16 Rookie Mistakes to Avoid on Your First Cruise
If you've never cruised before, getting started can be overwhelming: Which one do you book, and how? When should you book? What should you pack? What are the things a first-timer won't know that an experienced cruiser would?
Don't sweat it: Though we believe cruising is one of the easiest ways to travel, there's no denying there are a few common missteps that first-time cruisers tend to make on their first voyage. After more than 100 cruises, we’re sharing our hard-won wisdom in this list of the most common cruising misfires, along with advice for how you can avoid them.
This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
GettyDon't assume all ships are the same
Sure, cruise ships may look similar when you’re browsing many websites, but in reality, as with hotels, cruise lines have their own personalities, strengths, and weaknesses, and you have to pick the best one for you and your traveling companions. As you do your research, you’ll find especially big style differences between classic big-boat cruises and smaller, more luxurious ships or expedition vessels.
GettyDon't pick your line without considering your cruise mates
If you’re looking for a romantic cruise—whether that’s a honeymoon, anniversary, or just a quiet sailing for two—and you’re hoping for a restful experience, it’s also important to think through how much the cruise line designs their experience for families and consider choosing an adult-only line. For example, Viking Cruises and Virgin Voyages limit their passengers to 18 and older, and some other luxury lines—such as Seabourn and Regent Seven Seas—tend to have very few children aboard their sailings.
Royal CaribbeanDon't ignore the new ships and lines
New cruise ships launch every year, bringing with them arrays of novel features and plenty of buzz. In 2024, for example, Royal Caribbean launched Icon of the Seas—at 7,500 passengers, the largest ship in the world is home to a neighborhood specifically designed for young families as well as Crown’s Edge, an obstacle course that lets passengers dangle over the side of the ship. Princess Cruises launched Sun Princess, which ushered in several new restaurant concepts for the line, including one centered on aphrodisiacs. Cunard debuted Queen Anne, with an acrobatic show, a cabaret featuring burlesque performances, and an Indian restaurant; Silversea christened Silver Ray, showcasing luxurious new suite categories.
Courtesy DisneyDon't book your dates based on price alone
There’s such diversity among cruise lines that it’s important to remember that similar prices do not necessarily mean comparable products. Disney Cruise Line, for example, occasionally offers fares that are similar to those of Azamara Cruises, but the experiences are very different: While Disney serves active families with young children best, Azamara is the better choice for couples looking for a quietly chic experience and destination immersion.
It's also worth keeping in mind that reduced fares on a particular sailing sometimes occur during the less-popular "shoulder season," which can translate to a trip during less ideal temperatures or on choppier seas.
And while luxury cruise lines—including Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Silversea, and Crystal, among others—may charge considerably more upfront, their pricing models can offer a lot of value when you consider that most (if not all) specialty restaurants, gratuities, alcohol, Wi-Fi, and butler service are included. Some luxury lines also include airfare, pre- and post-cruise hotel nights, ship transfers, port taxes, laundry service, and shore excursions in their fares. It pays to do your homework (and a little math) before plunking down your deposit.
GettyDon't assume all of one cruise line's ships are identical
While all the ships within a fleet may look identical at first, you’ll find that features and amenities can range widely on some lines, especially for ships built in different years. Cruise lines organize their fleets by classes, but even within a class there can be variations. If you have your heart set on a certain restaurant, Broadway-style stage show, or onboard activity, it’s important to make sure you book the ship that has your favorite features onboard.
GettyDon't book the wrong cabin
Picking a cabin category can be tough—the industry's biggest ships often have more than 20 varieties spanning different sizes and features—so make sure the one you choose is a good match for your own personal cruising style. Factor in preferences like size, views, amenities, and price. Lowest-priced cabins, for example, might carry an attractive rate, but result in potentially claustrophobic and windowless "inside" quarters. If you're planning on being out and about on the ship and in port for the vast majority of your sailing, though, that could be a worthwhile tradeoff.
Individual cabin location is another important parameter: Consider where you will be spending most of your time on board (you might want the spa or pool deck within skipping distance, for instance), nab a good spot for stability if you're prone to seasickness (on a lower-level, mid-ship deck), and be sure to avoid potentially noisy staterooms near or under the pool deck or nightclub. There is nothing worse than being woken up at dawn by the crew hosing down the deck and setting up lounge chairs.
GettyDon't miss out on the best sales of the year
Typically, cruise lines offer their best deals during Wave Season (January through March, when most of the year’s cruises are booked) and during Black Friday or Cyber Monday offerings. You’ll typically find discounted sailings and freebies like onboard credit, comped shore excursions, and included packages (such as Wi-Fi, specialty dining, or drink packages). On Cyber Monday, you may also find airfare deals to get you to your ship, and resorts offering discounted rooms.
GettyDon't fly to your port of call the day of your cruise
Unlike on a land vacation, your roving holiday has a firm departure time. Cruise ships hardly ever wait for delayed flights, so if you're not within driving distance of your embarkation port—especially if you’re cruising in winter, when snow can ground planes—you’ll want to fly into port the day before your sailing. The price of an overnight hotel stay is worth the peace of mind you'll get in return. Plus, you'll get to take full advantage of that first cruise day, or have an added day of sightseeing to tack onto your trip.
One exception: If you live in a major city and have a non-stop flight to a well-trafficked locale like Miami, and there are several more flights after yours that would get you in before the ship sails away, we might look the other way if you fly in that morning, especially if it’s not during wintertime or a busy holiday weekend.
GettyDon't leave key items out of your carry-on
If you're going to let the ship take your bags at the dock and deliver them to your cabin later (which we recommend, since staterooms are often not ready for check-in upon boarding), you’ll want to make sure anything you need for those first few hours on the ship is in your carry-on. While many ships may allow you to board in the morning, your suitcase may not be delivered until closer to dinnertime, meaning you've got hours before you're reunited with your things.
