Advice & Tips

If you’re preparing for an upcoming cruise, you might be looking to stock up on some essentials before setting sail. I am always searching for budget-friendly ways to fill up my suitcase.

One of my favorite pre-cruise tasks is heading to the store to look for items that I want to take on my cruise. Shopping is much more fun than packing clothes, in my opinion! After hitting up the dollar store this fall, I couldn’t believe how many must-have cruise items I found.

In addition to the base fare, cruisers must budget extra for gratuities, or tips for crew members. 

Gratuities are divided to help cover the cost of everyone who works to make your vacation special, including cabin stewards, dining and culinary services staff, the guest services team, and others who work behind the scenes and contribute to the overall cruise experience.

Many first-time cruisers are confused about how tipping works onboard cruise ships and may find themselves asking questions like, "who do you need to tip onboard?" and "do you have to tip on a cruise?"

Depending on the cruise line, time of year, ship, and itinerary, the cost of taking a cruise vacation can greatly vary. 

Staying in, for instance, a balcony cabin on the newest ship during the summer can often cost a pretty penny, perhaps over $1,400 per person for a week-long cruise.

Sailing does not always have to be expensive, and it’s certainly possible to cruise for less than $100 per person per day. However, planning a cheap cruise vacation does require advance planning and self control once you board the ship!

Cruise ships are often more crowded than resorts because thousands of people are packed under a single roof.

Even the smallest ships can host thousands of guests on a single cruise. For example, Carnival Elation, one of the cruise line's oldest and smallest ships at sea, can accommodate over 2,100 guests at double occupancy.

Many first-time cruisers are worried about seasickness. You know, that annoying feeling where the motion of the ship makes you feel ill? Thankfully, there are remedies to help combat the negative side effects of motion sickness. 

Over-the-counter medications like Bonine and Dramamine are inexpensive, work quickly, and are highly regarded among people who go on a lot of cruises, myself included! 

Chair hogs are one of the most annoying parts of a cruise. A sunny sea day can be instantly ruined by guests who rush to throw towels, books, and other belongings on the pool chairs, even if they have no intention of returning for hours. 

While cruise lines try to limit chair hogs by monitoring which chairs are actively used, there's only so much they can do. You will inevitably find guests who don't care if they frustrate others and leave their belongings on chairs to attempt to reserve them for later. 

Unlike land-based vacations, cruises take place mostly on open water. Enter the question: "Will I feel a cruise ship rocking?" 

Having been on over 20 cruises, I can attest that whether you'll feel a ship rocking or not depends on several factors. I've been on some incredibly smooth sailings, but I've also been on some cruises that traversed through choppy waters. 

From exploring new ports of call to soaking up the Caribbean sun on the pool deck during a day at sea, there's no shortage of activities to enjoy on a cruise. While onboard, however, it's easy to get swept up in the excitement of shopping. 

Plus, if you don't pack appropriately, you may have to pay inflated prices for everyday items that are a fraction of the cost at your local drugstore. There's nothing wrong with visiting the duty-free shops onboard, but it's important to think twice about your purchases. 

One of my favorite aspects of preparing for my cruise is having a pre-vacation shopping spree. Before every trip I take, I usually head over to Target for some last-minute essentials. I love finding new outfits, accessories, or products to bring on my cruises.

Do I actually need anything during this shopping spree? That’s up for debate! However, it’s one of the joys that I find when preparing for any upcoming trips.