum system, a bit like on aeroplanes.
They’re powerful, a bit noisy, and very sensitive. You should only flush toilet paper, and even then only the thin paper provided by the cruise line – anything else can cause blockages, which isn’t something you want to deal with mid-cruise.
Especially as a blockage won’t just affect your cabin, but usually at least a few on your deck, or worse.
That first flush can be a bit of a shock, but you’ll get used to it quickly! Just make sure you’re careful with what you put in there.
5. Storage Is Clever (But Not Always Obvious)
Cruise cabins are designed to maximise space, and there’s often more storage than you first realise.
Look for hidden shelves, drawers under sofas, and cupboards tucked behind mirrors. Under-bed storage is especially useful – perfect for suitcases or bulky items.
A good tip is to keep less-used items packed away and rotate things as needed, rather than trying to unpack everything at once.
6. Your Cabin Key Card Controls the Power
This one will either catch you off guard, or you’ll find it completely normal – depending on how often you travel and stay in chain hotels.
Most cruise cabins have a slot by the door where you insert your key card to activate the electricity. No card = no lights, no sockets, no air con. It can be a bit confusing if you’re new to it!
It’s designed to save energy, but it can be a bit annoying if you want to charge devices while you’re out. Many cruisers use an old loyalty card or spare card to keep the power running. Not exactly encouraged… but very common.
7. Your Cabin Walls Are Magnetic (But the Bathroom Isn’t)
Here’s a handy little trick – most cabin walls are made of metal, so magnets will stick to them.
Magnetic hooks are brilliant for hanging jackets, bags or even organising paperwork like daily schedules and excursion tickets.
Just don’t expect them to work in the bathroom. Shower walls are usually tile or fibreglass, so you’ll need suction hooks there instead. Though there’s usually enough bathroom space to store your essential toiletries anyway.
8. Cruise Ship Bathrooms Don’t Always Have Ventilation
Not every cabin bathroom comes with an extractor fan – which can be… interesting if you’re sharing a small space. Even those that do have a fan might not have a very powerful one.
A simple fix is to bring a light room spray or hanging freshener. Nothing too strong, just enough to keep things fresh.
Candles and anything with an open flame are strictly banned, so stick to sprays or oils (and check cruise line rules before bringing diffusers).
Cruise cabin beds are surprisingly flexible. They’re usually set up as two singles that can be pushed together to make a double.
If it’s not how you expected when you arrive, just ask your cabin steward – they’ll sort it quickly. Don’t do it yourself, it’s best to let them do it as they can make sure it’s done properly.
Beyond that, though, don’t expect to move much else. Most furniture is fixed or weighted to stop it sliding around at sea.
10. Leaving the Balcony Door Open Can Cause Chaos
It’s tempting to let in some fresh sea air, but opening your balcony door while your cabin door is also open creates a wind tunnel.
Paperwork goes flying, doors slam, and it can be surprisingly forceful.
If you want fresh air, just keep one door closed – and maybe keep loose items tucked away just in case.
And never leave your cabin with the balcony door left open – you might have a hard time getting back into the cabin due to the wind!
11. Tap Water Is Safe to Drink
There’s often confusion about this, but yes – cruise ship tap water is perfectly safe.
It’s filtered and treated to high standards, and it’s the same water used in restaurants and bars across the ship.
The only downside to the tap water is that it might not be very cold. You’ll get ‘cold’ water, but really it’s tepid.
Bringing a reusable water bottle is a great idea – it saves money and cuts down on plastic. But you’ll usually get colder water from the dispensers around the ship.
Not all “standard” cabins are equal. Some have surprisingly good features without costing extra.
Corner aft cabins often have larger balconies, while some forward-facing rooms offer huge windows and unique views.
Even just the design of the ship can result in a slightly larger balcony – something you might not need to pay extra for.
It’s worth doing a bit of research before booking – you might be able to snag a much better cabin for the same price. Deck plans are super valuable for this.
13. Inside Cabins Can Still Feel Connected to the Outside
Worried about feeling boxed in with no window if you book an Inside cabin?
Many ships have a live bridge cam channel on the TV, showing real-time views from the front of the ship. It’s a simple trick, but it helps you stay connected to the outside world.
Some people even leave it on overnight for a gentle “sunrise” wake-up.
Being honest, don’t expect an incredible Ultra-HD view – but it’s a handy way to see how light (or not) it is outside.
This one is for my UK readers. If you’re used to a cuppa whenever you fancy it, this one can catch you out.
Most cruise cabins don’t come with kettles, especially on international cruise lines. You’ll usually need to head to the buffet or order room service for tea and coffee.
Some UK-focused lines like Marella Cruises, P&O Cruises and Cunard do include kettles – but it’s always worth checking before you sail.
Final Word
Cruise cabins are clever little spaces – but they definitely don’t behave like your average hotel room. Once you understand the quirks, from power slots and plug sockets to vacuum toilets and hidden storage, everything just becomes easier.
A bit of planning goes a long way, and knowing what to expect means fewer surprises (and fewer annoyances) once you’re onboard.
Get these basics right, and your cabin becomes exactly what it should be – a comfortable, stress-free base for your cruise holiday.
Older cruise ships are not automatically worse than new ones. Upkeep matters far more than age: a 20-year-old ship that has had a major refit can feel fresher than a 10-year-old ship that has only had paint touch-ups. A new ship buys you the latest attractions, cabin tech and energy-efficient design. An older ship usually means fewer passengers, more ports it can reach and lower fares.
So the real question in the old vs new cruise ships debate is which kind of ship suits your trip. This guide covers how cruise ship age affects safety, comfort and price, which older ships have had big makeovers, and how to check any ship’s history before you book.
What Counts as an “Old” Cruise Ship?
A cruise ship typically stays in service for about 30 to 40 years, often with more than one owner. That gives a rough guide to the industry’s own sense of age:
New (0 to 5 years): the current generation, with the latest layouts, tech and attractions.
Mid-life (6 to 15 years): still modern, and often in line for its first big refurbishment.
Older (15 to 25 years): the most varied group. Some have been rebuilt inside, while others are clearly dated.
Veteran (25+ years): usually sold on to smaller or budget lines, or running niche, port-intensive and long itineraries.
Age also has to be measured against how quickly ships grew. Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas was the world’s biggest cruise ship when it launched in 1999, at about 137,000 gross tons. The line’s Icon-class ships are now well over 240,000 gross tons. A ship from the early 2000s can be big by any normal standard and still look mid-sized beside the newest builds.
Does Cruise Ship Age Affect Safety?
This is the question cruisers ask most, and the short answer is no, not in the way people fear. Every ocean cruise ship carrying international passengers must meet the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS). Classification societies and flag states survey ships regularly, and port-state inspectors, including the US Coast Guard at American ports, check them as well.
The rules do change over time, and older ships have to keep up. When tougher SOLAS fire-safety requirements took effect on 1 October 2010, owners of passenger ships built before May 1980 had to prove compliance to keep sailing internationally. Many wood-heavy classic ships retired rather than be rebuilt. Some newer rules only apply to newer ships. “Safe Return to Port” design, for example, is required for larger passenger ships whose keels were laid on or after 1 July 2010. It means essential systems keep working after a fire or flooding in one compartment, so the ship can get itself to port. Ships built before that date are still legal and safe to sail. They were simply designed under the earlier standard.
For hygiene, ships with 13 or more passengers that call at US ports on foreign itineraries are covered by the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program. That means two unannounced inspections a year, scored out of 100, and a score of 85 or lower is a fail. Scores are public, and older ships regularly score in the high 90s. That’s a good sign that maintenance and crew standards matter more than build year.
Refurbishment Matters More Than Age
Big lines spend hundreds of millions of dollars bringing older ships up to the standard of their newer sisters. These are not just new carpets. Major refits can add water slides, new restaurants, extra cabins and redesigned public spaces. The table below shows some well-known examples.
Older ships that have had major makeovers
Ship
Entered service
Major refit
What changed (headline)
Voyager of the Seas (Royal Caribbean)
1999
2019 (Royal Amplified)
New slides, outdoor additions, refreshed dining and bars
Navigator of the Seas (Royal Caribbean)
2002
2019 (Royal Amplified)
Waterslides, new pool areas, new venues
Freedom of the Seas (Royal Caribbean)
2006
2020 (Royal Amplified)
Pool deck and kids’ area upgrades, new restaurants
Oasis of the Seas (Royal Caribbean)
2009
2019 (Royal Amplified)
Ultimate Abyss slide, new dining and bars
Carnival Sunrise (ex-Carnival Triumph)
1999
2019
Roughly $200m transformation, renamed with new features
Carnival Radiance (ex-Carnival Victory)
2000
2021
Similar large-scale overhaul and rename
Celebrity Millennium
2000
2019 (Celebrity Revolution)
Redesigned suites, cabins, restaurants and shops
Celebrity Summit
2001
2019 (Celebrity Revolution)
Edge-style interiors throughout
Royal Caribbean has kept going with amplifications, adding Allure of the Seas in 2025, and more refits are scheduled. Lines do move dates around, though, so check the current plans for any ship you’re considering.
Even on a well-refurbished ship, some things can’t be changed. Hull shape, ceiling heights, cabin footprints and the number of balcony cabins are mostly fixed. Older cabins can also have fewer power outlets and smaller bathrooms. A refit changes how a ship looks and what it offers, but not its basic structure.
