A cruise is a a great vacation, and you can make it even better with a few easy tried and true advice.
First time cruisers often want to know how to make sure their trip better. Understandably, planning can be a bit overwhelming.
Today’s cruise ships are like floating cities with tons of activities, venues, and non-stop activities, visiting incredible destinations throughout the world.
Here are some of our favorite cruise hacks to help make planning a breeze, as well as help save you time and money!
Picking a cruise
1. Book off-season
Cruises are more expensive at peak times like Christmas and other holidays. If you're flexible with your time, you can save a lot.
2. Select inside or guaranteed cabins as these tend to be lower in price
For those who don’t plan on spending much time in their stateroom or aren’t fussy about cabin type/location, guaranteed rooms are great options. Rather than choose your specific stateroom at the time of booking, you'll be assigned a stateroom by the cruise line closing to your sailing date.
3. If you have specific preferences, reserve early to get the cruise and cabin type you really want
In general, the lowest prices for a cruise tend to be when sailings are released for booking.
4. Use a good travel agent
A good travel agent can save you time and money, and if you are a first-time cruiser, they can be quite helpful in sharing their experience and expertise. Even people who cruise a lot find value in a travel agent for making the entire process easier.
5. Travel agents aren't just for cruises
Let your agent recommend and coordinate flights, hotels, and transfers. If there are changes, they spend the time on the phone, not you. Don't hesitate to ask your travel agent for suggestions or bring up questions you may have. Odds are they've seen and heard it all before!
Booked! Now what?
6. Check the cruise planner
Once you've placed your deposit, you will gain access to your cruise line's online planning portal, which is where you'll find information on excursions, activities, and more.
7. Drink packages could save you money
Do you need a drink package? This is a hot topic for many. Drink package costs vary by sailing and fluctuate all the time. Before deciding, look at your cruise line's current bar menus and evaluate how much you plan on drinking each day. Typically, if you think you'll have more than 6-7 cocktails daily, a drink package can often save you money.
8. You can always change your mind later
Extras like excursions, drinks, and dining packages can be canceled and rebooked if the price changes. Best of all, there's usually no change or cancellation penalty for canceling pre-purchased items.
9. Never fly the same day your cruise departs
Plan to fly in at least a day early. You don’t need the added stress of delayed flights or missed connections. If you don’t arrive on time, the ship will not wait for you. The last thing you want to do is put your entire vacation in jeopardy to save some money on a hotel room.
10. The power of the internet
Follow message boards or social media for specific sailings. They're good sources for tips on discounts, hotel recommendations, or group activities on the cruise. You may discover a tour that you would have never otherwise considered.
11. Take advantage of social media
Have a question for the cruise line? Try social media. Facebook and Twitter can be a quick way to get an answer. Social media teams can get answers quickly and without having to wait on hold.
12. Get a passport
While passports are not required on all cruise sailings, they're recommended in case of an emergency. Give yourself plenty of time to apply, though. According to the U.S. Department of State, the processing time for a new passport is 6 to 8 weeks.
13. Travel insurance
A not-so-glamorous part of trip planning is buying travel insurance. No one plans to get sick or hurt on vacation, but accidents can happen! Medical, trip interruption, and cancelation clauses are important to provide peace of mind during these unforeseen circumstances.
Packing and Prep
14. Bring a water bottle
Bottled water is extra on a ship, so having a reusable one can be a money saver. Those from LARQ and Lifestraw will also clean the water, getting rid of E.coli and bacteria.
15. Make copies of important documents
Before you leave, make copies of your passport and driver's license. While copies won't be acceptable when checking in at the terminal, it may help if you lose the originals onboard.
16. Download the cruise app beforehand
Your cruise line app is a great source of info and is often used for booking activities onboard. Be sure to download the app while at home because it may take much longer to download the app from the ship's Wi-Fi.
17. Check what you cannot bring
Have a look at the cruise line’s suggested packing list, along with prohibited items. Power strips, electrical cords, and baby monitors are all on the no-go list.
18. Pack the medication you need
Make sure you have all prescription medications packed in your cruise carry-on. It's also smart to bring common over-the-counter medications, such as pain relievers, seasickness medication, etc. Also, be sure to pack more than you need in case you're delayed returning home.
19. Leave new shoes at home
Don’t bring brand-new shoes. It's never a good idea to break in a new pair of shoes on vacation.