Think about what those first few hours after boarding will look like for you: If you plan to spend the first day on board at the pool or the gym, you’ll want to make sure you have everything you need with you—or risk finding yourself sans swimsuit on the pool deck. If you're traveling from somewhere with a considerably colder or hotter climate, you might need a change of clothes on hand to quickly adapt. Make sure to carry on other key essentials, too, like medications, phone chargers, sunscreen, sunglasses, important documents, stuff for the kids, or toiletries for a quick refresher.
GettyDon't forget advance reservations
In cruises, as in life, some things require advance planning. While the allure of cruising for many is the ease with which you plan your trip—one upfront purchase gets you most of your vacation on the spot—it’s important not to take that too literally. Spa treatments on sea-day afternoons (massages especially), top shore excursions (such as flight-seeing in Alaska and pasta-making in Italy), coveted tables for two at specialty restaurants, and even seats for the complimentary blockbuster evening productions tend to fill up fast. Check out your line’s website and see how early they allow you to book these add-ons, and then take advantage of the opportunity to pin down just what you want long before you take off. Not only will you get first dibs on your preferred times and dates, but you'll avoid getting caught up in the mad grab for whatever slots are left over on the first day of the sailing.
GettyDon't expect fast Wi-Fi on all ships, on all itineraries
While internet access at sea has improved considerably in recent years—with the largest cruise ships delivering an experience similar to one on land on the most popular routes—many cruise ships still charge pricey rates for their Wi-Fi. Plus, service can be spotty when you're far out at sea, sailing to off-the-path destinations, or traveling on a smaller vessel. It can also be frustratingly slow during high-traffic periods when many passengers are competing for limited bandwidth (like during sea days). Overall, you should do well enough, at semi-affordable rates, for low-bandwidth tasks like sending emails, reading news, or scrolling through social media, but expect to pay a premium (if the option is even available) for access strong enough to stream shows on Netflix or to catch up with folks back home on Zoom. And, if you’re considering working remotely while at sea, you definitely want to pick your ship and your itinerary carefully. For the fastest connection, look for ships with satellite-provided Wi-Fi like Starlink.
GettyDon't pack without considering the dress code
While dress codes for cruise ships have changed with the times, and today you’ll likely only see one or two formal nights on your sailing if any, cruise lines do have prescribed policies about what to wear in the evening. Most luxury lines, for example, request passengers don’t wear jeans, sneakers, flip flops, t-shirts, or shorts to dinner, so it’s important to know the rules. In addition, some lines have themed nights you’ll want to plan ahead for—such as Virgin Voyages’ “Scarlet Night,” Azamara’s “White Night,” Cunard’s “Roaring Twenties Night,” and Disney Cruise Line’s “Pirate Night.”
GettyDon't limit yourself to ship-sponsored shore excursions
It’s a misconception among new cruisers that the time spent in port is limited to the tours that the cruise line advertises. This isn't typically the case—you're usually a free agent in port. You could save some money if you go it alone, since excursions booked through cruise companies tend to be more expensive than independent exploration, especially if you’re traveling in a group. Hopping in a cab and heading to the nearest beach, for example, can save you a lot of money over taking a shore excursion.
Depending on your comfort level and degree of travel autonomy, plan ahead and research reputable independent local tour operators for either group or private tours, or simply design your own itinerary and head out independently. Just some caveats: Excursions booked through your cruise line come with certain guarantees and protections. Mainly, they've vetted the tour operators in advance, and the ship crew works with those operators in case any hiccups occur. If you're on your own, it'll be your job to make it back to port in time for the ship's scheduled embarkation; unlike with ship-sponsored tours, the ship won't wait to depart if you get held up while venturing off on your own.
GettyDon't forget to keep tabs on your onboard account
There's no quicker way to undo that onboard R&R than with an unexpectedly huge bill at the end of your sailing. Unless you're cruising aboard an all-inclusive luxury line, on which many of the incidentals are covered with the upfront fare you pay at booking, the many "extras" common to standard cruise vacations can add up fast. Gratuities, bar drinks, shore excursions, Wi-Fi packages, and spa treatments can easily fatten up the cumulative bill. Keep your financial expectations in check by keeping tabs on your shipboard account numbers every few days throughout the sailing.
GettyDon't assume you're immune to seasickness
If you don’t know whether you’re prone to seasickness, your hard-earned vacation isn’t the time to find out. Thankfully, there are some easy precautionary measures you can take, such as staying hydrated, getting enough sleep, steering clear of sitting or standing opposite to the ship's direction of motion, and avoiding activities like reading or staring at a phone screen for too long. If you can, book a cabin that's located mid-ship and on a lower deck, where the ship sway is most stable, and if you start to feel your equilibrium getting off-balance, staring out at a fixed point on the horizon from the deck or your balcony can have a soothing effect.
Avoid waters known for rougher seas (transatlantic crossings or expedition cruises to Antarctica along the Drake Passage, for instance, will put weak stomachs to the test). To be on the safe side, consider talking to your doctor about a prescription or packing some over-the-counter meds like Bonine or Dramamine, as well as homeopathic methods like acupressure wristbands or ginger pills, all of which can help prevent and treat seasickness.
GettyDon't hog the deck chairs
On many ships, there aren’t enough poolside lounge chairs to go around. The fastest way to make enemies onboard? Put your stuff down in the morning of a sea day, and then disappear for hours—going to breakfast, hitting the gym, enjoying a spa appointment, and heading to lunch. Return in the afternoon after hoarding this prime pool-side real estate and, if the staff hasn’t taken your belongings off the chair, the scowls from fellow passengers will make you wish they had.
