11 Things You Should Never Do On A Cruise
Beginning your first cruise experience can be intimidating if you’ve never been on one before: How can you book the specific one that you want? What should you bring with you? What are some of the things that an experienced cruiser will know that a first-time cruiser will not? Now, as cruise lines attempt to restore operations after a closure brought on by the coronavirus, new regulations and standards can cause even the most enthusiastic tourist to pause and reflect before continuing on their journey.
Even though we think cruising to be one of the least difficult and most enjoyable ways to travel, there is no denying that there are a few typical mistakes that passengers make, in addition to new restrictions that passengers need to be aware of following the epidemic. In order to build this list of the most typical cruising misfires and provide you with guidance on how to prevent them, we consulted with industry professionals and shared our own hard-earned knowledge.
Do not assume that your fears over the coronavirus will disappear once you return to land.
In a perfect world, taking a vacation would mean getting away from it all; yet, it is imperative that we take precautions against the coronavirus wherever we go. Given the more confined living conditions aboard cruise ships, the cruise industry, in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is already working on “extensive steps to address COVID-19 safety” in preparation for when sailings will once again begin. You should be prepared for all of the standard precautions that you would take back on land, in addition to other significant changes related to enhanced health and safety protocols. These changes include mandatory COVID-19 testing prior to embarkation, temperature checks, reduced shipboard capacity, and more closely controlled shore excursions (with some lines now limiting port outings to pod-protected, ship-sponsored tours).
You shouldn’t choose your vessel only primarily on the cost.
When you browse a number of different websites, cruise ships may all appear to be the same. However, just like hotels, cruise lines each have their own distinct personalities, as well as their own advantages and disadvantages, and you need to choose the line that is the most suitable for you. For example, Disney Cruise Line will sometimes offer rates that are comparable to those provided by Azamara Club Cruises; nevertheless, the two lines’ cruise itineraries are very dissimilar. Azamara is a better option for wealthy couples searching for a quietly stylish experience and destination immersion than Disney, which is the greatest option for busy, multi-generational families with young children and active young children.
It is important to keep in mind that discounted rates on a specific voyage can occasionally be found during the less popular “shoulder season,” which can translate to a trip in which the temperatures are lower or the seas are more choppy. This is something to keep in mind. Although premium cruise lines like Regent Seven Seas and Crystal, among others, may have significantly higher base fares, the all-inclusive nature of their itineraries, which may also include gratuities, alcoholic beverages, and butler service, as well as shore excursions in some cases, can make their pricing models appear to be an excellent value. Before putting down your initial investment, it is in your best interest to do some research beforehand.
Be careful not to reserve the incorrect cabin!
Because selecting a cabin type can be challenging—the largest ships in the business frequently offer more than 20 distinct varieties, each with a unique combination of dimensions and amenities—you should check that the one you select is a good fit for the way you prefer to cruise. The lowest-priced cabins, for example, can have an alluring rate, but staying in one of them could make you feel claustrophobic because there are no windows in the “inner” rooms. Spending a tonne of money on a top-of-the-line suite might not be worth it, though, if you want to spend the great bulk of your trip exploring the ship and its destinations rather than relaxing in your cabin. Consider your preferences for things like pricing, size, views, and amenities. Another crucial factor to consider is the placement of each individual cabin: Take into consideration where you will be spending the majority of your time on board (you might want the spa or pool deck to be within skipping distance, for instance), snag a good spot for stability if you are prone to seasickness (on a lower-level, mid-ship deck), and make sure to avoid potentially noisy staterooms near or under the pool deck or nightclub.
Do not take a flight to your port of call on the day that your cruise is scheduled to begin.
Your roving holiday will have a set departure time, in contrast to a vacation spent on land. If you are unable to drive to your embarkation port—especially if you are taking a cruise in the winter, when snow can cause planes to be grounded—you will need to fly into port the day before your sailing in order to avoid missing your cruise because your flight was delayed. Cruise ships do not wait for passengers who experience flight delays. The tranquilly that comes with spending the night in a hotel is well worth the investment in terms of cost. In addition, you will have the opportunity to make the most of the first day of your cruise or to tack on an extra sightseeing day to the end of your vacation. There is one notable exception to this rule, and that is if you live in a major city and have a direct flight to a heavily populated area such as Miami, and there are several more flights after yours that would get you in before the ship sails away, then we might look the other way if you fly in that morning.
Make sure that you don’t forget to pack important things in your carry-on.
If you are going to let the ship take your bags at the dock and deliver them to your cabin later (which is something that we recommend doing because staterooms are frequently not ready for check-in upon boarding), then you will want to make sure that anything you will need for the first few hours on the ship is packed in your carry-on luggage. Even though many ships let you embark in the morning, your suitcase might not be delivered until closer to dinnertime. This means that you will have to wait for several hours before you are reunited with your belongings. If you intend to spend the first day on board in the pool or the gym, you will want to make sure that you have everything with you that you will need; otherwise, you run the danger of finding yourself on the pool deck without a swimsuit. If you are coming from a location that has a climate that is significantly colder or hotter than where you are going, you should bring a change of clothes with you so that you can quickly adjust. Be sure to bring along additional vital items such as prescriptions, sunscreen, sunglasses, crucial documents, items for the children, and toiletries for a quick refresher.
