First time cruisers

I know that cruising can be a little intimidating for first-time cruisers.

While cruises share a lot of similarities with other types of holiday, there are a lot of differences too, including a few quirks. So it’s normal to be nervous before your first one.

I can offer my own advice, but i know I’m not the only expert, so I asked my Facebook fans for their own tips for first time cruisers, and this is what they came up with:

1. Ask Questions

Cruise ships are staffed by a fantastic crew, who are on hand to make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible for you.

But they can only help if they know that you need something, so make sure to ask – whether it’s a question, or a request, anything. You aren’t being a burden unless you demand all their time, and they want to help, so don’t be shy – ask!

2. Be Open-Minded

I tell you what – some people love a good moan about cruises online!

One of the most popular comments that came up was to make sure you stay open minded about your cruise, and not to get bogged down by any negative comments you see on Facebook groups or forums.

Everyone has their own unique cruise experience, and even if you see a lot of people complaining about your chosen ship or itinerary, there’ll be even more people who love it, but they just aren’t as vocal online.

That open mind will make sure you look forward to your cruise and, once onboard, enjoy it fully.

3. Go with the Flow

It’s good to try to be flexible when you’re on a cruise holiday, and not overthink all the little details.

Itineraries can change, activities can be shuffled around or oversubscribed. There are a lot of moving parts – so try not to obsess over every minor thing. If you can adopt an easygoing attitude, you won’t be disappointed if plans do change.

That being said, it’s a good idea to prepare a little bit – like buying cruise insurance with missed port cover, so you can get a bit of money back if your itinerary is forced to change.

4. Relax and Don’t Overdo It

It’s easy to get carried away trying to do everything, especially on some modern cruise ships that are like floating cities. It’s impossible to fit everything in!

Remember to relax and take some time off to avoid returning home exhausted. Yes, have a lot of fun, but if you aren’t careful you’ll need a holiday to recover from your cruise.

5. Manage Your Finances

When you cruise, you’ll register your bank card or credit card to your cruise account, and then any purchases you make onboard will accrue on that, to be paid off on the last day.

Which means it’s easy to get a little carried away and accidentally overspend. Nobody wants their first cruise to end on a sour note with a huge bill.

Keep tabs on your spending, especially if you plan on visiting the casino onboard. If you plan on drinking a lot, consider a drinks package instead as it might save you money, plus you can pay for it in advance, which will help you to budget.

6. Pack Wisely

There are a few key tips when it comes to packing your clothes for your cruise, including making sure you’ve got some loose-fitting items – you will be offered a lot of food and you want to make sure you can really enjoy it!

Comfortable shoes are more important than fancy high heels for formal night, especially if you’re planning on taking a lot of excursions.

But the biggest tip is to finish packaging and then remove anywhere between 30-50% of what you’ve packed as you won’t wear it all – good advice! Obviously, you don’t want to be underprepared, but don’t pack so much that it’s an uncomfortable suitcase to lug around.

Some items that you might often take on a holiday will be useless on a cruise ship. So make sure you don’t pack any of these things that you definitely won’t need on a cruise.

7. Follow Cruise Experts

Without making this seem like an ego-trip, it was lovely that a few of my Facebook fans said that following experts like me could be helpful.

Lots of cruise experts create articles and YouTube videos covering every aspect of cruising – with our help, you’ll be able to find your perfect ship and make sure you’re fully prepared to cruise.

Suggested read: 100 Most Popular Cruise Blogs

8. Be Punctual

If you’re someone who tends to be late for things, maybe look at ways of managing that habit before your cruise.

Because on a ship that might be hosting thousands of guests, they aren’t going to wait around for one or two people who are delayed getting onboard. On embarkation day, or any day in port, if you miss the all aboard time then the ship will sail off without you.

Suggested read: Cruise Line Charges Guests For Missing The Ship In Alaska

If that means missing your cruise, you’ll be out of pocket – and your insurance will only cover you if it wasn’t your fault. If the ship leaves you stranded in port, then you’re responsible for either flying to the next port to meet it, or flying home and paying for your luggage to be shipped to you.

Just make sure you’re on time.

9. Bring Essentials

There are several must-have items that can really make the difference on your cruise. The main ones that keep being suggested are a power strip, a travel alarm clock, and sea sickness medicine.

Power strips are useful because a lot of ships (older ones especially) don’t have many outlets, so you may need one just to be able to plug everything in. Weirdly, it’s the safer surge-protected strips that cruise ships don’t like, so avoid those.

Travel alarm clocks are useful because you might not be able to plug your phone in next to your bed, and it’s handy to see what time it is without having to get up, especially in an Inside cabin where there’s no natural light to give you a hint. Plus you might need to set an alarm for excursions.

And yes, some people do get sea sick on a cruise. If you think you will, or you’ve no idea, pack medication just to be safe.

10. Do Your Homework

You absolutely can walk into a travel agency and tell them that you want to book a cruise, and then leave everything in their hands if you want your holiday booking to be easy.

But it still makes sense to do your own homework, because cruise ships are not all alike, and you need to make sure you find the perfect one for you.

Research the kind of atmosphere on the ship you’re looking at – is it favoured by an older crowd? Is it family-friendly? Or is it more of a party ship?

Check your dining options, the excursions you could book on your itinerary – look up everything, and this will help you find the perfect cruise. The wrong cruise could put you off cruising for life, so it’s important to at least know what you’re signing up for when you book on a certain ship.

