10 Do's & Dont's for an Unforgettable Cruise Vacation

A cruise vacation can offer a unique blend of relaxation at sea, adventure, and of course the culinary delights. It's a chance to unwind, explore new cultures, and indulge in world-class entertainment all while only having to unpack once. To help with a seamless and unforgettable cruise experience, consider these essential tips for cruisers to help maximize your enjoyment and minimize any potential hiccups.

10 Do's and Don'ts for a Perfect Cruise Vacation

Cruising is a fantastic way to explore the world, relax, and indulge in a variety of activities. With a little planning and preparation, you can make the most of your cruise vacation. Here are 10 do's and don'ts to keep in mind:

10 Do's For Cruisers

1. Do Your Port of Call Homework:

Before deciding on which cruise to book, spend a little bit of time researching your desired destination ports. Learn about the local culture, history, local customs, and tourist attractions. Remember that port times are always short, so plan your shore excursions to see and do as much as you can to make the most of your time in port.

• Dive Deep: Go beyond the typical tourist spots. As your travel advisors, we research "off the beaten path" type excursions, local markets, hidden gems, and authentic experiences to help enrich your cruise experience.
• Consider the Season: Some destinations are best visited during specific times of the year (consider seasonal weather such as high humidity, hurricanes, monsoons, snow, etc). Check with your travel advisor on weather and fun local events.

2. Pack Smart for Your Cruise:

Pack light and bring versatile clothing. Consider the climate of your destination ports and pack accordingly. Don't forget to pack essential items like sunscreen, a hat, and comfortable walking shoes.

• Layer Up: Pack versatile clothing items that can be layered and possibly worn again for different weather conditions. Remember that weather can change on a dime, and it's not always a perfect 80 degrees on deck or in port!
• Pack Important Items in your Carry-On: Having essential items like all OTC and prescription medications, phone chargers, and important travel documents (insurance, boarding passes, passports, IDs, etc,) in a carry-on can be a lifesaver. Don't put anything of high value or importance in your checked baggage. Always keep these items on your person to prevent any sort of issues.
• Learn what is permitted and not permitted on board a cruise.

3. Book Shore Excursions Well in Advance:

Popular shore excursions can book up quickly, so it's best to book them in advance. This will ensure you have a spot on the excursion you want.

• Always Consider Independent Excursions: If you enjoy smaller groups, and a more personalized experience, consider independent excursions versus booking directly with the cruise lines. Your travel advisor has a large database of local tour operators, many that can offer transportation, or even guaranteed return to ship options. Simply share your wishes with us, or let us make some suggestions for you.
• Check the Cruise Line's Excursions: Cruise lines often offer a variety of shore excursions, including private tours and group activities. These type of excursions can give you some ideas on what to book independently. Quite often these are the exact same excursions provided by the same tour operators that are contracted with the cruise lines, and can be marked up as much as 300% in some cases.

4. Familiarize Yourself with the Ship:

Take some time to explore the ship and learn about the amenities and services available before you sail. The easiest way to do this is to visit your cruise lines website, and search for the name of the ship and "Deck Plans". Many cruise lines offer extensive information, or even video tours of the ship on their websites. Another great resource for ship amenity information is YouTube as well. This can help you make the most of your time on board and give you ideas of things you might not want to miss.

• Always Attend the Muster Drill: This mandatory safety drill will familiarize you with the ship's layout and emergency procedures, as soon as you set foot on board, immediately attend the muster drill. That way you can get your cruise vacation enjoyment started immediately without having to be interrupted later. Please note that every passenger aboard the ship is REQUIRED to attend the muster drill prior to the ship being cleared to depart. So please, do your part and attend the muster drill immediately upon boarding.
• Check the Daily Planner: This daily activities publication will provide information about the ship's activities, dining options, and entertainment. Most cruise lines these days utilize an app for the most current list of activities, please consider using the app versus a paper copy, as often times locations and times of activities may change on the fly.

5. Take Advantage of Onboard Activities:

Cruise ships offer a huge variety of activities, beyond the basics of swimming and sunbathing. Enjoy the wide variety of fitness classes, comedy, trivia, live game shows, and Broadway-style theater productions as well.

• Traveling Solo?: Many cruise lines offer Solo or singles meet-ups during your vacation. This is a great way to meet new people and participate in activities you enjoy.
• Unwind at the Spa: Cruise ships offer luxurious spas at sea with a variety of spa treatments, including massages, facials, hair, nails, body wraps, and even acupuncture!

6. Eat at All of the Different Restaurants:

Cruise vacations offer a huge variety of dining options, from buffet-style casual cuisine restaurants to luxury steakhouse and specialty dining restaurants. Don't be afraid to try different all of the restaurants and cuisines while on board. Ask your travel advisor about unlimited specialty dining options for your particular sailing.

• Make Advance Reservations: Popular specialty dining restaurants on board will often require reservations, so book your table in advance either via your cruise lines website, app, or ask your travel advisor to place these reservations shortly after you've booked. Making advance dining reservations as early as possible can often lend to the best tables and availability during your sailing.
• Try Local Cuisine: Cruises often offer menus and specialty dishes inspired by the destinations you'll be visiting. Dive in and immerse yourself in the local cuisine.

7. Always Tip The Crew:

Tipping is customary on cruise ships. Be sure to tip your servers, bartenders, stateroom attendants, and other staff members who provide excellent service, or ask your travel advisor to include prepaid gratuities at the time you book your cruise.