Pool decks are one of the areas older ships often rebuild during a major refit. Photo: Lelani Badenhorst on Pexels
Old vs New Cruise Ships: 8 Differences That Affect Your Trip
Crowds and space. The newest mega-ships carry far more people. Royal Caribbean’s Icon-class Legend of the Seas, which debuted in July 2026, can carry around 7,600 guests at full occupancy. Many older ships carry 1,500 to 3,000. Bigger ships offset this with more venues, but you’ll still notice queues at peak times.
Atmosphere. Older designs often face outward, with wraparound promenades, more open deck at the rail and lounges looking out to sea. Newer ships tend to look inward towards “neighbourhoods”, parks and activity zones.
Attractions. Water parks, surf simulators, roller coasters and huge theatres are mostly found on new ships or heavily amplified ones. If those are the reason you’re booking, an unrefitted older ship will disappoint.
Dining. New ships launch with the line’s latest restaurant concepts. Older ships often get some of them at refit, but usually fewer.
Cabins and tech. Newer ships have more balconies, USB and multiple sockets, smart TVs, app-based keys and better soundproofing. Older ships can have a higher share of inside and ocean-view cabins.
Itineraries. This is the big win for older and smaller ships. They fit into ports and harbours that mega-ships can’t use, and lines often put them on longer, more varied or more port-heavy routes. The newest ships usually run short, high-demand Caribbean or Mediterranean loops.
Passenger mix. New flagships with big family attractions draw more children and first-timers. Older ships on longer itineraries often attract more experienced, older and quieter cruisers.
Value. Fares on older ships are often lower than on a new ship from the same line, sometimes by a wide margin on similar dates. The gap varies a lot by season and demand, so compare the same week and cabin type before deciding.
How to Check a Cruise Ship’s Age and Last Refit
Most comparison guides skip this, but it only takes ten minutes and tells you more than a launch year does:
Find the build and refurbishment dates. Cruise line “ship facts” pages usually list the year the ship entered service and often its last major refurbishment. Ship-tracking and encyclopedia sites also list former names, which reveal ships transferred from another brand.
Look for the name of a refit programme. Branded overhauls such as Royal Amplified or Celebrity Revolution mean big investment. A plain “dry dock” can mean anything from hull painting to a full interior refresh.
Check the CDC inspection history. The CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program inspection tool shows recent scores and reports. A run of consistently high scores is a good sign of how the ship is maintained.
Read recent reviews, not old ones. Filter reviews to the last 6 to 12 months, or to sailings after the latest refit. Pre-refit complaints may no longer apply.
Watch for upcoming dry docks. If a ship is due a big refit soon after your sailing, the months before it may show the most wear. Booking just after a refit gets you a freshly updated ship, often at older-ship prices.
Check the deck plan. Compare the number of balcony cabins and where your cabin sits relative to venues that were added during a refit, such as new bars or a new pool area, which can bring extra noise.
Cabin layout is one thing a refit rarely changes, so check the deck plan. Photo: Ahmet ÇÖTÜR on Pexels
Who Should Book Older Cruise Ships?
Older cruise ships tend to suit:
Itinerary-first travellers who care more about ports than onboard thrills, including longer sailings, repositioning cruises and smaller harbours.
Budget-minded cruisers who’d rather spend the savings on a balcony, an extra excursion or a longer trip.
People who dislike crowds and want a ship that’s easy to find your way around after a day or two.
Fans of a classic style of cruising, with promenade walks, sea views from lounges and a quieter evening scene.
Choose a well-refitted older ship if you want some of the new features without the new-ship price. Royal Caribbean’s amplified ships are a good example. For more on how the Oasis-class sisters differ by age and refit, see our guide to every Oasis-class ship compared.
When the Newest Cruise Ships Are Worth Paying Extra For
The newest cruise ships earn their premium when:
You’re travelling with children or teens who will use the water parks, clubs and activity zones every day.
The ship itself is the destination, for example on a short Caribbean sailing where you may barely leave the ship.
You value modern cabins, from balcony availability to sockets, lighting, storage and quieter rooms.
You want the line’s newest restaurants, shows and venues, which may never be added to older ships.
There’s also a middle option. Ships that are 5 to 10 years old, or recently refitted, often give you most of the modern experience at a noticeably lower fare. That’s especially true once a line’s newest ship arrives and demand moves to it.
The Bottom Line
Cruise ship age is a useful clue, but the date alone doesn’t tell you much. Look at the last major refit, recent inspection scores, the itinerary and the onboard features you’ll actually use. A carefully maintained older ship on a great route can be the better holiday, and the better deal, than the newest ship on a crowded short loop.
For a real-world example of how age shapes a fleet, see our guide to Princess cruise ships ranked by class and age, which compares the 1998 Grand Princess with the 2025 Star Princess.
FAQs
Are older cruise ships safe?
Yes. All ocean cruise ships on international voyages must meet SOLAS safety rules and pass regular flag-state, classification and port-state inspections, whatever their age. Ships that can’t meet updated rules are retired or sold.
How long do cruise ships last?
Typically about 30 to 40 years. Many ships move from a major line to a smaller or budget operator partway through, and they’re usually refurbished several times along the way.
Are older cruise ships cheaper?
Often, yes. Fares on older ships are usually lower than on the same line’s newest ships for similar dates and cabins, although the difference varies with season and demand.
How can I find out when a cruise ship was last refurbished?
Check the cruise line’s ship facts page, look for named refit programmes such as Royal Amplified or Celebrity Revolution, and read recent reviews posted after the latest dry dock.
Do older cruise ships have balconies?
Most do, but usually fewer than new ships. Some older ships had extra balcony cabins added during refits, so check the current deck plan rather than assuming.
The first thing to do in your cruise cabin is a quick inspection: check the beds, bathroom, air conditioning, safe and balcony door, and report anything wrong to your stateroom attendant or Guest Services straight away, while the ship still has room to fix it or move you. After that, find your safety information, sort out power and charging, and set up storage so the cabin works for the rest of the voyage.
This guide covers only the first 30 to 60 minutes inside your stateroom. It brings together practical cruise cabin tips and a handful of cruise cabin hacks that make a small space easier to live in. For everything else that happens on boarding day, from lunch to reservations and sailaway, see our guide to embarkation day mistakes to avoid and things to do on the first day of a cruise.
Before You Walk In: Timing and Your Carry-On
On most big-ship lines, cabins are not available the moment you board. Crew are still cleaning after the previous sailing, and an announcement usually tells guests that staterooms are ready, often somewhere around early afternoon (Carnival guests commonly hear it between about 1:30 and 2 p.m.). Suite guests and some loyalty tiers may get earlier access, and smaller luxury ships often show you to your suite on arrival. Check your line’s own embarkation information, because timings vary by ship and port.
Checked bags arrive separately and can take until late afternoon or early evening to reach your door. That is why your carry-on matters: medication, passports, chargers, a swimsuit and anything valuable should be with you, not in the suitcase handed to the porter. If you want ideas for what goes in that day bag, our cruise packing tips from experienced cruisers go into detail.
What to Do When You Get to Your Cruise Cabin: Inspect and Report (1 to 5)
1. Take a quick photo or video walkthrough
Before you unpack anything, spend one minute filming the cabin: carpet, sofa, walls, balcony furniture and bathroom. If there is an existing stain, chip or broken fitting, you have a time-stamped record and nobody can mistake it for something that happened on your watch.
2. Check the beds and linens
Make sure the bed is set up the way you booked it. Most cabins have two twin beds that can be pushed together as a queen or king, or separated. If the configuration is wrong, ask your stateroom attendant now; changing it later in the day is easy, changing it at 11 p.m. is not. Also note whether any upper bunk or sofa bed is already made up if you do not need it, because folding it away gives you back floor space.
3. Test the bathroom properly
Run the hot and cold taps, try the shower pressure, flush the toilet and watch that the shower and sink drain freely. Look for an extractor fan, since not every cabin bathroom has one. A weak shower or slow drain is one of the most common early complaints, and maintenance can usually fix it quickly if they hear about it on day one.
4. Check the air conditioning and listen for noise
Turn the thermostat to a setting you would actually sleep at and give it 10 to 15 minutes. Then stand still and listen. Vibration near the stern, thumping from a venue overhead, or a constant hum from machinery or a galley can make a cabin hard to sleep in. If something sounds wrong, report it early. Moving cabins is only possible when there is an empty one, and the best chance of that is before the ship sails.
5. Inspect the balcony and door
If you have a balcony, check that the door slides smoothly, locks, and seals when closed. Look at the furniture and railing. Keep the balcony door shut when the cabin door is open: opening both at once creates a wind tunnel that can slam doors and scatter papers. On many ships the air conditioning also pauses while the balcony door is open, so the cabin can warm up fast.
Setting up storage early makes a small cabin feel far bigger. Photo: Adrien Olichon on Pexels
Safety, Power and Connectivity (6 to 9)
6. Find your life jackets and muster station
Your muster (assembly) station is usually printed on the back of the cabin door or on your key card, and life jackets are typically stored in the wardrobe or kept at the muster station itself on some ships. Many lines now run an electronic safety drill: you watch a safety video on the cruise line’s app or the cabin TV, then check in at your assembly station before sailing. Royal Caribbean introduced this approach as Muster 2.0, and several other lines use similar systems. Whatever your line uses, it is mandatory, so do it from the cabin as soon as you arrive and it is out of the way.
7. Set up the safe
Read the instructions on the safe door, set your own code, then test it with the door open before locking anything inside. Put passports, spare cash, jewellery and any backup cards in it. If the safe will not lock or reset, call Guest Services rather than leaving valuables loose.
8. Count the outlets and plan your charging
Cabins vary a lot. Many ships offer a mix of US-style 110-volt outlets and European-style 220-volt two-pin sockets, often with USB ports by the bed on newer ships, while older cabins may have just one or two outlets at the desk. Check what you have and charge your phone straight away.
