Cruise Travel Tips

BYOW: Depending on the cruise line’s rules, you can usually bring two bottles of wine onboard per cabin, which will save you quite a bit on drinks. Most people pick up their bottles at the arrival airport’s Duty Free Shop. Pack it in your carry on; you’ll be able to get it through ship security without any problems.

Pack everything you need for your first day in your carry on: The cruise company will generally pick up your checked luggage and bring it right to the ship for you. Convenient, except that you might not get your bag back until late in the evening, so make sure you have a change of clothes, swim suit, prescriptions and any other essentials in your carry on.

The specialty restaurants are often worth it: Most cruise lines have specialty restaurant that require a slight upcharge of $25–$35 per person. While you might feel compelled to make the most of the meals that come included with your cruise, the specialty restaurants often offer a better dining experience and higher quality food. Just remember that you usually need to make your reservation right away on day 1 or day 2.

Opt for the late seating: Most cruise lines offer two dinner seatings—one early, one late. Pick the late seating because many of the excursions won’t get you back in time for the early seating. Let your travel agent or cruise operator know as early as possible to ensure a spot.

Take the excursions: As soon as you book, check out which excursions the cruise line offers. If you don’t see what you want—for example something special such as horseback riding or a cooking class—you can book other activities directly with tour operators on the ground in your destination.

Bring your own pharmacy: Sunscreen, constipation/diarrhea medication, motion sickness, allergies… Bring all of these medications from home because they cost about 10 times more in the cruise ship’s shop.

Prevent seasickness before it starts: Book a room toward the center of the ship, preferably with a porthole or balcony. You can still feel the motion of the ocean, but the nausea and associated symptoms are worse if you have an interior room and can’t see the horizon.

Book your spa package immediately: If interested in getting a spa treatment onboard, book it right away because they fill up quickly.

Take advantage of the onboard seminars: A lot of otherwise-thrifty folks turn in to big spenders while on vacation. If you plan on buying some fine jewelry in one of your ports of call, educate yourself first. Many ships offer seminars on what to look for in diamonds, gems and other jewelry. They can help you decide where to buy, and many cruise lines even offer a 60-day return policy if you buy from a recommended vendor.

Take advantage of the kid and teen programs: Ships offer plenty of cool features for kids: Think onboard waterslides, rock climbing walls and surf simulators. But a lot cruise lines now offer even better kids activities and excursions, plus fun features like game rooms, circus schools, and teen-only nightclubs, among others.

You will need water shoes: Not even sure what those are? These handy kicks constructed of rubber and mesh are a must on most cruises where they’ll help you avoid cutting your feet on corral or sharp rocks. They’ll be available on your ship for a premium, so it’s best to pick up a cheap pair for $10–$20 ahead of time.

What to wear: The look on ships tends to be pretty casual, but before you leave, you’ll get a dress code for each night: Expect at least one formal night and one smart-casual night. Also, swimsuit cover-ups are a must, as you are not allowed in any dining areas without swimsuit coverage. And while you might be cruising the Caribbean or some other tropical locale, ship decks can get pretty cold at night when the sun goes down and the wind picks up, so it may be smart to bring a shawl or light jacket.

Pack for your excursion: For many of the adventure and hiking excursions, you’ll need a shoulder backpack, since a beach bag will not work. Also be sure to bring an old pair of tennis shoes that you plan to never wear again as they’ll likely become very dirty. And remember that none of the onboard shops are open while in port, so if you need sunscreen or water before an excursion, you’ll have to plan in advance. Similarly, check out any beach towels you might need the night before—you can expect long lines when everyone tries to exit the ship at the same time.

Keep your wi-fi expectations in check. Although cruise lines advertise onboard wi-fi, do not expect the same speed or reliable connection that you have at home. When traveling out of the country make sure to contact your provider for a plan on how it works.