Are you going on a cruise for the first time? Don’t make these cruise planning mistakes. From failing to research airfare to skipping travel insurance, there are many common mistakes—made by both first time and seasoned cruisers—that can end up costing you money or, even worse, cause you to miss the ship altogether. Find out what these cruise planning mistakes are so you can avoid them.
Booking without Researching the Airfare Price
Never book a cruise without first checking airfare and hotel costs. A great cruise deal can quickly turn into a budget-buster if flights or accommodations are overpriced. In some cases, airfare can cost as much as the cruise itself!
Before committing to a cruise, research airfare and hotel prices to get a full picture of your total vacation cost. This extra step can help you avoid unexpected expenses and ensure your trip stays within budget.
Booking without Researching Nearby Cruise Ports
Before booking a cruise, check if there’s a cruise port within driving distance of your home. If you live near one, you can save a significant amount of money by driving instead of flying—eliminating the cost of airfare and the hassle of airport travel.
For example, I live near the New York and New Jersey cruise ports, so whenever I’m planning a cruise, I always check for departures from these locations. Often, I find that Caribbean cruises from New York are similarly priced—or even cheaper—than those departing from Florida once airfare is factored in. Plus, I just can’t beat the convenience of driving to the port. I don’t have to fly in a day early, deal with airport stress, or worry about luggage weight limits—I can pack as much as I want!
Taking the time to research nearby cruise ports can save you money, time, and hassle, making your cruise vacation even more enjoyable.
Booking Without Researching the Cruise Line
One of the biggest mistakes you can make when booking a cruise—especially if it’s your first time—is failing to research the cruise line and ship. Not all cruise lines are the same. Some cruise lines are more family-friendly while others attract retirees.
You will want to do a little research to make sure you are happy with the amenities and vibe of your cruise. The worst thing you can do is to go on a cruise that ends up wrong for you and your family.
For example, if you are cruising without kids and are looking for a quiet and relaxing cruise vacation, the last thing you want is to go on a party cruise. Carnival cruise line tend to be more of a party cruise and shorter cruises (3-5 days) tend to attract the party crowd.
While if you are cruising with kids, you’ll want to make sure you go on a cruise that has family-friendly amenities such as waterslides, sports courts and fun rides. Especially if you’re cruising with teenagers, you don’t want to end up with bored teens if your cruise ship’s amenities are lacking.
Not Buying Travel Insurance
One of the biggest cruise planning mistakes you can make is skipping travel insurance. Many travelers try to save money by forgoing it, but the reality is—you never know what might happen. Unexpected medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and travel disruptions can turn your dream vacation into a financial nightmare.
This is especially important if you’re cruising outside the U.S., since most health insurance plans, including Medicare, don’t cover medical expenses abroad. I’ve seen firsthand how crucial travel insurance can be. I can give countless examples just from my family alone.
For example, my mother-in-law had a serious medical emergency while on a cruise and had to be rushed to a hospital at the port, cutting her trip short. Thankfully, she had travel insurance—otherwise, the medical bills alone would have cost thousands.
Another time, when I cruised with my then 4-year-old son, he got sick, and we had to visit the ship’s medical center multiple times. Without travel insurance, we would have had to pay out of pocket for every visit.
Travel insurance also protects you financially if you need to cancel after the final payment. My mother-in-law once had to cancel a cruise due to a health issue, but because she had travel insurance, she was able to get a refund after providing medical documentation.
If you have pre-existing medical conditions or are cruising during hurricane season, getting travel insurance is a must The peace of mind alone is worth it—you just never know when you’ll need it.
Letting the Cruise Line Pick Your Cabin If You’re Prone to Seasickness
If you’re prone to seasickness, letting the cruise line assign your cabin can be a big mistake. While Guaranteed cabins are often cheaper, they typically include the least desirable locations—usually at the front or back of the ship, where movement is felt the most.
To minimize motion sickness, it’s worth paying extra to choose a mid-ship, lower-deck cabin, where the movement is less noticeable and your cruise will be much more comfortable.
Not Signing Up for Cruise Loyalty Programs
Whenever you book a cruise, make sure to sign up for the cruise line’s loyalty program, even if it’s your first time cruising with them. By doing so, you can start earning points right away, which can lead to perks like priority boarding, free drinks, and onboard discounts.
Check for Cruise Loyalty Matching Programs
Check if your cruise line offers a loyalty matching program. This allows you to transfer your status from another cruise line—or even some hotel loyalty programs—to receive similar perks.
