I am just off my latest MSC cruise, where I spent seven delightful days touring around the scenic southern Caribbean on MSC Seaside.
While I have ten cruises under my belt, I seem to learn something new on every cruise, and I still am shocked by some of the mistakes I see people making, many of which I have made at some point or other.
Whether you're saving money and time or making the most of your cruise vacation, some mistakes can easily be avoided. There are several easy things to do beforehand to better prepare for your cruise and make the most of your time onboard.
Here are 20 cruise ship mistakes to avoid on your MSC cruise.
1. Passing on the drink package
There is a myth among would-be cruisers that onboard specials for drink packages will be much better than pre-cruise prices listed on the cruise planner. However, after five cruises with MSC, I have never seen the drink packages go on sale once onboard, and they are always cheaper pre-cruise, usually 15-20%. That's a lot of savings for one of the most popular cruise add-ons.
MSC has 5 different types of drink packages, meaning you can find the one that is right for you. The basic package with alcoholic drinks was $39 per day for my cruise, with the premium package at $72. With a couple of cocktails, a beer or wine, not to mention soda and bottled water, it does not take long to break even on an MSC drink package.
Unlike some other cruise lines like Carnival, there is no maximum to the number of drinks you can have. When you buy an MSC drink package, gratuities are included, and the package works at MSC’s private island - Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.
Read more: 13 MSC Drink Packages Tips and Tricks
2. Not researching cabin location and type when booking
While you can save money by letting MSC select your cabin, many people opt to pick their own. I am a light sleeper and don’t want to be exhausted during my vacation because my cabin is located under a nightclub with pounding dance beats. My other least favorite is the sound of deckchairs being rearranged in the middle of the night.
To help you figure out if your cabin is in a good location, check the MSC website. The cruise line posts deck plans for all of their ships. For those who are noise-sensitive or want to be close to elevators, it is advisable to look at where the cabin is located and what is around it, both above and below. Also, checking if it is a connecting cabin is important. The doors between those cabins tend to leak more noise than solid walls.
A good travel agent can also assist with this, especially helpful for first-timers, making sure you get the right cabin for your budget.
Read more: MSC Cruises Cabin Overview – what you need to know
3. Buying internet packages onboard
Many people want to disconnect while away on their cruise vacation, but the reality is that most of us need to stay in contact with friends and family at home or want to be able to check email and social media.
MSC offers two different internet packages, and they are cheaper when purchased in advance. The basic Browse package was $14 USD per day pre-cruise or $17.50 onboard. Browse and Stream - the premium plan - was $22.50 pre-cruise or $26 per day if purchased onboard. A day pass, which is good for 24 hours, was $27 per day for the Browse package, and the premium package was $35 per day.
While some people opt to rely on free wi-fi in ports, on my last cruise, I did not see a lot of good places to sit and enjoy a drink with complimentary wi-fi.
Read more: Do cruise ships have WiFi?
4. Failing to research ports/excursions ahead of time
My recent cruise of the Windward Islands of the Lesser Antilles featured five port days, so there were lots of excursions to choose from. I heard from some people who were frustrated that excursions were sold out or were not sure what to do as they had not done any research.
Personally, I don’t think you need to take a cruise ship-organized excursion each day. There are a lot of great (often cheaper) options, including self-led tours. When we visited Martinique, I had a map of basic tourist attractions, along with some bars/restaurants we may want to visit, and we were good from there. If you don’t have cell coverage in port, you can download Google Maps and use it offline while walking around.
You can save a lot of money by using local vendors, many of whom will be waiting at the port. It is advisable to research vendors ahead of time. Although there are licensed taxis in the ports, it is preferable to know prices and itineraries and check reviews ahead of time.
Read more: 12 cruise ship shore excursions you should skip
5. Leaving essential items like medicine at home
While we all struggle with overpacking, one thing not to scrimp on is the essentials. Meds, kids' stuff like diapers, pain meds, bug spray, etc. In this case, I was the one to forget something important.
One night after dinner, I had some sort of allergic reaction on my hand, and it was quite itchy. I had actually debated bringing an ant-itch/cortisone-type product but left it at home. Of course, this is the one time I did not have it and needed it. We found a cream at the exorbitant price of $20. Another thing I had not considered pre-cruise was that the number of port days and late departures meant that the stores were not open a lot. And if you needed something, it was definitely at a premium.
In addition to opening hours, there is also not a lot of selection on MSC ships, similar to other cruise lines. They don’t have a wide range of products like a normal drugstore. If you are cruising with kids, bring plenty of diapers or that cream that works wonders. You probably won’t find it on the ship at a reasonable cost, if they have it at all.
Read more: How to make your own DIY cruise first aid kit
6. Flying in on the same day of the cruise
When I hear about people flying in on the same day as the cruise, I feel an incredible amount of anxiety – and it doesn’t even affect me.