11. Fly in Early

One of the biggest mistakes you can make when planning a cruise is to travel to the ship on embarkation day. To reiterate, if you’re late, the ship will leave without you and you will be out of pocket.

This is especially true if you’re flying to the ship. You should always aim to fly the day before, and book a cheap hotel near the port. That way, if something goes wrong with the flight, you’ve got wiggle room to hopefully still make it in time.

It’s also just less stressful. Going through a flight and then check-in on your ship on one day is intense – spreading it over two days, at a more relaxed pace, is often preferred.

12. Book Entertainment Early

A lot of the best entertainment options and excursions on a cruise will sell out fast, so it’s important to book early.

Many cruise lines will let you start booking things in advance of your cruise, but it varies by cruise line on how early you can – so make sure you check that when doing your homework.

If you miss out, don’t be afraid to go ask when you’re onboard – extra spaces are sometimes held back, or there might have been cancellations. If you really want to see a show and you haven’t booked, just turn up anyway, and they might let you in if there are spaces from no-shows.

While it is important to go with the flow, you should still try to book the things that you’re most interested in.

13. Download Deck Plans

All cruise lines publish deck plans for their ships – think of them as a map of each deck, showing you where each cabin is situated along with the elevators, the restaurants and more.

It’s a good idea to download the deck plans for your ship once you’ve booked, and start learning where things are. Some of the more modern cruise ships are massive, and you can get a little lost, even with all the signposting onboard.

The deck plans can help you to plan and familiarise yourself before you even set foot onboard, so it’s worth taking a look.

Suggested read: The Best Deck on a Cruise Ship (For Every Type of Cruiser)

14. Join Online Communities

There are loads of online communities for cruising, where you can get to know other passengers, read their reviews, and ask any questions you might have.

Cruise forums are handy for this, but Facebook has tons of groups too. Sometimes they are for cruise lines or specific ships, but often people will set up a forum thread or Facebook group for a specific sailing too.

These can be useful if you’re looking to chat to others onboard – you can get to know them in advance and maybe even make plans to meet up for a drink.

Just be careful in these groups, because people tend to be more negative online. Don’t panic if you see a lot of bad reviews, as often those who’ve had a good time are too busy booking more cruises to leave their positive feedback.

15. Stay Safe and Be Prepared

A little bit of common sense goes a long way on a cruise, both when you’re onboard and especially when you’re exploring a port of call.

Make sure you take simple precautions to stay safe. Always carry the phone number for the ship with you when you’re ashore, so you can contact the crew if you have a problem. You’ll find it on your daily program, so take that with you.

Don’t wander away from main tourist areas, and make sure your phone is always charged. Incidents of anything bad happening are extremely rare, but it’s better to be prepared just in case.

16. Bring a Good Book

While cruises do have a lot of activities to offer, there will also be plenty of downtime – you can unwind by the pool, in your stateroom (or on your balcony, if you have one), or in a snug little corner of a bar or lounge.

So bring a good book, if you’re a reader. A lot of people suggest this, and it is lovely to just chill with a novel by your favourite author as the world slowly sails by.

Suggested read: The Best Books to Read on a Cruise

17. Start Saving for the Next Cruise

The first thing you’re going to want to do when you get home from your first cruise is book another – and if you’re starting from scratch with your budget, you might need to look at dates further out to give yourself time to save up, and you might be impatient!

If you can save for your second cruise before you sail on your first, you can feed your new addiction a lot sooner! And it’s not like you need to book, so if you decide cruises aren’t for you, you’ve just got a pot of money to put towards a different holiday instead.

Final word

These are some great tips for first-time cruisers from my Facebook fans, but if you’ve got any that you want to add then please do!

Be sure to check out the mistakes that first-time cruisers make too, as if you can avoid those, you’re well on the way to enjoying an incredible cruise experience!

Related Posts:

Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

Read more about me

Cruising is often seen as a luxurious and relaxing way to travel, but unfortunately, not all passengers uphold the same standards of etiquette. 

Most of the people I’ve encountered on a cruise have been absolutely lovely, but there are always a few who try to spoil it for the rest of us – either because they’re entitled, or just plain ignorant.

And I know it’s not just me who feels this way – so I asked my Facebook followers for stories of the worst manners they’d experienced on a cruise holiday.

This is what they came up with…

1. Unruly Children in the Dining Room

Cruises are a lot more family-friendly than they used to be, and most people are fine with that, so long as the children are well-behaved.

People have told stories of children throwing food and cutlery around dining rooms, and even climbing on tables! It’s not so much the kids, but the parents that allow the behaviour, or don’t do enough to discourage it.

If you’re taking your kids on a cruise, absolutely let them have fun. But letting that fun doesn’t spoil the cruise for everyone else is not okay.

2. Disrespecting Staff

The crew on cruise ships work really hard to make sure you have the best holiday possible, and while it’s possible for them to have an off day, I’m sure that 99.9% of the time, the staff on the ships are friendly and enthusiastic.

Despite that, there are plenty of stories of passengers showing bad manners by basically disrespecting crew, either in the way that they speak to them or the expectations they put on them.

What’s really worrying is the past guests who’ve said they’ve seen passengers be especially rude to people of colour onboard. Racism has no place in the modern world, and it’s so disrespectful especially where these people work.