For example, MSC Cruises has a program that matches your existing loyalty status, automatically granting you a higher tier. Taking advantage of these programs can enhance your cruise experience with perks like priority boarding, invitations to VIP parties and discounts.
Not Budgeting for Cruise Extras
While your cruise fare is all-inclusive, there are still plenty of additional expenses that can add up quickly. Make sure you budget for these extras. Gratuities, drinks, Wi-Fi, and shore excursions can all significantly increase your overall cost.
For example, gratuities typically range from $14 to $25 per person per day. Keep in mind that this charge is per person, not per cabin. So, if you’re a family of four on a 7 day cruise with a $20 per person per day gratuity, you’ll end up paying $560 in gratuities alone. This is an extra cost on top of your cruise fare.
Shore excursions can also be quite expensive. For example, on an Alaska cruise, whale watching tours can cost over $200 per person, meaning a family of four could spend $800 just for that activity. And that’s just one excursion—other shore activities can quickly add up as well.
Not Checking Your Passport Expiration Date
Always check your passport’s expiration date before booking a cruise. Most cruise lines require that your passport be valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates—otherwise, you won’t be allowed to board.
This is especially important if you’re booking a last-minute cruise, since those are typically non-refundable. The last thing you want is to realize too late that your passport is expiring and find yourself scrambling to renew it in time. Double checking your passport well in advance can save you stress, money, and potential travel headaches.
Not Checking Visa Requirements
Don’t assume that you don’t need visas to enter foreign cruise ports. Always research the visa requirements for each destination to make sure you have the necessary documentation. The last thing you want is to board your cruise and later realize you don’t have the required visas—this could prevent you from disembarking at certain ports or, in some cases, even from boarding the cruise in the first place.
Not Checking Cruise Travel Advisories
Not all cruise ports are safe. Many popular destinations have been given elevated travel advisories by the U.S. Department of State due to crime and safety concerns. For example, Nassau, Bahamas, currently has a Level 2 advisory, meaning travelers should exercise increased caution due to violent crime in some areas near downtown.
It’s essential to check travel advisories before your trip so you can take extra precautions. If your cruise port has a Level 3 (reconsider travel) or higher advisory, you may want to skip disembarking altogether and stay onboard for your safety.
Otherwise, in those more dangerous ports, you may want to book a cruise shore excursion so at least you have a tour guide and a bus to keep you safe and you are not wandering around the cruise port on your own.
Not Researching Shore Excursions in Advance
Do your research on shore excursions before your cruise. Don’t assume that the cruise line’s shore excursions are your only or best option—they’re often the most expensive. You can usually find similar tours on popular tour websites at a lower price. In some cases, the same local tour company runs both independent tours and the excursions offered by the cruise line.
Just make sure to check the timing of independent tours. If the tour ends too close to the cruise’s all-aboard time, it’s risky—there’s a chance you might miss the ship. Cruise line-sponsored shore excursions are guaranteed to get you back on time, but independent tours don’t come with that guarantee.
Not Buying Cruise Extras in Advance
Don’t wait until you board the ship to book cruise extras, such as drink packages or shore excursions. If you do, you’ll likely pay more.
Many cruise lines offer discounts when you book these extras in advance on their website, often giving you 10-30% off shore excursions and drink packages. Waiting until you’re onboard will mean paying full price for these extras, so it’s worth planning ahead to save money.
Arriving the Same Day as Your Cruise Departure
Arriving the same day as your cruise departure is risky. Flight delays or cancellations are common, and you don’t want these to result in you missing the ship. Also, heavy traffic from the airport to the cruise port can also cause you to miss the cruise.
Remember, the cruise ship won’t wait for you! If you miss the cruise all-aboard time, you’ll need to catch up with the ship at the next port.
Do yourself a favor and don’t arrive on the same day as your cruise departure. Fly in the day before your cruise and stay overnight at a hotel near the port. This extra time will give you peace of mind and make it a more relaxing start to your cruise vacation.
Not Knowing the Cruise Cancellation and Refund Policies
Before booking your cruise, carefully read the cruise line’s cancellation and refund policies. In most cases, once you’ve made your final payment, your cruise fare becomes non-refundable—even if you get sick and can’t travel. The only way to get a refund in such situations is if you have travel insurance, which is why it’s so important.
If you’re booking a last-minute cruise, keep in mind that you’re usually past the final payment deadline, meaning you’ll have to pay in full upfront, and your fare will be non-refundable. To avoid any surprises, always review the cancellation and refund policies before booking your cruise.
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Want to stay organized? Check out our cruise travel planners