Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about what NOT to do when you take a cruise ship vacation. While many travel blogs will tell you the best things to do on a cruise, we want to be sure you know about the things you should NOT do during your cruise ship vacation!
Don’t Assume All Cruise Lines are the Same
Just because two cruise ship companies offer similar itineraries, it does not mean they are the same. The itinerary and the ports of call are only part of what you want to look for in a cruise vacation. You should also look at the size of the boat and the maximum number of passengers you’ll be traveling with. The excursion choices can also be different from ship to ship. It’s important to find the best cruise ship for your travel style.
Don’t Arrive the Same Day as Your Cruise Departure
If you are flying into your port city for the cruise, don’t plan to arrive the same day that your cruise is leaving. Most cruises leave late in the afternoon, so it can be tempting to book a morning flight and save a night in a hotel. However, if there are any delays with your flights or baggage, the cruise ship is not going to wait for you. You can meet it at the next port, but it will be at your own expense. Arriving a day early allows you a bit of time to get into vacation mode and adjust to any time or climate change as well.
Don’t Lose Your Cruise Ship ID
Of course, you don’t want to lose your passport or driver’s license, but you will get an identification card or wristband that becomes your ID for the duration of the cruise. You’ll need this to board the boat, and it will also be used to pay for things on the ship. It might also work as your room key. If they give you an audioguide for tours, don’t lose that either, as you will have to pay to replace it.
Don’t Skip Orientation
On the first day aboard, there will be an orientation for all cruise ship passengers. Don’t skip it, especially if it’s your first cruise. Not only will this orientation give you important safety and emergency procedures, but you’ll also learn about the dining hours and locations, and excursion information.
Don’t Assume the Price is All-Inclusive
Some cruise lines bundle everything into one price, which is really convenient and helpful for budgeting for your cruise vacation. But not all cruise ships do this. Some companies will have additional packages you can purchase which include bottled water or upgraded drinks and soft drinks. You will have to do some research on a la carte pricing vs package pricing to see what works best for you.
Don’t Feel Like You Have to Take the Cruise Line Excursions
Your cruise will come with a wide variety of excursions you can add on to your package. Some cruise lines have excellent guides and tours, but others may seem overpriced, or may not fit your travel style. You can always book excursions on your own, or just go ashore and wander the towns at your own pace.
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Don’t Feel Like You Have to Take an Excursion Every Day
You may feel pressured to make the most of your cruise vacation and fill up your itinerary with daily excursions. It’s not hard to get burned out on being shuffled around on tours day after day. It’s totally OK to just chill out on the boat for the day, or roam around town on your own. You might actually really enjoy relaxing on the boat while the rest of the passengers are gone. This is even more important if you are cruising with kids.
Don’t Miss Your Boat!
Just like the original departure day, if you are off wandering a port of call on your own, or with another tour agency, it’s your responsibility to make sure you are back on the boat in time. The boat will not wait for you and you will have to get yourself to the next port on your own. The larger your ship, the less likely they are to wait for you if you are running a few minutes behind. Give yourself plenty of time to get back to the boat.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
The people who work on the boat are there to help you. They want to help you, so don’t be afraid to ask them for help or even if you just have random questions that you’ve been wondering about. Whether you aren’t feeling well or have dietary restrictions, be sure to let the staff know and they will go out of their way to accommodate you.
Don’t Expect to Get Along With Everyone on the Cruise
Whether you’re on a small ship or a mega-cruise line, you probably won’t get along with everyone. This happens in any kind of group travel situation. If you foresee a huge issue, especially with your dining group, you can always ask to change tables. It could even be a language barrier with your table mates.
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Don’t Smuggle Contraband On-Board
As with airlines, most cruise lines will have a list of things you can’t bring on board. Some of it is for safety reasons. You might think you’ll want a candle to freshen up your small cabin, but anything flammable is a big “no” on a boat. You might be wondering can you bring alcohol on a cruise. There are usually rules about bringing alcohol or even soft drinks and water. Sometimes you can’t bring anything to drink, other ships will allow you a certain amount, one or two bottles of wine, for example. Of course, weapons and drugs are always prohibited.
Cruising can be a fun way to travel if you do your research and pick the best cruise ship that fits with your travel style. They take care of everything, so a cruise ship vacation can be incredibly relaxing. Hopefully, this post gives you a good start on researching the perfect cruise ship vacation for you! Looking for more of our family travel tips? Check out these blog posts!