Are you going on a cruise? There are some lesser-known tips that can greatly improve your cruise experience. Here are not-so-obvious cruise tips you need to know about!
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1. Wine Follows You
A not-so-obvious cruise tip is that your wine bottle follows you. If you buy a bottle of wine in one location, let’s say the main dining room on a cruise, you can access your bottle of wine at a different location, such as a specialty restaurant, or finish it off the next day in the dining room. Just ask the bartender or server to find your bottle for you.
This means there’s no need to order wine by the glass. Always go for the bottle since it’s usually much cheaper. Now that your wine bottle goes where you go on the cruise ship, there is no pressure to finish the entire bottle in one sitting!
This little tip will save you money- order wine by the bottle instead of by the glass. You can thank me later!
2. You Can Walk Around with Your Wine
Another not-so-obvious cruise tip is that you can drink anywhere on the ship. Yes, there are no open-bottle rules, so you can walk around with your wine glass wherever you like. This means you can bring your wine to the main dining room for dinner or take it with you to the theater to enjoy the show.
For example, when I go to a cocktail party for cruise loyalty members, I always order an extra round of drinks to take with me to my next activity.
3. Beware of the Balcony Cabin Door Wind Tunnel
If you’ve never stayed in a balcony cabin before, you might not be aware of this, but there’s a wind tunnel effect when you simultaneously open the balcony and cabin doors. Opening both doors at once creates a strong gust of wind that can cause the cabin door to slam shut with a lot of force.
This can be quite scary, especially for young children. So, always make sure to firmly hold the cabin door when you open it with the balcony door open.
Alternatively, closing the balcony door before leaving the cabin is a good idea. It’s also important to ensure that your kids know about the wind tunnel so they can be extra careful with the cabin doors or get an adult to help them if it’s too heavy to manage.
4. You Need to Pack a Carry On Bag
If you’ve never been on a cruise before, it may not have occurred to you to bring a carry-on bag. However, having one packed with all your first-day essentials is important because it can take a few hours for your checked luggage to be delivered to your cabin.
Use a roller bag as your carry-on bag. Your carry-on bag should include items like a toiletry bag, kids’ toys, bathing suits, and any necessary medication. Without your bathing suits in your carry-on, you won’t be able to enjoy the pool until almost dinnertime, when your checked luggage arrives.
Don’t forget about your carry-on bag on the last day either, since the cruise staff will collect your luggage the night before, leaving you in need of a carry-on to hold your toiletries and clothing. Check out: Cruise Toiletry Bag & Cruise First Aid Kit Packing List
5. You Can Get Free Onboard Credit by Being a Shareholder
A not-so-obvious cruise tip is that you can get free onboard credit as a cruise line shareholder. It’s not widely known, but it’s true. To qualify for the credit, you generally need to own a minimum number of shares and make the request in advance.
For example, Norwegian Cruise Line provides shareholders with $50 to $250 onboard credit per stateroom for cruises on Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises or Regent Seven Seas Cruises. To be eligible, you must own at least 100 shares and submit your request 15 days before sailing.
Carnival Cruise also offers shareholders $50 to $250 onboard credit. You must own a minimum of 100 shares and put in your request no later than 14 days before the cruise departure date. This benefit extends to Princess Cruise, Holland America, Seabourn, Cunard, and Costa Cruise sailings.
If you’re a loyal cruiser or have a future cruise booked, it’s worth checking if there are any shareholder benefits. For example, you might consider purchasing at least 100 shares to receive free onboard credit! For more details, check out How to Get Free Money on a Cruise as Shareholder (up to $1000)
6. You Can get Free Champagne from the Art Auctions
A not-so-obvious cruise hack that everyone should know about is that you can get free champagne on cruises. Simply attend the art auctions! These art auctions give out complimentary champagne to the attendees, and there’s no pressure to buy any artwork! Check out my article 10 Ways to Score Free Champagne at a Cruise (How to Get Free Drinks!)
Cruise Essentials
Cruise Lanyard
Bring cruise lanyards; to make your life easier so you are not constantly looking for your cruise card!
Towel Bands
Towel bands are great in keeping your beach towels in place! So, they are slipping off the pool lounge chairs!
Power Strip
Definitely bring a cruise-approved power strip so you have more outlets for charging your devices. Cruise cabins never have enough outlets!
Packing Cubes
Make cruise packing easier by using packing cubes. These cubes will help keep your clothes organized. And unpacking is easy because you just need to take them out of your luggage and put them in the drawers and shelves- so easy! Assign a color for each person in your cabin so you are not getting your cubes mixed up.
Luggage Tags
For safety, make sure every luggage and bags are labeled with a luggage tag. I like these custom luggage tags that you can order and personalize with your information.
Magnetic Hooks
Bring magnetic hooks to organize your cabin and keep it clutter-free. These hooks are for hanging baseball caps, cruise lanyards, goggles, bathing suits and towels.
Detergent Travel Packets
These detergent travel packets are great for handwashing bathing suits in the sink.
Anti-Seasickness
This anti-seasickness medicine is a go-to to combat seasickness on a cruise. If you have kids, make sure you bring the chewable version. If you are looking for a natural solution, try these acupressure bands.
Hanging Toiletry Bag
Cruise cabin sinks are notoriously small. Get a hanging toiletry bag to make it easier!
Cruise Travel Planner Printable
Get our 25 page cruise travel planner to stay organized before and during your cruise. It includes pre-cruise and post-cruise itineraries, a cruise port planner, sea days planner, packing lists, cruise budget tracker and more!
Get Your Free Cruise Carry-On Bag Packing List
Sign up once and you will get access to ALL exclusive content on this website. After unlocking the printable, just save the printable image and then print it. Use it as a checklist to pack your carry-on bag so you don’t forget anything! I hope you like it!
Check out these free cruise printables
10 Extra Cruise Expenses that Will Annoy You
Most Dangerous Cruise Ports in the World
9 Clever Ways to Increase Storage in a Small Cruise Ship Cabin
10 First Time Cruise Mistakes That I Will Never Make Again on a Cruise