Going on a cruise for the first time? There are certain unspoken rules that nobody tells you about. You only get to know about them by experiencing a cruise vacation a few times. If I had known these rules before my first cruise, it would have made my vacation more enjoyable. There are certain things that the cruise lines won’t tell you, but it’s better to know them in advance. Below are things I wished I had known that cruise lines won’t tell you. I’m also sharing my travel website password tracker as a free printable below.
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Unspoken Rules on Cruise Ships
No Open Bottle Rules
When you’re on a cruise ship, one of the perks is that you can drink wherever you want. There are no rules around open bottles, so you can carry your wine glass around with you.
This is great because you can take a glass of wine with you to dinner in the main dining room or to the theater to watch a show.
For example, when I attend a cruise loyalty member cocktail party, I always order an extra round of drinks to-go, so I can take them with me to my next activity. Check out my guide on how to get free champagne and drinks on a cruise.
You Can Bring Wine Onboard
Many first-time cruisers are unaware that certain cruise lines allow them to bring wine or champagne on board the ship during embarkation.
For example, Royal Caribbean allows one sealed 750 ml bottle of wine or champagne per guest, while Disney Cruise Line allows two unopened bottles of wine or champagne. However, there are limits to the amount and type of alcohol allowed, check with the cruise line before bringing wine.
It’s important to note that if you bring the wine bottle to the main dining room, you’ll be charged a corkage fee. It’s best to get wine glasses from the bar, bring your own corkscrew or borrow one from your cabin steward and enjoy your wine in your stateroom. And since there are no open bottle rules on a cruise ship, you can even pour a glass of wine and take it with you to dinner.
Your Wine Follows You
Did you know that your wine bottle follows you on a cruise ship? It’s a little-known fact that many new cruisers are not aware of.
This means that if you order a bottle of wine from the main dining room, you can take it with you to a specialty restaurant to enjoy it there. Alternatively, if you don’t finish the bottle, you can drink the rest of it the following day in the main dining room.
All you need to do is ask the bartender or server to track down the bottle of wine for you. Personally, I always order wine by the bottle rather than by the glass. It’s usually a lot cheaper, and you can enjoy it throughout the ship.
Happy Hour Specials
Save money on drinks by taking advantage of happy hour specials. Many cruise ships offer daily happy hour drinks at a discounted price, and sometimes they come in a souvenir cup that can be refilled at a reduced price.
Aside happy hour drink specials, keep an eye out for beer bucket specials. Buying beer by the bucket is usually cheaper than buying by the bottle. The best part is that since cruise ships don’t have an open bottle policy, you can take your beer with you to your next activity or back to your cabin.
Magnetic Walls
Most cruise ships have magnetic walls and doors, which many new cruisers don’t realize. That’s why many seasoned cruisers bring magnetic hooks to optimize their cabin space and keep things organized. These hooks are perfect for hanging items like baseball caps, cruise lanyards, bathing suits, goggles, and towels.
Some cruisers also bring magnetic nightlights to attach to the walls, while others use magnetic clips to create a makeshift bulletin board and keep their paperwork and cruise planners in order. Many cruisers also bring along fun magnets to personalize their cabin doors, making it easier to spot their room.
Order as Much as You Want in the Main Dining Room
Many cruisers don’t realize that there are no restrictions on the quantity of food you can order in the main dining room. In other words, there is no limit to the number of dishes- it’s truly unlimited dining.
For example, if you are a fan of shrimp cocktails. Feel free to order as many as you like. You are not limited to a three-course meal. If you can’t decide on an appetizer, go ahead and order it all!
My husband and I usually order a few appetizers and a few entrees so we can try different dishes and make our own mini-buffet. The best part is that the portions are not too large, so you can try a few items from the menu without feeling too full.
So, don’t be afraid to order your heart out to make the most of your dining experience! Of course, don’t waste food!
You Can Eat Multiple Times
Many people don’t realize that it’s possible to have dinner in more than one location on a cruise ship. Don’t worry, there are no set rules that dictate where you can eat.
For example, you can enjoy dinner at the Main Dining Room and then head to the theater for a show. After the show, you can swing by the buffet for a light post-show snack. It’s entirely up to you, and there’s no need to limit yourself to just one dining venue.
You Can Preview the Main Dining Room Menu
Not many people realize they can preview the Main Dining Room menu in advance, as most cruise ships plan their menus for the entire week. Reviewing the menu beforehand is a savvy move since it allows you to decide when it’s best to dine at a specialty restaurant.
You don’t want to miss out on the Main Dining Room’s signature dish, do you? So, take a look at the menu and plan accordingly.
Alternative Free Sit-Down Restaurants
It’s a common misconception among cruisers that the only complimentary restaurants on the ship are the Main Dining Room and the buffet. However, some cruise ships have little casual eateries, which are free sit-down restaurants. These places are perfect for getting away from the crowd on sea days.
For example, Princess Cruises have a small trattoria that usually isn’t crowded, and it’s free. They serve delicious pizza. Similarly, Norwegian Cruise ships have an Irish pub that offers fish and chips for lunch, and it’s free.
If you’re looking for more ways to escape the crowd, check out my article on 14 Simple Ways to Escape the Crowd on a Cruise Ship.
Free Food at Specialty Coffee Shops
Did you know that some cruise lines have specialty coffee shops that offer free food? Most people don’t realize this.
These coffee shops serve a variety of items from granola parfait to quiches and sandwiches, and you don’t even need to buy a coffee to order the free food.
In Princess cruises, their coffee shop is located near the lobby, which is a great place to grab a quick snack or lunch without heading to the crowded buffet. Whenever the buffet gets too hectic on port days, my go-to order is a hot bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich with my favorite specialty coffee. I always grab breakfast before heading out to explore the port. The best part? You can usually find plenty of empty tables since most passengers don’t have breakfast at the coffee shop.
Customize your Bed Configuration
Did you know you can request your room steward to change the bed configuration to your liking?
If you’re dissatisfied with your king bed, you can ask for two separate beds or rearrange the bunk beds for a comfortable sleep. Your room steward is always available to assist you and will work with you to find the best solution to make your stay enjoyable.
Just give them a heads up and they’ll take care of it. Check out my article on 6 Things About Your Cruise Cabin that Will Surprise You
Cruise Ship Laundromat
It may come as a surprise to many cruisers that there are laundromats on board cruise ships. This can be especially useful if you are traveling with children or if your cruise is a long one.
Instead of spending a lot of money for the costly laundry service, you can save a good amount by washing your clothes yourself.
Before going on your cruise, it’s a good idea to check online whether your ship has a laundromat on board because not all of them do. Once you’re on the ship, you should find out where the laundromat is located. For example, on some cruise lines like Princess, the laundromat is free, and all you need to do is purchase the detergent.
If your ship doesn’t have a laundromat, you can still wash some of your clothes in your cabin. I’d recommend bringing along some travel laundry packets just in case.
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