I do hope that if you ever witness someone being rude to a member of the crew, especially if it’s racist in any way, you’ll report it to Guest Services so that the security staff onboard can have a word.

Suggested read: Toilet Mishaps, Racism & Broken Fingers – Carnival Cruise Guests Share Their Worst Cruises Ever

3. Styling Hair at the Dinner Table

A cruise passenger spoke about how they didn’t enjoy seeing another passenger styling their hair at the dining table.

To be fair, it could pose hygiene concerns but also, some people view dinner as an event and really you should be ready to eat when you enter the dining room, not getting ready halfway through.

Do you think this one is bad manners?

4. Inappropriate Buffet Etiquette

Cruise lines put a lot of effort into ensuring that the buffet restaurants in particular are hygienic. You don’t want to get a sickness bug on a cruise ship as it’ll spread like wildfire, and the buffet is a breeding ground for cross-contamination if you aren’t careful.

That’s why you get members of the crew whose job is to stand outside the buffet telling people (or singing to them) to wash their hands.

Despite that, people still show bad manners through a basic disregard for rules. This includes returning used plates to the buffet instead of stacking them on your table, and even worse, someone reported seeing someone pick up food, lick it, decide they didn’t want it and put it back on the buffet!

Of course, the passenger telling the story alerted the crew who removed it and cleaned up, but seriously…

5. Elevator Misbehaviour

So many of the stories of bad manners on a cruise ship are related to the elevators. It’s such a basic part of life on a cruise ship – using an elevator to move between floors – but it causes problems for so many people!

Sometimes it’s kids, who are pressing all the buttons for fun and making other passengers wait for the elevator to visit every floor. Even if there isn’t anyone else in the elevator at the time, it slows things down for others waiting.

Then there are the people who force their way onto an elevator before others have had the chance to get off. It happens so frequently – just wait and make sure nobody is exiting! 

6. Floral Theft

Cruise ships are often decorated, sometimes with fresh flowers but often with plastic ones too, just to add to the general ambience and make the ship seem more pleasant.

Some cruise passengers reported people stealing these flowers, either just as a souvenir or to use as an accessory in their hair.

That’s not what they’re there for – they are for everyone’s enjoyment, and it’s awful manners to assume that the ship exists purely for your own personal benefit.

7. Fighting and Drunkenness

We’re almost moving away from ‘bad manners’ with this one into more serious territory, but some people mentioned it and so I’ll include it here. People have often seen others having physical fights on a cruise or becoming so drunk that they’re acting inappropriately.

One passenger told of others who were pulling up the kilts of men on the ship, laughing at them for wearing ‘skirts’, because they were drunk. Imagine pulling down the top of a woman in the same way! Crazy.

Often it’s not just physical but verbal fighting too, having huge arguments over anything from sunbeds to places in the queues. Just relax, and if someone is misbehaving, speak to the crew rather than trying to resolve it yourself.

Suggested read: Another Fight On A Cruise Ship – This Time Royal Caribbean

8. Ignoring Disabled Passengers

Cruises are great for disabled passengers, since they’re relatively easy (in most cases) to navigate in wheelchairs or on motorised scooters.

But then there are those who just don’t care about helping disabled passengers out and who will often ignore them.

Really, you should give people with disabilities priority for elevators if you can, since it’s harder for them to find space if other elevators are busy. And just make sure to give people plenty of space, especially when they need to turn a scooter around.

Having said that, I’ve seen other Facebook posts in the past with people complaining about those using a scooter who have no regard for other passengers, running over their toes. So it does go both ways – be kind to anyone with mobility issues, but if you’re using a scooter, be aware of others onboard too.

9. Lack of Personal Hygiene

I was not surprised to see that people complained about lack of personal hygiene on cruises when it comes to hand-washing. I know that some people try to avoid washing before eating at the buffet because they’re lazy, and I’ve seen people not even know how to sneeze right (into your elbow – it isn’t hard, my kids know!)

One passenger even talked about the basic hygiene of people – specifically women – not flushing the public toilets. It’s not hard to follow simple standards, somebody else shouldn’t have to deal with that for you.

10. Inappropriate Dress Codes

Formal dress codes are becoming less important on cruises – you don’t have to worry too much about packing suits and dresses if you don’t want to.

But there are also basic dress codes that you need to adhere to, including not wearing wet bathing suits (or indeed any bathing suit) in a restaurant, or showing up in thong bikinis and nothing else.

Be considerate. You’re fine to wear bikinis and bathing suits by the pool, but put some clothes on when you go to eat.

Suggested read: 9 Things You Should Never Wear On A Cruise

11. Line-Cutting and Aggressive Behaviour

It’s important to show simple good manners by using the lines in the buffets or for other services around the ship properly.

Don’t cut in line, it’s rude and it’s not like you ever need to wait too long anyway. Plenty of people have mentioned seeing others try to sneak ahead and even get aggressive when challenged on it.

12. Misuse of Drinks Packages

A drinks package can be a great way to save money on the beverages you buy, but you need to use it appropriately.

Don’t be greedy and don’t cheat the system. This means, don’t try to hoard drinks to enjoy later on, and don’t use your package to get drinks for someone else.

If you’re caught abusing the system, then you might have your package cancelled without a refund. And it’s not fair on others if you’re trying to cheat things.

