Cruising is a wonderful way to enjoy a variety of destinations while only packing and unpacking once. It has gained immense popularity for a reason!
For most, the ship itself is also a remarkable destination and a critical piece of the overall vacation experience.
To help you have the best vacation possible, here are 10 cruising mistakes to avoid.
1. Not arriving at your departure port the day BEFORE your cruise.
I can never emphasize this enough.
Always arrive the day before departure, if possible. So much can go wrong with airport delays, traffic, canceled flights, etc.
Isn't it worth the cost of a hotel room to minimize stress and know for sure that you will be boarding the ship when it sets sail?
2. Cruising without travel insurance.
Cruising without travel insurance is like playing with fire. You just never know when things will get out of control.
There are a wide range of policies out there which include coverage for medical issues, travel delays and interruptions, and cancellations.
I could tell you countless stories of times when perfectly healthy people ended up needing to use their travel protection coverage.
3. Cruising without a Passport.
It’s true: if you cruise from and return to the same U.S. port, passports are NOT required.
However, if you have to fly home from any of your ports-of-call because of a family emergency or an illness or injury, you could be totally out of luck!
A passport is a small investment to ensure that you can return home hassle-free.
4. Forgetting to turn data roaming off on your cell phone.
Before sailing, you should go to the settings on your phone and make sure that data roaming is turned off.
This will keep your cell phone from racking up huge charges and using data even when it is in your pocket.
Putting your phone in airplane mode will also prevent this problem.
5. Getting left behind in port.
When the captain says that the ship is leaving port at 5:00, he means it.
He isn’t going to wait around for those who lost track of time.
If you get left behind in port, you are responsible for your own transportation to the next port or back home. The costs can be several thousand dollars per person and will be even more complicated if you are traveling without a passport.
My advice?
Plan on arriving back near the ship 1 to 1 1/2 hours before you are scheduled to leave. This not only gives you some time to shop in the port area, but also gives you plenty of leeway for issues on the way back to the ship.
6. Eating only at the buffet.
While many ships have great buffets, the best food on a cruise is almost always in the main dining room or specialty restaurants.
By eating only at the buffet, you miss out on the great food and service that you can experience if you slow down and enjoy it.
Sure, it may be tough to drag yourself out of the pool to get cleaned up for dinner, but your taste buds will be rewarded!
7. Stiffing the crew.
While most cruise lines automatically charge a daily gratuity or service surcharge to your stateroom, you may have the charges removed by going to guest services.
However, just because you are allowed to have them taken off doesn’t mean that you should.
You wouldn’t go to a restaurant without tipping, and you shouldn’t go on a cruise without tipping the staff that works so hard to make your trip a pleasant one.
If anything, I recommend taking extra cash so that you may tip above and beyond for those who warrant it.
8. Treating the crew like 2nd class citizens.
Yes, the ship staff are service providers, but please be a gracious traveler.
These folks work 7 days a week and are away from your family for 6-9 months at a time, so that YOU might have an enjoyable vacation. Take the time and get to know them a bit, treating them as individuals worthy of real conversation.
Kind words to the crew will go a long way, and your interactions may end up being some of your most cherished vacation memories.
9. Getting too drunk.
No one enjoys having an obnoxious drunk by them on the lido deck or at their dinner table. Just because you CAN drink a bucket of beer before lunch doesn't mean you SHOULD.
These days, beverage packages make it even more tempting to over-drink. Pace yourself…your body will thank you later!
10. Not using a travel agent.
You knew I had to put this one in there, right?
Not only will I help you make sure you get the best pricing possible for your vacation, but I’ll make sure every detail is in place to help you have the best experience imaginable.
When you’re ready to experience the joy of cruising, I’m here to help!
Feel free to click here to schedule a complimentary vacation planning session. I'll gladly help you turn your “someday” into “remember when.”
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