Cruise Tips & Tricks
Everything I Tell My Cruise Clients
Whether it’s your first cruise or your fifteenth, a little planning makes the whole trip smoother. Here are the tips I share with every client, from booking to the last night at sea.
When to Book a Cruise
Booking 9 to 12 months out gives you the widest choice of cabins and sailing dates. That matters most for holidays, summer, suites and family-friendly ships. January through March is “wave season,” when cruise lines roll out some of their best promotions of the year. Flexible? Last-minute fares can be great value too.
Before we look at ships, think about:
- What kind of experience you want: relaxing, adventurous, foodie, nonstop fun
- Who’s coming: solo, couple, family with kids, or a group of friends
- When you can travel, and for how many nights
- Which ports or regions are on your wish list
- Which cruise line’s style fits you best (I can help with that one)
Choosing the Right Cabin
It comes down to comfort versus cost, and how much time you’ll actually spend in the room. Higher decks put you closer to the pools and views; lower and middle decks are steps from dining and entertainment, and feel the least motion. Every ship’s deck plan is on the cruise line’s website or app, and I’m happy to walk you through it.
Inside
The best value. No window, but dark and quiet, which is great for sleeping in after a late show.
Oceanview
A window or porthole so you can wake up to the view of each new port.
Balcony
Your own private veranda for morning coffee and sail-aways. The most popular upgrade.
Suite
The most space, the best views and extra perks like priority boarding and dedicated lounges.
What to Pack
Pack these in your carry-on, never your checked bag:
- Passports (or the proof of citizenship and photo ID your itinerary requires)
- Cruise documents and boarding passes
- Prescriptions and essential medications
- Health insurance cards, credit cards and some cash
- Emergency contact numbers
For everything else, use my Cruise & Beach Packing Checklist: sunscreen, sunglasses, a refillable bottle, chargers, a daypack and more. Headed somewhere specific? Dream Vacations has downloadable packing lists for Alaska, the Caribbean and Mexico, the Mediterranean and other regions on my Dream Vacations site ↗.
What Not to Pack
For everyone’s safety, cruise lines don’t allow certain items on board, and security will hold them until the end of the cruise. Common ones:
- Candles and incense
- Clothing irons and steamers
- Surge-protected power strips
- Power tools
- Hot plates and coffee makers
- Drones (on most lines)
Each line has its own list. I’ll send you the exact rules for your ship.
Who and How to Tip
The crew works incredibly hard to make your trip special, and gratuities are part of cruising. Most lines add a daily gratuity to your onboard account automatically, typically around $16 to $25 per guest per day depending on the line and cabin type. Some lines include it in the fare or leave it up to you. Many travelers also tip a few extra dollars to a favorite bartender, server or room steward. I’ll tell you exactly how it works on your line, and you can often prepay gratuities when you book.
Tips & Tricks From Experience
- Fly in the day before your cruise. A delayed flight shouldn’t mean watching your ship leave without you.
- Pack a small carry-on for embarkation day with swimsuit, sunscreen, medications and documents; checked bags can take hours to reach your cabin.
- Download the cruise line’s app and check in online as early as it opens to get a better boarding time.
- Book specialty dining, shows and popular shore excursions before you sail. They sell out, and pre-cruise prices are often lower.
- Prone to seasickness? A cabin low and in the middle of the ship moves the least.
- Do the math on drink and Wi-Fi packages before you buy; they’re worth it for some travelers, not for others.
- Bring a cruise-approved power strip (no surge protector) and magnetic hooks; cabin walls are metal.
- Be back on board at least 30 minutes before all-aboard time on port days. The ship won’t wait for independent tours.
- Consider travel insurance, especially for international itineraries and trips booked far in advance.
Let’s Find Your Perfect Cruise
See this week’s hand-picked cruise deals, or tell me what you have in mind and I’ll do the searching.