20. Packing cubes
Are you a chronic over-packer? Many people swear by packing cubes for efficiency. Rolling clothes is a space saver as well.
21. Bring your own alcohol/drinks
Some cruise lines let you bring limited quantities of alcohol onboard on embarkation day. This can be a great way to save money, especially if you don't have a drink package.
On the cruise
22. Avoid roaming charges
Leave your phone in airplane mode and turn off cellular data immediately. You don’t want to incur any roaming charges. You can still use your phone and access the ship's Wi-Fi.
23. Skip the buffet
Rather than heading to the ship's buffet, try a café for a sandwich or grab a slice of pizza, then head off for some fun. There are usually other grab-and-go alternatives with shorter lines on the first day of the cruise.
24. Pack a bathing suit on the first day
If you want to try the slides and other popular venues on embarkation day, make sure to bring your bathing suit onboard.
25. Pack important must-haves in your carry-on luggage
Make sure your carry-on has any other necessities like medications, glasses, and other valuables. Luggage delivery can take a couple of hours, so you don't want to be in a situation where you need something critical in a bag that hasn't arrived at your cabin yet.
26. Take advantage of better prices on port days
Port days can also be a good option for highly sought-after activities or good prices at the spa. Check the daily cruise planner to see when things are open, and ask crew members if there are any specials or discounts available.
27. Look for hidden USB plugs
Older cruise ships usually have limited outlets. However, consider searching for hidden USB ports. Sometimes, they can be found on new televisions, as well as cabin phones.
28. Room service for breakfast
Continental breakfast room service is usually complimentary. Having room service bring you breakfast is a peaceful way to start your day, allowing you to sit out on the balcony and sip coffee while your ship pulls into port.
29. Don't be afraid to ask for other menu options
Don’t see anything on the menu you want? Ask your server if other options are available. Staff are very accommodating and eager to please. If you have a dietary restriction, make sure you let the dining staff know ahead of time. Some cruise lines require forms to be submitted in advance.
30. Take advantage of customer loyalty programs
The more you cruise with one line, the faster you'll rise up the ranks of their loyalty program. Some include benefits like free drinks, priority boarding, and more.
Port excursions
31. Use Wi-Fi in port
Certain ports have spots with complimentary Wi-Fi. If not, a cheap way to check in on things at home is to purchase a drink at a local café.
32. DIY Tours
Do-it-yourself excursions are a great option to save money. If you just want to walk around the port area or take a quick taxi to the beach or nearby town, you can go on your own. Do research ahead of time and plan lots of time to get back to the port.
33. Download maps for offline use
If you don’t have internet/data coverage in port, download Google Maps ahead of time and use it offline. You can add points of interest on the Google Trip Planner to customize your plans.
34. Ask crew members for tour ideas
Did you know you can get suggestions on where to go and what to do from the crew? Crew members have likely been to the ports on your itinerary before and can be a great source for finding hidden gems or local mom-and-pop restaurants with the best local cuisine.
35. Save money by drinking in port
If you don’t have a beverage package, drinking in port can be cheaper.
36. Double-check the time before you disembark
Pay attention to ship time before you leave for a tour. Cruise ships are on ship time, not local time, so it's important to pay attention to when you need to be back. Some people take a wristwatch and set it to cruise time to avoid confusion.
End of cruise
37. Check your bill before you leave
Billing discrepancies are best-taken care of while onboard. If you see anything astray on your statement, take a few moments to visit Guest Services.
38. Leftover onboard credit (OBC)?
Rather than letting onboard credit go to waste, find an enticing slot machine and try your luck. Then, redeem the rest in cash.
39. You can walk off with your own luggage
If you're in a hurry, you may carry your bags off. This means you do not have to leave your suitcases outside your stateroom the night before disembarkation.
40. Book another cruise before you leave
Booking your next cruise is a surefire way to ease the pain of returning to normal life. Booking on the ship can give you extra perks like extra onboard credit or reduced deposits.
Chantal McPhee
Chantal McPhee has a great passion for travel since first venturing to the Bahamas as a child with her grandparents. Today, she loves cruising with her husband and two daughters to new places and aspires one day to do a world cruise. Living on the east coast of Canada, she shares cruising tips and information with fellow Canucks seeking a reprieve from the great white north. She also teaches business studies at a university, with a focus on strategy