13. Public Flossing

I’m not talking about the dance here, just to be clear. This is about dental flossing.

Look, I know that when you’re enjoying your dinner on a cruise, but you get a chunk of food stuck in your teeth, it might be a little frustrating.

Still, if you absolutely have to floss, excuse yourself to the bathroom or something. People have talked about seeing others floss at the table or even when in line for the buffet, and that’s gross – have some respect for others.

Final Word

These are some of the recurring issues with bad manners that people have seen on cruises, and I’m sure there are more – feel free to add your own story in the comments.

Basic manners should be easy, but there are some specific cruise ship etiquette rules you might want to brush up on before you sail.

They are basic and they do cover some of these manner faux pas, but there are some other tips too that you should make sure you know for your next cruise.

Related Posts:

Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

Read more about me

The first time I took a cruise I had absolutely no idea what to expect. And I made a lot of mistakes. But, over the years, as I’ve cruised more and more, I’ve picked up plenty of little hacks that can improve the experience, and save money.

So, here are the best tips I’ve learned from cruising over 40 times…

1. Pack a carry-on bag with essentials for embarkation day

It can take hours for your checked luggage to arrive at your cabin. Sometimes, your cases will arrive right away, but other times you might be waiting until after dinner! As a rule, the bigger the ship, the longer you can expect to wait.

Be sure to include any essential medications. You’ll probably also want to pack your sunglasses, sunscreen, swimsuit, and a change of clothes.

If your suitcase still hasn’t arrived by sailaway, don’t worry. Just head to the guest services desk where you’ll likely find it missing its label.

2. Ensure your watch is set to the ship’s time

As your ship sails you can change time zones frequently, and it can be easy to lose track. If you rely on a phone and a smart watch, sometimes you don’t know if your phone and watch have automatically updated or not!

On a recent cruise, we were woken by a telephone call from the spa at what we thought was 8.10 am, to ask why my husband wasn’t at the 9 am massage he had booked. We were positive it wasn’t 9 am yet and I still to this day don’t know what happened there!

One trick I like to do is to turn of the automatic time updating on my phone. That way, if I have to do it myself, I can be sure that it matches the ship. 

Another option would be to bring a simple watch and/or alarm clock rather than any fancy smart version that might update all by itself.

3. Review and settle your onboard bill before the last day

On some cruises, you’ll never see your bill. They’ll just debit it from your bank account a few days after you’ve left – so you’ll never know if it’s right or not!

On the last day, be sure to get a copy of your bill, whether that’s via the cruise line’s app, the TV in your cabin or a paper copy from guest services.

There may be a long line at reception on disembarkation day, so be sure to check your bill regularly during the cruise and resolve any issues before then.

4. Plan where you’ll be at sailaway 

The sailaway moment can be a highlight of the cruise. Not so much if you’re departing from Southampton in winter. But if you’re sailing out of New York, past the Statue of Liberty and heading to the sunshine of the Caribbean, it can be quite the occasion!

Planning where you’ll be ensures you get the best view and experience, whether that’s from your balcony, a deck party, or a quiet spot where you can relax and enjoy the views from a chair.

5. Decide between self-disembarkation and traditional methods

When you leave the ship, you’ll have a choice of carrying your own bags off at a time that suits you, or leaving them outside your room on the last night and collecting them from the terminal building at a specified time in the morning.

Knowing your disembarkation plan helps you prepare, whether you need to carry your luggage off the ship yourself or set it out the night before.

On more than one occasion I’ve seen people leaving the ship in the morning wearing an evening dress and high heels because they’ve packed all of their clothes (possibly while a little tipsy) and not left any for the next day!

Suggested read: How Long Does It Take to Disembark a Cruise Ship?

6. Use magnets and magnetic hooks to make the most of wall space in your cabin

Cruise ship cabins are often small, so using magnetic hooks on the metal walls helps to maximise space, keeping your room organised and clutter-free.

If you’re cruising solo for a weekend, they won’t be necessary. But when there are four of you in the cabin for two weeks, you’ll want to make the most of every inch of the space. Trust me!

Most magnets aren’t strong enough to hold handbags and heavy coats. I use these super strong ones and hang them from the ceiling instead of the wall to make sure that they can handle the load.

7. Bring your own drinks

Many cruise lines allow you to bring a limited amount of alcohol onboard, which can lead to significant savings compared to purchasing drinks on the ship. The norm is one bottle of wine each, but be sure to check this guide to be sure.

You’ll also want to check whether you can bring soft drinks on board. If you can, you’ll be able to bring more on in each port too. So there’s no need to pay $4 for each can of Pepsi Max when you can get a six-pack for that price and keep it in your fridge.

8. Request extra hangers from your cabin steward

I don’t know why, but most cabins have large wardrobes with only five or six hangers inside. Yes, you can hang multiple things on each one. But more hangers means you can properly store your clothing, reducing wrinkles and keeping your cabin tidy.

9. Book a low-deck midship cabin if you’re worried about seasickness

Most people don’t get seasick on cruises. But if you’re prone to it, and you’re cruising somewhere with rough seas, then it’s worth choosing a cabin where you won’t feel the motion quite so much.

The front, back and top of the cruise ships are the areas that move the most as the ship rocks. So choose a cabin located in the middle of the ship on a low deck to make your cruise more comfortable.

