Imagine that you’ve just arrived on your first-ever cruise. You’re excited and ready to relax. But then you realize you haven’t done your research, you don’t know what to do at the different cruise stops, and you end up wasting a ton of time waiting in lines and asking others what you should do.
Don’t let this happen to you on your cruise. Check out the article below to learn about the most common beginner cruise mistakes and how to avoid them.
1. Failing to Research Ports of Call
Some of the most enjoyable times on a cruise are when you arrive at a port of call. You’ll be able to disembark from the ship and explore an island, country or town.
If you don’t do your research ahead of time, you might miss out on all the cool places to explore at the port of call. Depending on which cruise you go on, you might get to go to one port of call or several.
Be sure to dig into the different port of call options ahead of time and figure out what kind of local attractions exist at each stop.
2. Packing Too Much
Cruises should be relaxing and fun. One way to derail your experience before you even arrive is by packing too much and forcing yourself to lug around heavy luggage.
When packing for cruises, remember that most cruises will offer laundry services on the ship. You can bring fewer outfits and wash them if they get dirty. It’s also important to remember that cruises have plenty of supplies, and port-of-call destinations will have shops.
Your cruise room amenities will likely include toiletries, so don’t worry about packing too many of those. If you forget anything, you’ll likely be able to buy it on your trip. You may also want to leave room in your suitcase for souvenirs.
3. Forgetting About Extra Expenses
When you’re planning out your budget, be sure to think about the money you’ll spend on the cruise. Many cruises offer all-inclusive packages that include food and drinks.
These all-inclusive packages are a great way to enjoy a booze cruise. However, you have to pay for any added services that you want to enjoy on the cruise.
Those services might include things like massages, souvenirs, and any money you spend while you’re off the ship at the port of call. When choosing a cruise, look at the other paid experiences offered on board.
If you don’t factor these expenses into your budget, you might be left with a hole in your budget by the end of the trip.
4. Missing Out on Onboard Activities
While cruises should be relaxing, there are a lot of different popular cruise activities you can use to entertain yourself on the trip. Cruises offer nightly shows, workout classes, yoga, and other opportunities to get to know your fellow travelers.
You might be tempted to lounge in your room or at the pool deck all day, but some of the best times o a cruise can be found by experiencing the special activities the cruise has to offer.
5. Not Booking Excursions
Most port-of-call locations will offer different excursions that you can enjoy. You might consider going snorkeling, ziplining, or kayaking. If you’re the type of person who enjoys going on excursions, you should book these excursions ahead of time.
If you wait to book the excursion until you arrive at the port of call, it may be too late. You may end up waiting in line for hours, or possibly finding out that the excursion is already booked.
Most port-of-call stops only last a few hours, so it’s important to book everything ahead of time to make the most of your experience.
6. Declining Travel Insurance
Travel insurance can help you enjoy some peace of mind while you’re on your cruise. There’s no telling what can happen to you while you’re out on a cruise and traveling to different port-of-call locations.
You could experience a medical emergency, lose your luggage, or be forced to cancel your trip. If you get travel insurance, you can avoid letting these unfortunate events ruin your entire experience.
If you have to cancel the trip because of an illness or another emergency, travel insurance will ensure that you don’t have to pay for the trip out of pocket.
7. Ignoring the Safety Briefs
If you do nothing else on your cruise, be sure to pay attention to the safety brief. Cruises are fun, but only if you follow safety regulations to keep yourself and your fellow travelers safe.
When you first arrive on the ship, you’ll likely be ready to change into a swimsuit, grab a drink, and hit the pool. Before you do all that, remember to listen carefully to the safety briefs and review safety-related materials.
8. Failing to Allow Time to Disembark
It can take a long time to disembark from a cruise ship. These ships have thousands of passengers, and they all have to move slowly to get to shore safely.
Long disembarking times can lead to missed flights or missed excursions at the port of call. Be sure to allow some extra time ahead of your flight or excursion to ensure you don’t miss it.
Reviewing Top Beginner Cruise Mistakes
Now that you’re familiar with common beginner cruise mistakes, you know how to avoid them.
