Cruising is a unique and exciting way to travel because you can explore different places while enjoying the comforts of a floating resort. After spending the day ashore in places like St. Maarten, Skagway, and Mykonos, you return to the ship for a multi-course dinner in the dining room and lively entertainment.
However, even the most seasoned travelers can make silly mistakes. One crew member, Lucy, took to YouTube to share common first-time mistakes she's witnessed passengers make.
Lucy began her career at 19 after finishing college working in the spa. Now, she works in the perfume/beauty store and loves it! She's completed contracts with cruise lines like Virgin Voyages, Royal Caribbean, and P&O.
In the video, Lucy reveals 11 of the most common mistakes she’s observed from first-time cruisers and how to avoid them.
Thinking that the cruise is all-inclusive
"The first mistake I see first-time cruisers make is treating a cruise like [an] all-inclusive holiday," Lucy begins, "Some people make the mistake of thinking a cruise vacation is very similar to that, so a lot of people do not budget for extra expenses while they are onboard."
While the cruise fare is more inclusive than a standard hotel, it isn't all-inclusive. In other words, though the fare includes your accommodation, entertainment, and select meals and beverages, cruisers must spend extra on add-ons like drink packages, shore excursions, specialty dining, certain onboard activities, Wi-Fi, and spa treatments.
For example, Carnival charges a minimum of $82.54 per person, per day for its CHEERS! drink package, totaling around $577 for a 7-night cruise.
Moreover, the BOLT rollercoaster isn't included on Excel Class ships. This activity comes with a $15 charge per person.
"There's a lot of temptation...there are amazing shops that you can have a look around; there are going to be amazing specialty restaurants available that you can pay a premium eat in; there are going to be activities on board that you might have to pay extra for," Lucy adds.
Read more: What’s included in my cruise fare?
Not budgeting for gratuities
Cruise ship add-ons aren't the only extras first-time cruisers must budget for. "On a lot of cruises, you get hit with the gratuity bill at the end of the cruise...I have also seen a lot of people not budget for," Lucy explains.
Gratuities are tips for the crew members. They are charged daily, and the amount varies based on the cruise line and cabin category you've booked.
For example, the daily rate for standard staterooms aboard Carnival Cruise Line is $16.00 per person, per day, while suite guests pay $18.00 per person, per day.
Similarly, the daily gratuity for Royal Caribbean passengers in standard staterooms (i.e., interior cabins to Junior Suites) is $18.50 per person, per day, and $21.00 per person, per day for guests in Sky Junior Suites and above.
One tip to help appropriately budget for gratuities is to add them to your cruise fare when booking.
By pre-paying your tips, you won't receive an unexpectedly high bill on the last day of your cruise. Plus, you're grandfathered into the current rate in the event there's an increase in gratuities before your cruise.
Read more: Worth it or not: Carnival prepaid gratuities
Forgetting to pre-book activities and specialty restaurants
After you've placed your deposit, you can access your cruise's online planner, where you can browse drink packages, shore excursions, onboard activities, specialty restaurants, and more.
Lucy says, "A big mistake is not pre-booking activities and specialty restaurants...if you see a restaurant that you really, really want to go to...you can pre-book everything before you even get on the cruise."
Even if you cancel the booking, Lucy recommends pre-booking restaurants and activities you might be interested in while onboard. Once it's fully booked, it's harder to find a last-minute reservation.
"People would wait until the night that they wanted to go to a restaurant and then be really disappointed when it was fully booked," she adds.
If you wait until embarkation day, making those reservations should be your top priority, above unpacking in your cabin.
Read more: 17 hidden cruise ship extra charges you should know about
Missing the ship
"Luckily this does not happen all the time, but it definitely happens. And when it does happen, it is usually first-time cruisers," Lucy says about guests who miss the ship's departure.
"What they don't allow for is the time to get back, so let's say you're off in the Bahamas. The Bahamas is known for having horrendous traffic, exquisite beaches, but horrendous traffic...so you leave the beach at half past three thinking you've got plenty of time but you've actually got an hour's worth of traffic to get through."
In other words, give yourself more than enough time to return to the ship, especially if you're exploring alone. Personally, I try to make it back at least an hour before the gangway goes up, so I have a decent buffer if anything goes astray.
Passengers booked on cruise line-sponsored excursions don't have to worry about missing the ship, as it will wait for them if their return is delayed. If they must depart, the cruise line will cover the costs incurred by meeting the cruise at the next port.
However, they're usually more expensive than third-party tours. There might not be as much variety through the cruise line, either.
At the end of the day, there are pros and cons to booking with a third party instead of your cruise line, but the most important thing to remember is that you're responsible for ensuring your timely arrival back onboard.
Read more: Will the cruise ship wait for you if you're late at a port?
Skipping travel insurance
"[Travel insurance] should never be skipped whether you are going on a land holiday or a cruise," says Lucy, "Unlike a land holiday where your flight is eight hours late, the hotel stays where it is, so you can just get to the hotel when you get to the hotel. Your cruise ship moves."
Travel insurance is also helpful for unexpected medical expenses, as most healthcare policies don't cover international treatment. It can also provide protection for lost luggage.
Plus, if you're a frequent traveler, you can invest in an annual policy that covers land-based trips, rather than single policies that are only valid for your cruise vacation.
