After 27 cruises, I've learned that the small details can make a huge difference in ensuring your vacation goes smoothly.
Unfortunately, I've made my fair share of mistakes along the way over my two-decade cruising career. For example, I've booked shore excursions at the last minute and paid significantly more than I would have if I purchased the tour in advance. I've also pushed myself too hard trying to see and do everything, only to end up exhausted.
After years of trial and error, here are 10 sure-fire ways to make your cruise vacation even better.
Choose the right cruise ship cabin
Sometimes, the cheapest cabin is appealing. Who wouldn't want to save money on their cruise fare? However, that doesn't mean it's always the best option. Typically, the cheapest staterooms in any category, whether interior, ocean view, balcony, or suite, are guarantee (or GTY) cabins.
This means that for a lower rate, you give up the opportunity to select your specific stateroom and will let the cruise line randomly assign you a cabin closer to your departure date.
Before choosing a GTY stateroom, it's important to understand the pros and cons. While I've gotten lucky before, I've also ended up with cabins that were less than ideal.
For example, if you suffer from motion sickness, you could be assigned a stateroom at the front of the ship, which tends to experience more movement. You could also be given a cabin near a popular late-night venue, such as the nightclub or casino.
Additionally, if you are traveling with a large group, there's no way to ensure that your staterooms would be close to one another. This is especially important for families to consider, as you may not want your children far from you.
On a similar note, inside cabins aren't for everyone. Some cruisers may not mind staying in a windowless stateroom to save a few hundred dollars.
Others, however, may find the lack of natural light and external views uncomfortable. Instead of automatically going to book the cheapest cabin, evaluate your preferences. It may be worth it to splurge on a balcony for extra space and a private verandah.
Read more: Everything you need to know about cruise ship cabins
Arrive the night before departure
Cruise ships won't wait on anyone, so if your flight is delayed or canceled, you're out of luck. Personally, I find it worth the investment to fly in the night before and shell out extra money for a hotel. The peace of mind knowing that I'm waking up minutes from my ship is invaluable.
Because I'm into utilizing credit card points, I've found that I can often use my points to cover the cost of a hotel near the port, making the extra night even more affordable.
For instance, I transferred 10,000 points from my Chase Sapphire card to Hyatt for a one-night stay at the Hyatt Place Miami Airport-West/Doral ahead of my Icon of the Seas cruise.
I'd also suggest leaving plenty of time if you're driving to the port. You never know when you will encounter traffic or other delays.
Pre-book specialty restaurants
Over the years, I've found specialty restaurants to be worth the hype. While they aren't included in the cruise fare, the quality of the food is typically far better than the Main Dining Room. Plus, I prefer the intimate setting compared to the massively overwhelming dining rooms.
However, if you have a certain specialty restaurant you're eyeing, it's best to pre-book it through the cruise line's online planning portal. If you forget to make reservations in advance, it should be one of the first things you do on embarkation day!
Another advantage to booking online is that you might save money. Many cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, offer pre-cruise discounts on popular add-ons ranging from specialty restaurants to drink packages and shore excursions.
For example, on an upcoming 7-night cruise on Celebrity Eclipse, Celebrity's Cruise Planner is advertising a specialty dinner at Tuscan Grille for just $37.99 per person. Compartively, the onboard price is listed as $55 per adult.
Read more: I ate at 6 specialty restaurants on Princess’ newest ship. Here’s how they rank
Be flexible with your plans
As much as I'd like to guarantee that nothing will go wrong on your cruise, that's impossible.
Everything from poor weather to medical emergencies and even unexpected stomach aches can derail your plans. As such, I suggest going into your cruise with an open mind.
While it's okay to be disappointed by last-minute changes, don't let them ruin your trip! For example, if a port of call is canceled because of inclement weather, consider booking a spa treatment to give yourself something to look forward to on your extra sea day.
Understand your limits
It's natural to want to maximize your time ashore and onboard. However, it's okay to accept that you can't do everything. For example, if you're going on a port-intensive sailing, it's okay to choose one day to stay onboard and enjoy the ship's amenities with fewer guests.
Likewise, every night doesn't have to be a late night. If you have spent all day in the sun, perhaps the best thing to do is to retire early.
I wish I had done this on my Greek Isles cruise last year. Instead, even though I set a bedtime, I found myself as Silent Discos in the Grand Plaza at 11:30pm, even though I had an early tour the next day!
Pack a power strip
Older cruise ships don't always have the most charging options, so I highly recommend bringing a surge-free power strip with you!
A good alternative is a European power adapter since most cruise ship cabins also have European outlets. This will ensure you can take advantage of all the available charging options instead of being stuck with just two outlets.
It's also a good idea to pack a portable charger since most older ships don't have bedside charging options. Portable charges can be used on long excursions, too.
Book with a travel agent
Travel agents are great for new cruisers and experienced sailors alike. They can meet you wherever you are in the planning process, whether you're still trying to pick the right cruise line or are ready to proceed with making a deposit.
Their expertise goes beyond just pressing "book," too. If you aren't sure which cabin category is right for your family, they can help you break down the pros and cons. Plus, they can suggest excursions, help make pre-cruise travel arrangements, and even talk with the cruise line on your behalf if plans change.
I've also saved thousands of dollars booking cruises with travel agents because they have access to special group rates that cruise lines can't advertise on their websites. For example, my travel agent saved my partner and me around $400 on our upcoming Celebrity Eclipse cruise, in addition to giving us an extra $50 in onboard credit.
Thoroughly research your excursion options
If you are a first-time cruiser, you may want to consider booking excursions with your cruise line for peace of mind. They're typically more expensive, but you won't have to worry about arranging transportation or having the ship leave you if your tour is running late.
However, I've found there are better excursion options through third parties. Not only is there more variety but they are usually cheaper than cruise line-sponsored tours. For example, instead of booking a rushed tour of Oia in Santorini through Celebrity, I hired a private driver through Kallisti Tours who tailored the day to meet our interests.
While it wasn't necessarily cheap, costing around $400 for a half-day tour, it was much better than spending the afternoon crammed on a tour bus and feeling rushed at each stop!
Read more: 11 common cruise shore excursion mistakes to avoid
Download the cruise line's app
The cruise ship app is home to more than deck plans. It's your go-to place to see the daily schedule, dining hours, and more.
Whether you're looking for the evening's entertainment lineup, shore excursion options, buffet hours, or your spending summary, the app keeps everything you need to know about the ship's amenities at your fingertips.
Though some cruise lines have strayed away from providing physical copies of the daily schedule, you can always ask Guest Services if you prefer a printed version. This is handy for those who aren't very technologically savvy!
Do not skimp on travel insurance
Travel insurance is a small investment that can make a huge difference since you won't have to worry about shelling out thousands of dollars for an emergency while on your cruise.
If you're lucky, you won't need to file a travel insurance claim. At worst, though, travel insurance can save you thousands of dollars on onboard medical treatment, lost luggage, and travel delays.
For example, one couple was forced to pay $10,000 for medical treatment on their honeymoon cruise because they didn't purchase travel insurance. Another traveler had to pay over $2,000 in medical bills for treatment on Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas after suffering from a series of seizures.
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.