Power strip rules differ by line and change over time. Royal Caribbean, for example, lists power strips and multi-plug outlets among prohibited items, while Carnival has allowed non-surge-protected power strips. Surge protectors are widely banned. Check your own line’s prohibited items list before you pack, and ask your attendant if you need an extension for medical equipment such as a CPAP machine.
9. Connect to the ship’s app and Wi-Fi, and protect your phone bill
Join the ship’s Wi-Fi network (the cruise app usually works on it without buying an internet package), and check your reservations, the daily schedule and your onboard account. Then put your phone into airplane mode with Wi-Fi switched back on. Once the ship is at sea, phones can connect to the ship’s maritime cellular network, which can be very expensive on many US plans.
Cruise Cabin Hacks for Setting Up Your Space (10 to 15)
10. Meet your stateroom attendant and make your requests
Your attendant will often introduce themselves on the first afternoon. This is the moment to ask for anything you need, such as extra hangers, more pillows, a different pillow type, a bath mat, ice delivery preferences, or for the minibar fridge to be emptied so you can use it for your own drinks or medication. Let them know your rough routine too, so cleaning happens when you are out.
11. Know when your luggage should arrive
Do not sit in the cabin waiting for suitcases. Bags can arrive any time from early afternoon to early evening, and on large ships it is normal for the last ones to turn up shortly before dinner. If a bag has not arrived by mid-evening, contact Guest Services, since bags with incorrect tags or prohibited items may be held for inspection.
12. Unpack fully and store the suitcases
Living out of a case in a cabin of 150 to 200 square feet gets old quickly. Unpack everything into the wardrobe and drawers, then slide the empty cases under the bed. Many beds are raised for exactly this reason. Smaller bags can nest inside the larger ones.
13. Use the steel walls for extra storage
Cruise cabin walls and doors are usually steel, so magnetic hooks work well for hats, lanyards, bags and wet swimsuits. Choose hooks rated for a decent load, and remember that magnets will not stick inside the shower, where suction hooks are the better option. An over-the-door hanging organizer is another popular cruise cabin hack for sunscreen, sunglasses and chargers.
14. Make the bathroom work for two
Divide the shelves so each person has their own space, keep toiletries in a hanging wash bag if shelf space is tight, and put a small battery night light in the bathroom so nobody has to switch on the main lights at 3 a.m. Candles and plug-in diffusers are generally not allowed, so bring a travel air freshener if the bathroom has no fan.
15. Check what is already in the cabin, and what it costs
Look through the minibar, any bottled water, snacks or welcome items. Some are complimentary, others are charged to your account, especially on mainstream lines. On many luxury lines the minibar is included and can be stocked to your preferences. If you are unsure, ask your attendant before you open anything, and glance at your onboard account in the app to make sure your gratuities, packages and any onboard credit appear as expected.
A quick check of the balcony door and furniture takes only a minute. Photo: George Zografidis on Pexels
Cruise Cabin Problems: Who to Tell and How Fast
Knowing who handles what saves you a lot of time on a busy first afternoon. Here is a simple guide.
Problem
Who to tell
How urgent
Wrong bed set-up, missing hangers, pillows or towels
Stateroom attendant
Same afternoon
Weak shower, blocked drain, faulty toilet or lights
Attendant or Guest Services (maintenance)
As soon as you notice
AC not cooling or constant loud noise
Guest Services
Before sailing, if you might want to move
Safe not working or key card failing
Guest Services
Before storing valuables
Luggage still missing by mid-evening
Guest Services
Before dinner if possible
Unexpected charges on your account
Guest Services or the cruise app
Within the first day
Be polite and specific. A short note of what is wrong and when you noticed it is easier for crew to act on than a general complaint, and early reports are much easier to fix than ones raised on day four.
What Can Wait Until Later
Once the cabin is checked and set up, close the door and enjoy the ship. Dining reservations, spa bookings, exploring the decks and sailaway are all covered in our first day of a cruise guide. If you like having a plan on paper, our ultimate cruise checklist with a free printable covers the whole trip, from booking to the last night.
What is the first thing you should do in your cruise cabin?
Do a quick inspection of the beds, bathroom, air conditioning, safe and balcony door, and report any problems straight away, ideally before the ship sails.
What time can you get into your cruise cabin?
On many large ships cabins open in the early afternoon, often around 1 to 2 p.m., after an onboard announcement; suite guests and smaller luxury ships may allow earlier access.
How long does it take for luggage to arrive at your cruise cabin?
Checked bags can arrive any time from early afternoon to early evening, so keep essentials in your carry-on and contact Guest Services if anything is still missing by mid-evening.
Can you ask to change cabins on a cruise?
Yes, if there is a genuine problem and an empty cabin is available, but the best chance is to ask on embarkation day before the ship sails.
Are power strips allowed in cruise cabins?
It depends on the line: surge protectors are widely banned, some lines prohibit all power strips and others allow non-surge models, so check your cruise line’s prohibited items list.
Modern cruise ships are so enormous that your brain almost struggles to process their size properly. You can stand beside one in port and still not fully realise just how huge it is.
The first time I boarded a big cruise ship, I genuinely got lost for days. Finding my cabin was hard enough. Working out which side was port and which was starboard. Even harder.
And today’s newest ships make those older ships look tiny.
Some are taller than skyscrapers, longer than several football pitches and carry more people than many small towns. But the really surprising part isn’t just their size… it’s how they actually manage to float in the first place.
The Size of an Average Cruise Ship
Cruise ships are measured in terms of gross tonnage (GT), which is a measurement of the internal volume of a ship. The average cruise ship has a gross tonnage of 120,000 GT.
But how long is a cruise ship? Well, an average-sized cruise ship is 1,000 feet long – the same length as three football fields or ten blue whales. The average cruise ship carries around 3,000 guests and has 15 decks.
However, cruise ships come in all different sizes, ranging from small yacht-style cruise ships carrying fewer than 100 guests, to huge mega-ships that can accommodate over 7,000 guests plus more than 2,000 crew members.
The World’s Biggest Cruise Ship
The biggest cruise ship in the world is Icon of the Seas, with a gross tonnage (internal volume) of 248,663 GT. The ship is 1,198 feet long and can carry 7,600 passengers and 2,350 crew members.
The longest cruise ship in the world is Icon of the Seas, but before Icon, it wasn’t Wonder – it was actually Harmony of the Seas. This ship is four inches longer than Wonder of the Seas, with a length of 1188.1 feet compared to 1187.8 feet.
It’s really hard to find the weight of a cruise ship, because so many people think that the gross tonnage is the weight. It’s not – it’s a measure of volume only, and doesn’t tell you how much the ship actually weighs in deadweight tons.
Also, the ships tend to be a bit big to fit on a set of scales! I’ve seen estimates that put the Oasis-class ships for Royal Caribbean at around 600,000 tons or 600,000,000 kilograms, but these aren’t backed by evidence, so I don’t know how accurate they are.
The Height of a Cruise Ship
The average cruise ship tends to be around 200 feet tall, though there are some that are closer to 250 feet tall. The height of a cruise ship depends on the number of decks that it has – average ships have around 15 passenger decks, but some can have as many as 20.
How to Compare the Sizes of Cruise Ships
Cruise ships are usually measured in terms of length, internal volume (gross tonnage) and passenger capacity.
Most medium- and large-sized cruise ships are of a similar length. The difference between mega-ships and their medium-sized cousins comes in terms of width, height and internal volume.
The largest cruise ships are wider and have more decks than smaller-sized ships. This adds more weight, as does the addition of more swimming pools, hot tubs and other weighty facilities.
Passenger capacity is a good way to compare cruise ships. However, it’s important to consider that there are two different measures of passenger capacity for a ship: double occupancy and maximum occupancy. For a ship to sail at maximum occupancy, every bed would need to be filled in every stateroom. In reality, this very rarely happens as sofa beds and extra bunk beds, which come down from the ceiling, aren’t always used.
How Many People Fit on a Cruise Ship
The most people that can fit on a cruise ship is around 9,950 people. The largest cruise ship in the world in terms of maximum passenger capacity is Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas.
This ship has a maximum passenger capacity of 7,600 as well as a crew capacity of 2,350. [Source]
The Growing Size of Cruise Ships
Cruise ships have been getting larger all the time, with a demand for mega cruise ships coming from cruisers championing the notion that ‘bigger is better’.
Of course, cruise ships will always be limited in terms of size by the ports that they visit. Some ports can only handle ships of a certain size because the dock is only so big, the water is only so deep and the port itself only has the staff and facilities to handle so many passengers at one time.
Contracts are signed on the build of new cruise ships years in advance of their completion, so we can spot whether the trend is for cruise ships to get larger or smaller.
It can be tricky to understand exactly how big a cruise ship is without seeing it with your own eyes. How big is 1,000 feet in real life? To help you visualise the size of cruise ships, I’ve made comparisons between average cruise ships and other large things.
For these cruise ship size comparisons, I’ve used 1,000 feet as the average length of a large cruise ship.
The Size of a Whale Compared to a Cruise Ship
Cruise ships are at least ten times larger than whales. The average cruise ship is 1,000 feet long, whereas the largest blue whales are no more than 100 feet long. Some whales are very small, such as the dwarf sperm whale, which is just nine feet long.
The Size of an Aircraft Carrier Compared to a Cruise Ship
Aircraft carriers and cruise ships are roughly the same size. The largest aircraft carrier at sea, the Gerald R Ford Class aircraft carrier, has a length of 1,106 feet, only slightly smaller than the world’s largest cruise ship, Icon of the Seas, which is 1,198 feet long.
