boarding day cruise ship tips for 2022

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The 21 Dos and Don’ts of Cruise Boarding Day – Tips and Tricks You Need to Know

Before stepping foot onboard your next cruise, we have our 21 expert cruise tips to ensure your cruise boarding day is smooth sailing!

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It is the first day of your cruise! While we wish it was as simple as showing up and boarding a cruise ship, the process isn’t that clear cut. Don’t worry, as we have put together this guide filled with our tips and tricks to ensure you’re one step ahead of the crowds on cruise boarding day.

Cruise Boarding Day Tips and Tricks

To be ready for boarding a cruise ship, you need to start a few months ahead of your departure date. Believe us, you shouldn’t wait until the last minute to have everything in place.

Do Download the Cruise Line’s App

To make boarding the cruise easier on embarkation day, you will want to download the cruise line’s app. Once you have the app, you can link your reservation. From there, cruisers can review the scheduled daily activities, review ship deck plans, and even book add-ons.

Such additional cruise costs include shore excursions , drink packages , and specialty dining. But, there is an even more important reason to have the app, completing your online check-in.

Don’t Complete the Online Check-In Late

Now that you have the app, you can complete the digital check-in for your cruise right from the palm of your hand. Typically, you can complete the cruise check-in about 30 to 45 days prior to cruise boarding day.

Using the app lets you skip the paper work, and the lines, once at the terminal. Completing this step as soon as it is available will also get you a preferred port arrival time. The sooner you check-in, the earlier you can arrive at the port and start your vacation on embarkation day .

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Do Make Pre-Cruise Purchases Before Boarding

We are planners and think you should be too. So, to make cruise boarding day more relaxing and enjoyable, make your onboard purchases before even stepping foot on the ship. Some of these additional costs include shore excursions, specialty dining, and other packages like drink packages.

Booking ahead of the trip will save you time and often save you money. Cruise lines usually discount these purchases to encourage cruisers to buy them ahead of the voyage.

So, keep an eye on your cruise planner, and if you see a deal or sale, take advantage of the lower rates.

Also, some cruise lines and ships require cruisers to book entertainment. If you can do this before getting onboard, be sure to do so.

Likewise, even if you have flexible dining, many cruise lines let you reserve time slots for the main dining room pre-cruise. We always make reservations for at least a couple of nights, especially cruise boarding day. At least you will know where you’ll be eating for dinner.

Don’t Plan to Arrive the Day of Your Cruise

You should make travel arrangements to get to the port the day before boarding your cruise. Now, we don’t mean literally staying at the port.

Most passengers are traveling a rather long distance to get to the cruise departure point. So, we suggest coming in the day before and staying at a hotel near the cruise port. Coming in early gives you extra time in case there are any travel delays.

Plus, you get to start your vacation a day early! 

Do Print and Adhere Luggage Tags

Most cruise lines don’t send luggage tags to your home anymore. So, you will need to print and adhere your luggage tags to your bags before arriving to the terminal. We suggest printing the luggage tags at home and then adhering them to your luggage before taking your transport to the ship on embarkation day.

We use these inexpensive luggage tag holders. They are easy to take on and off and pack neatly away in your suitcase when flying. They also help to protect the paper tags.

Being prepared will certainly make boarding the ship more efficient.

Don’t Get to the Terminal Too Early

Yes, you are excited about boarding a cruise. But, cruise lines have become rather strict regarding port arrival times. That is why it is crucial to do the check-in as early as possible to get a more desirable time.

While we used to recommend cruisers arrive early, nowadays, you need to stick to whatever your assigned time is on your boarding pass. Showing up a little early is usually okay. But, if you have a 1 pm boarding time, don’t get there at 11 am. Most likely, the cruise line will make you wait until closer to your printed time.

Regardless, the earliest cruise lines typically start processing cruisers is around 10 am. Even then, you will need to wait in the terminal as most ships are not cleared to accept new passengers until 11 am at the earliest.  

Do Check Larger Luggage with Porters

Odds are you and the family will have a few suitcases for a weeklong cruise. So, we suggest that you leave them with the porters outside the terminal. Most likely, your room will not be ready when you board the ship.

The last thing you want to do is lug these bags around with you for hours in crowd spaces on the ship. Instead, drop them with the porters and you will be reunited with them later on in the afternoon once your cabin is available.

Don’t Forget Necessary Forms and Documents

At the terminal, you will need to show your boarding pass and passport to check-in. Most cruise lines accept digital boarding passes, but they need to see your physical passport. So, that needs to be handy.

We also recommend having print copies of your boarding passes and other travel documents (receipts for tours and pre-cruise purchases, proof of travel insurance, etc.) available in case they are needed.

Do Bring a Carry-On Bag

While you are leaving your bigger bags with the porters, someone in your travel party should have a cruise carry-on bag. Typically, we each bring a small backpack or tote bag as our carry-on item.

In the bag, we keep necessary documents, electronics like laptops and cameras, and other necessities.  

Other items you will want to have on hand include any necessary medications, chargers for your phone, and other essentials like sunglasses, suntan lotion, and even a lanyard for your cruise card.

For tropical cruises, you might want to have a bathing suit in there as well so you can use the onboard pools as soon as you board the ship.

Further, most cruise lines allow you to bring two bottles of wine onboard . If you choose to take advantage of this perk, those need to be in your carry-on as well.

Don’t Pack Prohibited Items

Nothing can ruin cruise boarding day like getting items confiscated from your luggage. So, avoid the issue all together and simply don’t pack any prohibited items .

Your cruise line will have a list on its website of what items are not allowed onboard. Typically, such banned items include bottles of liquor, firearms, illegal substances (regardless of your state’s laws), and items like fireworks.

Most cruise lines don’t allow items like inflatable pool toys, as well as irons, electronic tea kettles, steamers, candles, incense, and hotplates.

Further, if you’ll need extra outlet space, make sure it is a cruise-approved device .

Do Follow All Staff Member Instructions

While boarding a cruise at peak times, the terminal can get busy. If there are any delays or queues form, just take a depth breath and relax. Also, please listen to the instructions and directions from the shoreside staff members.

Truthfully, the staff are doing their best to keep everyone in line and keep the process moving as quickly and efficiently as possible.  

Whether it is the security agents, check-in specialists, or those organizing boarding groups, please be courtesy and patient. Will there be fellow cruisers who are rude, cutting in line, or ignoring directions, probably. Why be that person though?

Honestly, those individuals will not be on the ship any quicker than you. So, just go with the flow. Afterall, it’s vacation!

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Don’t Skip the Welcome Aboard Photos

Is there any better way to commemorate your cruise vacation than with a Welcome Aboard photo? Well, we certainly don’t pass up the opportunity to have a picture of us snapped in front of the ship.

Okay, to be honest, it is a backdrop of the ship, but still.

Yes, many cruisers have dozens of these slightly cheesy photos, but that is part of the fun. Don’t worry, if the photo turns out awful, you are under no obligation to purchase it.

So, take the few minutes to stop before boarding the ship and smile for the camera.

Don’t Head to Your Cabin

You are finally onboard and can’t wait to see everything. Well, resist the temptation and avoid going to your stateroom. Your cabin will likely not be ready just yet. Most cruise lines do not have staterooms ready until between 1 pm and 2 pm.

Again, this is another reason checking your larger items is so worth it. With your manageable carry-ons in tow, it is now time to take care of any loose ends.

Do Sign Back Into the App Once Onboard

If you were smart, you’ve already downloaded the cruise line’s app. Now that you are onboard, you can connect to the ship’s intranet.  Don’t worry, you will not need to purchase WiFi to use many of the features of your ship’s app.

One benefit of the app is having access to all the daily activities, events, dining hours, and entertainment offerings, as many ships have done away with the traditional print “daily”. Instead, the cruise line apps put all of this information, and more, in the palm of your hand.

Do Make Remaining Reservations

If you took our advice, then you made all of your reservations ahead of time. Still, there might be some last-minute reservations you need to make once you board the ship.

These could include entertainment reservations, dining reservations, as well as reserving spots for other activities. If your cruise ship has such attractions as go karts, escape rooms, or laser tag, check if they require advanced reservations. If so, now is the time to book those.

Same goes for dining. If you purchased a specialty dining package, you might only be able to reserve those once onboard the ship. Or, maybe you changed your mind and decided to book a specialty restaurant.

Don’t Skip Muster Drill

For those new to cruising, muster drill is a compulsory safety drill all cruisers must complete. Whether you have sailed once or 100 times, all travelers on a ship are required to complete muster.

Luckily, many cruise lines now employ a virtual muster drill, or sometimes referred to as e-muster. Instead of an in-person, drawn out safety drill, this new muster consists of two steps.

First, cruisers need to watch the safety video in the cruise line’s app (or stateroom television). After watching the video, cruisers can then check-in at their assigned assembly station for a short life jacket demo and safety highlights. This process is efficient, easy, and a vast improvement.

So, there is no reason for you to skip muster, or prolong completing these steps. The video takes only a few minutes to watch. The earlier you do it, the earlier you can begin your vacation!

If your cruise line has reverted back to the traditional in-person muster, then make sure you know when and where to go for that briefing. It will usually occur in the afternoon shortly before sail away.

Do Skip the Buffet

Once you board the ship, hordes of people will be ushered into the same spot, the buffet. Resist the urge to be shepherd into this casual eating spot.

Most contemporary cruise lines offer a variety of other casual dining options. These can include Mexican fare, cafes, pizza parlors, and outdoor grills, along with other options.

The daily schedule, or the cruise line’s app, will indicate the times and locations of restaurants open for embarkation day lunch.

If the buffet is the only option, try to go at off-peak times. This way, you can enjoy the rest of the ship while everyone else is eating.

Do Explore the Ship

Fueled up and ready to go, it is time to explore the ship. You’ve examined the deck plans, now it is time to see what the ship looks like in-person. Even if we have been on a ship before, we like to spend some time on cruise boarding day getting reacquainted with a vessel.

Now is the time to get a general sense of the layout of the ship so you know where to go throughout the week.

Our tip is to start at the top of the ship and work your way down to the inside areas. At the top, there will be the outdoor areas, pool, sports deck, and other amenities. The lower inside decks will be home to venues like the theater, main dining rooms, specialty restaurants, and bars and lounges.

On this first day of the cruise, many of these venues will be open for you to checkout, even if they aren’t hosting entertainers.

Often, you can also take a tour of the spa and thermal suite and learn more about upcharge seminars and classes.

Do Sign Up Kids at the Youth Center

If you are traveling with kids, you should visit the Youth Center on the ship at some point after boarding the cruise. Some larger ships might have several spots, with activities arranged by age groups.

During these open hours, you can meet the staff, tour the facilities, and learn more about the activities and events occurring during the week. Often, there is a separate schedule just for the youth programs that details the week’s events.

During the afternoon, there will be an announcement that the staterooms are ready. While we don’t want you to miss out on all the fun on your ship, at some point, we do recommend you unpack. Typically, we try to unpack before the sail away party.

Although, that is not always possible, especially if the luggage arrives a bit later in the day.

Still, we make it a point to get our clothes stored away, items hung, and our luggage under the bed before we retire for the evening. It is highly unadvisable to try and live out of your suitcase for the next week as this will take up valuable space in your cruise cabin .

Don’t Go Overboard

With all of the excitement and fun of the first day of the cruise, you might be tempted to over do it. Just remember, there are six more days of food, drinks, and fun.

It is true that you should preload your cruise, by doing some of those sought after activities and events early on during the week. Things like the waterslides, go-karts, mini-golf, zip lines, or other family-friendly activities get busier as the week goes on.

Check out the show, grab a drink (or two) at one of the lounges with live music. Just don’t try to do too much on the first night.

Commonly Asked Questions About Boarding a Cruise Ship

If you still have questions about boarding a cruise, we have the answers. If you still are not sure about the process or what to do, feel free to leave your questions in the comments section below. We will be happy to answer them.

What to Expect When Boarding a Cruise Ship

The cruise boarding process consists of several steps. For the most part, the entire process shouldn’t take more than 30 to 60 minutes.

Once travelers arrive at the terminal, the first step is luggage drop off. Yes, leave your larger luggage with the porters. It will save you time and energy.

Next, the shoreside staff will confirm you are at the right location and have a valid reservation. Here, they will want to see your boarding pass and passport. Once they have confirmed your identify and reservation, you are ready to proceed.

If you arrived at the cruise line designated arrival time, staff will let you enter the terminal. It is possible that the staff will make you wait outside if you arrive too early.

Once inside the terminal, the process is relatively straight forward. There is a security check. Here, your carry-on luggage will go through a scanner, and you will pass through a metal detector. Do not try to get any prohibited items through security. They will find them and confiscate them.

Following security, you will make your way to the check-in counter. Here, they will swipe your passport, confirm all your details, and make sure there is a form of payment on file. If you didn’t load a security photo, staff will take one now.

At this point, many cruise lines give you your key card. Some lines, like Royal Caribbean, make you use your boarding pass to get on the ship and leave your keycards in an envelope outside your cabin door.

Now, depending on when you arrive, you may need to wait in the terminal until your boarding group is called to actually get on the ship. In some instances, we have waited an hour or so after check-in to be called to embark. Other times, we have gone through all the above steps and walked on the ship within 30 minutes.

To officially board the ship, there is one more security point. Here, the ship’s security scans your key card to get visual confirmation that you are the individual tied to the reservation. From there, it is up the gangway to the ship. Usually, you are greeted by smiling crew welcoming you onboard!