10. Make your luggage stand out in the terminal

After one cruise, I arrived into Southampton to find that somebody had already taken my pink suitcase. An hour later, the terminal was empty apart from one other pink suitcase that wasn’t mine.

I called the number on the tag to find that the owner of this case was half-way home, with what he thought was his pink suitcase. He sheepishly made his way back with it.

I was lucky, I got my case back. Not everyone does!

A brightly-coloured suitcase isn’t enough. Ideally, you want some kind of unique luggage strap or label that makes it obvious who the case belongs to.

11. Look for first-day special offers onboard

Most people don’t eat in speciality dining venues or visit the spa on the first day of their cruise. But this can be the cheapest time to go!

Look out for any special offers that are advertised around the ship so that you can enjoy these experiences at a fraction of the cost.

12. Take your daily programme with you when you leave the ship

There are two reasons I always take the ship programme with me whenever I leave…

The first is that it has the onboard time printed on it. I’d hate to misremember what time I’m meant to be back at the ship. If it’s printed on a piece of paper, I can be 100% sure.

The other reason I take my programme is that it has the ship’s telephone number on it. If my bus breaks down or there’s some other reason why I’m unexpectedly late back to the ship, I’d be able to call and let them know.

Usually, cruise ships wait a maximum of 30 minutes for late guests if they don’t know where they are. But if you can call and let them know what happened and what time you’ll be there, they’re much more likely to hang on and wait for you if they can.

13. Walk away from the port for cheaper taxis

The taxis that wait at the port are usually overpriced. On my last cruise, I overheard a woman being quoted 20 Euros for what was no more than a 10-minute walk.

Even just a short walk further from the port will likely get you much better prices. If you’re unsure about finding your own, ask the crew – they might have some tips if they’ve visited the port themselves before.

Apps like Uber and Free Now are often much cheaper than local taxis, and you’re less likely to be ripped off too. They may not be allowed to drive right up to the ship, so walking a little way also makes this option available to you.

You can save money and also beat the crowds too – win-win! 

14. Spend time researching your ship and itinerary before you book

I know this sounds really obvious, but you do need to do some actual research into the ship you’ll be sailing on, and the destinations, before you book anything.

The amount of times I’ve heard people onboard wishing that there were better restaurants, or that they didn’t realise that a port would be so far from the city they wanted to visit.

None of this is a secret, you can easily find out what your ship will be like or what to expect from each destination.

If you book a cruise and you’re caught off-guard by it not being right for you, that’s on you.

On my last cruise, I was so busy in the weeks leading up to it, that I didn’t have time to plan any of the days ashore. Luckily, I got chatting to a man who had spent weeks planning out his time in each port, so he was able to give me lots of tips!

Other guests can be fountains of knowledge, so take the opportunity to chat to people by sharing tables at dinner or making conversation in the hot tub, to get the most out of your cruise.

15. Book excursions as early as you can – or ask onboard about cancellations

There are lots of different parts of cruise bookings where it can make sense to wait for deals to come up. They might have a sale for a drinks package or for WiFi. But shore excursions don’t really get the same treatment. The price is what it is.

So, if you know there’s an excursion you want to try, book it sooner rather than later. They do sell out – the best ones, often far in advance.

But here’s a handy hint – people often book a wide range, and then cancel. As long as they give at least a day’s notice, there isn’t usually a financial penalty.

This means some excursions will have last-minute available, so hit the shore excursions desk onboard if there’s an experience you wanted to try but missed out on. You might get lucky.

16. You have a safe – use it (and set a reminder to check it)

I see a lot of posts from people who’ve lost their valuables on a cruise ship, and there’s an easy solution to that – use the safe in your room.

If you just make sure that you use the safe for the important bits like your passport, you’ll not worry about misplacing them.

Set a reminder on your phone for the last morning of your cruise to check the safe and empty it, too. That way you won’t accidentally leave stuff there as you disembark.

17. Hanging storage can save a lot of space

Even if you get a bigger cruise cabin, they aren’t huge. You’ll get a good amount of storage but for a lot of people, it’s not enough.

And it’s not as fun living out of a suitcase. It just makes the cruise feel so much more ‘temporary’.

So look to the walls and doors and get some hanging storage. An over-the-door hanger is great for holding shoes or other bits and bobs, so that they don’t take up desk space.

And a small hanger in the bathroom for toiletries will make it much easier to keep everything organised.

18. Pack some seasickness remedies – just in case

If you are worried about getting seasick, or if you’ve never cruised before and you have no idea whether you would suffer, pack something to help with it – just in case. You can get tablets for it, or ginger sweets are another good option.

If you forget, check to see if there are green apples available onboard. They’re supposed to be a good remedy for settling a queasy stomach.

Suggested read: Will You Get Seasick On A Cruise? How To Know

19. Always carry contact details on private shore excursions

You can save big by booking your excursions through a third party instead of with the cruise line. But if you do, you need to always have two things with you – the phone number of the tour provider, and the phone number of the ship.

The tour provider number lets you get in touch with them if something goes wrong with the tour guide, or if you get separated and need help finding your transport back to the ship.

And it’s absolutely crucial that you have the number for the ship in case you get held up on the excursion, because it will leave without you if you’re late back. Ships will wait for cruise line excursions, but not third-party ones.

20. Ask staff for their recommendations

Cruise ship staff aren’t tethered to the ship – they will be allowed ashore on some of their days off, and they’ll often revisit the same port a few times during a contract.

