10 Things You Shouldn’t Do On A Cruise

Learn how to avoid making cruise ship mistakes that are all too prevalent.

On your next cruise, be sure to steer clear of these common mistakes.

The price of entertainment, meals, housing and transportation are all included in the all-inclusive rate on cruise ships, making this mode of travel a handy and stress-free way to see the world. Despite this, it is simple to commit mistakes that are common among first-timers, such as overpacking, overpaying for unneeded products, or failing to make reservations for shore excursions. The majority of these problems that might occur on cruises are avoidable. The following are some common mistakes that should be avoided while sailing, regardless of whether it is your first time out at sea or you are a seasoned veteran.

Fly into the port on the day that you are leaving.

According to Julie Loffredi, editor of the travel insurance website InsureMyTrip.com and a former contributor to U.S. News Travel, “Cruise departure timings are immovable and firms typically never wait for delayed planes.” Loffredi suggests arriving in the area via airplane the day before the ship is planned to set sail. Sign up for a travel insurance plan that includes compensation for missing connections if you are still concerned about the prospect of your flight being delayed.

Toss anything that you can overboard.

The repercussions of littering at water can be significantly more severe than the consequences of littering on land since maritime law and international law have more stringent requirements. Someone can be thrown off a ship for anything as trivial as having a piece of gum in their possession. After throwing a cigarette butt overboard during a P&O cruise in Southeast Asia in June 2016, an Australian man was asked to leave the ship as a result of his actions. His lack of good judgment cost him seven days of vacation, and it also left him trapped on an island, where he had to fend for himself in order to find his way back home.

Perform a handshake.

It is easier for disease to spread rapidly on cruise ships because of the close quarters. Because of this, it is not considered disrespectful to avoid shaking hands with anyone you come across while you’re on board the ship. For example, Captain Birger J. Vorland of Crystal Cruises likes to smile and give an elbow bump to his passengers as a way to welcome them aboard. In addition, to maintain your health during the duration of your trip, be sure to use lots of hand sanitizer.

It is best to avoid discussing your illness with other passengers.

In the event that you do start to feel a little under the weather, it is best not to tell other people about your symptoms. If you do so, you run the risk of being placed in quarantine, regardless of whether or not your condition actually requires you to be there. Because cruise lines err on the side of extreme caution when it comes to germs, you should only contact the doctor on board the cruise ship if you actually feel as though you have a problem that you are unable to cure on your own. Charles McCool, a travel writer, recommends that people always bring a supply of over-the-counter medications with them just in case they are needed. In addition, if you are prone to sea sickness, it is best to be prepared for it by bringing along some effective prescription medications or a drug-free Sea-Band bracelet.

Be quite scared of being at sea for days.

“If you’ve never been on a cruise before, you might be concerned that you’ll spend your time at sea being uninterested,” says Tynan Smith, proprietor of the website CruiseSheet.com, which offers discounts on cruises. “However, a lot of seasoned cruisers, including myself, genuinely favor days at sea,” he continues. There is never a lack of things to do because there are so many different options available, such as the casinos, stores, pools, and workshops. In addition, it is wonderful to have a day or two of rest in between the hectic port days that are packed full of sightseeing opportunities.

Restrict yourself to the dining room in the main building.

Many cruise lines complement their standard dining room service with one-of-a-kind culinary experiences and specialized venues in order to separate themselves from their competitors and attract visitors who are particularly interested in the cuisine of the destinations they visit. For instance, Holland America has a Culinary Arts Center that offers ship-to-table dining experiences, while Crystal Cruises features speciality restaurants like as Silk Road, which was developed in partnership with renowned chef Nobuyuki “Nobu” Matsuhisa. Because there is typically a limited number of seats available at these venues, it is in your best interest to make reservations in advance and be prepared to pay a higher price for these premium events.

Hold off on signing up for shore excursions until the very last possible moment.

It is acceptable to put off tasks such as packing until the last minute, but if you want to participate in one of the ship’s shore excursions, you need to sign up well in advance. It is not uncommon for tours to be restricted to groups of 12 to 15 passengers, and it does not take long for tours to reach capacity on ships that carry more than 1,000 passengers. Just bear in mind that the majority of cruise lines have stringent shore excursion cancellation policies, so before you sign your names on the dotted line for a tour, you should make sure that it is something that you and your travel companions actually want to undertake.

Book some treatments at the spa on the very first day of your vacation.

It is tempting to start off your trip by getting a massage or getting your nails done. However, according to Karen Malone, a travel advisor working for the agency Travel Leaders, if you wait until the spa publishes its discounts, you will receive a better value for your money. These are typically printed in the daily program that is distributed onboard the ship. On port days, when the spa is less busy, treatments also tend to be priced lower than on other days. Also, make sure you take advantage of the complimentary spa amenities. The locker room saunas and steam rooms are often available for use by anyone, including people who aren’t receiving treatments at the facility. Are you going to be traveling on the ocean-going Viking Star? Take advantage of the free visit to the snow grotto.

Don’t bother with the muster drill.

On cruise ships, passengers are required to participate in muster drills. The muster exercise is where you find out which lifeboat you are assigned to and what you are expected to do in the event of an emergency. It is typically scheduled for the first day of a sailing trip. Your absence will not go undetected since the crew of the ship will take attendance; the repercussions for missing the practice can be severe. The crew will take attendance. As a result of their refusal to participate in their ship’s muster practice in 2012, an elderly couple was removed from their trip with Seabourn Cruise Line.

Give your children free rein to run wild.

“Parents shouldn’t assume that the closed and relatively safe environs of a cruise ship gives them the ability to let their kids roam freely,” says David Yeskel, a veteran travel journalist and the creator of the travel advice blog known as The Cruise Guru. “Yeskel says that parents shouldn’t assume that the enclosed and relatively safe environs of a cruise ship gives them the ability to let their kids roam freely.” Instead, “responsible parents should urge their children to join the free, age-tiered and supervised kids clubs where programming is meant to busy and interest youngsters while preserving the sanity of everyone else aboard,” adds Yeskel. These kids clubs are available on most cruise ships.