Where Do You Board a Cruise Ship?

Your cruise line has emailed you a copy of your booking statement. There, it will show all the ports you are visiting, including both your departure and return port.

Most likely, your cruise is a closed loop cruise, meaning it begins and ends at the same port of call. Whether that port of call is Miami, FL , Port Canaveral, FL , Los Angles, CA, or one of the 100+ popular cruise ports, this is where you will board your ship. The boarding location is the port listed under Day 1 on your itinerary.

Often, the cruise line will provide specific port information, an address, and perhaps directions to the port on the cruise ticket. Those tickets are normally issued after you do your check-in on the cruise line app or website.

What to Wear Boarding a Cruise Ship?

Cruise boarding day is usually a long day. Thus, you want to make sure your outfit is comfortable and functional. But it is the first day of your vacation, so make sure to let the world know.

We usually pick out a coordinating outfit that is fitting for our itinerary. Think a Caribbean print shirt for Caribbean cruises.

Plus, we have been known to purchase matching t-shirts for family trips or milestone cruises. So, you have our permission to make that Esty purchase!

Since you will be doing quite a bit of walking and standing, make sure you have comfortable footwear as well. Depending on the region of your cruise, you may need to bring some layers in your cruise carry-on too.

Who Gets Priority Boarding?

Most cruise lines offer priority boarding to several guests. There are a few ways in which you can get this privileged access on your next cruise.

• Cruise Line Loyalty Status – Cruisers who have cruised frequently with a cruise line will be members of that line’s loyalty program. While the levels vary for each line, guests at the top echelon of the Loyalty program get priority boarding. There will be a separate line dedicated to those cruisers who have status.  
• Staying in a Suite – All cruise lines offer separate boarding access and exclusive check-in counters for guests staying in Suites. Whether it is the Haven on Norwegian Cruise Line, the Retreat on Celebrity Cruises, or Concierge Level on Disney Cruise Line, guests staying in those cabins are among the first to check-in and board the ship.
• Paying for Early Boarding – Some cruise lines offer packages that include priority boarding. Royal Caribbean’s The Key is a program that includes several benefits. One of these perks is priority embarkation. It also includes priority tendering and disembarkation, along with internet. Similarly, Carnival Cruise Line offers Faster to the Fun . Again, this provides guests the ability to be among the first on the ship. It also provides priority access for tendering and disembarkation.

Do you have any additional cruise boarding day tips? What do you do first when boarding a cruise? Drop us an anchor below with your embarkation day cruise tips and tricks.

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It was very informative. There were things I did not know.

On carnival you can’t get your sign and sail card till you get to your Cabin. That could be late afternoon. How can you buy a drink?

DB & The Princess

Welcome Aboard! We are Don and Heidi, the husband and wife travel team behind EatSleepCruise.com. We took our first cruise vacation together 13 years ago and have been hooked ever since. Follow along as we share our travel tips, cruise reviews, information on ports of call, and the latest cruise news to help you plan the ultimate cruise vacation. Are you ready to embark on your journey to “sea the world, one port at a time”?

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107 Best Cruise Tips, Tricks, Secrets, and Freebies

Whether it’s your first sailing or your 50th, there are always new cruise tips to learn for when you take your trip. That’s why we’ve rounded up a staggering 107 of the best cruise tips, secrets and freebies for you to enjoy .

Having sailed on countless cruises across every major cruise line, we have a unique experience when it comes to tips and tricks for sailing. (Seriously, we’ve been on a lot of cruises. For example, the picture above isn’t some stock photo. We took it of Norwegian Encore as we rode a tender boat to the cruise line’s private island, Great Stirrup Cay.)

This list varies from relatively small tips to make your cruise a little more comfortable all the way to big secrets that the cruise lines don’t like to talk about. And while experienced cruisers may know some of the things on this list, you can rest assured everyone reading will learn at least a few helpful hints.

To make things easy, we’ve broken our 107 tips down into separate sections, including tips for saving money, packing, staying healthy, and more.

Note:  This article contains links to Amazon that are affiliate links. Should you make a purchase, we receive a small percentage of the sale at no extra charge to you.

In This Article...

Our 10 Best Cruise Tips

If you want the best of the best, these tips are our favorites. But don’t miss out on the dozens more things to know that we have below.

1. Many hotels near the port will offer free (or discounted) cruise parking and/or shuttles to the ship 

Are you planning to drive in for your cruise and need a place to stay? Look for hotels that offer cruise parking . Hotels in port cities will do whatever they can to attract cruise passengers. That means they will let you park at their hotel during your cruise for free (or at a sharp discount). Many will also offer a shuttle ride to the cruise port as well.

There is no better way to save money on your cruise parking and getting to the port than with this tip. See our list of hotels in every port with cruise shuttles,  including Miami hotels with shuttles to the cruise port .

2. Older ships are way cheaper to cruise on

If you’re the sort of person who likes a deal, look at sailing on an older ship . Even if an older ship and a newer ship sail the same itinerary, the fares on the older ship will be dramatically lower. We use this tip to sail way more than we could on only new ships.

Of course, in exchange you won’t get the wild new things like waterslides and ten swimming pools. But if you’re the sort of person who simply wants to be out on the water, you can save hundreds of dollars by sailing on an older ship.

3. Bring your own power adapter to give you more outlets

Phones, iPads, laptops, curling irons… the list of things you’ll bring that need plugging in seems to grow by the year. However, many cruise ship cabins have limited outlets. The good news is that newer ships are being built with more power plugs. Still, we suggest bringing an adapter or two to increase the number of plugs available.

We really like this one from Amazon , which offers three plugs and doesn’t take up much room. Also, make sure your plug doesn’t have a surge protector. They are not allowed onboard.

4. Your balcony isn’t as private as you think

Thinking of sunbathing “al fresco” on your balcony? Want to get a little frisky with your partner in the fresh air? Keep in mind that your balcony isn’t all that private. The dividers between balconies are low to allow wind to pass through. They also are several inches above the floor to allow water to flow during a rainstorm. That means anyone in the balcony next to you could easily see what’s going on without much effort.

5. Those “all you can drink” packages aren’t a good deal, unless…

“All you can drink” alcohol packages can really help you budget. For a set amount, you can drink as much as you want without worrying about the bill. But buyer beware, the cost of the packages usually means you have to order between 7-10 drinks per day before you save any money.

And since you have to buy the package for every day of your cruise, that means you have to drink that much every single day you are on your ship — even when you are in a port of call.

We find that many people will find that they are better off simply ordering drinks the old-fashioned way unless they get some sort of great deal on the package or have it included in their cruise. ( Read more about all you can drink packages here  or use our Drink Package Calculator to see if you’d save money .)

6. Turn your phone on airplane mode the second you board the ship

We’ve heard way too many horror stories of cruise passengers forgetting to turn off their phone’s data and then coming home to huge bills for international roaming .

That’s why when you board the ship, you should either turn your phone completely off or turn it on airplane mode to where it doesn’t use up data (but can still connect to wi-fi). It’s the simplest way to make sure there are no big surprises when you get your next phone bill.

7. If traveling fewer than three decks, take the stairs. It’s much faster

Who wants to take the stairs on vacation? That sounds like work! Well, the stairs can often be much faster. Realize that with thousands of people on a cruise ship, the elevators can get overwhelmed, making stops on every deck going both up and down. That means it can take a while for the elevator to reach your floor.

Instead, if you are only going up or down a few decks it’s definitely easier and faster to just hoof it with the stairs. Plus you get to work off a few of those extra “cruise calories” from eating so much.

8. Casino payouts aren’t that great

Expect to hit it big in the casino? It may take a little more luck than usual. Yes, there are stories of people hitting it big, but that can be tough. In our experience, cruise ships don’t offer great payouts. For example, low-limit blackjack tables will often pay 6-to-5, instead of the usual 3-to-2 you’ll find in many land-based casinos . Video poker payouts are also usually lower and craps tables normally have lower odds bets.

We have noticed that higher-limit games tend to have better payouts, as you might expect.

9. S how up later to boarding to get on the ship fast est

If you show up to board right when the boarding window opens, you can expect to do a lot of waiting. There is always a mad rush to board the ship right as it opens — even with assigned boarding times — which leads to long lines.

What most people don’t realize is that showing up later actually lets you board faster in many cases . We like to get to the port about an hour before the boarding window closes and find no lines. It usually only takes about 10-15 minutes to get checked-in and board, all without having to fight huge crowds.

10. Book extras like drink packages online ahead of time for huge discounts

Want to save a bundle? If you know that you’ll be booking something extra like an internet package or a drink package, then do it online ahead of time.

To entice passengers to book these deals early, the cruise lines offer special discounts. We’ve seen drink packages for buy one, get one 50% off. That’s a big savings over what you’ll spend if you wait to buy until you get on the ship.

Money-Saving Tips For Your Cruise

Want to have a great time without spending a fortune? Here are our best tips on saving money during (and before) your vacation.

11. Pay off your cruise as slow as possible

You’ll always put down a deposit when you first book your cruise, but some people opt to pay off the entire cruise at once. Sure, it’s a nice feeling knowing that your cruise is bought and paid for, but it also puts you at risk if there is a price drop.

You likely know that cruise lines adjust fares, similar to airlines. When you put down a deposit, you can call the cruise line if you see a price drop and ask them to honor the lower price. Not having paid for the entire trip already gives you some leverage as you can potentially cancel and re-book at the lower price.

If you’ve already paid for the entire trip, you lose some of that leverage. Don’t worry, though. Even if this happens, still give the cruise line a call and ask for the lower price. You might get money back for the difference as onboard credit.

12. Want to sail cheap? Cruise when the kids are in school

They should call it the “law of cheap cruising.” If you want to save a ton, be flexible with your dates and sail when school is in session. When school is in, families with kids — a huge demographic in cruising — can’t easily take their trips. That means the cruise lines are looking to fill rooms and will offer up cheaper fares to entice people to sail .

In fact, it’s not surprising to find fares that double during holiday breaks when families can take their trips.

13. Look for cheaper prices on the ship when in port

It’s not always the case, but sometimes you’ll run into discounts around the ship if you buy when the ship is in port. For instance, maybe it’s a spa session that has a slight discount if you book a service while the ship is docked. Or things like Royal Caribbean’s North Star observation pod are free when done while the ship is in port, but sees a charge if sailing.

With fewer people on the ship, prices can be cut to entice demand. 

14. Lunch prices at specialty restaurants are often cheaper than dinner

On your cruise, there are free restaurants that are included with your fare and specialty restaurants, which cost extra. These specialty restaurants offer meals not available in the included restaurants and provide a higher-end experience. In return, you usually pay a flat fee for whatever you order.

If you want to eat here and save money, see if they have discounted lunch rates. Some of the restaurants have fees that are substantially less at lunch time compared to dinner. You can get the same meal for much less.

15. Save money by looking for happy hour specials

Drinks on a cruise ship can get expensive. If you want to save some cash, then check the daily planner delivered to your room (or found on the cruise line app) for any happy hour specials or drink deals. For example, we’ve seen 50% off drinks at RedFrog Pub on Carnival at certain times during the day. There will often be some sort of discount somewhere on the ship each day. It’s just a matter of paying attention and taking advantage.

16. Consider those package deals to save money

Typically, cruise lines offer a low “headline” fare that is enticing. Anything extra on the ship — including drinks, wi-fi, gratuities, and more — costs extra. Now, the tide on this model is shifting though as more cruise lines offer all-inclusive deals.

With these deals, you pay a bit extra, but then you get more included in your fare (such as Princess Plus ). This can include Internet access, drink packages, your onboard daily gratuity, and other perks. What’s often the case is that the price for the upgrade is significantly less than what you’d pay for these items individually. If you plan to buy them anyway, a package is likely worth the money.

17. Independent parking lots offer cheaper cruise parking

Driving to the port? That means you have to find somewhere to park your car while you’re gone. The cruise ports all have on-site parking, usually located within steps of the cruise ship. While it’s extremely convenient, you’ll pay for that convenience. Official port parking lots are always the priciest. Instead, look for off-port parking that can be as much as 50% cheaper.

18. It’s so much cheaper to drink in port

Want to know the cheapest place to drink on a cruise? It’s in port!

If you want to get a good buzz going, check out the bars and restaurants in the area. Many of them not only have cheap drinks every day, but offer drink specials to entice cruisers to stop in. If you plan on drinking, get your fill in port and then walk back to the cruise ship that afternoon/evening. It’s a lot cheaper to pay $2-3 bucks for a beer in port compared to $7-9 on the ship. For more tips on drinking on a cruise, read this article .

19. Cruise line transfers from the airport are a terrible deal

When you fly in for your cruise, you have to also arrange for transportation from the airport to the cruise port. We usually recommend a rideshare company like Uber or Lyft. What we don’t recommend is taking the transfers offered by the cruise line.

Cruise line transfers seem like a great idea — after all, if you’re getting a ride from the cruise company to the port, you know you won’t miss your ship. However, the cruise transfers only run on the day of the cruise. That means if you fly in a day early for your trip, you are out of luck.

They are also expensive. For example, Carnival charges $23 per person one-way to get you from the Miami airport to the Port of Miami — a 10-mile ride. Compare that to a taxi or Uber, which will charge you about $25-30 each way for up to four passengers. Meanwhile, with a taxi or other transportation, you aren’t tied to the cruise shuttle’s schedule.

20. Cruise prices are the same on every website

Think you have to search site after site to get the best cruise deal? Think again. We’ve discovered that the cruise prices are actually the same across all websites .