So, they can be a great source of information if you want tips on places to visit – whether that’s a restaurant, or some sights away from the tourist crowds.

They’re also really good at finding out where the free WiFi is available in each port, since they have to pay for their own onboard too. If you need to get online and don’t want to pay, ask the crew for their tips in each destination.

21. Return to the ship for meals (depending on the port)

Obviously, this hack doesn’t work in every port. But, if you’re getting off the ship somewhere where you can walk to the main sights, it often makes sense to head back to the ship to eat.

Some ports might have pricey restaurants, or you just might not fancy the local cuisine. The best restaurants might be busy, too.

Heading back to the ship if it’s in walking distance can save you money and you’ll get plenty of choice from things you know you like onboard.

22. Pack sooner rather than later – and don’t overpack!

I’m such a hypocrite for this hack but oh well! The sooner you can pack for your cruise, within reason, the better.

I don’t mean you should be packing your suitcase two weeks before you set sail. I just mean that leaving it to the night before is a risk.

There’s the chance that your favourite outfit has accidentally become buried at the bottom of the laundry basket, or that you’ve forgotten to buy something essential.

Packing a couple of days before means you’ve still got time for last-minute organisation and it means you’re not rushing around the night before you sail.

23. Check out the onboard offers – they can be good

Most cruise lines will have the option to book another cruise onboard.

It’s actually worth checking it out, because sometimes the discounted rates or the extra onboard credit you can get will be worthwhile, and you often don’t need to pay much of a deposit at all.

Even if you book, and then decide to cancel later, you might only lose out on a tiny amount and you could tie up a deal that’s really good value.

But, bear in mind that the offers aren’t always the best. Sure, you might get an extra $100 on board credit. But if the cruise is likely to be reduced by $300 later, you’d be better off waiting for a deal and booking it then,

Suggested read: Cruise Price Went Down After Booking? Here’s What You Can Do!

24. Praise the crew where you can

This is less of a hack for you really, but it’s a top tip I would recommend – don’t be shy to praise crew members onboard where possible, either by filling out any comments cards or surveys, or even visiting the Guest Services desk if someone does something really special for you.

Sure, there’s the option of tipping, but if you’ve prepaid your gratuities you might not want to get into paying extra. And positive feedback can be pretty beneficial too – it could guarantee crew get future contracts and might even help them to get promoted if they want to.

25. Don’t be afraid to stay onboard

You don’t have to leave the ship when it is in port – if you want to stay onboard, you absolutely can.

In fact there are lots of benefits to staying onboard, such as quieter pool decks, no lines for any open attractions and more.

If you’ve visited a port before, or you just don’t want to get off the ship, don’t!

26. Plan speciality dining around the main dining room menus

You can often see the menus for the main dining room of your cruise in advance, usually through the app if your cruise line has one.

The menu will rotate, so if you plan on dining in the main dining room but want to try some speciality restaurants, check for the days that you don’t mind skipping the main restaurant and book speciality meals for those days.

A little bit of planning can help you enjoy the best food throughout your cruise.

Of course, if you plan on sticking to the buffet, you’ve got nothing to worry about.

27. Bring an extension cord (but check it’s allowed)

Many cruise ship cabins will only have a couple of plug outlets, and they might not be close to the bed.

If you’re someone who likes to use their phone before they sleep (no judgment), or you have lots of things to charge, an extension cord might be useful.

Just check what your cruise line allows. Strangely, it’s the surge-protected ones that tend to be banned more, even though they’re normally safer in your home.

That’s because the fuses used in them aren’t designed for a ship’s power supply and so they can actually be less safe.

28. Don’t forget the binoculars on scenic cruises

Booked your cruise to a scenic destination like Alaska?

Sure, you’ll get amazing views from the deck or your balcony, but sometimes you might see something cool in the distance that you wish you had a better view of, and that’s where binoculars come in handy.

I’d always recommend carrying a pair on any kind of scenic cruise. You might get lucky and see some cool wildlife, and getting a closer view (from a distance) can be really special.

29. Make sure you pack for excursions

When you’re packing your suitcase, don’t forget about excursion days. You want to make sure you’ve got a comfy pair of shoes for walking, and it’s a good idea to pack a refillable water bottle too.

Otherwise, you’re relying on any cafes or stores for buying a drink, and on certain sightseeing tours that might not be an option.

Also, if you’re heading to the beach, consider packing your own snorkel gear if you have it, or buy a cheap set before you travel.

30. Bring a nightlight with you

If you’re staying in an interior cabin (and I’d recommend it, if you want to save money), it’s a good idea to bring a nightlight.

Interior cabins get very, very dark. And if you wake in the middle of the night needing the bathroom, you can either stumble through the darkness or put on a very bright main light.

Taking your own third option – a nightlight – will make it easier to get around without waking yourself up too much, or disturbing your cabinmates.

31. Pack a portable charger

Even though you’re on a cruise ship where you’re within walking distance of your cabin, it still makes sense to pack a portable charger for your holiday.

If you’re relaxing by the pool, you don’t want to give up your space to go back and charge your phone.

And they’re really handy when heading ashore, especially in case you need to call the ship in an emergency and you’ve low battery.

You can get really small ones that’ll manage one charge – that’s all you need.