The Size of a Container Ship Compared to a Cruise Ship
Most container ships are of a similar size to large cruise ships. However, the largest container ships in the world are longer than cruise ships. Container ships can be up to 400 meters in length – around 10% longer than the biggest cruise ships.
The gross tonnage (volume) of container ships versus cruise ships is roughly equivalent. However, the world’s biggest cruise ship, Icon of the Seas, has a gross tonnage of approximately 80,000 GT, greater than the largest container vessels. The largest cruise ships also have a greater beam (width).
Whereas the largest container ships operate with around 25 crew members, cruise ships like Icon of the Seas have up to 2,350 crew on board to look after the guests.
The photo below shows a 400-meter-long container ship, one of the biggest in the world. It was taken by my port pilot friend, John. You can read what it’s like to be a ship’s pilot here.
The biggest cruise ship in the world, Icon of the Seas, is three times longer than an American football field. Smaller expedition yachts or river cruise ships are more similar in size to a football field, with a length of around 300 feet.
Football (soccer) pitches, in comparison, vary in size from 100 yards to 130 yards.
The Size of Noah’s Ark Compared to a Cruise Ship
Noah’s Ark was much smaller than most modern cruise ships. It would have been similar in size to Silversea’s luxury expedition cruise Silver Cloud, which carries around 250 guests. The average cruise ship carries around 3,000 guests.
According to the Bible (Genesis 6:15), the dimensions of Noah’s Ark were: 300 cubits in length, 50 cubits in width and 30 cubits in height.
A cubit is an ancient measurement of length that is based on the distance from the elbow to the tip of the longest finger. This makes the exact length of a cubit uncertain, but it is most likely to be around 20 inches.
Based on the information in the Bible, we can estimate that Noah’s Ark would have been about 510 feet long and 50 feet tall. This means that Noah’s Ark was around half the length and one-quarter of the height of the world’s largest cruise ship, Icon of the Seas, which is 1,198 feet long.
The Size of Titanic Compared to a Modern Cruise Ship
The average modern cruise ship is two and a half times bigger than the Titanic, which was 882 feet long with a gross tonnage of 46,428 GT and space for 2,435 guests. The average cruise ship is 1,000 feet long with a gross tonnage of 120,000 GT and space for 3,000 guests.
By today’s standards, the Titanic would have been a medium-sized ship. Her dimensions and capacity are not dissimilar to some luxury cruise ships still sailing today.
The following table compares the size of Titanic to Regent Seven Seas’ ship Seven Seas Mariner:
As we’ve learned, cruise ships are pretty massive. But what about the parts that make up the cruise ship? Let’s find out how big they are…
The Size of a Cruise Ship Propeller
The largest propellers on cruise ships are about 20 feet tall. Known as azipods, each ship has three of these huge propellers to propel the ship and manoeuvre it in port.
Get a close-up look at Royal Caribbean ships’ propellers in this video:
A large cruise ship that’s between 900 and 1,100 feet in length can store 1-2 million gallons of fuel in its fuel tanks. Smaller cruise ships will carry significantly less, with yacht-style cruise ships carrying about 200,000 gallons. [Source]
The newest cruise ships use liquefied natural gas (LNG) rather than diesel. LNG is a relatively new fuel source for cruise ships and is used to power the latest ships, such as P&O Cruises’ Iona, Costa Smeralda and others.
LNG has a lower fuel density than diesel, so a vessel using LNG needs to have twice as much tank space available. LNG-powered cruise ships store fuel across three tanks. Two of the tanks are 115 feet long and 26 feet in diameter, the other is 91 feet long with a diameter of 16 feet.
Both diesel and LNG-powered cruise ships are able to sail for up to two weeks without refuelling.
The Size of the Engine on a Cruise Ship
The engine room on a cruise ship is three to five decks high. Most cruise ships have four engines, each of which is around 25 meters long and around 17 meters high. The largest cruise ships have six of these engines.
The different parts of the engine are divided into separate water-tight compartments, one for the main engines and another for the heating and air-conditioning system. This is for safety reasons. If a penetration to the hull or fire happens, multiple compartments help contain the damage.
If you’d like to see what it looks like inside a cruise ship engine room, take a look at this fascinating video:
Cruiser ship anchors are usually 10 to 20 feet high and weigh around 30,000 pounds (13,600 KG). The anchor chain is around 1,400 feet long and each individual link weighs over 100 pounds.
Most cruise ships have two anchors. Anchor designs vary, as do the weights and dimensions, which are carefully calculated for each ship.
Queen Elizabeth 2 had two forward anchors, one of which is displayed as a landmark in the ship’s homeport of Southampton. The anchor is 4.3m (14ft) high, 2.7m (9ft) wide and weighs 13 tonnes.
This video shows Legend of the Seas dropping her anchor:
Most cruise ships have standard inside cabins that are between 150 and 185 square feet and standard balcony cabins that are between 170 and 220 square feet. Cruise ship cabins are generally the size of a small hotel room with enough room for a queen-size bed, wardrobe, bathroom and a small desk or vanity area.
Each ship will have many different cabin types, ranging from single inside cabins to huge suites.
Luxury cruise ships often have much larger suites than regular cruise ships. The Regent Suite on board Regent Seven Seas Splendour is the largest suite at sea and measures 4,443 square feet. This is over four times the size of the average UK home.
This video shows what an inside cabin is like on a cruise ship and how it can accommodate a family of four.
I hope that this article will help you understand how big a cruise ship is. I do believe, however, that until you step on board for yourself, the sheer scale of a cruise ship is quite a difficult thing to comprehend.
Whether you’re stepping ashore to explore a new port or preparing to say goodbye at the end of your voyage, what you do before you leave the ship can make or break your day.
A little preparation keeps things smooth, stress-free and far more enjoyable – trust me, I’ve seen some very frazzled people who got it all wrong!
Here are the essential things you should always do before getting off a cruise ship – split into what you should do on port days and on embarkation day (since they’re completely different).
Things You Should ALWAYS Do Before You Get Off the Ship in Port
1. Check the All-Aboard Time (and Ship’s Time!)
All-aboard time is sacred. The ship waits for no one – unless you’re on a cruise-line excursion – and ports often run on a different local time than the ship.
One tiny time-zone mismatch and you could watch your floating hotel sail away without you. Double-check both times every port day, no exceptions.
I like to take a photo of it so I have no doubt about what time I need to be back onboard.
Also, make sure you’ve made a note of your ship’s phone number. Yes, they have one – find it on the app or printed daily planner. It may also be on cruise cruise card, but not always.
If you are held up shoreside, call the ship and maybe they will keep the gangplank down a little longer for you.
2. Bring Your Cruise Card, Photo ID and Any Required Documents
You’ll need your cruise card to get off the ship, get back on again, and also to pass through local port security.
You’ll also be told if there are any other documents you need to take with you before each port visit – it’s rare, but carry those if needed.
As for your passport – well, this splits opinion. A lot of people don’t take it, leaving it in the safe instead.
You don’t need it in most of ports. And if the worst does happen, and you miss the ship, then the crew will go into your cabin and retrieve your passports (but just those) and leave them with the port workers for you.
Still, a lot of people prefer to carry it with them. It’s up to you.
Once, my son lost his cruise card ashore. They asked me if I had his passport for ID. I didn’t, but I did have a photo of it on my phone, which they accepted and let us back onto the ship.
3. Download or Screenshot Maps, Bookings and Directions
Port WiFi is notoriously patchy (in some places – others it can be excellent), and mobile data can be expensive or unavailable altogether, depending on your mobile plan.
Download offline maps, screenshot excursion tickets, and save restaurant bookings. When everyone else is desperately looking for signal, you’ll already be happily exploring.
4. Confirm Shore Excursion Details
If you’re heading off on an excursion, check the meeting point, meeting time and whether your port is tendering or docked.
Plans sometimes change due to weather or port congestion, and cruise lines update their app frequently. A quick check avoids frantic last-minute dashes.
5. Check the Daily Schedule for Port Rules
Some ports strictly ban taking food ashore. Others have limitations on beverages, souvenirs, shells or wooden items.
Knowing the rules prevents awkward confiscations (and saves you having to wolf down a banana at the gangway while security watches – never a classy moment).
6. Pack a Simple Port-Day Kit
A small bag with the essentials makes a world of difference:
Sunscreen
Water
Portable charger
Local currency
Towel
Medications
Hand sanitiser
Tissues
Hat
Better to pack it now than realise halfway across town that you’ve forgotten something vital.
7. Apply Sunscreen and Bug Repellent Before You Leave
The moment you walk off the ship into Caribbean, Mediterranean or tropical sun, it starts working on you. Which is lovely – until you get sunburn that ruins the rest of your trip.
Apply before you step off, and you’ll thank yourself later. Bug spray is equally important in some ports – especially ones with mosquitos that adore cruise passengers.
8. Check the Weather Forecast
So many people forget to do this!
From sudden tropical showers to chilly sea breezes, port weather can change quickly. A quick look at the forecast ensures you’re dressing comfortably rather than shivering, sweating or scrambling for cover.
If you’re not sure, pack an extra layer. You’re better carrying something you don’t use, than feeling like you have to dash back to grab a jacket or hoodie you wished you’d brought.
9. Eat Before You Go – or Know Where You’ll Eat
Some ports have endless cafés… others have nothing for miles.
A proper breakfast onboard saves time, money and hunger-induced grumpiness later in the day. If you’d rather eat ashore, do a little research first so you’re not stuck wandering aimlessly.