That’s not to say that prices won’t change (they will), but when a price moves, you’ll see it reflected everywhere. Just pick your favorite spot to search and stop worrying if another website has it cheaper. (Hint: Costco usually has great incentives .)

Here’s a roundup of prices that we recently found:

21. Buy/Rebuy Packages on Royal Caribbean to Save

If you sail Royal Caribbean, then you’ll learn the cruise line has “dynamic pricing.” This is a fancy way of saying the prices of items on the ship like drink packages and wi-fi change depending on the cruise. Beyond that, the cruise line likes to offer sales here and there that move prices even more. So one day the drink package might be $80 per day and then a sale drops it to $75 per day.

If you want to make sure you get a deal, you can buy the package. Then, if the price drops, you can refund your purchase and then rebuy at the lower price. Then ensures you always get the best deal.

22. Be sure to check your onboard account regularly

When you sail, all your spending on the ship is done through your room keycard that acts like a credit card tied to your onboard account. At the end of the cruise, it’s automatically paid for with the payment method on file.

However, you should keep tabs on your account (you can do so via the cruise line’s app) to make sure that the charges are legit. It doesn’t happen often, but sometimes errant charges will appear. If you find one, just let Guest Services know to get it removed.

23. Cheaper interior cabins mean more money for cruises

Many people claim they couldn’t sail in anything other than a balcony room. But interior cabins can get you on the ship for hundreds — or even thousands — less than paying for a balcony room. Considering that many people (especially on shorter cruises) are rarely in their cabin other than to sleep, it doesn’t make sense to pay a fortune for a room that you won’t use. Instead, you can sail a lot cheaper with an interior room… and potentially cruise a lot more!

24. Don’t waste money on lower-tier Internet

These days being connected is just a fact of life. Not surprisingly, many people opt to pay for the cruise line’s wi-fi service , even though it is pricey. If you do decide to purchase, then you’ll find that there are tiers of service. So you can pay less and get slower or limited service, or pay a little more to get higher speeds and full access to the web.

In this case, you shouldn’t waste your money on the cheapest service. Even at is best, the wi-fi on a cruise ship will be slower than you’re used to seeing at home. In our experience, the lower tiers can be almost unusable. This is one place where you don’t want to skimp if you’re buying.

25. Think twice before buying cruise insurance sold by the cruise line

While we think travel insurance is a good idea to give you peace of mind, think twice before buying the insurance that the cruise lines offer when you book your trip. Yes, it’s better than nothing, but third-party cruise insurance is often a much better deal.

The insurance offered by the cruise lines typically has lower limits and is priced higher from what we’ve found. It also often doesn’t offer as much protection as insurance offered by a third party. Be sure to check what is covered by any policy before buying.

26. American dollars are widely accepted in cruise ports

Don’t worry if you don’t have pesos, or any other local currency. In Caribbean cruise ports American dollars are widely accepted (and often preferred). That’s a huge help for cruise passengers who don’t have to worry about having different currencies as they go from port to port. Credit cards are also accepted in many places, but we suggest cash for most transactions.

27. Mention a special occasion to (maybe) get free stuff

Birthday? Anniversary? Honeymoon? Be sure to mention to any cruise line employee why you are there if it’s a special occasion. There’s no guarantee, but it’s not unheard of to be surprised by a bottle of champagne and some strawberries in your cabin for free. The cruise lines know that a little perk like this doesn’t cost a lot but can make your loyal for life.

28. Credit cards are accepted in ports, but call your company first

Yes, credit cards are accepted, especially in the more touristy areas of port cities. It’s still preferable to pay for most things in cash for security purposes.

That said, if you do decide to use your card, be sure call your credit card company first. It may alert their system to fraud to see a card used in three different ports in three days, leading them to put a freeze on your account if they don’t know what’s going on.

29. Beaches are free ways to enjoy the day

If you don’t want to spend money on shore excursions, that’s understandable. A free way to enjoy the port cities and save some money is to simply head to the beach.

Every Caribbean port will have some exclusive beach clubs with hammocks and drink service, but they usually charge an entry fee. Instead, do some research (or ask a taxi) on where the free beaches are. You might have to deal with more people, but nothing beats having a day on a world-class beach without having to spend a dime.

30. Avoid ATM fees at the casino with this trick

ATM fees to get cash out can be expensive on the cruise ship . If you want to gamble but don’t have the cash on hand, you can use a little trick to avoid paying exorbitant ATM fees. Cruise lines will let you charge your onboard account to get money for chips or slot machines. Just be careful as it’s an easy way to spend a little too much!

31. Public transportation gets you to the port for cheap

It’s not available in every port, but if you are sailing out of a major city (specifically Miami or Seattle), then you can get to the port for less money by using public transportation. In fact, it can cost as little as $3 per person!

In Miami you can take the Orange Line train from the airport over to the Coral Way Trolley, which drops at the port ( directions here ). In Seattle, the Link Light Rail lets out just blocks from Pier 66 ( directions here ). If you don’t want to pay for an expensive taxi or Uber, keep this in mind. 

Packing Tips For Your Cruise

Not sure what you need to pack? These tips and secrets will have you packing like a pro in no time.

32. You can pack way more than you can on a plane

Are you the sort of person that packs for a month when you’re only going for a week? Good news is the cruise lines don’t have near as stringent baggage policies as the airlines . There are no baggage fees, or real restrictions on how much you can bring (within reason). You also don’t have to worry about the 3-ounce liquid rule. It makes it much easier to pack and much less stressful.

That said, we’d suggest still packing light. Remember, the more you pack, the more you have to carry with you, and the more space it takes up in your cabin.

33. Leave the hair dryer at home

Hair dryers are standard equipment in all cabins, just like in a hotel room. That means you can leave yours at home and save some space in your bags. The only time you’ll need to bring your own is if you have a special type of hair dryer that you just have to use. The in-cabin hair dryer is one of those small hotel-style ones that isn’t terribly powerful, but is plenty for a week at sea.

34. Pack a nightlight for the cabin

Staying in an interior room? That means you have no windows… and no natural light. Once you shut the door and turn out the lights, it’s pitch black. Bring along a nightlight to plug in to provide some light for the room.

Your shins will appreciate the extra light when you have to stumble into an unfamiliar bathroom in the middle of the night.

35. Dry bags are always a good idea if you plan to hit the beach

While you can use Ziploc bags, we like the idea of having a watertight pouch or bag when you head to the beach. They are the perfect size for a phone, cash, and keycards. Best of all, they can snap onto your waistband so that you can carry your things with you in the water while taking a dip — and not leave them vulnerable on the beach.

36. Pack a handful of Ziploc bags. They have a million uses

Ziploc bags have to be the most useful item you can pack . Want to keep things dry while at the pool? Put it in a Ziploc. Want to keep dirty clothes separate from clean ones? Put them in a Ziploc. Have a bunch of small items that you’re packing and would like to keep together? Or maybe you want to snag a snack for later from the buffet? Put it all in a Ziploc.

Always pack a few baggies with you on your trip, and you’ll be sure to find a use for them.

37. Remember to pack a fan for the room

One thing you might not think to bring is a small portable fan for your cabin room. There isn’t much airflow in the cabins, so if you are the type that always need a breeze to be comfy, then you’ll hate sitting still in the room. As well, we like the white noise that a fan provides to drown out sounds like people talking in the hall while we are trying to sleep.

38. Make a copy of your passport to carry instead of the real thing

The best place to keep your passport is in your in-room safe. If you want some ID while your are in your port city, make a copy of your ID page of the passport and carry it with you, along with a driver’s license. This will make due until you can get back to the cabin. In fact, it’s not required that you carry your passport with you into port (though some sort of official photo ID is usually needed to get back on the ship).

Another smart idea is to take a scan of your passport and email it to yourself. This way no matter where you go, you will have a digital copy that you can access from anywhere with Internet.

39. Always pack cool weather gear, too

Swimsuit? Check. Suntan lotion? Check. A jacket? What?!

Yes, even if you are headed to the tropics you should always pack a few items of warm clothing. Once the sun goes down in the evening, it can get chilly on a fast-moving cruise ship with the wind whipping around. Having something with long sleeves and a hood can be a lifesaver.

40. Towel clips are worth their weight in gold

Before a cruise, we never would have thought twice about towel clips. You never really think about how breezy it gets on the ship. With the ship in motion, there is a constant wind on the decks. That makes trying to keep your towel from whipping around an exercise in frustration. You can lay trying to relax, but the corners of your towel will be constantly flapping.

Luckily, for just a few bucks you can get some clips that will keep your towel on your lounger.

Food & Drink Tips For Your Cruise

Eating and drinking on a cruise are a big deal. Want to get your fill? Check out the tips below.

41. Alcohol can be brought on board, but with strict limitations

The vast majority of cruise lines don’t let you bring on beer or hard liquor and there is no way around it. Nearly all of them, however, will let you bring on bottles of champagne or wine. Check with your cruise line, but the rule is usually either one bottle per cabin or one bottle per adult passenger .

One or two bottles of wine likely won’t last your entire cruise, but considering the price of drinks onboard, anything you can bring saves you a lot of cash.

42. You can bring on non-alcoholic drinks (some lines)

Want to save $30-$40? Many cruise lines — including Carnival and Royal Caribbean — allow you to bring on non-alcoholic beverages . The rule is usually 12 drinks per person. So if you can’t live without your Diet Coke or want to have some Gatorade for the kids, bring it with you.

The only thing to know is that Carnival requires you to bring cans or cartons. No bottles are allowed.

Considering that a non-alcoholic drink can cost $3-4 bucks each on a cruise ship (plus gratuity!) you can save a big chunk of change by bringing your own.

43. You can order a second (or third or fourth) entrée

Can’t choose between the chicken or the fish? Don’t stress out. Order both. Or order two plates on lobster night. Most people don’t realize it, but you can order as much as you want in the main dining room (or other restaurants).

Cruise lines know that people are on vacation to let loose and enjoy themselves. They understand that people love to eat on their trip, so they are usually happy to accommodate your request. (Note: Carnival has implemented a nominal $5 fee for a third entrée . Other lines may have small charges.)

44. Make any reservations early for the best times

If dining at a specialty restaurant or hitting the spa, you might need a reservation. If so, don’t wait until you are on the ship to make reservations at restaurants or the spa. The best times will fill up quickly, leaving you with fewer options. Every cruise line will allow you to make reservations online (or by phone) weeks or months in advance of your cruise.

As soon as you know that you will want to dine at a restaurant or get a spa treatment, make your reservations!

45. Too late to get a reservation on the ship? Head to that restaurant anyway

Didn’t realize you needed a reservation or the spot you wanted was already filled? Don’t worry… you might still be able to get in.

You can head down to the restaurant and see if there is any room available. Sometimes people make reservations and then forget about them, freeing up space. Your chances are best if you go early or late — instead of during peak hours.

There’s no guarantee you’ll get a space, but it does happen.

46. Hungry? Get a whole pizza for free

Nearly every ship you sail on will have a place to get free pizza by the slice. But what if you’re really hungry? You can often order up a whole pie, free of charge. This way you get exactly what you want instead of having to eat a slice of whatever is available. It may take a few minutes to get your pie made, so be a little patient.

47. Breakfast and lunch are also served in the main dining room

Everyone knows about dinner in the main dining room… but they usually eat the buffet for lunch and breakfast. If you want something higher quality, head to the main dining room instead of the buffet. They serve both meals, but with much smaller crowds. Best of all, the food is usually better as well, since it’s made fresh.

48. Don’t think the “drink of the day” is a deal

Each day the bar will have a different drink of the day special. But just because they highlight it doesn’t mean it’s a deal. Often the cruise lines just call it the “drink of the day” to draw attention to an option to get you to buy it, but don’t cut the price. Other times it might just be $1-$2 off the regular price.

49. Have dietary restrictions? Cruise lines can cover you

Vegetarian? Gluten-free? Food allergies? No matter your dietary restrictions, the cruise lines can accommodate. Don’t wait until you are on the ship to tell the cruise line about your diet restrictions. Call as soon as you book and speak to a customer service agent. They can update you on food options and also make a note on your account to notify the crew.

Your waiter will also ask first thing when you eat in the dining room.

50. You can always order your favorite dish, even if it’s not on the menu.

Wasn’t the chicken cordon bleu fantastic last night? Wish you could get it tonight? You usually can. Even if you don’t see an entrée on the menu in the dining room, don’t think you can’t get it. Simply ask your waiter if it’s available. The worst they can say is no.

51. Free room service is becoming a thing of the past

Want a hamburger at 3 a.m.? It used to be free on a cruise ship, but the lines have moved toward a charge for room service. While many lines have some things for free like continental breakfast, they often now charge per item or a flat fee (order all you want for one price). Even though room service isn’t always free, still don’t forget to tip $3-5 to the waiter who brings your food.

52. Even if you don’t show up at your time for dinner, you will still be seated

Having a set time to eat in the main dining room can be a pain. Say you want to go to an early show but it conflicts with your set dinner time. Or what if you lay down for a nap and don’t wake up until your dinner time has passed? The good news is that it’s no big deal.

Just head down to the dining room whenever you’re ready to eat, and they will find you a place to sit. It likely won’t be with your same waiter, but you’ll definitely get fed.

53. You can get free drinks in the casino, but you have to spend major money

We all know that if you are gambling in a Las Vegas casino, you can expect the drinks to flow no matter how much you spend. On a cruise ship, that’s not the case . If you’re a nickel and dime gambler, you’re going to have to pay for drinks in the casino. If you’re betting big, however, then you will likely earn enough credit to get some free drinks.

