I book a lot of first cruises, and the same mistakes come up. Here are the 10 I see most, and what to do instead.
1. Booking same-day flights to the port
Missed flight = missed ship. Cruise lines do not wait. Always fly in the day before sailing, especially for Miami, Port Canaveral, and any winter departure.
2. Picking the cheapest cabin without checking location
Cheap inside cabins under the pool deck, above the engine room, or next to the laundry are miserable. A good advisor knows the bad cabins. Save $40 and lose your sleep is the wrong trade.
3. Buying a drink package without doing the math
If you'll have 6+ drinks per day per person, it pays. Below that, pay per drink. Both adults in the cabin have to buy on most lines, so check that math too.
4. Booking excursions through the cruise line by default
Cruise line excursions are convenient and guaranteed not to miss the ship. They're also 30-50% more expensive than booking the same operator independently. For first cruisers, the convenience is often worth it. For repeat cruisers, the savings add up.
5. Skipping travel insurance
Cruises are non-refundable past final payment. A bad flu, a family emergency, or a missed flight without insurance costs you the whole fare. Independent travel insurance is usually cheaper and broader than the cruise line's option.
6. Arriving at the port at noon
Embarkation starts at 11am-12pm on most ships. The line is shortest at 1-2pm, not at noon. The ship doesn't sail till 4-5pm. Don't fight the rush.
7. Overpacking
Cabin storage is tight. You don't need 14 outfits for a 7-night cruise. Pack mix-and-match basics, one dressy outfit, swimwear, and that's most of it.
8. Not reserving specialty dining early
On the bigger ships (Icon, Wish, Mardi Gras), the best specialty restaurants book up before sailing. Reserve at home, not on board.
9. Underestimating port days
If your ship is in port from 9am-5pm, you have 6 usable hours, not 8. Be back on board with 30+ minutes to spare. The cruise line will leave without you.
10. Skipping the muster drill
Modern muster is mostly virtual but you still have to check in. Skip it and you can be removed from the ship. Do it within the first 2 hours of boarding.
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Written by Marissa Wright
Cruise & Beach Vacation Specialist
Marissa is a cruise specialist focused on Royal Caribbean and a lifelong cruiser. In her first year as an advisor she booked 300+ cruises across Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian, Celebrity, and Disney. Her planning service is always free.