On this recent cruise, I was part of a Facebook group for our sailing, and I was horrified when people were talking about how late could they board the first day. Many of our ports had late departures- one was even 11 pm, and some people had flights landing in the late afternoon and early evening.
There are so many variables with flying, including getting through the airport and getting a transfer to the port. It is definitely a risky strategy. Additionally, the all-aboard time does not equate to the latest check-in time. I never heard if anyone missed our cruise, but the stress of flying the same day is not a good way to start off a relaxing vacation.
Read more: Will the cruise ship wait for you if you're late at a port?
7. Not putting your phone on airplane mode
I was chatting with another passenger about something on the MSC for Me app, and as the lady shared her screen, I noticed she was not in airplane mode. I quickly told her about roaming charges and the potential costs of not turning off her cellular data while cruising.
While cell packages cover some ports, they may not cover all, and certainly not at sea. We visited the French islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique, and many of the Europeans had roaming plans that covered those islands but not some of the others. For me, it would have been a pricey upgrade from my North American plan.
The internet is littered with stories about people coming home to sky-high cell phone bills, and the cell provider is not to blame. Certainly, a cruise memory you don't want to have.
Read more: Do cell phones work on cruise ships?
8. Being unaware of visa/entry requirements for your departure port
As with other cruise lines, it is the passenger’s responsibility to make sure that they are aware of entry requirements for the departure port. It is also the guests' responsibility to make sure they have a valid ID, which is most often a passport unless you are an American citizen leaving on a closed-loop sailing from the United States.
For my most recent cruise, guests could embark in Barbados, Guadeloupe, and Martinique. The latter two are part of France, so it’s like traveling to Europe. Barbados, of course, is an independent country and has its own set of rules.
While I had no paperwork to fill out flying from Canada to Guadeloupe, others did depending on where they left from and where they were joining the ship. For Barbados, guests had to complete a form within 72 hours of arrival through the online customs and immigration portal. Some guests who joined in Martinique had their passports held and only returned at the end of the cruise. A lot of different rules that people need to be aware of!
9. Not bringing cash, including the right currency for the ports you are visiting
Not long after boarding MSC Seaside, I heard that MSC Cruises is no longer exchanging cash onboard. This is not usually a big deal for most Caribbean cruises, as many islands accept US dollars, but we were cruising to a few spots where euros are best to have on hand, especially for taxi rides or small purchases from local vendors.
I like to take care of any foreign currency transactions pre-cruise, so I visited my bank to make sure I had some euros. My local bank usually needs a week to order if they don’t have it on hand.
Alternatively, you can get some money at the casino by charging it to your room. You can then cash in your chips for euros. For this itinerary, all transactions were done in euros.
Read more: How much cash should you bring on a cruise?
10. Arriving at the port unprepared
Unlike most other cruise lines, MSC requires you to present a hard copy of your boarding pass and complete a brief health questionnaire. These, along with the appropriate ID (like a passport), are key requirements for getting onto the ship.
On my most recent MSC cruise, I saw people fumbling through their phones, looking through different pouches and bags. Also, sometimes there is no Wi-Fi at the port. This is something I see on every cruise, and this trip was no exception. Although I love the modern convenience of a cell phone, I have all of the important things printed out in a folder in a zip-lock bag (after all, you don’t want stuff getting wet).
I also have a hard copy of my booking confirmation, excursions, hotels, and transportation details. I may be a bit old-fashioned this way, but it is the best way to stay organized.
11. Not using a good travel agent
I need to preface this by saying not all travel agents are created equal, but a good one, referred by friends or family, can make the process so much easier. Talking to fellow guests onboard, I continue to be surprised by how many people don’t use one, especially when they are free.
This is even more important for first-time cruisers. For my first cruise, I had no idea what ship, cruise line, cabin type, or itinerary to pick. A travel agent can guide you through this process, facilitate the payment process, help you book things, and answer any questions you may have.
The single best thing about a travel agent is the help you get when things go wrong or you need to change something. They will call the cruise line and deal with it, rather than you spending house on the phone.
Read more: 28 first time cruise tips that really work (2024)
12. Neglecting to use AirTags
Part of traveling these days is the possibility of flight delays and lost luggage. Last year, on the way home from a cruise, my luggage was hiding at the Montreal airport when our flight was canceled. Thanks to my AirTags, I was able to show the Air Canada representative where it was, and he located it.
I have the same feeling with a cruise ship. The luggage tags don’t look 100% failproof, and I always feel better knowing that I have an AirTag in my bag if, for some reason, it does not find its way to my cabin. It is peace of mind and, unfortunately, a must-have in the modern world of travel. I am surprised more people don't use them.
While I use AirTags, there are other options available for those who use Android phones.