Be sure to use your card every time you play to get your spending tracked so that the cruise lines know how good of a customer you are.

54. Bring drink flavor pouches for free drinks

Sodas and other drinks aren’t free on a trip, but tea, lemonade and water are. A little trick is to bring a few packs of those drink flavors (available in every grocery store). Drop a pack into your water to instantly make your favorite beverage for free. It’s also a good way to get the kids to drink something other than soda while on their vacation.

Safety & Health Tips for Your Cruise

Cruising is relatively safe, but there are still some things you should know about staying healthy on your trip.

55. Chances are that you won’t need cruise insurance, but it does help

Odds are that you won’t need the travel insurance you buy, but when you do, it’s a lifesaver. Travel insurance can cover a ton of different things, including if you get hurt or sick on your trip. It’s also handy if you lose your luggage or miss the boat and have to make alternate arrangements to meet your ship elsewhere (or get back home).

56. Never wear those cheap $3 flip-flops around the pool

You know those cheap rubber flip-flops that you can get for just a few bucks? They serve their purpose, but don’t wear them around the pool! These sandals are notoriously slick on the bottom if they have any wear at all. All it takes is one wrong step on a slick ship deck to take a spill.

Instead, look for a pair of flip-flops that has decent tread so that you won’t slip even if you step right in a puddle.

57. Cruise port security is nothing like the airport

No, you don’t have to go through the same hassles that you see in airports to get on the ship. You don’t have to take off belts… or shoes… or carry only 3 ounces of liquids. You’ll just have your bags x-rayed and walk through a metal detector (no full body scanners!). Getting through security usually takes no more than a minute or two. 

58. Packing over-the-counter medications is smart

When you’re packing, it’s a great idea to bring an assortment of medicines for general issues. Ibuprofen for a headache, Imodium for your stomach, aloe for sunburn, etc. These items are available on the ship, but can be pricey. As well, it’s nice to simply have them on hand in the cabin instead of having to hunt them down when you need to take something.

59. Authorities check the passenger list for warrants… and arrest them on the way back

If you have an arrest warrant, think twice before getting on a cruise. Once you board, local authorities will often run the names of the passengers through a database to check for any outstanding warrants. The result? Assuming the warrants are for minor items, we’ve heard of them letting the passengers cruise before escorting them off the ship once it arrives back at port.

60. Cruise ships are a great place for spreading a virus (wash your hands)

You know why you always hear about norovirus on cruise ships? That’s because if you were going to create a conducive place to spread a virus, you would build a cruise ship. Having thousands of people in an enclosed area and the same dining facilities is ripe for spreading illness.

Cruise lines go to great lengths to sanitize and keep everyone healthy. Even so, definitely use hand sanitizer, which is available all over the ship. Proper hand washing is also important.

61. Always use your cabin safe. It’s not perfect, but it’s better than nothing

Unfortunately, we live in a world where you have to be cautious with your valuables. Theft does happen, even occasionally on a cruise. Every cabin will come with an in-room safe, which you should use whenever you leave the room. It’s perfect for storing extra cash, electronics, passports and more.

It’s by no means perfect, but the safe helps protect you from any “crimes of convenience” where someone snags an item just because it’s left out in the open.

62. Be careful, the sun is way more powerful in the tropics

It’s easy to underestimate just how quickly you can burn from the Caribbean sun. Whereas it might take 20-30 minutes to start getting burned back home on a sunny day, the more direct rays closer to the equator can do the same damage in just half the time.

The bad thing is that if you get sunburned, it can put you out of commission for several days, putting a damper on your cruise. Instead, the best thing to do is prevent getting burned. Wear wide-brimmed hats and put on plenty of sunscreen.

63. Get seasick? Get a cabin in the middle of the boat, as low as possible

Everyone seems to have their own home remedy for curing seasickness. There is only one method we know of that makes actual scientific sense, however. If you are prone to seasickness, then you want to book a cabin as low in the ship and as close to the middle of the ship as possible.

Think of the ship as a teeter-totter. It’s the middle of it that would move the least as the ends rise and fall. There is less motion mid-ship, which could help you feel better when the seas are a little rough.

64. You can check your ship’s latest health inspection

Just like restaurants on land, cruise ships sailing from the United States undergo regular health inspections. This checks everything from food service to pool cleanliness and lots more. 

If you want to read the latest report for the ship you’re sailing, the CDC maintains a database of the latest scores . Also includes are full inspection reports, so you can see exactly what the ship needed to address.

65. Never climb or sit on the ship’s railing

Head to a deck that’s open to the water and you’ll notice there are railings everywhere. Of course, you’d expect there to be a railing to keep people from accidently falling overboard. However, some people like to treat these rails as fun spots to sit for a photo or kids like to climb on the railings.

It shouldn’t need to be said, but just to be clear — never climb or sit on the railing . It’s dangerous.

General Tips & Things to Know for Your Cruise

This section covers all sorts of aspects to cruising. From heading into port to what to do with your phone, we have important tips for you to know before you sail.

66. Download the cruise line’s app before you board

We’re usually not a fan of downloading a new app if we don’t have to. But cruise line apps are extremely helpful. These programs include daily schedules, messaging to others on the ship, ship maps, and even tracking of your onboard spending account — all from your phone.

We’d suggest everyone download the app before your cruise to use onboard. It’s much faster to download over home wi-fi instead of using your cellular network or the ship’s Internet.

Learn more about Carnival’s app , Royal Caribbean’s app , and Norwegian’s app .

67. You can debark when you want

Shhh… don’t tell anyone, but you can actually debark the cruise ship when you want when your trip ends.

The cruise lines will call passengers deck by deck, but the process can take hours. If you already have all your bags and want to leave, you can just head down whenever you like. The staff doesn’t check what deck your cabin is on, and they simply want passengers off the ship so that they can get ready for the next group.

One thing to keep in mind, however, is that lines can be extremely long right at the beginning of debarkation. Sometimes it’s worth it just to relax for an hour and let the rush die down.

68. Interested in the spa? Take a free tour

The spa is a major point of emphasis on a cruise ship. You’ll see promotions and ads for services throughout your trip. If you’re interested in spending some time there but aren’t sure if you want to spend the money, then take a tour. Spas on the ship will be happy to show you around and let you get an idea of what you can expect should you decide to visit for a service.

69. Hooking up with the crew is off limits

When it comes to having a fling on the ship, your eyes might be tempted by the crew. They’re generally young, fit, international, and seem to be having a lot of fun. But if you want a hook-up, then keep looking elsewhere. Getting it on between passengers and crew is expressly prohibited. It can reportedly cost the crew member their job, no questions asked.

70. Look for a cabin on the upper decks of the ship

If you can, look for a cabin that sits on the upper decks of the ship. No, it’s not because higher decks offer great views (although that’s a great perk!). Instead, it has to do with getting around the ship.

Cruise ships are usually laid out with a center promenade area that includes indoor things like the casino, a center bar, restaurants, and shopping. On many ships this will be around decks 6-8. Then there is the pool deck area that’s located at the top of the ship. These two areas are where passengers spend the most time outside the cabin.

Having a cabin between the two spots means you are within just a few decks of either. That makes it much easier to get to where you want to go as opposed to waiting on an elevator because you are on a low deck.

71. Cameras are watching you constantly

We’ve gotten used to seeing security cameras everywhere in life, but ships take it to another level. There are security cameras watching every public area of the major cruise ships. Don’t think you’ll be able to sneak off and do something you shouldn’t be doing. In fact, these cameras are required by law as a way to improve safety onboard. 

72. It is possible your ship could pick up refugees

If you are sailing from ports on the East Coast to the Western Caribbean, there’s a possibility you could find yourself in the middle of a refugee crisis. The waters between Florida and Cuba are where Cubans trying to make their way to America will set sail, hoping to reach the mainland.

It’s not unheard of for cruise ships to run across these people, sailing in makeshift rafts. Rules of the sea call for the cruise ships to render aid, meaning they will stop and help, even if in the middle of a cruise.

73. Cabins at the ends of the ship should have less noise

Cruise cabins are fairly soundproof (though not perfect), but if there is noise in the hallway, it can come in through the door. Case in point is if it’s in the early morning hours and a group of people are coming back from the bar on the ship (we’ve personally had it happen!).

To find a quieter cabin spot, look toward the ends of the ship. Rooms at the ends of halls will have less foot traffic, meaning less noise from passersby.

74. Sound can travel between the cabins when you make whoopie

No, the walls of your cabin aren’t paper thin, but sounds can travel between rooms. Keep this in mind if you decide to engage in “activities” in your cabin. You have to remember that you are in a small, confined space with lots of people around. Not everyone wants to hear what you do in the privacy of your cabin (especially if it happens late at night).

Keeping things a little quiet can make sure that your fun doesn’t mess with anyone else’s vacation.

75. While there are lots of rules… you can usually get away with breaking them

There is a difference between rules and laws. Break a law and you’ll get busted. But break a rule, and you could just get a slap on the hand. For instance, if you don’t want to wear formal clothes on formal night, then don’t.

Cruise lines want everyone to have a good time. If you break a rule, they will usually just ask you to stop doing it. It’s rare they will kick you off the ship unless you are endangering other passengers or causing a disturbance.

76. A Post-It Note (or other decoration) helps in finding your room

If you’ve ever been on a cruise ship before, then you know that the cabin hallways can seem almost like an optical illusion. They can stretch forever in a repeating pattern of cabins, walls, and identical doors. While doors are numbered, it’s easy to pass by your room as everything blends together.

Many people go to the effort of decorating their doors to not only be festive, but also stand out and be easier to find. If you don’t want to go to that much effort, just bring a few Post-It Notes (they are great for leaving messages in the cabin anyway). Stick one brightly colored note on your door and you have an instant way to identify your cabin.

77. Creepy? Larger ships will have a morgue

It’s macabre, but if you’re on a larger ship, then it likely has a morgue on board. It’s actually a good idea if you think about it. Cruise ships are carrying thousands of people 365 days a year. It’s a law of averages that someone will eventually pass away while on the ship. With a morgue on board they can keep the body in good condition until reaching a port.

78. Only go early if you like standing in line

Are you the type or person that likes to get on and off the ship first? Then you better be prepared to stand in long lines. With thousands of people trying to do the same thing, there are massive traffic jams for people waiting to either embark or disembark.

Instead, take your time and spend a little longer enjoying a meal or relaxing on board. Once you are done, you can breeze through.

79. Secret clues for getting around the ship

Cabin hallways can go on forever, and with no windows, it can be hard to know if you’re going forward or aft. In that case, look for the clues. On NCL, the hallway carpet has little fish or arrows on it. These fish/arrows face forward.

On Royal Caribbean, the door markers will have a clue like a small arrow pointing forward (see above), or an image of the ship that faces to the front of the ship. If the ship is older, it might have a door marker in the shape of a wave. Here, the higher part of the wave points the way to the front of the ship.

80. Formal night doesn’t have to be stressful. Here’s what to wear

No occasion on the trip might cause as much stress as formal night if you’re not sure what to wear. Our advice? Don’t worry. Sure you can dress up in a tuxedo or an evening gown (and some do), but you won’t be out of place if you don’t get that fancy.

For guys, just a pair of pants and a button-up shirt is enough on the major cruise lines. For women, a nice blouse or any dress is fine. The biggest thing is to avoid shorts, swimsuits, and ballcaps. Anything else will be just fine for formal night… up to a full tux. ( Read more about formal night here .)

81. It’s a floating city… where you only see part of it

You might go back and forth on the cruise ship and think you’ve seen every nook and cranny by the time you leave. There are places, however, where you will never set foot.

Hidden away primarily on the lower decks are spots like the engine room, crew quarters, service areas, and more. There are some “backstage” tours that you can take, but they are highly limited in the number of passengers that can go.

82. Your itinerary isn’t set in stone

Your itinerary can change… right up until you dock in a port. The cruise lines have made adjustments to schedules based on everything from weather to health issues to protests. While it doesn’t happen often, changes are regular enough that you shouldn’t be surprised if one happens to your trip.

83. Unfortunately, it’s not easy to see the stars at sea

Being in the middle of the sea, hundreds of miles away from any city lights would seem to lend itself to seeing the stars like never before. The bad news is that isn’t the case.

While ships would be the perfect spot for stargazing, the lights on the deck are bright enough to create light pollution that drowns out many stars. You’ll see brighter ones, but if you were planning to spot the Milky Way out at sea, that probably won’t be the case. 

84. Put away anything you don’t want to the cabin steward to see

During your cruise you will have a cabin steward that tends to the cabin each day. They do things like clean the room, restock anything needed, and make the bed. But one tip is to ensure that if you leave the cabin you don’t have anything laying out that you wouldn’t want them to see.

So if you did something like sneak on alcohol or bring a special outfit to spice things up on vacation, be sure to put them away. Otherwise, there might be some awkwardness the next time you see the cabin steward.

85. Ships can sail at over 100% occupancy

When it comes to cruise ships, 100% occupancy isn’t the max people it can hold. In fact, most ships sail at greater than 100%. 

Cruise liners sail at 100% when there are two passengers for every cabin. So if there are 2,000 cabins on the ship and 4,000 passengers, then that’s considered 100% occupancy. But when there are three or more to a cabin, then that level rises. During normal times, it’s not unusual for cruise ships to sail closer to 105-110% occupancy.