One passenger shared their experience of not purchasing travel insurance for their honeymoon cruise on Reddit. The newlyweds were on a cruise to the Bahamas when one of them began suffering from severe and sudden stomach pain. Turns out that their appendix had ruptured!
They were stuck with a large bill because they didn't have travel insurance: "Not only are we out our entire honeymoon budget, [but our savings have also] been wiped clean as the [doctor's] bill was over $10k."
Overbooking shore excursions
While venturing ashore is one of the most exciting parts of a cruise, it is important to pace yourself. "I've definitely seen it where people have booked an excursion for every single day and they're like, 'Oh my God, I'm knackered...I can't do this. I can't keep up with this many excursions,'" Lucy remarks.
She recommends balancing relaxation and adventure, booking three excursions on a weeklong cruise instead of four. Moreover, six excursions on a two-week cruise are ideal.
That said, she acknowledges that everyone vacations differently. While she would be happy on a sunbed with a cocktail and a good book, others seek more excitement. On the flip side, some cruisers may want to splurge on a single excursion.
Lucy continues, "Don't forget, yes you have these amazing ports to explore, but you also have an entire cruise ship to explore! You are not going to be lost for things to do."
Read more: 11 common cruise shore excursion mistakes to avoid
Not researching the ports ahead of time
Speaking of excursions, Lucy highlights the importance of researching your ports of call before your cruise: "A mistake that I see first-time cruisers make is not researching the ports...you really want to do this before you book your excursions...you don't want to book an excursion you could do on your own."
For example, when cruising aboard Carnival Celebration, I took a shuttle to Maho Beach, rather than book a pricey tour through the cruise line. It was more affordable than a Carnival-sponsored excursion or private taxi. Plus, I had more flexibility and could leave whenever I wanted. In other words, I didn't feel rushed to keep up with a large group.
She also mentions that on a European itinerary, she'd rather book an excursion in Civitavecchia, the gateway city to Rome, rather than Marseille, as the ship docks closer to town.
Lucy provides a few queries to guide your research:
- What language is predominantly spoken?
- What's the local currency?
- Is it easy to get around?
- Is it considered safe?
- Are there any travel restrictions?
"I promise [doing research] will help you enjoy the ports a little bit more!"
Ignoring safety briefings
"Ignoring safety briefings is something that some first-time cruisers do...it's not all people," states Lucy, "As crew members, what we don't want is, in an emergency, everyone is running around panicked because they didn't pay attention in the initial safety briefing."
All passengers must complete the mandatory muster drill before setting sail to help familiarize guests with their assigned assembly stations and other important protocols. It's required for all cruisers, whether they've sailed before or are on their first-ever voyage.
Most lines have switched to a virtual format, which allows guests to watch safety videos on their mobile device or ship's television before visiting their assembly station within a specified time frame. Others, however, still have in-person drills, such as Disney Cruise Line and Margaritaville at Sea.
During an in-person drill, all passengers head to their designated stations at the same time. Once everyone has been confirmed present, crew members will perform life jacket demonstrations and provide other important safety announcements.
Regardless of whether you have a virtual or in-person drill, pay attention to the safety information provided. "It's like ten minutes out of your life," adds Lucy.
Not packing medication
Packing for a cruise is unlike packing for a land vacation. Instead of having a drugstore within driving distance, you're stuck with the cruise line's limited inventory. You will pay a premium for things like pain relievers, feminine hygiene products, and band-aids onboard.
"Just in case something happens, I say it's always good to just bring a little pharmacy with you...so if you get a cold or if you feel seasick, you've got it with you," advises Lucy.
Plus, since cruise ships don't have fully stocked drugstores onboard, they may not have your preferred brand. If there's a specific medication you prefer to use, it's best to pack it and bring it yourself.
Read more: How to make your own DIY cruise first aid kit
Packing essentials in your carry-on
"[Another] mistake is not packing essentials in your carry-on luggage. When you get onboard a cruise ship, you usually leave your large luggage with the crew members or the people who work in the terminal, and [they] will arrive at your cabin later in the day. But sometimes this can be much later in the day," Lucy declares.
Instead of feeling like you can't do anything until your luggage is delivered, pack essentials in a small carry-on bag. This could include toiletries for a pre-dinner shower, a bathing suit, a phone charger, or a change of clothes.
Your travel documentation should also be kept on your person, as you won't be allowed on the ship if you pack your passport in your large suitcase and send it off with a porter.
Lucy continues, "Make sure you have your essentials or things that you're going to want as soon as you get on board the cruise ship in your backpack...it can just be annoying if you [don't have] your essentials."
Overlooking cabin location
Sometimes, booking the cheapest cabin isn't the smartest idea.
"If it's your first cruise I'm sure seasickness has crossed your mind. Cabin location is going to play a huge part in this, so you want to be in the center of the ship. You don't want to be in the back. You definitely don't want to be in the front because that's where you're going to feel the movement" says Lucy.
It's also advisable to get a room with a view, whether it is just an ocean-view window or a private balcony. Staring off into the horizon can help regulate your brain and restore the balance between the visual input and vestibular system in your inner ear.
Another tip is to ensure your stateroom is surrounded by other cabins: "You want a cabin [on] either side. You want a cabin above, across, and below you ideally."
This helps reduce the amount of noise bleed that you'll hear. Staterooms near the nightclub might hear the music thumping into the late hours.
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer.