Final Word

None of my cruises have really gone spectacularly wrong (touch wood), but knowing these tips and hacks before I took my first cruise would’ve made some things a little bit easier.

Hopefully you find them useful – and if you have any of your own to add, please do drop a comment below.

Related Posts:

Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

Read more about me

If you’ve never cruised before, it’s easy to make a few mistakes. 

While most of these are hardly going to spoil your holiday, some could be critically important – and the others are nice to know so that you make the most of your holiday.

So, learn from those who’ve cruised before you! Here are the mistakes other first-time cruisers have made, and tips on how to avoid them yourself.

1. Not researching what’s included

Most cruises aren’t all-inclusive by default, but they tend to include quite a bit. It’s not just your accommodation, but also your food in a variety of venues, some snacks, and a selection of drinks (even if that’s only at breakfast).

Some people mistakenly think that the buffet is the only free food option, or they don’t know about the inclusive snack venues around the ship. They might assume that entertainment shows have a cost too.

Always check what’s covered by your fare, and make sure you make the most of everything that’s free!

Suggested read: Is Food Always Included on Cruises?

2. Failing to buy the right cruise insurance

Cruise insurance is super-important – if you don’t have the right cover, you could end up paying huge medical expenses when you’re abroad, potentially enough to bankrupt you – I’m not exaggerating. Or you might end up cancelling your cruise without being able to get money back.

Suggested read: 9 Horror Stories From Cruisers Who Had No Insurance

Choosing proper cruise insurance also means you can get extra cover for things like missed ports of call, or being confined to your cabin if you get sick (it can happen…).

So, while it’s important to buy your insurance policy on the same day you book, don’t just settle for any random travel cover.

Here are the things you need to know before you buy cruise insurance.

3. Travelling to the cruise ship on the day it departs

Cruise ships have a strict schedule that they need to stick to. This means that they have to leave port at a certain time on embarkation day. And if you haven’t yet made it to the ship, you’re going to miss the cruise – and because it’ll be considered your fault, you won’t get a refund.

Don’t rely on flights being on time on the day of your cruise. If you have far to travel, make sure you go the day before, and book a hotel near the port. The extra expense is worth it to guarantee your place on the ship.

4. Not taking advantage of food and drink luggage allowances

You might assume that cruise lines ban you from bringing any food or drink onboard, since they have it on the ship. That’s not true though. They’re quite happy for you to bring food onto the ship, as long as it’s pre-packaged and hasn’t been opened.

And you can usually bring at least one bottle of wine with you – each cruise line has different policies.

The snacks and drinks on the ship can be a lot more expensive on land, and you’ll really regret not bringing that tube of Pringles if you then see how much one costs in the shop onboard. So get to know your allowances, and take advantage of them.

5. Booking flights home too early

On the last day of your cruise, you’ll disembark the ship and then either drive home or head to the airport to hop on a flight. And if there’s a good flight deal in the late morning or early afternoon, it can be tempting to book that.

But that could be a huge mistake, as disembarkation can take time – you aren’t guaranteed to be off the ship in the early morning, and certain guests who’ve stayed in suites or have a lot of loyalty points will be offered priority.

If you miss your flight because you then couldn’t get a cab amongst the throng of debarking passengers, that’s on you. Leave plenty of time to get to the airport.

6. Assuming only the cruise line offers excursions

Cruise excursions are a great way to spend your time in port, but booking them through the cruise line can be expensive – they do like to charge a premium. 

You can often get the same excursions for much less if you book through a third party, though just be aware that the cruise line will then wipe its hands of responsibility for you being back on the ship on time. If something happens on the excursion and you miss the sailing time, you’ll be left behind.

Suggested read: How I Find Affordable Shore Excursions

7. Stressing about the dress code

Yes, many cruise lines still have a dress code, and a lot of people won’t check it, which can lead to disappointment when they want to head to dinner that night and they realise their options are limited because they’re underdressed.

But the bigger mistake is turning formal night into a big drama, and worrying about whether your outfit is suitable. If you want to take part, just make an effort – it’s OK if you’re not quite following it to the letter of the law. 

And if you don’t want to take part, there are plenty of places on the ship where you can still eat in your regular comfy clothes. Formal night should be fun – don’t worry yourself over it.

Suggested read: The Best Cruise Dresses for Formal Night

8. Forgetting about mobile data charges

The last thing you want to do is finish your cruise and then receive a phone bill for hundreds of £s or $s, all because you forgot to turn off your mobile data.

You might have a roaming deal in your contract, but that only covers you when you’re in certain countries. It doesn’t count at sea – but your phone will connect, and you will get some astronomical charges. The networks you connect to at sea really aren’t cheap.

As soon as you board your cruise, turn data off. You can pay for WiFi if you want to get online, or use free WiFi in ports, but never let yourself get trapped with a huge data bill.

9. Failing to understand tips/gratuities

Different cruise lines have different policies when it comes to tips and gratuities. Some charge a daily rate that is added to your account automatically, whereas others will include it in the fare.

Some even charge a daily gratuity rate but then leave tipping envelopes in your cabin, encouraging you to tip more (looking at you, Disney Cruise Line…).

Familiarise yourself with the tips you’re supposed to pay for your cruise line, so it doesn’t come as a shock when you get onboard.

Read more: Can You Refuse To Pay Gratuities On A Cruise?