86. The room thermostats may not control anything

Every cabin comes with a thermostat. In our experience, they are often just there for looks, most often on older ships. It would make sense that the thermostats wouldn’t work. Having 2,000 different cabins with different A/C temperatures would be a nightmare. Don’t be surprised if you crank down the air but don’t feel much relief. That’s why we suggest bringing a portable fan .

87. Don’t be shy about asking for anything to make yourself more comfy

The cruise lines want you to be comfy and enjoy your vacation. If there is anything that would make your trip more pleasant, don’t hesitate to ask. This goes for blankets, pillows, fresh towels, and anything else you can think of. Just like a five-star hotel, the cruise ship has all the amenities that you can think of just a request away.

88. What those strange symbols on the hull mean

When you are in port, you might notice strange symbols at the ship’s waterline that look like hieroglyphics. They are actually telling important information about the ship underwater. 

For instance, you might see a circle with an ‘X’ through it, normally in groups of three or four. These are where thrusters are installed on the ship to help it maneuver. 

You might also see a strange shape that almost looks like the outline of a key, with a larger square and then a rectangle jutting out (see the image above). This marker? It’s for the ship’s stabilizers. These stabilizers jut out under the waterline like fins and help to reduce the rocking of the ocean.

The symbols help other boats know what’s going on under the water so they don’t get too close.

89. Early debarkation doesn’t always save a lot of time (but it certainly can sometimes!)

Cruise lines offer early debarkation to passengers that want to carry all their bags with them. This seems like a great idea as it allows you to get off the ship first and get back home quickly after your cruise. The problem is that everyone else has the same idea.

Lines for early embarkation can stretch around the ship and take an hour or more to get through in the worst cases. Thankfully many cruise lines are getting better at the process, which is speeding things up somewhat. So sometimes it can be a long wait… other times you can breeze through. 

It can also be faster if you use a passport to sail instead of a birth certificate . Facial recognition at some ports matches with your passport can get you through quickly.

90. Take advantage of private islands as ‘free’ days

Are you headed on a cruise to a private destination? These areas all have a few things in common. For one, they have beautiful beaches where you can spend the day. For another, the cruise lines use them as an opportunity to generate more revenue with things like exclusive areas, cabanas, and more.

One tip is to use these private island days as free days. You could spend a fortune here if you wanted. Instead, they serve as a great way to enjoy the beach and water without spending a ton. You can save your money and instead use that for excursions in non-private ports where it’s not near as easy and cheap to spend the day unless you book a tour.

91. Wait until later in the cruise to do the newest attractions

Cruise ships continue to get grander with every new ship. That means crazier attractions like waterslides, go-karts, robot bartenders and whatever else the cruise lines can imagine.

If you want to experience these attractions, wait until later in your cruise. The first day or two will have everyone waiting in line to get in. Instead, if you just wait until the initial rush has died down, you can join the fun without having to wait in a line.

92. Always pack a wad of $1 bills for tipping

The cruise industry relies on your generosity to help pay their service employees. That’s why you shouldn’t skimp when it comes to tipping. From baggage handlers to room service waiters to casino waitresses, you’ll want to slip them each a few bucks whenever they give you good service.

We’d suggest bringing about $20 in ones and carrying a few with you anywhere you go. This way you always have a few singles with you to tip with instead of having an awkward “I’ll tip you later” conversation.

93. Topless sunbathing? It’s not a thing in the U.S. (except for one line)

Wondering about private areas of the ship where you could get some sun… without worrying about tan lines? That’s not really a thing these days on cruises from the United States.

There are no major cruise lines that allow topless sunbathing, except for one. The exception is Virgin Voyages , which is adults-only and offers a designated spot onboard that allows it.

94. The reality of cruise line “sales”

Go to any cruise line website (or sign up for their email list) and you’ll always see that there is a sale happening. Cruise line sales try to stress a limited-time offer — often including a countdown timer until it’s over.

The truth is that sales run constantly, and even if it ends, it’s often replaced with something that’s nearly identical. In other words, don’t buy the hype that you have to buy right now or miss out.

95. No marijuana isn’t legal, even on an Alaskan cruise

If you’re cruising to Alaska (where recreational marijuana is legal) from Seattle, Washington (where recreational marijuana is legal), then of course you can bring your pot on board with you, right?

To be on the safe side, the cruise lines follow federal law — which means that marijuana is illegal to bring on board . If you really need some of the green to relax on your cruise, you’ll have to wait until you arrive in port .

96. Bingo may seem silly, but can win you some serious cash

Bingo? Isn’t that for old people? On the cruise, you’ll see bingo contests being held all the time. And while it’s not as exciting as the pool’s belly-flop competition, it is a fun way to spend an hour or two. Best of all, it can help pay for your cruise.

Bingo cards are typically $5-10. Purchase your card and if you win, you can walk away with cash. It’s not unusual to see people pocket hundreds or even thousands of bucks playing the game on the ship.

97. Participate in on-board game shows to get free stuff

Your best way to get some free stuff on the cruise also involves a lot of fun. In the game shows (including the always popular “newlywed” game), some audience participation is required. Not everyone can join in, but if you get selected then you almost always get some sort of prize at the end.

It’s nothing big — maybe a t-shirt and a gift certificate to the gift shop — but it’s the best way to get something for free while on your cruise.

98. Find a spot above the gangway at the ship’s return time to have a laugh

You haven’t laughed until you’ve stood on the port side of the ship close to departure time in a port of call. Keep a close eye and you’ll almost always see a few people making a mad dash back to the ship. You’ve never seen people run as fast as when they think the ship is about to leave them. On a side note, always return to the ship well before the “all aboard” time.

99. If flying, always depart for your port city the day before

With more ports than ever operating around the United States, many people are able to drive to their cruise. Still, there are tons of folks who fly in to take their trip. If you are taking a flight, always aim to get there the day before.

It seems like every day there are horror stories of delayed flights. Weather can delay or ground a flight. Security lines can sometimes take hours and cause people to miss their planes. Mechanical breakdown is always a possibility. And now you never know when a computer malfunction is going to ground an entire fleet.

Flying in the day before allows you a little more of a cushion to get to your port city without having to stress that you might miss your flight… or even worse, your cruise.

100. Don’t expect much on TV (Netflix is great)

We love nothing more than relaxing and watching some TV after a long day in port. Unfortunately, cruise lines don’t offer much in the way of television stations. You won’t get the basic channels you’d expect. Instead, it’s a few news stations and maybe a couple of channels for movies and a couple for cartoons.

Netflix and other services are lifesavers. Download your favorite shows ahead of time (so that you can watch without internet access) and catch up on your programs.

101. Go to Guest Services late at night or early in the morning to avoid lines

What’s that huge line you see in the middle of the ship at the beginning and end of the cruise? It’s the line to talk to Guest Services. It’s always a hassle to have to deal with getting things straightened out with your onboard account, but it’s something you occasionally have to do.

Here’s a big timesaver. If you do have to talk to Guest Services, plan your visit either later in the evening or early in the morning. At these times the line is almost non-existent so you can talk to a rep immediately. (Guest Services are open 24 hours a day during the cruise.)

102. Be sure your clock is set with the ship’s time

Depending on where you sail, there could be changes in the ship’s time from the time at the port of call. Why does this matter? If you don’t return to the ship by the right time, you could get left.

To make things easy, just make sure your watch is set with the ship’s time as you get off in port. It will be made well-known as your debark, or you can just ask a crew member. That way you are matched up with the ship’s schedule and don’t risk missing the return time.

103. Always wait for people to exit the elevator

A quick way to be identified as a rookie cruiser is to stand right in the doorway of the elevator when it opens. Elevators are the main way of getting around the ship — they are always crowded. It’s polite to let the people on the elevator get off before before trying to enter.

Just stand to the side as the doors open. It will make thing go much smoother and other passengers will be grateful.

104. You can take everything out of the mini-bar to have an in-room fridge

Your ship cabin may come with a full-stocked mini-fridge. The items inside are counted after you leave, so if you want to use the fridge, you can just set everything out (or ask your room steward to empty it) and use it to keep your own drinks/food cool. Just be sure to put everything back or you’ll get charged for whatever is missing.

105. Cruise ships are surprisingly fast

Ok, no one would confuse travel by cruise ship with the speed of traveling by plane. But considering that a ship is roughly as long as the Empire State Building is tall and has about as many rooms as The Mirage in Las Vegas, the fact they can move at all is impressive.

Truth is, the cruising speed of many ships is around 25 miles per hour . That may not seem like much, but many neighborhoods have speed limits of 25 mph. Next time you see a car drive by your house, imagine that a cruise ship was gliding by instead to get an idea of the speed.

106. Always wear walking shoes when in port

It’s hot in the Caribbean, so who wants to wear shoes? Well, you’d be surprised at how tired your feet will get if you’re touring around in just a pair of flip-flops. Instead, bring a pair of your most comfy walking shoes, or a pair of water shoes that offer more support. Your feet will thank you for it at the end of the day.

107. Get your picture taken; it’s free and you pay only if you want it.

On the ship, they often have staff photographers roaming and taking photos of passengers to remember their trip. You have to buy the photos if you want to take them home, but not if you don’t want them.

In other words, you can get your photo taken by a professional photographer and only have to pay if you actually decide that you want the pic. If you decide you don’t like it, then there is nothing out of pocket.

Have a cruise tip that we left out? Have you used a tip above that worked like a charm? Let us know in the comments below.

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Wherever did you get your information from regarding long term cruise parking at DoubleTree hotels in both San Pedro and Carson, CA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They have no such long term rates, and to the contrary they are both very expensive.

Please remove this misleading information asap

Thank u for the reminder about my watch in airplane mode. I would of never thought of that, made a reminder for myself. Lots of great tips and tricks.. Thanks for the info.

Cruising NCL solo out of Galveston 1/5/24 – 1/12/24 I’ve purchased a small sun blocking umbrella. Plan to have it with me everywhere during daylight hours. Especially while out on deck. Can somewhat protect myself if stuck without shade. I also have a sun blocking hat with brim that will cover my neck.

You have given great advice about turning off phones as soon as you arrive on the ship to avoid roaming fees. Many people now have cell service connected to their watches as well, and might be easy to forget. Be sure to turn off cell service to phones, iPads, watches, etc.

GREAT tips!! My husband and I are going on our first cruise in 2025 for my 60th birthday and our 9th wedding anniversary. I am looking forward to this and many more hopefully to come.

I have a history of motion sickness, but I have cruised frequently and never gotten sick; the trick is to buy Ginger pills/capsules from a health food store and begin taking a couple of them, three times a day, for 2 days before the cruise begins, straight through the second day of cruising. It’s a cheap fix, and I’ve experienced no side affects from the Ginger. After all, it’s only a herb! (Ginger Ale is still an old treatment for nausea, right?)

90. Take a photo of your home and email address:

Ok, two issues with this tip, 1 – how will whoever finds your phone get pass the phone’s access code to actually go in to see your photos? 2 – even if they somehow did (or for whatever reason the phone had no access code), then what happens if in the very rare case the person who finds it is a criminal? They now know that this address is currently unoccupied and ripe for ‘business’. They can just call a buddy to go round there.

Best to hope someone was nice enough to have handed in your lost phone to guest services.

I have read a ton of really good ideas for cruising, but I have yet to see anything about whether to bring an umbrella

I’d say no. It’s bulky and often only needed for a few minutes where you can just go inside on the ship or duck under cover in port. Instead, a rain jacket is a good idea as it’s more versatile.

Holy Moly, yes take an umbrella. Our last cruise this past November 2022 rained EVERY day of the 14 days of this Caribbean cruise. The ONLY saving thing about this soggy cruise was a blessing that we stayed in the Haven and an umbrella was furnished in the room. I felt sorry for all the other passengers who bought ponchos or simply were soaked. Sometimes a problem for space but invest in a small compact umbrella -you will be happy you did!

I didn’t see a comment about doing laundry. It’s true that laundry soap is available in dispensers as well as dryer sheets, but if you bring your own it’s certainly cheaper and you can bring the brand you like. Also if you are planning to wash your own clothes, plan to use the laundry room when there is publicized social activity, and you won’t be standing in line to use the machines since many won’t want to miss the activity and the machines won’t be in use.

Just FYI most ports have shuttles from docks to airports and returns. I Uber to airport take shuttle to docks and reverse on return. No parking fees and I’ve found you can do the round trip Uber and all for around a hundred dollars (sometimes less than that). I’ve also found booking specialty activities much as mixology class are better to book as far in advance as possible…..they fill up fast. Also you didn’t mention about tipping for you cabin stewards, dinner waiters….etc. I always take cash for that. Happy Sailing….

Hello, I cruise all the time and can never get an answer as to why it’s hit or miss on the pool being warm or cold. I always complain if it’s cold and always get the same answer, ( corporate makes the decision. ) If a cruise ship wants people to enjoy themselves then why prevent them from having a great time swimming at the pool. I don’t even need to put my foot in the pool. If there are people in the pool then it’s warm… if it’s cold nobody is in it. Can anyone explain?

Not sure about the heating of pools… but if there are a bunch of people in the pool and it’s warm, then you may not want to think too much about where that warmth is coming from!

I find it handy to bring plastic foldable over the door hanger for bathroom which has many pockets. You can put all the bathroom essentials to avoid a clutter on bathroom counter. Another tip is bring towel clips for lounge chairs so the towels stay in place.

It’s interesting that cruise lines will give cheap fares to people during the off-seasons. My fiance and I want to go on a cruise but we don’t make a lot of money. I’ll have to tell her that if we go during November or something close to that.