• Check the Cruise Line's Tipping Policy: Some cruise lines include gratuities in the cruise fare, while others require additional tipping.

8. Stay Hydrated:

It's important to stay hydrated, especially with frequent visits to the bars as most cruisers do, especially when in warm climates. Drink plenty of water throughout the day.

9. Relax and Enjoy:

The most important thing is to relax and enjoy your cruise vacation. Let go of your stress and worries and focus on having fun.

• Practice Self Care: Take some self-care time to meditate, practice yoga, or simply sit quietly and enjoy the view.
• Disconnect to Reconnect: Limit your screen time and spend quality time with loved ones. Challenge yourself to really avoid being on your phone, or working while on vacation.

10. Share Your Experience:

Share your cruise experience with friends and family. Post photos on social media after you get home, write a blog post, or and tell people about your trip experiences.

• Capture Memories: Take plenty of photos and videos to document your trip.
• Write a Travel Journal: Journaling can help you reflect on your experiences and capture your thoughts and feelings.

10 Don'ts for Cruisers

1. Don't Overpack:

Overpacking can be a hassle and make it difficult to get around the ship. Pack only the essentials. Trust me, you really don't need 40 pairs of shoes Imelda!

• Use Packing Cubes: Packing cubes can help you organize your luggage and maximize space.
• Bring a Hanging Organizer: Space is always a premium in most cruise cabins, so having a hanging organizer for things like your toiletries, make up, etc can keep your cabin well organized and everything at fingertip touch.
• Check the Weather Forecast: Pack accordingly to avoid bringing unnecessary items, you won't need your snow parka in the Caribbean or Bahamas.

2. Don't Forget Travel Insurance:

Travel insurance can help protect you from unexpected events, such as illness, injury, travel delay, or trip cancellation.

• Always have Comprehensive Coverage: Avoid purchasing travel insurance from the cruise lines, as their policies can often be "stripped down". Ask your travel advisor for a quote on a comprehensive travel insurance policy which can cover things such as medical expenses, emergency medi-vac or repatriation expenses, trip cancellations, and lost luggage.

3. Don't Miss the Boat:

Always stay on the ships time, be punctual for shore excursions and of course for ship departures. Plan on being back on board no later than 90 minutes PRIOR to the all aboard or last call boarding time. Missing the boat can completely ruin your vacation and empty your wallet with unexpected expenses in a jiffy.

• Set Alarms: Set multiple alarms to ensure you don't oversleep and miss your excursion or return to ship time.
• Plan Your Return: Allow ample time to return to the ship, especially if you're exploring on your own.

4. Don't Eat Too Much:

While it's tempting to indulge in the wide variety of delicious food onboard the ship, be mindful of your calorie intake and avoid gaining the "cruise 10" or the 10 extra pounds of weight you weren't expecting to bring home with you.

• Balance Your Meals: Eat a variety of foods, including fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins.
• Take Advantage of the Fitness Center or Walking Tracks: Stay active to burn off extra calories.

5. Don't Forget to Unplug:

Challenge yourself to fully take a break from technology and enjoy the moment. Disconnect from your phone and email and really try and focus on your vacation. Trust me, the world will not end if you don't buy the internet package on your cruise!

• Do a Digital Detox: Designate specific times for checking emails only if you ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO.

6. Don't Be Afraid to Ask for Help:

If you have any questions or concerns at any point during your voyage, don't hesitate to ask a crew member for help. There is nothing that can ruin your cruise vacation quicker than a nagging unanswered question or service issue that may be able to quickly be resolved for you.

• Find the Guest Services Desk: This is a great resource for information and assistance and guidance.
• Don't Be Shy: Crew members are there to help, so don't hesitate to ask them questions or for help on where to locate something or someone who can help you.

7. Don't EVER Be Rude to the Crew:

The ships crew works harder than you can ever imagine to make your cruise vacation enjoyable. Remember to always treat them with kindness, respect and appreciation. Especially if you have an unexpected hiccup. A smile, please, and thank you will go much further in helping to resolve any unexpected bumps along the way.

• Be Patient: Crew members may be busy, so be patient and understanding.

8. Don't Forget to Budget:

While cruising can be some of the most affordable ways to vacation, it's important to have an established budget for additional expenses, such as shore excursions, souvenirs, and non included drinks or specialty dining experiences.

• Set an Onboard Spending Budget: Determine how much money you're willing to spend onboard or in port on extras.

9. Don't Stress Over the Small Things:

As with any vacation, things may not always go as planned, you may run into bad weather, an interruption to your itinerary, a ship malfunction, but don't let the small setbacks ruin your vacation.

• Embrace Flexibility: Be open to changes in plans or itineraries.
• Practice Gratitude: Focus on the positive aspects of your trip, remember that crew member you may be speaking to most likely isn't the person who is responsible for the issue.

10. Don't Bring Prohibited Items With You!

Always make sure to check with your cruise lines website for their list of prohibited items that are expressly forbidden from being on the ship. Some of these items may be more routine than you think they are. In order to prevent the possibility of denial of boarding, or even worse, the possibility of being arrested or fined, always double check that these prohibited items are not in your carry on or checked luggage!

Above all, remember to relax, enjoy the moment, and spend your cruise vacation time focused on making those incredible memories that will last a lifetime.

Bon Voyage!