8 Common Cruise Mistakes Travelers Make, According To Experts

0I travel and write about it for a living, and cruising is one of my favorite ways to get away from it all and enojy a truly relaxing vacation. After setting sail on major cruise lines more times than I can count, I’ve realized there are lots of things it’s important to do (and not do) before going on a cruise.

First-time cruisers can make lots of rookie mistakes, from packing way too much stuff to timing their travel into the port city all wrong. Luckily, there are plenty of frequent cruisers out there who’ve become experts at stress-free cruising and love sharing what they’ve learned over the years. I chatted with experienced cruisers to find out which mistakes first-time cruisers make most often, and how to avoid them.

Courtney Ball is a content creator who shares her travels on Instagram and TikTok and cruises often. Ball says for those who are flying into a port city to go on their cruise, flying in the day of is “a huge no-no.” Why? When cruisers depend on on-time flights and zero travel hiccups on embarkation day, they’re taking a pretty big risk.

Instead, Ball recommends arriving the day before your ship leaves port. “Never, ever, ever fly in the day of,” she says. “Find a hotel near the port the day before your sailing and take that time relaxing and exploring the city you’re in. That way, your morning of the cruise is smooth sailing.”

Viktor Tuparov and his partner have more than 50 cruises under their belts collectively. Tuparov, who works as a public relations manager for a theme park, says on his first cruise, he absolutely overpacked … and regretted it. “My suitcase was stuffed to the max and I barely wore half of what I brought,” he shares. “Now, I’ve got packing down to a science. I can fit everything I need into a carry-on for a weeklong trip.”

So how should first-time cruisers pack for their vacation? “The trick,” says Tuparov, “is to think about versatility. Pick clothes you can mix and match and remember to dress them up or down as needed. Most importantly, wear what makes you feel good. This is your vacation, so comfort should be a priority.”

While it’s incredibly easy to book excursions — activities at each cruise port that are done off of the ship — directly through the cruise line, Tuparov says that’s not always the best move. “There are plenty of local, independent providers that offer awesome experiences, often at a better price,” says Tuparov. “Sure, booking with the cruise line has its perks, like the guarantee that you won’t get left behind if your tour runs late, but don’t hesitate to check out other options.”

It pays to do some advance research for ports along your individual cruise itinerary. Spending some time doing online searches of independent tour providers in each port and watching content in places like YouTube and TikTok to see what other tourists have done in the area can pay off. No time to plan in advance? Often, you can walk right off the ship and find tour guide companies set up in port who can provide activities for the day for a fee.

“Whether you decide to relax on the ship, join a cruise line-sponsored excursion, or explore on your own, just make sure you make the most of each port,” Tuparov adds.

Another must-do for Ball? Purchasing travel insurance in advance. “Life can be unpredictable,” she explains. “I’ve seen countless people have to unexpectedly cancel their trip last minute or have flight delays that have cost them their vacation and thousands of dollars.”

In short, if a trip is worth buying, it’s worth protecting your investment, too. “The best thing to do is buy insurance ahead of time,” says Ball. “It doesn’t have to be through the cruise line, but it’s a good idea to insure your cruise vacation to save cancellation heartache.”

Vicki Winters is a luxury travel advisor with Bucket List Travelers and says there are many benefits to using a travel agent when booking a cruise vacation rather than booking the trip yourself online. “Using a trusted travel agent [could] actually save you some money and grief,” says Winters. “If you haven’t properly planned ahead, you [may] recieve a bill for added charges at the end of a cruise. Depending on the line these charges can be astronomical and surprising to say the least.”

Winters says often, travelers book a cruise thinking it’ll cost a set rate per person, but are surprised to find there were additional charges once they boarded the ship, like Wi-Fi costs or charges for coffee. She says using a travel agent can help cruisers understand the rates and choose the best fare for their needs. “An agent [may] be able to save you a lot of grief,” she adds. “Purchasing certain rates, that include Wi-Fi, drinks, or specialty dining before boarding can save a good chunk of change and an agent can help explain that.”

Winters says it’s also common for first-time cruisers to book a cruise vacation without thinking about what they’re hoping to achieve on their vacation. “If you are looking to be surrounded by families, some cruise lines are better for that,” she says. “Something more hip, sans kids? More ports, less time at sea? Great food? Party all day? Lounge on your balcony? Ned to get some work done?” Winters says it’s important to consider exactly what you’re looking for from a cruise vacation, since each cruise line and each ship is different.

There are lots of ways to research which cruise ship is best for your vacation needs, from YouTube research to using a travel agent like Winters. Winters says to remember most travel agents “have done the hard work for you already.

“You want someone who has eaten the mass market, low-quality buffet food, been run down by screaming children, eaten the best meals at sea and can help you choose the best fit for your needs,” she says.

Brandy Yearous is a content creator and entreprenuer who has been cruising with her family for years. Since the bags you check when you arrive at the cruise port won’t arrive at your stateroom until later in the afternoon, Yearous says it’s important to think of the items you’ll need during your first few hours on the ship and pack them in a carry-on-style bag.

“Don’t delay the fun waiting on your bags before you set sail,” says Yearous. “Pack your swimsuit and sunblock in your carry on.” Other items to toss into your day bag? Cameras, reading material, prescription medications, and possibly a change of clothes in case your bags arrive after dinner time.

Most cruise lines have an early and a late dinner seating each evening. While it’s easy to assume you’re party will prefer the earlier time slot, Yearous says to consider how you want to spend your nights aboard the ship before commiting to a dining time. “Don’t book early dinner just because that’s what time you eat at home,” says Yearous.

“Ship time is very different and so are your eating habits while aboard,” Yearous explains. “If you book early dinner, a lot of time that’s when the boat is setting sail from a port and it leaves you very little time to get ready.” Instead, consider the later dinner seating, expecially on port days, so you’ve got plenty of time to get back on the ship and shower for dinner.

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