Just remember, if you are cruising in the Caribbean, that’s still hurricane season.

I have a small round essential oil diffuser that I use with lavender oil in my stateroom…so relaxing as the boat rocks you to sleep each night!

A roll of Grab Wrap (like saran makes) is so nice to have to keep late night desserts fresh in the cabin fridge for morning.

They want to sell me packages? Going from Quebec to Boston on Norwegian. Any visit suggestions?

Thank Youall !

Always bring a list of what you need too.

Duct Tape has so many uses.. Highlighter to mark the Daily Programs too.

Now with those dang Electric Swithes when you leave your cabin.. Bring an Old Credit Card to insert and Duct tAPE THAT TOO..

We always bring water shoes when we cruise. Some excursions require them & they’re also a less slippery alternative to flip-flops on the pool deck.

Any rules about decorating your room door?

Not that we’ve seen. We would suggest using only non-marking items — so tape, not glue — to stick things to the door.

I have read elsewhere that tape is forbidden on the door. It makes a mess for the staff to clean up. I can understand that some tapes are non-marking, but you can get almost anything with magnets, or just glue magnets to almost anything.

If active military or a vet and have ID ask about discount. Our parking was free in Galveston for a 7 night cruise.

Should you book your next cruise when you are on board?

Our opinion is that it’s a decent idea, but it’s not like you’ll get amazing deals that aren’t anywhere else. They often give you onboard credit to book. Prices are around what you’ll find online.

Many cruise companies offer matching deposits on future cruises when booked on board. I believe Norwegian matches up to $250.

Yes you can get a good deal when you book whilst on board, we did, got $250 for the next cruise which we are going to use on our next cruise., used it for the deposit.

You really shouldn’t put any unofficial stamps in your passport. It even says in the fine print in the back that any unofficial markings inside could invalidate your passport. It most likely won’t ever happen unless you end up with an unforgiving immigration officer and then you’re stuck! I got off with a warning once and thankfully my passport has been renewed since then! Don’t risk it!

Thank you for the information as it is very helpful as well as those that offered others. We are going on our first cruise ever right after Thanksgiving. It is our 25th anniversary and we are looking forward to it.

Glad you found it useful. Congratulations on the anniversary! Twenty-five years is amazing

One of the worse things you can suggest and encourage is bringing fruit and food ashore. When you come into the USA, fruit and certain foods are NOT allowed to be brought into the country. Respect this when traveling to other countries. It’s the LAW there too!

Australia has very strict biosecurity regulations. No food of any type will be allowed in to the country. There will be a quarantine inspection at each port and sometimes even sniffer dogs will be present. This will happen at each port of call in Australia, even if the cruise visits only Australian ports.

The last time I cruised, our cruise critic group had a meet & greet, a gift exchange, a slot game and a special farewell luncheon. If someone from the group gets together with the hospitality people, they can arrange snacks, special meals and gifts for your groups. This was on the Celebrity and it was fantastic.

#95. EXTREAMLY BAD IDEA! A passport can be voided if random non official stamps are in it. Only official government immigration stamps are allowed

That’s “technically” true, however, we’ve never heard of it happening. We’ve also personally had these stamps in our passport and never had any questions about them.

if you are in the Port and you ask the Port Athorites where to get your passport stamped then it is not a “voidable” stamp. Because it is issued by that countries government. Those stamps would be part of the Visa Program if the passport was NOT from the US, I.E. if the Passport was Chinese the cruises might have needed a Visa in the first place and that stamp would end up being part of the Visa.

This were great tips!! I consider myself as an experienced cruiser and I learned a lot.

It’s good to know that breakfast and lunch are also served in the main dining room, rather than just the buffet. My wife and I are hoping that we can go on a sunset cruise tour for our anniversary. We’ll have to check out the main dining room for food, as well as seeing if there are any secret decks if we can make it on a cruise.

Yes I did this on my last cruise. I knew but never took advantage of it.

Great tips people! Going on our first cruise in December (Princess cruises. Miami to LA. Via Panama Canal) Any other advice/tips very welcome!

OOPS~ I guess I’d still be paying for gas… Still better than $20 / day to park on a 7 to 10 day cruise, or leaving my car in some dirt lot for even $8 /day.

Leaving your car at your home airport for a week or more can run up a pretty big bill. If you have the time, consider renting a car from the airport the day before your flight. When you return it to the airport just take the auto rental shuttle to the terminal. Do the opposite when you return home. We are Costco members and can rent a near new (more likely to make it to the airport or it will be replaced if it breaks down) for $25 to $30 per day.

Great Idea! We’re in FL and to drive and park at any other port besides Port Canaveral (we’re 20 minutes away from that, and can always find someone to drop us off) will cost at least another $160. Gas, parking fees, etc. We can rent a car here ($35) drive it to the port and turn it in. Do the same for the trip home. We’ve just saved $90 bucks, and don’t have to worry about leaving the car in some lot, or putting up to an extra 400 miles on it! (if we go to Miami round trip that is!)

Excellent post that was concise and highly informative. Just the recommendation to look for off port parking saved me over $100 dollars. The shuttle to the ship only took us 10 minutes and we were dropped off closer to the ship than the people that parked in the ship parking area.

Awesome article! I highly appreciate your effort!

Thank you for the great article, you did an incredible job 🙂

Great post! I will spread the word.

Bring a hole punch for your ship card to put on a lanyard–some ships have them in the casino-just ask them to punch a hole and give you the lanyard–makes it easy to carry card around neck.

#53 gives bad advice. It links to a power cable that is expressly forbidden as it has a built in surge protector.

Chris, great catch! We’ve updated the section to note that surge protectors are no longer allowed on ships.

They tell you to bring one without a power surge in it

That’s right!

These were all very helpful tips, many of which we have used on our past cruises. Another tip is: The walls in the cabins are metal, even if they don’t look like it. We take magnetic clips and hooks and use them to hold all the papers that are left in the cabin mailbox as well as to hang things that might need to dry. It helps keep the cabin organized.

Rose, great tip! Love it.

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21 tips and tricks that will make your first cruise go smoothly

Cruising is easy. Or so cruisers will tell you.

For starters, you only have to unpack once, even as you travel from place to place. You also don't have to go hunting for a restaurant every night. There usually are a bunch just steps away from your cabin with tables waiting for you. You'll also have no trouble finding entertainment.

But even in its simplicity, cruising still can be daunting for a first-timer. What should you bring? What should you plan on doing in ports? What is the best way to book?

For more cruise guides, news and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter.

As the head of The Points Guy's cruise content team , I get these sorts of questions all the time.

This brings me to the tips below. If you've read this far, you are likely a first-time cruiser looking for advice for an upcoming trip, and that's exactly what this story is meant to offer. It contains my list of 21 ways to make your first sailing go more smoothly.

It's a list drawn not just from my own experience over 20-plus years of cruising but also the observations of more than 100 cruising fans who shared their tips with TPG in a lively conversation on the topic at the TPG Lounge on Facebook. (If you're not a member yet, we highly encourage you to join.)

Arrive at your departure port a day ahead of schedule

If you only follow one piece of advice in this story, it should be this one. It is the only way to ensure you won't miss your ship — something that happens to cruisers more often than you would think.

Many cruises depart in the afternoon, so it might seem just fine to fly or drive to a port on the morning of departure. But all it takes is a moderate flight delay or a pile-up on the highway to upset those plans. If you're delayed in your arrival at the port, the ship will not wait for you.

If you're traveling overseas for a cruise, we recommend traveling to the port two or even three days in advance. This isn't just so you don't miss the ship. It's also so you have some time to recover from jet lag. European cruises, in particular, can be port-intensive, with lots of touring, so you want to be refreshed and ready to hit the ground running right after the cruise begins.

Related: What happens if you miss your cruise ship

Pack your bathing suit in your carry-on

When you first arrive at a ship, before you even get on board, you'll likely be greeted by porters who will whisk away your luggage. It will be delivered to your room later in the day. This is a great convenience, as there's no need to haul your bags through the entire check-in progress. But it also means you might not have access to your luggage for many hours on your first day on board.

Be sure to pack anything you think you might need for these first hours of your cruise in your carry-on bag. This means things like medication, for sure, and a phone charger, but also a bathing suit, hat, sunscreen and other items that will let you head straight to the pool deck to start the fun.

Related: Use this packing list for your next cruise

Don't overpack

Use this strategy when packing for a cruise: Throw all the clothes you think you'll need on a cruise in a pile, and then take away half of them. You won't need them. Trust us.

Most cruising these days is casual, and you really only need a few outfits to rotate through a voyage. If things get dirty, it's no problem. Many ships have launderettes on cabin decks where you can run a load or two of laundry every few days. If not, you can send laundry out to be cleaned on board. It'll usually come back in a day or two.

The extra cost of doing a few loads of laundry on a ship is a small price to pay for the freedom of not having to lug a giant suitcase around as you travel to and from your ship. Plus, you'll want to save room in your suitcase for all the little treasures you're going to find along the way.

Related: Everything you need to know about cruise ship laundry service

Bring your own drinks on board

Many first-time cruisers assume they can't bring their own drinks on board a ship. But many lines will allow this, usually with some limits. It's one way to save money when cruising, as drink prices on ships can be high.

Among the lines that will allow you to be your own bartender is Disney Cruise Line . Adults can bring up to two bottles of unopened wine or Champagne or six beers onto Disney ships at the start of a cruise and at every port of call. Note that these beverages must be packed in carry-on bags. At Royal Caribbean , the bring-your-own allowance is two bottles of wine or Champagne per cabin at boarding, plus up to a dozen standard cans, bottles or cartons of nonalcoholic drinks.

One caveat: Many lines levy a "corkage fee" if you want to bring your wine into an onboard restaurant. Be sure to read the rules for your line before you bring any drinks on board.

Related: Are drinks packages on cruise ships worth it? A line-by-line guide

Bring extra toiletries

Yes, you'll be able to find sunscreen, aspirin and Band-Aids on a cruise ship. But it'll cost you. Cruise lines know you're a captive audience and price their shipboard stores accordingly.

I have a small "go bag" of over-the-counter medicines that I throw into my suitcase for every cruise that contains everything from cold medicine to seasickness pills. I rarely use any of it. But I also never get hit with a crazy toiletries charge.

While we're on the topic of sundries, don't forget extra batteries for your camera if you are bringing one.

Related: The ultimate guide to picking a cruise line

Bring these six other things, too

In addition to extra toiletries, cruising regulars often bring Clorox wipes or something similar to wipe down surfaces in their cabin upon arrival (and to bring along on shore excursions). I admit, I've never done this, though I know I should — if only to wipe off the remote control for the cabin TV.

Many cruisers also won't head to a ship without room freshener, a foldable shoe rack (which they hang in the cabin bathroom to store toiletries), a highlighter (to highlight activities on the daily planner) and a lanyard (to hold their cabin key card). I am, of course, too cool to ever put a key card lanyard around my neck, which means I lose my card once or twice on every trip. They always give me a new one at the front desk. My cruise team colleague Ashley Kosciolek also escews landyard-wearing on ships, but that didn't stop her from writing this wonderful guide to the coolest cruise lanyards around .

Some cruisers also swear by bringing magnets to ships to affix dinner invitations, excursion tickets and other important papers to their cabin walls. Walls on ships often are made with metal (even if they look like wood, thanks to faux wood veneers) and will hold a magnet. Some cruisers even bring magnets with hooks so they can hang up clothes and other items on their walls.

Related: 20 things you should bring on every cruise — including a roll of duct tape

Skip the buffet on your first day on board

There's nothing more jammed than a cruise ship buffet on embarkation day. Everybody boarding heads straight up to it. To avoid the first-day buffet crowds, head to whatever secondary dining option is available. Sometimes, a ship will open one of its table-served eateries for lunch on embarkation day. It'll likely be much less crowded than the buffet.

Research ports in advance

There are some types of vacations — a beach trip, for instance — where you don't have to do much advance research. You just sort of show up. Most cruises aren't this way — at least if you want to get the most out of them. At the heart of most cruises are port calls that, in many cases, are very short — often just a few hours. You want to have a plan for what to do in these ports or you'll miss out on a big part of the cruising experience.

Once you know what ports you'll be visiting, research them as much as you can at travel sites such as The Points Guy. Here at TPG, we're starting to build out a series of home port and destination port guides for everywhere from PortMiami to Bora Bora .

Related: The ultimate guide to Caribbean cruising

Join a Facebook group for your line

Another great place to get ideas for what to do in ports and on ships — and what to bring on a cruise, for that matter — are the many private Facebook groups dedicated to particular lines. I belong to a number of them, including the Royal Caribbean Cruises group, the COPs (Cruisers Opinion Page) group and the Holland America Line Fans group. You'll find thousands of cruise fans at these pages who often are more than willing to answer questions about their favorite line, its ships, its itineraries and the destinations on the itineraries. I've met some wonderful people in these groups, some of whom have become my longtime friends on Facebook.

Sign up for private tours

Booking a shore excursion directly through your cruise line is easy. You just check a box on an online form before sailing or while on board, and — poof! — it's all arranged. But booking tours through your line isn't the only option, and it's not always the best option. In many cases, you can save a lot of money — and get a better touring experience — by booking shore excursions through independent tour operators in ports or a tour booking service such as Viator or ToursbyLocals .

Often, independent tours will be much more intimate than the tours offered directly through cruise lines. They might go to the same sites but in a small van instead of a big motorcoach. You might have just six or eight other people on a tour with you instead of nearly 40. If your group is big enough, you might even be able to book a private tour with an independent tour operator.

