9 Ways to Ruin Your Cruise

Cruising is wonderful! What better way to visit foreign and domestic ports, unpack once, never have to clean or cook, have your choice for top entertainment and basically get catered to for the duration of your cruise? Make the most of this opportunity and do not let the following things ruin what should be a great vacation! Read on for 9 ways to ruin your cruise.

1. Not getting to the departure city at least a day ahead of time:

If you are flying book your flight and get a hotel room at least a day ahead of embarkation. Do this also if you are driving a distance. There are so many things that can influence and affect your transportation that is out of your control. No one needs the stress of wondering what will happen if your flight is delayed or if traffic prevents you from getting to the port on time. And guess what? The ship will leave without you. I consider the added cost of arriving in the port city early as a part of my vacation cost. And it allows me to have at least one extra day to relax, sightsee and get to the ship early. Besides, who doesn’t love an extra day of vacation?

2. Forgetting your important travel documents:

Look online and determine exactly what travel documents you will need for your cruise. These can include a photo state id, a passport, perhaps a visa, your boarding pass, credit cards, cash or whatever your cruise line requires. Be sure you have these in your carryon, they do you no good in the checked bag that you will leave with the baggage folks before you board your ship.

3. Booking the wrong cruise:

There are many different cruise lines, each appeal to a slightly different group. Pay attention to who their target audience is, and where your personality fits in. Are you looking for a party atmosphere, do you love the amusement park amenities offered on some ships, are you looking for a cruise that welcomes families, singles, or couples, what kind of entertainment do you enjoy, what ports are you interested in visiting, and what kind of weather would you like? Pay attention to the weather – you may get a great deal on a cruise, but is it during hurricane or the rainy season?

4. Not booking excursions ahead of time:

The better excursions fill up early, way before you sail away. Do some research online, see what your cruise ship has to offer in way of excursions and even look for private excursions offered in port. Be aware that if something happens on a private, non-ship excursion and you miss the all-important all-aboard time, the ship will not wait for you and you will have to make arrangements to meet up with the ship at the next port. From a financial standpoint, you book and pay for these excursions ahead of time which stretches out the cost of the cruise. It is nice to have these paid for ahead of time!

5. Not budgeting correctly:

Yes, cruises are similar to all-inclusive resorts in that your room (cabin) and board (food) are included. Additional items usually include entertainment, onboard presentations, access to the fitness center, use of pools and hot tubs, in-stateroom television programs and movies, stateroom to stateroom phone calling, iced tea, some juices in the buffet (for breakfast), regular coffee, tea, and ice water. But, there are additional costs that could ruin your cruise if you are not prepared. These can include alcohol drinks, specialty dining, gratuities, casino games, spa services, Internet, laundry services, transfers to and from the ship, sodas and other non-alcoholic beverages, purchasing photographs from the onboard photographers, souvenirs, and food and drinks while in port. Prevent any surprises when you get your final bill, check it along the way and be mindful of your spending. Make a budget and do not overspend (or try not to overspend;-).

6. Not getting travel insurance:

Cruises are usually booked long before departure. They also cost a significant amount of money. Stuff happens. Even while onboard, stuff happens. Be sure to purchase travel insurance and one that includes medical coverage. We all hope we will never need this but if something serious medical condition occurs it can be a devastating financial drain on you. Think of medical care in a foreign country, helicopter evacuation from a cruise ship. Even medical care on a cruise ship can be very costly. Insurance policies are available through your cruise line and there are a number of reputable carriers that offer policies that you can find online. Be sure to compare both coss and coverage before purchasing.

7. Overindulging:

There are so many great temptations on a cruise ship. Food and drink are available almost 24 / 7. If you overeat or drink in excess you will not feel well and may even lose a part of a precious cruise day while nursing a hangover or an upset stomach. Pace yourself. As in everything, moderation is the key to both a great time and feeling wonderful!

8. Setting your expectations too high:

If you go on your cruise looking for perfection, rather than looking for a really nice vacation you set yourself up for disappointment. When you set the bar too high you are looking at everything with a critical eye and are not allowing yourself to enjoy all the positive things that a cruise has to offer. Instead, take a good look at what is around you. Go on deck, look over the water and see things with wonder and gratitude. Believe me when I say this change in attitude will allow you to fully enjoy your awesome cruise.

9. Not being flexible or patient:

Similar but different from the point above. Being flexible means being able to bend without breaking. When cruising, as in life, stuff happens. Maybe a cruise port has to be missed because of the weather or political unrest, maybe you cannot get into the theater show you want to see because there are no available seats, maybe the weather prevents you from going on an excursion, maybe you have to wait for a table in the main dining room, maybe you have to wait to get into your cabin because your steward is cleaning it. You are on vacation – let the stress go and enjoy your time aboard a lovely ship. In other words – relax!

In summary:

A cruise is a fantastic way to see the world, a small part of the world, or simply to relax and get away from everyday stress. Among whatever else you pack be sure to take along plenty of patience and compassion for others. Pay attention to these 9 ways to ruin your cruise.

Speaking of packing, check out my post on What to Pack in Your Carry-on on Embarkation Day.

To help keep your stateroom neat and tidy I have a post that will help called Cruise Cabin Essentials.