Rookie Cruise Mistakes

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Every day thousands of first time cruisers embark on what will be a vacation of a lifetime.  They’ll tweet about it, post a ton of photos on Facebook and Instagram about it.  One thing they might not know is they’re about to show everyone just how much of a cruise rookie they are.  The following observations come from rookie experiences.

Here are 7 rookie cruise mistakes:

1.  Everything is free. There’s nothing more embarrassing than walking on the Lido Deck during sail away and the server comes up and hands you a drink.  Not having any clue, you take the drink and instantly the bar server asks for you your signature and sail card.  The cruise lines are in the business to make money – it’s very rare they’ll hand out free drinks.  (However, Virgin Voyages is setting the example of the new way to sail with their bevies included pricing model).

Blue Iguana Tequila Bar aboard Carnival Cruise Line

 

2.  Stashing in carry-on. Be careful what you try to bring on the ship. This happened the day someone was embarking a cruise ship in Port Canaveral - a gentleman had a backpack with a bottle to Tequila, mixer and salt – ready to start his party – until it went through the x-ray machine and the port agents confiscated it.

3.  Only buffet is free. The main dining room and the buffets are both free. A first time cruiser told me they loved their experience but wish there was more places to eat.  They told me that they have been eating in the buffet for all meals. FYI, main dining room meals are also included in your cruise fare.

Typical main dining room aboard a cruise ship

 

4.  Travel insurance. This can go one of two ways, but if it goes the other way, you’ll be wishing you had travel insurance.  A lady flew into Orlando the day of the cruise and was delayed by three hours – she didn’t make the ship.  She had to pick the ship up in Nassau, Bahamas the next day. Extra costs were incurred.  She told me she had not purchased travel insurance and had second thoughts about trying to make it to the ship in the first place.  As a seller of Travel, I am required to provide you with the option to purchase Travel Insurance for your vacation.  Waiving insurance may turn out to be a big mistake.

5.  Cell phones. Do yourself a favor, unless you know what in the heck you’re doing – keep your cell phone off or in airplane mode while you’re at sea.  When you’re texting your friends from the ship, you’re operating on the ship’s network, costing fifty cents or more per text.  You’re cheaper buying a ship internet plan or keeping your phone off! Actual costs may vary by provider.

• $1.30+ for a picture text,
• $2.50+ per minute for a voice call and data,
• And data is $19.97+ per megabyte.
• It's cheaper buying a ship internet plan or keeping your phone off! Actual costs may vary by provider.

Keep the cell on airplane mode or off!

6.  Shore Excursions. Everyone books their shore excursions straight from the cruise line because they put the fear of God in you that you will get left behind if you don’t book directly through them. There is, however, a reputable third-party excursion company we use called Viator that is just as good as the tour operators the cruise lines use.  You can use  your “My Trips” account on my website to pre-book shore excursions with the same peace of mind.
7. I’ll never be in my room. Everyone says it, “I’ll only shower and sleep in my room.” The truth is, you’re in your room a lot more than to sleep and to shower.  You can only play so much trivia, drink, and sit in the sun for only so long.  Unless it’s strictly a booze cruise, you may want to think of more open cabin types, so heavily research all the stateroom and category options before you default to that lower price interior cabin.