Related: The ultimate TPG guide to shore excursions

Independent tours also can take you to places that the cruise line-organized tours don't. Plus, they often come with excellent service. ToursByLocals has staff on hand around-the-clock to respond to questions, and — for those worried about missing your ship — they offer a return-to-ship guarantee with every tour.

Sign up for activities in advance or soon after boarding

Some lines will let you sign up for shows, tours and other activities (including meals at specialty restaurants) in advance of sailing using online portals. If you want to be sure that you get a seat for a specific show on a specific night, or a specific tour or restaurant reservation time, it's a good idea to do this. It's not uncommon with some ships to find that some shows, tours and restaurant reservation times book up in advance.

If you don't sign up for activities in advance, a backup strategy is to do so just after you board a vessel. That said, whether you need to race to sign up for activities at the start of a voyage depends a lot on which ship you are on. I am more careful about signing up for a lot of things in advance when I am sailing on a giant ship such as Royal Caribbean's record-breaking Wonder of the Seas where there are thousands of other passengers competing for the choicest reservations.

Related: 12 giant ships that are the best for fun

Don't feel like you have to do it all

While we're on the topic of signing up for activities, note that it's OK if you miss a few things. You don't have to do it all. In fact, you should force yourself to try to not do it all. Remember, you're on vacation. Relax. Take some downtime. Sit on your balcony, if you have one, and just stare out at the ocean for a couple of hours. You won't regret it.

Always carry the ship's contact information with you

When going ashore, always bring the ship's contact information with you. Those details are usually printed in the newsletter that's delivered to your cabin each night. If something goes wrong when you're away from the ship, you'll want to get in contact with the cruise line right away.

Keep your phone in airplane mode

Some of the biggest cruise ship horror stories you'll find on the internet are tales of cruising newbies who racked up thousands of dollars in cellphone charges while on ships. This can happen when you leave your phone turned on and, say, watch videos on the internet. Many phone plans — even international plans — do not include talking, texting and data on cruise ships, and you'll pay exorbitant roaming rates for such services that will show up weeks later on your phone bill.

There are ways to make calls and access the internet from ships without spending a boatload of money. You can buy a Wi-Fi package, for instance, that will let you make FaceTime calls and stream videos (on some ships) over Wi-Fi without using phone data.

Some phone companies have cruise-specific plans you can buy in advance of a voyage. But I personally never go that route. I keep it simple. I just put my phone in airplane mode the moment I step on board a ship and never switch it back on. I then turn on the phone's Wi-Fi, buy a Wi-Fi package and do all my calling, texting and internet surfing over Wi-Fi. That way, there's no way that I can be surprised by an unexpected charge.

Download the cruise app

A growing number of lines now have apps that you can download to your smartphone in advance of sailing. The apps vary in what they offer, but many will show you a daily list of activities and all of the things that you have reserved. Many also will let you make restaurant reservations and book shore excursions and other activities, and a few will let you order drinks and other items to wherever you happen to be standing. That's pretty cool, right? The best part: The apps will work on board even if you don't pay for a Wi-Fi package.

Related: This cruise app lets you order pizza anywhere on board

Use a travel agent to book

Given the complexity of booking a cruise — there are a lot of decisions to make during the booking process, trust us — we recommend that you use a seasoned travel agent who specializes in cruises to help you arrange things. A good travel agent will quiz you about your particular interests, travel style and preferences and steer you to the perfect cruise line, ship, itinerary and cabin for you. The agent also can help you if something goes wrong just before, during or after your voyage.

In addition, travel agents often can you extra onboard credit and other perks that you might not be able to get by booking directly with a line.

Related: Why you should always use a travel agent to book a cruise

Consider travel insurance

It's not always smooth seas when it comes to cruising — or any sort of travel. We hate to even bring it up, but you might need to cancel your cruise in advance due to the sudden onset of an illness. Or, maybe you'll fall ill during the cruise and need emergency medical attention. Maybe your flight to your ship gets canceled and you miss the vessel's departure. These sorts of things can happen to cruisers, and they're all the sort of situations where you might benefit from having travel insurance. Here's a comparison of the top travel insurance providers and information about Cancel for Any Reason add-ons .

Related: The TPG guide to travel insurance for cruises

Don't book a cabin near an elevator

Not every cabin on a ship is created equal. When choosing a room on your first cruise, you might want to stay away from those near elevators and just above nightclubs and other late-night venues. They can sometimes be noisy. Cabins just below the pool deck and near the anchor also can be problematic as well as cabins near casinos.

Related: 8 cabin locations on cruise ships that you definitely should avoid

Use a points card for onboard spending

You saw this one coming, no? Given TPG's origins as a points and miles website , we'd be remiss if we didn't remind you to maximize your credit card points while making purchases on ships. The way to do this is to tie a credit card that offers extra points for travel purchases to your onboard account. This could be the Chase Sapphire Reserve , which offers 3 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on travel and dining (excluding the annual $300 travel credit). There's also the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card , which brings 2 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on travel and 3 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on dining.

Related: How to book a cruise with points and miles

Don't tip twice for drinks and spa treatments

Most cruise ships now automatically add a gratuity to bar bills, often in the amount of 18% to 20% of the total. Such automatic gratuities also are becoming more common in ship spas. But many first-time cruisers don't know this and write in a hefty tip at the "additional tip" line on bills at cruise ship bars and spas. Be sure to ask if a gratuity already has been included before adding another 15% or 20% to the total. Otherwise, you may end up tipping twice.

Related: Everything you need to know about tipping on a cruise ship

Use points to get to your cruise

Using points and miles to pay for a cruise doesn't always make sense , as it often requires a huge number of them to secure a cabin. But that doesn't mean you can't save big time by booking your flights to and from a ship using points and miles .

You'll find plenty of stories here at The Points Guy about how to, say, pay the equivalent of $1,330 in points for a flight that cost $16,000 , or book a $27,000 around-the-world trip for just $168 in out-of-pocket costs . Scroll around a little, and you may never pay cash for a flight to a cruise ship again.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up
• What to pack for your first cruise

8 things seasoned cruisers say you should know before setting foot on your first cruise

• With so many things to do and see on board, taking a cruise for the first time can be overwhelming.
• To help you prepare, seasoned cruisers on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas shared their tips.
• Snag pool chairs early and don't fly in on the day your ship departs, they told Business Insider.

First-time cruisers may feel overwhelmed by the vacation style. It's a new form of transportation for some, and when you're traveling on a large ship with so many places to eat and so many activities and excursions, it can be hard to figure out how to spend your time.

It can be helpful to hear how to make the most of your cruise from those who have done it before. While on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas in April 2022, Business Insider talked to people who had been on multiple cruises. They shared their best tips to help plan an incredible cruise vacation. 

While packing for a cruise, try to keep it light, but make sure you have all the essentials.

Sharon Taylor, who has been on five cruises, told Business Insider that first-timers should be careful not to overpack .

"New cruisers think cruising is a fashion show and pack way too many clothes and shoes, but you wind up just wanting to be comfortable," she said.

For a seven-night cruise, Taylor said she brought two bathing suits, four pairs of shorts, two pairs of shoes, one formal outfit, eight pairs of underwear, and six tops. She planned to buy two more tops on the trip.

Paul Gallifrey, who has been on 30 cruises on various lines, said to pack what you need for the length of the cruise but add a few extra options just in case.

"Maybe you decide to change clothes between pool time and the buffet," Gallifrey said. "An extra shirt and pair of shorts will come in handy."

Gallifrey added that some activities on ships and excursions required specific clothing, such as lace-up shoes for zip lining. Check the cruise line's website for these requirements and pack accordingly.

Don't forget to pack a magnet to make finding your stateroom easier.

Large cruise ships typically have seemingly endless hallways of staterooms with identical doors.

Taylor said to pack magnets to attach to the outside of your door to help you spot it.

"You will be glad you did when you are looking for your room down those long hallways," Taylor added.

If you have to fly into the port your ship is leaving from, book a flight at least one day before departure to avoid missing the boat.

Unless you book a flight through a cruise-line package , the ship will leave without you even if your delayed or canceled flight is what makes you late, Stephanie Franks, who has been on more than 15 cruises, said.

With Royal Caribbean, if you book a flight through the cruise line and it's delayed or canceled, their emergency-travel team will get you on an earlier flight or fly you to the next port to join the cruise, according to the company's website . If you don't book through the cruise line, you'll have to figure it out yourself.

Franks said her friend's flight to Miami got canceled the day before her cruise because of the weather in Florida.

"They hopped in a car and drove 19 hours straight to get here on time. You just never know," she said. "But best to be prepared and early than late."

She recommended flying in at least one day before the ship's departure to leave extra time for delays and cancellations. She said to stay near the port, adding that there were plenty of hotels in Florida with shuttles to the port.

Experienced cruisers recommend booking anything with additional costs before boarding the ship.

On cruise ships , there are often restaurants and activities included in the ticket price and some specialty restaurants that cost extra. When stopping at ports, you can also book excursions for an additional cost.

Once your trip is booked, you can often prepay for dining on the ship and excursions at the ports. Reservations generally fill up quickly, so it's smart to get this done as soon as possible to ensure you get the experiences you want. Plus, you'll probably pay less than if you wait until your trip.

"Do everything you can before getting on board to save money," Tekeshia Browne , who has been on over 100 cruises, told BI, adding that there were discounts for restaurants and excursions ahead of the cruise.

If you are a new cruiser, it's easiest to book excursions with the cruise line.

At each cruise port, passengers may disembark to spend their time as they wish. They might sightsee independently, take a taxi to a beach, link up with a local tour guide, or join an official cruise-line excursion. Gallifrey said first-time cruisers would likely have the easiest time if they chose the last option.

Navigating ports can be confusing, especially if you're taking transportation to your excursion, but if you book through the cruise line, you'll be directed to exactly where you need to go. Some cruise-line excursions even include meals.

"If you are new to cruising and have not had experience arranging excursions, it is sometimes easier to go with the ones from the cruise line," he said, adding that these excursions guaranteed the ship would wait for you if an outing took longer than planned. 

"Self-booked excursions are totally outside of this guarantee," he said.

Some say there's enough to eat, see, and do without spending any more money outside booking your cruise.

Some cruisers say that everything included in the ticket price is enough for a great vacation. You can eat at multiple restaurants on the ship, participate in games and activities, attend shows, and explore the ports at no extra cost.

"You don't really need to spend another penny after you have paid for your cruise. There are plenty of awesome free shows, foods — including the main dining room — and things to do at every port," Taylor said. "At ports, I roam around the shops and look at the artisan stuff made by locals."

No matter how you spend your days off or on your ship, you should always read the daily cruise planner.

On Royal Caribbean cruises, attendants deliver the daily planner, Cruise Compass, to staterooms each night.

From escape rooms and sports games to dance classes and karaoke, the ship is full of scheduled activities that you'll know about only if you read the Cruise Compass or check the Royal Caribbean app.

Vickie Carmody, who has spent 280 nights on cruise ships, said first-timers should read this planner, adding that she skipped it during her first cruise and missed out.

"My first cruise, I was so bored because I didn't know any better," she said. "I missed the welcome-aboard show, the quest, the poolside games like the belly-flop contest and sexiest-man contest, and a lot of the entertainment around the ship."

If you want to just relax by the pool, get a chair early in the day before people or towels have taken them all.

Franks said that by midday on most ships, people took up chairs on pool decks by saving them with towels. So she recommended getting up early to grab a spot at about 6 a.m.

There are rules against saving chairs on cruise ships, but Franks said she has rarely seen them enforced. 

"It tends to be a bigger issue on larger ships, ironically," she said. "The smaller ships go to smaller ports, so I guess people focus more on island excursions than the pool deck."

• Main content

11 Cruise Boarding Tips You Need to Know

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All You Need to Know About the Cruise Boarding Process

As you prepare for your cruise, you probably have some questions about the cruise ship boarding process. If it’s your first cruise, you may want to know the specifics, like exactly what happens and what you can expect on embarkation day.

I’ve been cruising for awhile, and the truth is, sometimes those of that have cruised a fair amount, forget what its like to do this for the first time.

This occurred to me recently when my clients asked me some cruise questions that I had glossed over.

Things like:

How do I get to the cruise port?

Can my luggage get lost if I leave it with the porters?

Is it better to arrive at the ship early or later?

What can I expect when boarding my cruise ship?

and more…

So, I wrote this to cover the A-Z of the cruise boarding process, and answer every question first time cruisers may have about this. If you still have a question at the end, please leave it in the comments section and I will answer it, and possibly even include it in this post.

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my full  disclosure policy  for details.

What to expect from the cruise boarding process

1. cruise ship boarding passes.

Before you even arrive at the cruise ship on your cruise embarkation day , there are some steps you need to take.

Make sure to complete your online check in and print out your cruise boarding documents. I recommend getting this done about 2-4 weeks before your cruise. In this way, if you notice any little issue, you still have time to get it fixed.

To do your online check in, simply have your cruise reservation number on hand and go on your cruise line’s website. Then follow the instructions until you can print out your cruise documents. This only takes about 15-30 minutes, so don’t put it off.

2. Cruise ship luggage tags

Once you’ve completed your online check in and have printed out your cruise documents, you’ll be able to print out your luggage tags. Yes, your luggage tags will printed on be a piece of paper, but we’ll get to this in a minute.

On the luggage tag, you will see the cruise ship, sail date and your cabin number. Once your luggage is on the ship, it will be delivered to your stateroom.