If you’re vegan or vegetarian, I recommend using the Happy Cow app. It show which restaurants have options and the map feature is really handy.
10. Understand Tender Procedures (If Applicable)
Tender ports require you to catch a small boat to shore. That means queueing for tender tickets, heading to your designated lounge, and waiting for your number to be called.
Missing the process can delay your entire morning – and potentially your excursion. Also if you need special assistance, make sure you’ve let the crew know, or you might not be able to board a tender at all.
You’ll be amazed how easy it is to misplace passports or expensive jewellery in the rush to get ashore.
Lock away anything you don’t need for the day. Your future self will be grateful.
And again, if you’ve declined to take your passport ashore, it makes it easy for crew to find them to hand to the shore team should you miss the ship (yes, they’re able to unlock the safe – otherwise what would happen if you forgot the code you’d used to lock it?)
12. Check for Port-Day Sales or Specials
It’s a little-known secret, but onboard spas, bars and some shops offer the best deals on port days.
If you’re planning to return to the ship early, keep an eye out – it might be the perfect time for a discounted massage or cocktail.
13. Take a Photo of the Ship or a Port Landmark
A simple but brilliant hack. If you’re returning through a maze-like port or a busy taxi area, having a photo helps you find the right terminal or even the right ship.
It’s also just a fun little memory to look back on.
Things You Should ALWAYS Do Before You Get Off the Ship to Disembark at the End of Your Cruise
Leaving a cruise ship is bittersweet. You’re relaxed, sun-kissed, full of memories… and about to enter a world of airport queues, real life and responsibility again.
Preparing properly the night before and the morning of disembarkation keeps your final hours calm instead of chaotic.
The Night Before Disembarkation
1. Settle Your Onboard Account
If there’s one time Guest Services becomes a zoo, it’s the morning of disembarkation. Actually the night before isn’t much better – but it is a little better.
Check your statement the night before and get ahead of any surprises. You’ll stroll off the ship stress-free while others queue in desperation.
2. Pack Your Suitcases Completely
Leave out just the morning essentials: clothes, toiletries, medication and your travel documents. Everything else goes in the suitcase.
This is also the time to do the classic “drawer check,” because socks love hiding in corners.
3. Put Suitcases Outside Your Door on Time (If You’re Not Self-Assist)
Cruise lines collect checked luggage the night before. Put it outside by the deadline, labelled correctly, and it will be waiting for you in the terminal.
If you prefer to walk off with all your bags, opt for self-assist – but be prepared for a busy queue for the lifts, or dragging your case up or down several flights of stairs.
4. Confirm Your Disembarkation Group and Meeting Location
Colour-coded tags, group numbers, waiting lounges… the system varies by line, but you need to know exactly where and when to go.
Sorting it out tonight means you won’t be wandering around half-asleep wondering where everyone went.
5. Charge All Your Devices
Travel day kills batteries quickly. Charge phones, watches, tablets – even your portable charger.
Airports are full of people fighting over a limited number outlets; better not to join them. And if you’ve got a long drive home, rather than a flight, then you’re all going to want your devices charged still – especially the kids in the backseat.
Otherwise, it could be “Are we home yet?” for four hours…
6. Keep Your Essentials in Your Carry-On
This includes:
Wallet
Passports
Travel confirmations
Medication
Glasses
Keys
Chargers
If it’s important, it stays with you.
7. Pre-Book Transfers, Taxis or Ride Shares
Ports get busy. Demand spikes. Pre-booking saves both money and sanity, especially in major cruise hubs like Miami, Barcelona or Southampton.
If you can’t, then don’t worry too much. You’ll still have options. It just might cost a little more, and involve a slightly longer wait.
8. Check Airline Baggage Rules (If You’re Flying)
Nothing ruins the post-cruise glow like paying surprise luggage fees because your souvenir-packed suitcase is suddenly overweight.
Checking the rules now avoids airport drama later. It’s unlikely you’ve packed luggage scales to bring with you but make sure you aren’t breaking other rules – and leave space in your carry-on in case you have accidentally added too much weight.
9. Say Goodbye and Sort Any Tipping
If you’ve had amazing service from certain crew members, the last evening is the perfect time to say thank you – whether with words, a note, or an extra tip. It makes their day, and you’ll sail away with warm feels.
Don’t leave it until the morning, because you might miss them, and things will be hectic enough.
The buffet turns into organised chaos on the final morning. If your ship offers a sit-down breakfast in the main dining room, it’s usually quieter, calmer and infinitely more pleasant.
Not all do, though – some ships might use the dining room as a meeting point for disembarkation groups. So bear that in mind.
2. Recheck the Safe
The number one most forgotten items on cruise ships come from the safe: passports, wallets, jewellery and cash. Open it. Check it. Then check it again. You’ll thank yourself.
One tip that I read somewhere – the night before you disembark, put your shoes in the safe.
Sounds odd, but I tell you now – there’s no chance of you walking off the cruise ship without your shoes! So, this guarantees you’ll remember to check the safe in the morning.
3. Double-Check Your Cabin and Balcony
Look everywhere!
Bathroom shelves
Closets
Under the bed
Behind curtains
Charging areas
Balcony chairs and tables
Phone chargers and AirPods are the usual culprits hiding in plain sight.
I know we’ve already done this step the night before, but you’ll want to check again.
4. Listen for Disembarkation Announcements
Delays happen. Customs takes time. Sometimes, you’re going to be held up – and if you try to walk off the ship before your group is called, you’ll be sent back.
Knowing what’s happening means less waiting around and fewer wrong turns, so keep an ear out and make sure you pay attention.
5. Wear Comfortable Travel Clothes
You’ll be sitting, queueing, lugging bags and possibly rushing… or you’ll be melting in post-cruise humidity.
So definitely dress comfortably, rather than for fashion, and you’ll have a far better travel day.
6. Keep Your Carry-On With You At All Times
Don’t leave it unattended in lounges or corridors.
Disembarkation morning is busy and chaotic, and losing your bag now would be a nightmare. Plus someone will pick it up and hand it to Guest Services, so that’s another queue you need to join…
Things You Should NEVER Do Before Disembarkation
A few common mistakes can turn the smooth end of your cruise into a frantic mess. Avoid these at all costs:
1. Don’t Stay Up Drinking Until 2am
Disembarkation day hits hard if you’re hungover. There’s luggage to haul, queues to stand in and travel ahead.
Save the wild night for literally any other evening. Or if you really, really want to make the most of that drinks package before you leave, try to balance each drink with some water.
Hungover travel is horrendous…
2. Don’t Overpack Your Carry-On
You’ll be carrying it for hours – through corridors, lounges, security and the terminal. Heavy bags make everything harder. If it isn’t essential, then put it in your suitcase.
Or spread it out! If your bag is super heavy and your partners is light, share the load. They can cope.
3. Don’t Leave Packing Until the Morning
Morning packing is a one-way ticket to forgotten items, stress, and being late to your disembarkation group.
Do it the night before and enjoy a chilled breakfast instead. At least aim to get 80% of the way there, so you know that there isn’t as much to sort out in the morning.
4. Don’t Forget to Check Your Account Until the Last Second
Cue the giant Guest Services line and a very cranky start to your travel day. Just don’t do it.
Make sure you’ve kept an eye throughout, and that you are happy with the charges listed.
5. Don’t Assume Your Luggage Will Be Nearby in the Terminal
Checked bags are spread across huge colour-coded sections. Take a moment to note your tag colour and number so you’re not wandering through a sea of suitcases looking confused.
Final Word
Leaving the ship – whether just for the day or for good – doesn’t have to be stressful. With a little preparation and a few smart habits, you can keep your port days smooth, your disembarkation morning calm, and your memories firmly in the “amazing holiday” category instead of “chaotic rush”.
Do the essentials early, avoid the common mistakes, and give yourself the gift of a relaxed, effortless end to your cruise. After all… the magic doesn’t stop just because you’re stepping ashore.
Don’t get your cruise holiday off on the wrong foot from the moment you step onboard!
There’s something wonderful about that first step onto a cruise ship. That sudden switch from dragging luggage around outside amongst a crowd of eager passengers, to then being surrounded by soaring atriums, smiling crew and the hum of thousands of excited holidaymakers… I can’t get enough!
But to make the very best start to your voyage, these are the things you absolutely must do once you first step onboard.
1. Do Your E-Muster or Muster Drill Check-In Immediately
The muster drill is the only non-negotiable task of embarkation day, and fortunately it’s now usually far quicker than the old mass gathering on deck.
Most lines simply require you to watch a short safety video and then pop by your muster station for a quick check-in. Many even let you watch the video on the morning of the cruise – perfect over that hotel breakfast if you’ve stayed near the port the night before.
If you go to your station the moment you board, you’ll have got it out of the way and you’ll be free to enjoy your day without interruption.
2. Consider Upgrading Your Room
If you walk into your cabin and you hate it, now’s the time to see if you can switch it for another one.
I once booked an inside cabin on Arvia for two weeks over Christmas because that’s all my budget would allow. The cabin was in a bad location, right at the very front of the ship, and when I walked in I was shocked at how small it was for four people.
So, I went straight to guest services and asked what else they had. Someone in a balcony cabin had cancelled at the last minute, and so there was a room free.
The balcony cabin was so much bigger, and in an excellent mid-ship spot too.
The price to upgrade was an absolute bargain, and so much cheaper than if I had booked the balcony in the first place! We had a lovely Christmas in this room.
3. Explore The Ship and Get Your Bearings
Cruise ships are floating resorts, and wandering around on day one is the perfect way to get your bearings before things get busy.
