1,000 Cruise Tips
OK, not yet. But we’ll get there. I’ve watched hundreds of YouTube videos so you don’t have to. This list includes tips to do and mistakes to avoid so you can enjoy the best cruise possible.
Feel free to add your own in the comments!
Planning
“All-inclusive? Hardly. Cruises are very different from a real all-inclusive vacation like land resorts. Expect added fees for Internet, drinks, even sodas, many specialty restaurants, some fitness and entertainment activities, etc.
Pricing and booking
Timing when to book a cruise is an art, not a science. As you’ll see, there is no one strategy that works. It depends on sailing season, location, competition, and your preference for convenience, flexibility, and peace of mind.
Booking early doesn’t save money. Occasionally it does. But for the most part it’s a relic of the past. Early savings were not intended as a customer reward. The lines discounted upfront to ensure they could fill the ship and cover their fixed expenses. But modern marketing and dynamic pricing changed that. Today they model booking over time and instantly change promotions and pricing when needed.
When to book early. Booking early provides convenience, choice, and peace of mind. You’re assured of the ship, date, cabin type, and cabin number. It’s recommended if you’re booking for a large group, need a special cabin, such as a connecting room or wheelchair-accessible stateroom, or are booking a limited cabin, such as a single room or suite, which may be limited on that ship.
Some ships do quickly sell out. But that’s rare for regularly scheduled sailings. It’s also bad business for them as it prevents the line from capturing more revenues. Cruise lines are continuing to build more and larger ships and regularly reposition ships seasonally or permanently where needed.
If you book early, you’re not locked in to the price. At least not until you send the final deposit. The price may go down, depending on many factors like competition and world events. If it is reduced, you or your agent can contact the cruise line to adjust the price. If you book early, it’s a good idea to check the price at least monthly before that last payment.
Booking late can save money. Sometimes. It’s true that huge discounts are both easy to find on tickers and there are many bargains. But while a cabin may be available, it may not be the type you want, and the location may not be desirable. Booking late works best for competitive locations like the Caribbean where there are lots of ships sailing or when you can be flexible on cruise line, ship, and date.
Choose your cabin. Cruise lines offer a slightly lower price if you let them assign a cabin. It’s not worth it. When they assign a cabin, it’s AFTER all other passengers have picked theirs with the best locations, typically those with only other cabins all around. So you get the leftovers that may be problematic. The location may be noisy (under a pool deck, above or below a nightclub, casino, or lounge), next to a high-traffic area (elevator or crew area), prone to motion (front or back of ship), or have an obstructed view.
Cruise loyalty does not give you the best price. The loyalty programs provide more benefits and may offer a price lower through the cruise line than if you didn’t have status. But that’s no guarantee of the lowest price compared to third party and wholesale sellers for the same sailing and other similar cruises from other lines.
90 Day price ticker. The ticker is an excellent cruise planning resource in addition to finding a great “last minute” fare. Typically the final deposit is due 90 days before departure. After this time lines may start to cut the price to ensure full cabins. Use the ticker to see if your desired cruise line, destination, and/or routing is competitive. If your preferred cruises aren’t listed, then it’s best to book early.
Beware cruise line offers. They’re sophisticated marketers. They dazzle you with virtually weekly specials - discounted cabins, upgrades, onboard credits, special rates for drinks and Internet, etc. Direct pricing from a cruise site or travel agent is almost always better.
Why pay retail? Vacation Steal’s wholesale membership site provides discounts from 5-20% off retail cruise sites and travel agencies. Have a question or problem? Our experienced travel agents can book that wholesale price for you.
Best cruise price … guaranteed. You deserve the comfort of knowing you made the right decision. We guarantee the best price.
Automatic gratuity. It may be automatic. But it’s not required (yet). How much is it, who should pay, and how?
Get cruise insurance. Cruise ship medical care is generally not covered by private insurance and Medicare, and is VERY expensive.
Don’t get cruise insurance from the cruise line. Insurance from a third party typically provides significantly more (benefits, coverage) for often less. One of the cruise ship insurance tricks - they may pay you with a cruise credit instead of cash.
Packing
No Camouflage. It’s against most cruise line policies to wear clothing with camouflage on anything. It is specifically illegal for civilians to wear camouflage in Barbados. Violators can face fines or even jail time.
Careful on the Vapes. Vapes are ok to bring with cruise lines. But be aware that Mexico has banned vapes and e-cigarettes. It’s best to leave them on board when visiting Cozumel, Costa Maya, Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán, Ensenada, etc.
Weed. Marijuana in any form is strictly illegal on cruise ships, regardless of the law at departure and stopped ports. The cruise lines may have drug-sniffing dogs in the departure lounge. Nevertheless some passengers still smuggle it on board. Check cruise community forums for the latest news and tips.
Sailing
Be careful of drink packages. Tips are automatically added. Are you really going to be drinking alcohol 5 or 6 times a day - every day - including embarkation, debarkation, port days, and recovery days when you’re only on the ship part of the time? They’re not always all-inclusive and may not include some specialty drinks like coffee or bottled water.
Choose wisely on excursions. Cruise line tours are a safe and convenient pick, especially for older or less-abled passengers. One click and you’re done. But there are a limited selection of tours. The experience is rarely personal. You’re put in a large bus. You’re waiting and in line a lot of the time. You’ll have fixed times to enjoy port stops and activities. You may not be able to hear the tour guide. … In comparison, you will have to spend time researching and planning a third party tour. But you will have far more tour options, they’re less expensve, and they’re more intimate and may even be private.
They’re serious about the Port time. Make sure to always check actual ship/local time against the time on your watch or phone. You may cross time zones, even for a short Caribbean trip
They’re serious about the Port time, part 2. They’re very serious. If you’re even a few minutes late, you’ll be on the dock shouting - or cursing - at the ship as it pulls away.
They’re serious about the Port time, part 3. You really don’t want to miss your ship. If you do, you can meet it (flight schedule permitting) at the next port or two. But it likely will cost you a couple thousand dollars in last minute airfare, hotel, meals, etc. away from the ship.
They’re serious about the Port time, part 4. Enough said about the consequences. The cruise ships capitalize on it and use FOMTS (Fear of missing the ship) to market their excursions. The ship will wait for their own excursions but not yours if booked through a third party. But you wouldn’t book a third party excursion that didn’t you get back to ship at least an hour early or doesn’t provide their own guarantee, would you?