10. Buying a drinks package without researching it

When you book your cruise, you may be offered an all-inclusive drinks package, and it might seem like a good idea – pay for the package upfront and you never have to worry about paying for drinks individually.

The mistake is that a drinks package isn’t right for everyone. If you don’t drink much, you could be massively overpaying.

My drinks package calculator will help you understand that, for some people, you could save a lot just by paying for drinks as you go.

11. Overpacking

One of the most common tips I see for new cruisers is to pack for your cruise, and then remove half, and then potentially even remove half again!

New cruisers love to overpack, stuffing their suitcase with every possible outfit they might need. But instead, you’ll find it much easier to just pack the essentials along with a few versatile outfits.

Remember that cruise ships have laundry facilities in case you need them.

Suggested read: 16 Things Pro Cruisers Pack That You Won’t Have Thought Of

12. Overpacking carry-on bags

Another mistake is overpacking your carry-on bag, loading it up with all kinds of electronics and other heavy items that you ‘might’ need for the flight and the first couple of hours of your cruise.

The thing is, you might end up having to carry that bag around for a long time, especially if there are long lines for boarding the ship and then a few hours to kill until your cabin is ready. Try to only pack the essentials in your carry-on so you don’t have a huge weight on your shoulders, literally.

However…

13. Packing swimwear in suitcases

It’s a great idea to pack your bathing costumes in your carry-on, instead of making the mistake of putting them in your suitcases.

Again, you might have a few hours to wait once you’re on the ship until your cabin’s ready and your suitcases are delivered. If you pack your swimming gear, you can get changed and start enjoying the pool as soon as you’re onboard.

14. Packing towels

One last point on packing – you don’t need to pack towels. That’s a lot of bulk and weight that’s completely unnecessary. The cruise ship will have plenty of towels for you, including beach towels.

15. Not checking cabin location

On every cruise ship, there are good cabin locations and bad cabin locations. They aren’t all the same, because it’ll depend on what kind of cruise passenger you are. For example, cabins adjacent to the kids’ clubs are great for families, and terrible for solo travellers!

Many first-time cruisers assume all cabins are equal, but with a little bit of research when choosing your cabin, you can find the best ones for you.

Suggested read: How To Upgrade Your Cruise Cabin After Purchase

16. Making assumptions about cabin types

Balcony cabins cost more than inside cabins, and so they’re always better – right?

That’s the kind of assumption that first-time cruisers often make in error. In reality, the different cabin types fit different needs too. Yes, inside cabins are best if you’re on a budget, but that doesn’t make them the worst – some people love them because of how well you’ll sleep in the dark.

Some people think balconies are overpriced and unnecessary, others will refuse to do anything else after trying one.

The tip here is to actually read reviews of the different cabin types before making any snap judgements when you book.

Suggested read: Why I (Almost) Always Choose an Inside Cabin for a Family Cruise

17. Not researching the cruise line

I’ve had some really funny conversations with people before when they’ve told me they’re going on their first-ever cruise, I’ve asked them which cruise line, and they reply “Oh, I can’t remember”.

Some first-time cruisers pay no attention to the cruise line even though they all offer very different experiences. Imagine not remembering if you’ve booked on a Carnival or a Celebrity ship!

Take your time to understand the vibe on each cruise line, and even each individual ship, before booking.

Suggested read: The 14 Worst Cruise Lines (According to Reviews)

18. Not washing their hands

Hygiene is really important on a cruise ship, because sickness bugs can get passed around very easily. And yet, first-time cruisers often don’t realise how important it is to wash your hands regularly.

To be fair, a lot of experienced cruisers still don’t seem to have got the message…

The fact that cruise lines now have to employ crew members to stand outside the buffet restaurants and sing catchy songs about washing your hands to convince you is a damning indictment of what some cruise guests are like.

Here’s my tip – wash your hands.

19. Not hydrating properly

Cruises are extremely relaxing, especially when you’re lounging on the pool deck under the beating sun. However, don’t get so comfortable that you forget to properly hydrate. You can easily make yourself ill by not drinking enough water on a ship.

The same could also be said of sunscreen – you’re very exposed on a pool deck so you need to be properly protected.

20. Avoiding the main dining room for breakfast and lunch

Many cruise passengers assume that the buffet is the main place to go for breakfast and lunch, and that the main dining room is really for dinner only.

But that’s a mistake, as it’s absolutely worth trying the dining room for a nice sit-down breakfast or some different lunch options.

You might try it once and decide you prefer the ease of the buffet or the other casual venues, and that’s fine. But don’t dismiss the dining room without giving it a go.

21. Booking based on price without checking the weather

It’s understandable that you’d want to save money when booking your first cruise, but if you find an amazing deal, ask why the price might be so low.

It’s often because it’s out of season, and the weather could have a serious impact on your itinerary. Some cruises lose multiple ports when storms are bad, because the ship is just unable to dock.

Do your research on different times of year for the region you want to cruise to, and make sure you aren’t taken in by a deal without digging a little deeper.

Suggested read: The 11 Worst Ports of Call For Cruise Ship Tourists

NEW DEALS JUST RELEASED!

Don’t miss these hot cruise offers…

Final Word

How many of these mistakes did you make on your first cruise?

How many do you still see people making, even if they seem to have cruised many times before?

Share any tips or mistakes of your own in the comments too, if you think I’ve missed any!

Related Posts:

If you found this interesting, please share!

Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

Read more about me