Explore! I love to just wander around the ship, peeking into lounges and bars, and looking for fun spots that I’ll want to return to during the cruise.
If you’re travelling with others, choose a central meeting spot too – not for emergencies (that’s your muster station, remember), but simply as a convenient place to regroup if you’re ever separated or staying in different parts of the ship.
4. Look Around The Spa
On embarkation day, the spa will be open so that you can wander around it and take a look at the thermal suite and all of the treatment rooms.
This is the only day that you’ll be able to do it, so even if you don’t think that the spa is for you, it’s definitely worth having a nosy around!
Embarkation day is also when the spa typically offers discounted packages, which can be surprisingly good value. Services on sea days can get booked up quite quickly, so if you’re sure that you want something, it’s worth booking that in on day one.
5. Check Dinner Arrangements or Speak to the Maitre D’
If you’re not thrilled with your allocated dining time or wish to switch from traditional seating to anytime dining, the maitre d’ is the person to speak to – and embarkation day is the best time to catch them.
Also if you’ve any dietary requirements and you are worried about the menus, go have a chat – you’d be surprised what some cruise lines can do for you.
For a lot of cruise lines, this is also the time where you can book speciality restaurants. Popular venues like steakhouses and teppanyaki restaurants can book up quickly, so securing your spot early avoids missing out.
If your cruise line accepts bookings before the cruise, and you missed out, go there on embarkation day – you might be able to snag a cancellation slot, or sometimes they hold some spaces back for those guests.
6. Make Entertainment and Show Reservations
Big headline shows, comedy clubs and immersive experiences often require reservations nowadays, especially on the larger ships.
While you may be able to booking things before you get onboard, more slots often open up once you’re on the ship.
It only takes a few taps in the cruise app to lock in a great time slot, and doing it early means you can plan your evenings around performances you’re genuinely excited about rather than whatever happens to be left.
7. Register at the Kids’ Club
If you’re sailing with little ones, register them at the kids’ club as soon as possible.
The first-day open house is a great time to meet the counsellors, check the timetable and help your children feel comfortable before activities begin.
Many clubs also give the kids their muster bracelets on this day, so you’ll tick off two tasks at once.
It’s a good idea to register even if your child isn’t sure about using them. You aren’t forced to bring them, although some will ask you to pre-book slots. Don’t book those if you aren’t sure, but having them registered in the club is still good, just in case your kid asks you to book them in later.
8. Freshen Up or Change into Cruise Clothes or Swimwear
A travel morning can leave you feeling a bit crumpled, especially if you’ve flown in from a different climate.
Freshening up and slipping into lighter clothes or swimwear immediately helps you feel like your holiday has truly begun.
If you’re clever, board with your swimsuit already on underneath your outfit – you’ll save even more time and can head straight to the pool as soon as you’ve had lunch.
Speaking of lunch…
9. Have Lunch Somewhere Other Than the Buffet
The buffet is the default dining option for new arrivals, which is precisely why it can feel like organised chaos on embarkation day.
Instead, check whether the main dining room, a poolside grill or a small café is open.
These quieter venues let you ease into cruise life at a calmer pace, and you’ll often enjoy far nicer food without juggling plates and weaving through crowds.
10. Put Your Phone on Airplane Mode
Once you’ve sent your final messages and posted your obligatory “I’m onboard!” photo, switch your phone to airplane mode.
Maritime roaming charges are notoriously expensive and can take effect before you even feel the ship move.
You can still connect to the ship’s WiFi for the app without buying an internet package, but airplane mode ensures you stay in control of your costs.
If you know you’re sensitive to motion, take your chosen remedy before the ship even casts off.
Tablets and latched tend to work best when given time to take effect, and taking them early can prevent feeling woozy during sailaway when excitement (and sometimes wind) are at their peak.
It’s an easy precaution that keeps the first evening blissfully comfortable.
Once your cabin is ready, take a few minutes to check that everything is working as it should.
Test the lights, outlets, toilet flush, air-con and shower pressure, and make sure the room is clean and well stocked.
Any problems are usually resolved quickly if reported early, and it’s much easier than trying to chase fixes later in the cruise when maintenance might be busier.
Your cabin steward is the person who will quietly keep your space spotless throughout your voyage.
A quick hello helps build a friendly relationship, and it’s the perfect moment to request any preferences – extra pillows, more hangers, ice each evening, or specific bed arrangements. There are so many things you can get from your cabin steward for free, you just have to ask.
They genuinely want to make your stay comfortable, and being clear from day one helps them help you.
It’s surprisingly easy to misplace things amidst the excitement of exploring the ship, so place passports, wallets, jewellery and other essentials straight into the cabin safe once you have access to your room.
Once they’re secure, you won’t spend the rest of the afternoon patting your pockets or rummaging in bags to check they’re still there.
15. Unpack Once Your Luggage Arrives
When your suitcases finally appear, it’s worth unpacking – and sooner rather than later. Having clothes neatly arranged in drawers and wardrobes instantly makes your cabin feel calmer and more spacious.
Hide empty suitcases under the bed, organise your toiletries and make the space your own – you’ll thank yourself when the week starts flowing smoothly. Especially if you’re in a smaller cabin.
16. Grab a Celebratory First Drink
There’s nothing like that first cocktail or cold beer to mark the beginning of your cruise.
Whether you order a classic piña colada, a glass of fizz or your favourite mocktail, take a moment to savour it.
Find a sunny spot, breathe in the sea air and let the stress of travel melt away. It’s your holiday now – officially.
Sailaway is pure cruise magic – music, dancing, drinks flowing and the coastline drifting away as your holiday truly begins.
It doesn’t matter if you join the energy on the top deck or find a quieter railing to watch the world recede, don’t miss it. It’s one of the highlights of every cruise and sets the perfect tone for the days ahead.
Things You SHOULDN’T Do Immediately After Boarding
1. Don’t Go Straight to the Buffet
The buffet is usually packed on day one, with everyone arriving hungry at once. Tables fill up quickly and navigating the crowds can feel stressful rather than celebratory.
Give it a little time and opt for an alternative lunch spot so your first onboard meal feels relaxed and enjoyable. There’s usually some good spots, like the poolside snack bar or a casual pizza outlet.
Or, eat well before you board – and then you’ll be good all the way until dinner.
2. Don’t Assume Your Cabin Is Ready Straight Away
Cabins take time to turn over after thousands of guests disembark that morning.
You need to wait until the announcement that cabins are ready. Unless you’ve booked a special package giving you early access, then leave the stewards in peace to do their job.
Go enjoy lunch or explore instead. Relax. It’ll be ready soon.
I’ve heard stories of people who have gone to their stateroom early, left some belingings and then the cabin steward has disposed of them because they assumed they belonged to the previous guest.
3. Don’t Skip Muster
It may not be the most glamorous part of the day, but the muster is something you just can’t get out of.
While the exact tasks vary (watching a video or a presentation in person), one thing’s for sure, you absolutely have to visit your muster station so they can tick you off the list.
This is why it’s number one on the list above – get it done and then you can relax.
4. Don’t Overdo Your First Drinks
It’s tempting to go full party mode the minute you step on board, but it’s wise to pace yourself.
Between travel fatigue, warm weather and the gentle motion of the ship, overindulging early can make you feel rather worse for wear before the evening even starts.
Give it a chance before you hit the bar too hard.
5. Don’t Panic If Your Luggage Doesn’t Arrive Quickly
Suitcases are delivered in batches over several hours, and it’s completely normal for different family members’ bags to show up at different times.
As long as you packed your essentials in your carry-on, you’re all set to relax until they appear.
If the ship has sailed away and your bag hasn’t arrived, don’t worry. Just call guest services. They always have some bags there where the tags have fallen off.
You can prevent your paper tags from coming off by using luggage tag holders. I swear by them!
6. Don’t Stress!
Most of the time, cruises go smoothly. But every now and then there might be a minor issue or two – something wrong with your cabin, or a hiccup with boarding, or maybe another passenger was rude to you or something.
And on those blue moon occasions, sometimes a few things might go wrong at once, and it feels like everything’s snowballing. When that happens, just take a breath.
You’re on a cruise.
Things WILL get better. Even if you aren’t a fan of your cabin or you’ve forgotten to pack something you wanted to bring. It’s fine. Relax, let the stress go, and I bet you’ll start having fun.
Things You Should Have Done Before You Board
I get that there’s a lot to do on embarkation day. But many of the things can be done in the weeks leading up to your cruise.
I advise doing as much as possible in advance, so that you can start your cruise in the most relaxing way possible, rather than in a queue on the ship.
Here’s what you should make sure you tick off before you get anywhere neat the ship.
1. Download The Cruise Line App
Most cruise lines have an app these days, and downloading it in advance makes life easier.
It’s where you’ll check in for muster, view your daily planner, make reservations and keep track of your onboard account.
Doing it ahead of time means you won’t be wrestling with connection settings on embarkation day.
2. Book Shore Excursions
Many of the most popular tours sell out well before departure, and onboard prices are usually higher.
Booking in advance guarantees your spot and helps you plan your days ashore with excitement rather than stress.
It’s also often better to book with a third party, despite the concerns you might have…
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If you need WiFi during your cruise, pre-purchasing nearly always saves money. Packages bought onboard are often more expensive, and buying early means all you have to do is connect when you board.
And if you want to save even more money, then consider buying an eSIM instead. It’s a lot cheaper.
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Much like internet packages, drink packages can cost noticeably more once you’re onboard.
Even if the offer on the ship says ‘Buy One Get One Half Price’, this will be on an imflated price, and it will almost certainly cost you more overall.