Don’t forget advance reservations
As is the case in life, certain aspects of cruising require careful planning. Even though the ease with which you may organise your vacation is one of the reasons many people are drawn to cruising — one up-front payment gets you most of your holiday on the spot — it is vital not to take this statement too literally. The most popular shore excursions, coveted tables for two at specialist restaurants, and even tickets for the gratis blockbuster evening plays have a tendency to fill up quickly. The ship’s spa offers treatments on sea days during the afternoons. Check the website of your airline to find out how early you can book these add-ons, and then make the most of the opportunity to decide exactly what you want to do in the time leading up to your departure so that everything goes smoothly. Not only will you have first dibs on the times and dates that you want, but you’ll also be able to avoid getting caught up in the wild scramble for whatever openings are still available on the first day of the cruise.
Do not anticipate being dependent on Wi-Fi.
Even though the quality of internet service at sea has vastly improved over the past several years—and ongoing improvements are currently being implemented—many cruise liners still charge exorbitant charges for their satellite-provided Wi-Fi. In addition, when you are far out at sea or travelling to off-the-beaten-path locales, service can be sketchy at best. It is also possible for it to be excruciatingly slow at times of high traffic, when a large number of passengers are vying for a restricted bandwidth (like during sea days). Expect to pay a premium (if the option is even available) for access powerful enough to stream shows on Netflix or to catch up with people from back home using FaceTime or Zoom. In general, you should do well enough for low-bandwidth tasks such as sending emails, reading the news, or scrolling through social media at rates that are semi-affordable. However, you should be prepared to pay a premium for access powerful enough to stream shows on Netflix or to catch up with people from back home.
Don’t take up all the available space in the lounge chairs.
On many ships, the number of poolside lounge chairs is insufficient to accommodate everyone. The quickest way to bring new adversaries on board? During the morning of a sea day, put your belongings where they belong, and then disappear for several hours to enjoy breakfast, the gym, the spa, or lunch. If the staff hasn’t removed your items from the chair by the time you return in the afternoon, the looks of disapproval from other passengers will make you wish they had.
Don’t restrict yourself to the shore excursions that are offered by the cruise.
It is a widespread misperception among first-time cruise passengers that the time spent in port is restricted to participating in the shore excursions that are offered by the cruise line. This is not usually the case; instead, you will most likely have free agency while you are in port. Since excursions that are scheduled through cruise companies typically come at a higher cost than those that are booked individually, you may be able to cut some costs and come out ahead if you do it alone.
You can either prepare ahead and study trustworthy local independent tour operators for either group or private tours, or you can just construct your own schedule and head out on your own. This will depend on your level of comfort and the degree of travel autonomy you desire. Just a few notes of caution: The higher cost of excursions purchased through your cruise line reflects the inclusion of certain guarantees and safeguards offered by the cruise line. They have, for the most part, conducted preliminary screenings of the tour operators, and in the event that any complications arise, the ship’s crew collaborates closely with the tour operators. If you want to go on your own, it is your responsibility to ensure that you return to the port in plenty of time for the ship to embark; in contrast to ship-sponsored tours, the ship will not wait to leave if you run into any delays while you are exploring on your own.
Make sure you keep an eye on your onboard account at all times.
The arrival of an unexpectedly large bill at the conclusion of your voyage is likely the quickest method to ruin the rest and relaxation you gained while onboard. The various “extras” that are typical to normal cruise vacations can quickly add up to a significant sum of money unless you are sailing with an all-inclusive luxury line, on which a significant number of the incidentals are covered with the tickets you pay at booking. Tips for the crew, beverages at the bar, shore excursions, Wi-Fi subscriptions, and spa treatments are some of the things that can easily drive up the overall cost. Maintain realistic expectations regarding your finances by checking the balance of each of your accounts on board the ship on a regular basis while you are at sea.
Do not presume that you are immune to motion sickness while sailing.
This is not the time to find out whether or not you are prone to becoming seasick because you will be on a moving boat. You should stay hydrated, get enough sleep, avoid sitting or standing in a position that is perpendicular to the ship’s direction of motion, and steer clear of activities like reading or staring at a computer screen for an extended period of time. Thankfully, there are some simple preventative steps that you can take. These include: If you can, book a cabin that is located in the middle of the ship and on a lower deck; this is where the sway of the ship is the most stable. If you start to feel as though your equilibrium is getting off-balance, looking out at a fixed point on the horizon from the deck or your balcony can have a calming effect.
Steer clear of areas renowned for having more turbulent seas (that expedition cruise to Antarctica along the Drake Passage, for instance, might not be the best idea). If you want to err on the side of caution, you should talk to your doctor about getting a prescription or some over-the-counter medications like Bonine or Dramamine, or you could try some homoeopathic methods like acupressure wristbands or ginger pills, which can all help prevent and treat seasickness.
