Cruise mistakes to avoid – packing, planning, and otherwise!
At first, a cruise might seem like the simplest of trips to book; for an all-inclusive-type package, you likely have your food, entertainment and at least a couple of events or excursions covered.
And yet, so many travelers exploring the world by ship end up making some classic mistakes that are easily avoided, including over- and under- booking and packing. Check out the list below to see some of the most common mishaps and how to help prevent them from happening to you.
Packing
As the saying goes, how you pack can make or break a trip! Along with clothing for different types of weather, key documents and medicines are most important; applying for a new passport or finding replacement prescription medicine will be tough, if not impossible, not only on your ship but at ports you might be visiting. That said, shops on larger ships typically carry every sundry item and other good you could possibly want, but you can expect to pay a premium. By the way, even if you don’t typically get seasick, you might as well be ready for it – and bring any meds or items that would help alleviate such an ailment.
On the flip side, over-packing can be a problem, too. Do you really need the fourth outfit for an evening event on board, or could you pack something more useful in place of that? Click here <packing list> to see some of our tips and tricks for packing properly for your next cruise.
On-board services and event planning
When you’re first booking your trip, don’t automatically skip over the amenities offered by cruise lines. Pickup from your hotel or residence, port valet to handle your baggage, handicap-accessible accommodations, and other offerings might be of great use to you, but you won’t know what’s available until you take a good look.
The same goes for events on your ship, which may be limited or extensive, depending on the vessel’s size, the cruise line, and more; some offer everything from plays, concerts and shows to game nights, immersive performances and more!
Once on the ship, don’t only explore your personal room on the first day; get the lay of the land, inside and out, so you know what’s offered and available, especially if you might want to participate in something rather last-minute!
Excursion bookings
Thinking you want to book something for every port? Think again! Overbooking yourself and your party can lead to feeling stretched thin, physically, emotionally and even financially. You don’t want to not look forward to something because you’ve had too much scheduled out.
On days when you don’t book on-shore excursions through your cruise line or otherwise, you can always explore the port and area around it on your own! Neglecting to research your stops will make this more difficult, but not impossible, so look to research ports ahead of arriving, including any third-party tours or experiences in which you might be interested. You might some of the best food, for example, away from the ship.
Whatever you decide to do, book early when possible – but think carefully about leaving room for true rest and relaxation, and spontaneity, if that’s your style!
Room-and-board recommendations
It should be clear without much research that not all cruises are the same. The same goes for accommodations!
If you have different options for what type of board you might reserve for yourself and any fellow travelers, make sure you look into what style rooms offer what amenities. Sometimes, balcony rooms aren’t actually better than rooms without a deck; or, if you’d rather spend less on a room, you might find that the common areas provide all of the views and space you need, without having to make a higher-priced reservation.
Miscellaneous
A bit more effort put into planning can rapidly elevate your cruise from a solid experience to a stellar one! Here some of our final miscellaneous notes to keep in mind.
Book early when possible, but leave room for free time (or more spontaneous adventures)
Consider pad days before and after your ship’s departure and return in case of unexpected changes (if traveling to your departure port at the start of your cruise, pad days are also good for adjusting to new sleep schedules, time zones, etc.)
Be mentally prepared for unexpected adjustments to your plans and itineraries
Prioritize good rest (but don’t sleep through your trip!) and give yourself time and space to recover from long walks, excursions, etc.
Consider travel insurance of your own finding, not just through the cruise line
While this list isn’t exhaustive, it should be a good start for any first-time cruiser out there. We hope these tips will help you enjoy your trip to the fullest!
- AC