Sorting them before your cruise means better value and one less decision to make on embarkation day. And it means you can enjoy that first drink without even thinking about your budget.
Drinks packages are not for everyone. I’m not saying everyone should book one before they sail. But, if you think you might want one, then do get it before the cruise. Don’t leave it until the morning of.
Final Word
Embarkation day sets the tone for your entire cruise, and with just a little know-how, you can swap stress and crowds for calm, cocktails and pure ocean-going bliss.
Tackle the must-dos early, skip the rookie mistakes, and let the ship work its magic as you ease into holiday mode.
Remember, even if something goes a bit sideways at the start, you’re still on a cruise – sunshine, sea breezes and unforgettable moments are waiting. Take a breath, smile, and enjoy it!
Modern cruise ships don’t carry lifeboats for everyone you see on deck. That sounds alarming… until you understand how the rules actually work.
It’s one of the most common fears I hear, especially from first-time cruisers. The image of Titanic still sticks in people’s minds, and at a glance it can look like there simply aren’t enough boats hanging off the side.
But here’s what most people don’t realise: cruise ships aren’t designed around lifeboats alone anymore. There’s a strict formula behind the numbers, extra capacity built in, and a backup system that rarely gets mentioned.
It looks worrying. It isn’t. And there’s one key detail about modern safety regulations that changes everything.
The Number of Lifeboats Depends on the Size of the Ship
There will usually be enough boats to carry every passenger onboard. Many large cruise ships have up to 20 lifeboats in total.
As well as the lifeboats, there will be a number of inflatable life rafts. Normally, these are reserved for the crew because they’re not as comfortable (and the crew may have to use slides to reach them, rather than stepping onto them from the ship’s deck.
However, on some ships, able-bodied guests would also be required to slide down a chute and into an inflatable life raft in an emergency.
Here’s a letter I received in my stateroom at the start of a cruise on Enchanted Princess. It explains how most guests are assigned lifeboats, but not all are…
I headed out onto the deck to see what the inflatable life rafts look like before they are deployed. Here’s a photo…
There Won’t Be Enough Lifeboats for Passengers AND Crew
Cruise ships do not usually have enough lifeboats for every last person on board, but they will normally have enough for every guest. Most crew members will use inflatable life rafts instead of lifeboats.
There is always provision for every person on board a ship to be safely rescued, but physically, it would be almost impossible to provide enough lifeboats for everyone on the ship.
Lifeboats can only take up so much space along each side of the ship, and they need to be able to be lowered into the ocean.
Also, lifeboats need a person on the ship to launch them, so there has to be an alternate way for them to then evacuate the ship. They could hardly jump once the lifeboat had been lowered.
Cruise lines don’t have to provide enough lifeboats for all passengers according to law. As long as there is enough capacity for 37.5% of passengers alongside each side of the ship in lifeboats (so 75% total), then the rest can be carried in life rafts (source).
Most cruise lines choose to have the additional lifeboat capacity, though – it reassures customers and is better for them.
Life Rafts vs Life Boats
Lifeboats are solid open boats that hang on the size of a cruise ship. Life rafts are inflatable rafts that are completely collapsible and are stored in heavy-duty canisters. Lifeboats are powered with a motor on board, while life rafts are not.
To see what cruise ship life rafts look like and how they work, take a look at this video…
Lifeboats should be inspected periodically by the crew to make sure they are in full working order. You might even see the crew testing the lifeboats during your cruise.
Life rafts are, of course, different. Because they are often equipped with high-pressure gas canisters to allow them to automatically inflate quickly, they can’t really be opened and tested by the crew. Instead, they tend to be sent to a testing centre periodically.
There will be more life rafts on board the ship than necessary. The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) requires that there be life rafts kept on both sides of the ship that could sufficiently hold the entire capacity of the ship, minus the lifeboat capacity on that side.
That’s in case the ship was to capsize, or some other incident rendered half the lifeboats unusable. In these instances, passengers who were not as mobile would be prioritised in the lifeboats on the opposite side, while physically fit and healthy passengers would join the crew in the life rafts.
The odds of such an event happening are tiny. In the last 50 years, there have barely been any cruise ship accidents at sea, barely ever requiring the use of lifeboats, and when they have, they usually haven’t rendered half the ship’s boats unusable. This is excessive caution, which is always a good thing.
The exception, of course, was the Costa Concordia incident in 2012, but this was due to the arrogance and human error of the Captain. Serious lessons have been learned since.
Lifeboat Capacity
Older lifeboats on cruise ships had a maximum capacity of 150 people, which followed the old SOLAS code 4.4.2.1, which limited lifeboats to this size. However, modern lifeboats have been built much larger, with the Schat-Harding CRW55 lifeboat able to hold 370 people.
The SOLAS code does stipulate that larger lifeboats are permitted, provided they meet the same safety standards as those limited to 150 people, which is why these newer lifeboats were permitted (source).
These lifeboats were made necessary with the launch of Oasis of the Seas in 2009, which has a total passenger and crew capacity of 6,700, with a passenger capacity of 5,606. This would require at least 38 lifeboats just for the passengers in the old style, taking up a huge amount of space alongside each side of the ship.
The newer lifeboats offer over twice the capacity but are only around 50% longer. There are 18 of these lifeboats on the Oasis of the Seas, capable of carrying all the passengers and almost all of the crew, but they don’t have to take up the entire length of the ship.
Lifeboats on the Titanic
The Titanic did not have enough lifeboats when it sank. It was carrying just 20 lifeboats, which offered enough capacity for just over half of the people on board, and around a third of the total capacity had the ship been full.
Of the 20 lifeboats, 18 were launched on the night that the ship sank, but many were also under capacity due to poor organisation and the late alarm calls to rouse passengers.
The reason the Titanic didn’t have enough lifeboats was due to the outdated safety regulations at the time, and the complacency of the ship’s owners, White Star Line, who assumed the ship was unsinkable.
There was plenty of space on board the ship to house another 44 lifeboats, which would have been enough. The issue likely wasn’t the cost either – another 32 lifeboats would apparently have only cost $16,000 – a tiny fraction of the total $7.5 million cost of the ship (source).
The safety regulations on lifeboats were massively overhauled following the sinking of the Titanic, which included the formation of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) in 1914 (source).
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Lifeboat Location
Lifeboats on a cruise ship are stored on both sides of the ship on a deck that is easy for the majority of passengers and crew to get to quickly, normally a little below halfway up the ship (since the top decks don’t normally have accommodations).
Passengers must all attend a mandatory safety briefing on the first day of their cruise at their designated muster station. This will explain where passengers need to go in the event of an emergency, and what they need to do. That way, all passengers are prepped with the knowledge of what to do if they must get to a lifeboat.
Lifeboats are always coloured orange – this is to increase their visibility both for passengers and for rescue ships in the ocean. If any passenger were to accidentally fall overboard, the orange colour also makes it easier for them to make their way to the lifeboat while swimming.
Inside a Lifeboat
Cruise ship lifeboats – and any lifeboats – are required to have a number of items on board for safety, including flares and smoke signals, survival tools including an illuminated compass, fresh water and food, and first aid equipment.
Liferafts aren’t required to have quite as many items, but will have sufficient materials to keep everyone on board safe and well for at least 24 hours if necessary.
Here’s what a life raft storage container looks like on a cruise ship…
There is Food
All lifeboats are required to store food rations, with at least 10,000 kJ (2,390 calories) of energy for each person up to capacity. The food must be stored in airtight and watertight packaging.
Tinned food is common, and lifeboats must keep three tin openers on board as part of their equipment list.
Fresh water is also required – three litres per person. Regulations do permit that lifeboats only need to store two litres per person if they also have desalination materials available to convert seawater into fresh water.
Only Newer Lifeboats Have a Toilet
Older lifeboats often won’t have toilets on board, but the newer ‘mega lifeboats’, first introduced on Oasis of the Seas, do have a toilet. Lifeboats are designed as life-saving amenities, and so toilets were not considered a priority on older models.
With modern signalling and communications, anyone who was in a lifeboat could expect to be rescued relatively quickly and would be able to make use of the toilets on their rescuing vessel if necessary.
And if it came down to it, you would just have to try to go over the side if possible, but in a safe way. This would obviously be much easier for men than women!
A more common issue would be sickness, where seasick passengers would be encouraged to vomit over the sides of the boat if possible, so that it didn’t make other passengers unwell.
They’re Powered by Engines
Cruise ship lifeboats are designed to ensure that the lifeboats can reach a safe distance from the sinking ship quickly if necessary. Life rafts do not always have engines, but they can be launched further out to sea and have oars if required.
Lifeboats and life rafts aren’t designed for long-distance travel. They are designed purely to keep you safely afloat until larger rescue vessels can reach you. Engines are, therefore, useful as a safety measure, but they aren’t designed to get you to land (unless your ship sinks close to the coast anyway).
Sometimes, a cruise ship’s lifeboat will double up as a tender boat. These are used to transport guests to the shore at ports where it’s not possible to dock.
To Conclude
Modern cruise ships are built around redundancy. Lifeboats. Life rafts. Capacity on both sides of the ship. Strict international regulations. Regular inspections.
Yes, you might look at a ship and think there aren’t enough boats.
But the math has already been done.
Every modern cruise ship carries enough evacuation capacity for everyone on board, with backups built in. And thanks to advanced navigation, weather systems and safety procedures, the chances of needing them are extraordinarily small.
Embarkation day is the first day of your cruise: the day you check in at the terminal, clear security, walk up the gangway and sail away. Most of what goes wrong on embarkation day comes from three things: arriving at the wrong time, packing essentials in the bag you hand to the porter, and paying for things you did not need to. Avoid the nine mistakes below, work through the 13 to-dos, and the first day of a cruise becomes one of the best days of the trip rather than the most stressful.