13. Not understanding what perks come with the cabin/experience level
Not all cabins are created equal, and some come with added benefits that not all cruisers are aware of. While onboard, I talked to a couple who did not realize that they had dedicated deck access as part of their Aurea room. There are a lot of options with MSC Cruises, and it can be confusing figuring out what is what.
MSC has a number of cabin options, including inside, oceanview, balcony, suites, and Yacht Club suites. The Yacht Club provides the most all-inclusive experience with many benefits, such as a premium drink package and internet, to name a few.
On top of that, MSC allows its guests to add on different experience levels. Bella is the most basic and offers the lowest cruise fare, but you can also pick Fantastica, which lets you select your cabin location. Aurea has even more benefits, so make sure you read ahead of time.
14. Missing out on MSC’s status match program
One of the ways MSC Cruises is attracting cruisers from other cruise lines like Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean is through their status match program, which lets cruisers leverage their loyalty status with other cruise lines and travel programs. A good incentive to try them.
There is no fee to do this, but it can only be done once, so guests should carefully consider which program is the most valuable. Ideally, this should be completed 7-10 prior to sailing to ensure the status is recognized. The application for this is located on the MSC Cruises website.
In the upper tiers of MSC’s Voyagers Club program, you can get some nice discounts like things on the internet, onboard purchases, extra onboard credit, and priority boarding and disembarkation. Plus, their top-tier members enjoy a free meal with a guest at one of the onboard specialty dining venues, a nice treat!
Read more: MSC Voyagers Club - What you need to know about MSC’s loyalty program
15. Waiting to download MSC’s ship app until onboard
I’ve seen people struggle with this. Don’t wait until you are at the terminal or onboard to download the app. Oftentimes, free internet at the port is slow (or not available), and it's one more thing that cuts into your vacation time.
The MSC for Me app is a great source of information, as you have detailed information about what’s going on throughout the ship. Parties, dining venues, dance classes, and major sales are details everyone likes to know while cruising, and most people don’t carry around their hard copy of their Daily Program throughout the day. Checking the app is much easier.
Also, the MSC for Me app allows for free messaging with other onboard guests, which is a great perk for those who don’t have the internet package.
16. Waiting to pick your dining time
When selecting my cruise, I choose my dining time immediately, usually the earliest one. Some people wait and then are stuck with what's still available, which on many cruises are the later times.
On my recent cruise, dining times were 5:45, 7:55, and 9:45. I personally could not imagine eating close to 10pm, but everyone is different. If you are set on a particular time, as many people are, ensure you select the time you want. If it is full, they can put you on a waiting list, but there are no guarantees.
Of course, there is always the buffet and specialty restaurants for the odd day when you want to try something else or the time conflicts with an excursion or activity.
17. Opting out of travel insurance
No one likes to think about the worst-case scenario—you have an accident, need sudden medical attention, or miss your cruise because of airplane/transportation delays. Insurance can help with that.
Many people balk at insurance because of the cost, but you never know how much you will need it until something goes wrong. There are countless stories of people stuck in another country without insurance with no way to get home.
MSC offers insurance, but it is best to comparison shop – see what is covered and what is the best value. This is another thing a travel agent can assist with, helping identify the policy coverage and limitations.
18. Waiting until on the ship to register your credit card
For some reason, MSC, unlike other cruise lines I have been on, has kiosks around their ships where guests can register their credit cards for any charges they will be making on the ship. Every other cruise line I have sailed on requires you to do this when you check in, so I am not sure why this exists.
MSC Cruises is an international brand with guests sailing from all over. Maybe it varies by country, but I have always been able to register my credit card ahead of time.
If you are able to, take care of all this ahead of time so that once onboard, you can enjoy your cruise. It's one less thing standing between you and that first cocktail.
19. Ignoring the information in the Daily Program
The Daily Program is a fantastic source of information that includes everything from what the weather will be like to the all-important details about all-aboard time and rules to follow in ports. Some destinations are very strict about bringing in food, and this is the type of information that will be listed in the Daily Program.
Details on formal/gala night, deals, fun activities, entertainment, restaurant opening hours, and group meetups are all highlighted in the Daily Program, as well as on the MSC for Me app.
20. Under or overpacking
Most people fret about what to bring on a cruise. While in our daily life, we usually don’t change more than once a day, on a cruise, it can be a couple times for excursions, activities, an evening gala, or theme parties. This tends to lead to overpacking.
One thing most people need to think more about is what they will be doing and being prepared for the elements. Sunscreen, hats, glasses, bug spray, and medicines are all important things to bring along. Another essential item is the right shoes, especially when walking in ports in the hot sun.
One frustrating thing about cruises is that they don’t usually advertise theme nights before the cruise. The best way to find out what they are is through cruise groups on social media or by talking with those who have sailed recently. White nights, tropical nights, and 70s themes are all popular with major cruise lines.
Read more: Caribbean cruise packing list
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