This guide is about the day itself. If you are still weeks out and want a planning timeline, our printable cruise checklist covers everything from passports to pre-booking excursions.
What happens on embarkation day? A quick timeline
Every line and port runs things slightly differently, but the shape of the day is very similar on Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian, MSC, Celebrity and Princess.
Typical time
What happens
Days before
Online check-in, choose an arrival time slot, print or download your boarding pass and luggage tags
Morning to early afternoon
Drop checked bags with porters outside the terminal, then security screening and document check
Late morning onward
Boarding begins; lunch at the buffet or a casual venue while you wait for your cabin
Early afternoon
Cabins open, often announced over the PA (commonly somewhere around 1 to 2:30 p.m.)
Before departure
Safety briefing completed and assembly station check-in done
Late afternoon or evening
Checked luggage arrives at your door; sailaway
Check-in usually closes 60 to 90 minutes before departure, and the exact cut-off is printed on your boarding documents. Miss it and the ship can, and does, leave without you.
9 embarkation day mistakes to avoid
1. Flying in on the morning of the cruise
This is the costliest mistake on the list. One delayed or cancelled flight can mean missing the ship entirely, and if you booked your own flights, the cruise line is under no obligation to help you catch up at the next port. Flying in the day before, or even two days before in winter or hurricane season, costs a hotel night but protects the whole trip. Many cruise-port hotels sell park-and-cruise or shuttle packages that make the morning easier.
2. Ignoring your arrival time slot
Most big lines now ask you to pick an arrival appointment during online check-in. Turning up hours early rarely gets you on sooner; at busy terminals you may simply be asked to wait outside or in a holding area. Arriving well after your slot is fine at many ports but risks longer queues. Pick a slot that suits you, then aim to be there at the start of it.
3. Packing documents and medication in checked luggage
Once a porter takes your suitcase, you will not see it again until late afternoon or evening. Passports, ID, boarding passes, prescriptions, chargers, cash and valuables all belong in your carry-on. Carnival’s own embarkation guidance makes the same point: keep your boarding pass, ID and travel documents with you, not in the bag you hand over.
4. Expecting your cabin to be ready when you board
The crew are still turning over cabins from the previous sailing, so staterooms usually open in the early afternoon. Boarding at 11 a.m. and heading straight to your room means standing in a corridor. Plan to eat, explore, or sit by the pool first, and pack that plan into your carry-on (more on that below).
5. Leaving mobile data switched on
Once the ship is a few miles offshore, your phone may connect to the ship’s own maritime cellular network. That is billed by your carrier as international roaming, often at rates far higher than land-based roaming, and the charges can arrive weeks later. Before sailaway, switch on airplane mode and turn Wi-Fi back on if you have bought the ship’s internet package. Check with your carrier before you leave whether any cruise plan exists for your line.
6. Bringing drinks the line does not allow
Beverage rules differ sharply between lines and are enforced at security. Anything outside the allowance is usually confiscated or held until the end of the cruise. As of late 2026:
Cruise line
Wine and champagne
Non-alcoholic drinks
Royal Caribbean
One sealed 750ml bottle per adult (21+), in carry-on, on embarkation day; $15 corkage if opened in a bar or restaurant
Check your sailing’s current rules before packing cases of soda or water
Carnival
One sealed 750ml bottle per adult (21+), in carry-on
Up to 12 sealed cans or cartons (12oz or smaller) per person
Norwegian (NCL)
Allowed, but a $15 corkage fee applies per 750ml bottle even in your cabin (waived with a beverage package); no boxed wine
Not allowed, except sealed purified water for medical devices or infant formula
Policies change, so check your line’s official FAQ a week before you sail. Beer and spirits are not permitted as carry-ons on any of the three.
7. Rushing into a drinks package without doing the maths
Drinks packages are often priced lower when bought online before the cruise than onboard, and some lines require every adult in a cabin to buy the same package. Work out how many drinks a day you realistically have before committing. Our comparison of cruise drinks packages sets out what each line includes. If you buy on day one, buy it early: you pay for the whole day either way.
8. Skipping the safety briefing or assembly station check-in
The old crowded muster drill has largely been replaced. Royal Caribbean’s Muster 2.0 lets you watch the safety briefing in the app or on your cabin TV, then check in at your assigned assembly station before the ship departs. Most Carnival sailings in 2026 use a similar electronic process, with a crew member showing you how to put on a life jacket at the station. Norwegian, MSC and other big lines run their own versions.
Two points matter. First, the check-in is mandatory, and crew will chase missing passengers by cabin number. Second, a full in-person drill is still held on some sailings (Carnival notifies affected guests by email), so read your pre-cruise emails rather than assuming.
9. Not tracking spending from day one
Your cruise card or app links straight to a credit card, so day one is when spending gets easy to lose track of: a cocktail at sailaway, a spa booking, a specialty dinner, gratuities added automatically every day. Check your onboard account in the app each evening and set a rough daily budget before you board. It also lets you catch billing errors while they are easy to fix.
Pools can be quieter early on while other guests wait for cabins to open. Photo: Ariyan on Pexels
13 things to do on the first day of a cruise
1. Complete online check-in and download the app
Upload your photo and passport details, choose your arrival slot and add a card to your onboard account before you leave home. On many lines the app becomes your boarding pass, daily planner and, on some ships, your room key. Download it and log in while you are still on home Wi-Fi.
2. Pack a day bag for the first afternoon
Treat your carry-on as everything you need until about dinner time. A practical list:
Passports or ID, boarding pass and printed documents as backup
Prescription medication and any medical devices
Phone, charger and a non-surge USB plug (power strips and extension cords are banned on most lines)
Swimwear, sunscreen, sunglasses and a light layer
Something suitable for dinner, in case your bag is late
Small bills for porter tips (a few dollars per bag is customary)
Print the luggage tags from online check-in and attach them securely, with the cabin number visible. Untagged or mis-tagged bags are the ones that arrive last, or not at all.
4. Have lunch onboard
Lunch on embarkation day is included in your fare. The buffet is busiest, so look at the daily planner for quieter options: many ships open a main dining room or a casual grill for boarding-day lunch.
5. Book shows, dining times and activities
Popular shows, ice shows, specialty dinners and spa slots can fill up on day one, especially on shorter sailings. If you did not reserve before the cruise, open the app as soon as you are connected and book the things you care most about.
6. Look out for embarkation day deals
Lines often run first-day offers because they want bookings early: discounted specialty dining, spa treatments, or thermal suite passes. Offers vary by ship and are not guaranteed, but the spa and specialty restaurants frequently have staff at open houses on boarding afternoon. Compare against pre-cruise prices before you sign.
Cabins usually open in the early afternoon on embarkation day. Photo: AS Photography on Pexels
Embarkation day tips once you are onboard
7. Check your cabin as soon as it opens
Make sure the safe, air conditioning, toilet, shower and TV work, and report problems straight away. If you have a cabin that should not have been yours (wrong bed configuration, missing accessibility features), guest services can fix it far more easily on day one than on day four.
8. Meet your cabin steward
A quick introduction is worth it. Mention any preferences, such as twin beds, extra pillows or ice, and when you would like the room serviced.
9. Confirm your dining arrangements
Check your dining time and table, or how flexible dining works on your ship. Raise dietary requirements with the maître d’ now rather than at your first dinner.
10. Explore the ship
Walk the ship from top to bottom while it is relatively quiet. Note where the theater, pools, buffet, guest services and your assembly station are, and which elevators serve which end. On large ships, getting your bearings early saves a lot of wandering later.
11. Unpack and settle in
When your luggage arrives, unpack fully. Living out of a suitcase in a compact cabin gets frustrating fast, and putting the cases under the bed frees a surprising amount of space.
12. Plan the next day
Read the daily planner for day two. If it is a port day, check the all-aboard time, the ship’s time zone versus local time, and what documents you need to go ashore.
13. Be on deck for sailaway
Sailaway is the moment the trip really starts. Find a spot on an open deck, ideally at the back of the ship for views of the port slipping away. Many ships hold a sailaway party with music by the pool, which is a relaxed way to meet fellow passengers, and particularly helpful if you are traveling alone; our solo cruising tips have more ideas.
One thing most embarkation day guides miss: keep a backup plan for missing luggage
Occasionally a bag is pulled aside by security for a banned item, such as a power strip, clothes iron or steamer, and held until someone collects it from a security office onboard. If your bag has not arrived by early evening, call guest services or check for a note in your cabin rather than waiting. A spare outfit in your carry-on means the evening is not ruined either way.
Embarkation day is the first day of your cruise, when you check in at the terminal, pass security, board the ship and set sail. It usually runs from late morning through to the evening departure.
What time should I arrive on embarkation day?
Arrive at the start of the arrival slot you chose during online check-in. Arriving hours early rarely speeds things up, and check-in typically closes 60 to 90 minutes before departure.
What should I wear on embarkation day?
Wear comfortable, casual clothes and shoes suitable for walking and standing in queues. Keep swimwear and a dinner outfit in your carry-on, since checked bags may not arrive until the evening.
When can you go to your cabin on embarkation day?
Most ships open cabins in the early afternoon, often around 1 to 2:30 p.m., and announce it over the PA or in the app. Until then you can eat, explore and use the pool.
Is there still a muster drill on a cruise?
On most big lines it has become an electronic safety briefing in the app or on your cabin TV, followed by a mandatory check-in at your assembly station. Some sailings still hold a full drill, and you will usually be told in advance.