If you’re wondering how these printed paper luggage tags will stay on your luggage, you’re not alone. There are instructions on how to fold and staple them so that they hold up and don’t rip. Overall, they’re actually pretty good and surprisingly sturdy.

However, if you would rather not worry about this and travel with a stapler, I recommend buying and using reusable plastic luggage tag holders, which are made to fit the printed cruise luggage tags. Beware that some are only good for specific cruise lines, due to size.

3. Cruise ship luggage restrictions

Cruise lines really don’t restrict how much luggage you can bring, although they do have guidelines. Most cruise lines suggest you limit your luggage to one or two pieces per passenger, with a luggage weight limit of 50 lbs.

That being said, your luggage won’t be weighed so don’t over-stress about it. However, you don’t want your luggage to be too heavy. If you’re flying in, just follow the airline’s guidelines. If you’re driving the port, use some common sense (you or the porters need to carry it).

On a 7 day cruise, 1 suitcase per person will be more than enough. I overpack (really I do) and we can do it! Here’s my easy and simple packing list that may be helpful.

4. Cruise line prohibited items

Obvious items that you are not allowed to pack or bring on your cruise include weapons and illegal drugs. I’ll let you check the cruise line’s website if you need more info on that.

Less obvious items that are not allowed on your cruise include irons, clothes steamers and candles as they are fire hazards. Power bars with surge protectors are also prohibited and will be confiscated.

5. Cruise carry-on luggage

In addition to your checked luggage, you’ll want to bring along a carry on bag of some sort. You’ll want to make sure that you keep your valuables and electronics in your carry on, as well as medications and anything that you may need for the first few hours of the cruise.

I have an entire post that goes into a ton of detail, so if you do want to know more its a good reading suggestion.

Recommended: Cruise Carry on Packing Tips

6. What time should you plan to arrive at the cruise port?

Although cruise lines may give you  recommended boarding time, you can usually board your cruise ship anytime between about 11 am and 2 hours before your ship is due to leave the cruise port. So plan on arriving at the cruise port within those times, possibly a little bit earlier if you need to park at the cruise port.

My personal recommendation is to plan on arriving at the cruise port early, so you can get on board as soon as possible, and fully enjoy the first day of your cruise vacation.

These days the embarkation process is much quicker and better organized than years ago, so don’t worry too much about long lines. Arriving between 12-1 will likely be the busiest so plan accordingly.

7. What to expect when arriving at the cruise port

You may be arriving by taxi, uber, hotel or cruise line shuttle (if you’ve flown in on the day of your cruise). You can also drive to to the cruise port and park on site in secure parking garage.

No matter how you arrive, be sure to have your cruise boarding documents and passports/government issued ID on hand. There may be security as you enter the port area and this will be requested.

If you drive in on your own, you’ll find ample parking on site. Check with your cruise port for parking rates (as they vary) and other specific information.

Luggage drop off

Once you are at the cruise port, you’ll notice that there are several cruise terminals. Your ship’s berth or terminal will be clearly indicated on signs and local drivers will be well aware.

I will let you in on a little secret. It is soooooo exciting when you see your ship for the first time – so look out for it! Heck, take a picture.

As you arrive at your ship’s terminal, it may be well organized chaos, but these folks know what they’re doing. You’ll be guided to drop your luggage with the porters before entering the building for check in. It’s a good idea to have a few small bills on hand as its customary to leave a small tip.

I’ve been asked before if this is secure and yes it is. Plus, your luggage is being put directly onto your ship so don’t worry – you’ll see your luggage again in a few hours when it’s delivered to your cabin.

Important: Remember to keep your cruise documentation, passports and ID and carry on with you. Do not give it to the luggage handlers in the midst of the excitement.

Luggage screening process

There is a screening process and luggage will be scanned and xrayed. In some cases suitcases may be opened so make sure not to lock them. Don’t pack any prohibited items to avoid any issues.

8. Cruise ship boarding security

Yes! Time to board your cruise ship! Almost…

Before you are officially allowed onto your cruise ship, you’ll go through a cruise ship boarding security as you enter the cruise terminal. The security check is similar, but less intrusive then at the airport. Basically they’re scan your carry on bags and any other items you have with you, and you’ll walk through a scanner as well.

9. The cruise check-in process

Checking into a cruise ship is way more fun than boarding a plane! Plus, cruise port staff is so helpful at guiding you to check in quickly, give you directions and answer any questions you may have.

There will be several check-in stations and usually some roped off lines where you’ll wait to check in. We have rarely had a long wait, and usually arrive before 11 am.

Once at the check in desk, you’ll need to show your cruise documents and identification, as well as to secure your credit card on the reservation for any additional expenses.

You’ll receive cruise cards which will be your stateroom key, onboard credit card and personal ID. In this way you can put away your cash and other identification while you’re on the ship.

I LOVE this! It’s so freeing not to have to walk around with cash and a purse or wallet. Cruising is the best!

To note: some cruise lines, like Princess Cruises, are beginning to use a new technology and system rather than a cruise card. However the basic check in process is the same, although you’ll likely find it even faster. If you’re cruising with Princess, you can read about our Ocean Medallion cruise experience .

10. Boarding your cruise ship

With your cruise cards in hand, you’ll be boarding your cruise ship soon! There may be a short wait, but there is lots of seating.

Tip: You’ll often receive a little folded cruise ship map along with your cruise card. That’s super handy to help get around for the first few hours on the ship, or day if you’re like me ;-).

Boarding time

This is always an exciting time for us that just never goes away. When we are finally called to board, we hop up like its our first cruise !

As you head towards the enclosed gangway (in most cruise ports), you’ll pass the ship’s photographer’s who’ll encourage you to take a boarding photo. We often still take a photo, as for us its a great souvenir. However, you can simply pass by and opt not to have a photo take.

As you enter your cruise-ship, you may have a quick photo taken as the security scans your cruise card.

And voila – welcome aboard – you’re on your cruise vacation!

11. What to do when you first get on your cruise ship?

Keep in mind that often the cabins are not ready for passengers, and are off limits until about about 1 pm. However, you are able to go around the rest of the ship and grab some lunch, which is what most people do.

Want a Tip? Research your ship ahead of time and find out what restaurants, other than the buffet, are open for lunch. It’s a great way to avoid the crowds and try out a restaurant while it’s still a well kept secret. We did exactly this on our recent Regal Princess cruise when we enjoyed a delicious lunch at Alfredo’s .

Recap: 11 cruise boarding tips you need to know

We’ve gone through the cruise boarding process; from doing your online check in, to embarking on your cruise ship.

Have you cruised recently? Are you going a cruise soon? Let me know your tips and ask me any questions (I respond to every comment).

Happy Cruising!!

If you enjoyed this, you may want to know more about what happen’s next. Read this post to get some great embarkation day tips.

P.S. If you found this post helpful, I’d really appreciate if you’d share it on social media so others can see it as well. Thanks so much!!

Let’s connect:

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18 Comments

Is there an advantage of putting funds on my cruise card or does it just link to my credit card?

Great question. I can’t see any benefit as it will link to your credit card in any case. If you don’t want a large bill at the end of your cruise, you could prepay your gratuities.

You can also purchase onboard credits, or sometimes family members may want to gift you onboard credits, which are used like cash on board. Do check on the terms and conditions if you do this, as I’m not sure if they funds would be refunded if you don’t use it all.

Hope that answered your question.

Enjoy your cruise!

I have gift cards. Do I present these with my credit card?

I’m not sure what the gift cards are, I’m sorry. I haven’t see these before.

If they are OBCs (on board credits), they will appear on your account.

If they are cruise gift cards, please call the cruise line to verify how they can be redeemed.

Have a great cruise!

Can you pay on your bill daily at the end of the night so the bill won’t be big at the end of cruise (cash payment)

Yes absolutely. That’s a great idea to make it more manageable!

I brought the drinks package ans I also paid for wine at the table for fine wines .. I can say that princess was best for this aa I often travel with cunard and just 6 bottles of my fave pouilly fume was 350 dollars plus tax where as princess 788 dollars allowed me ays hassel free unlimited ans my poulliy fume was only 24.14 dollar on board. Per bottle no hassle perfect cruising no stress .chef table was beautiful and wine tasting perfect trips out and the spa was great I used the wonderful deposit system to book asia on new majestic next year. Love cruising

So glad you enjoyed your cruise! Your Asia cruise sounds like a dream!!

I checked in on the Royal Caribbean app. Do I have to print off the pass or can I just show it on my phone?

Hi Jennifer,

While I’m not familiar with the specifics of the RC app, it’s a good idea to print the boarding passes. Most cruise lines do ask you to and it does make boarding go more quickly.

If in doubt, I suggest calling Royal Caribbean (customer service) directly for the answer to your question.

I’m going on my first cruise February 28, 2020 is a credit card required or a must have? I have a bank debit card ( ATM/ Debit) and a Chime card both with VISA logos are these allowed? I’m cruising on Carnival cruise line.

You a use a debit card, however my understanding is the cruise line will put a sort of hold on it. For your specific situation, it’s best to check with the cruise line and perhaps even your bank, as I’ve heard that it can take a few days after the cruise for the hold to be lifted in some cases.

Have a great cruise,

I leave on my dream 14 day cruise for Iceland in about 80 days. I have been watching the NEWS to see if the virus stops all travel. I booked it over a year ago. Now I hope We can go. I do not know, will wait and see. Hope your cruising is good. NCL texted me saying if I want a full refund, would give it to me up until 2 days before we board. If we go will we be on an almost empty ship. Fun is meeting new and interesting people and seeing things new to me. Will let you know what happens. Love your articles. Keep doing them please.

Hi Russell,

That cruise itinerary sounds amazing! Fingers crossed that in 80 days this virus is behind us! I agree a bit of wait and see at this point doesn’t hurt.

Thanks so much for your kind words! I really do appreciate it 🙂

Hi. Thank you so much for all of your articles, videos, and packing list! My arrival time at the terminal is 9AM … on NCL Bliss. What time will we be allowed to board?

Hi Jeanette,

That’s hard to say. Our experience was that boarding started around 11:30 or so on a past NCL cruise, however it may be different on your cruise. Enjoy!!

My sister and I are traveling together and she booked the Carnival Caribbean cruise. Will I have to heck in or just her?

Every guest needs to check in. However please check the requirements on your cruise line website and cruise documentation to be sure

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Boarding day cruise ship tips for 2022

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Boarding day cruise ship tips for 2022

The first day of a cruise is different than it was in previous years, so here’s some important things to do on day one to ensure a great start to your cruise vacation!

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Embarkation Day Cruise Tips For Easy Boarding

Embarkation day is a day for celebration because it’s the first day of your much-anticipated vacation. After months of planning, deciding on an itinerary, and choosing port excursions, your cruise vacation has finally arrived.

While some find the packing, flying into a new city, and the embarkation process a little unsettling, it doesn’t have to be. Here are some cruise embarkation tips to help make the process a lot less stressful.

Fly In The Day Before

Unless you live close to a cruise port, chances are, you are flying to another destination to begin your cruise. Flying into the debarkation port on the day of sailing can be extremely risky. If the airline delays the flight or you miss a connection, you could miss your cruise.

It’s advisable to fly in, at least a day ahead. If it’s a city you haven’t been to before and if intrigues you, why not plan to have a few extra days to visit? First-time cruise guests can take the stress out of getting to the cruise port by pre-booking a shuttle to the port through the cruise line.

Arrive Early

Although cruise lines assign passengers an arrival time, Sometimes, I find it best to plan an early arrival. While most cruise lines request you choose an embarkation line, the boarding time are often not enforced.

While most cruise ships leave at 5 pm, I have cruised out of Honolulu at 10 pm, giving me more time to board my cruise ship.

Arriving early also gives extra time just in case problems arise. I remember sailing out of Vancouver shortly after the United States implemented the ESTA (electronic system for travel authorization). 

I was unaware of the need for an ESTA form as my travel agent hadn’t informed me. There were also many others unaware too.

Officials told us to fill out the lengthy online form on one of the nearby computers. The problem was, only one computer was working. It took 1-1/2 hours to get my form done before I could go through immigration.

With four ships in port, the boarding process was prolonged. Luckily, I arrived quite early that day.

If you’re fortunate to board early, you can tour the cruise ship when it’s virtually empty. It’s the only time you will enjoy the swimming pool void of people, lol.

It’s essential to make sure all your documents are in order. Every cruise denies a passenger or two from boarding due to expired passports, no consent letter for traveling with a minor, lack of travel visas, or not having a valid passport.

Getting Your Covid Test

Post-pandemic, cruise lines have constantly changed their policies. With regulations often changing, this has left people scrambling to keep up with the rules of what’s required.

When Vancouver reopened its port after a 2-1/2 year closure, the embarkation process was slow, due to new staff and those trying to learn new procedures.

How To Check-in

As passengers arrive at the embarkation port, porters are waiting to collect their bags. So, drop your heavy luggage and while bag drop is free, remember to tip the porters.

The porters work for the port authority, not the cruise line. It’s suggested a dollar or two per piece is sufficient.

Before arriving at the port, make sure you’ve printed and attached your luggage tags to your baggage. Placing them in a plastic luggage holder  ensures they won’t rip off. 

The Check-in process is slightly different than registering at a hotel. Online check-in is preferable to speed up the process. Guests are required to bring ID (passport for international travel) and give a credit card number.

All expenses onboard are billed to that card at the end of the cruise. Those that do not have a credit card will need to provide a cash float. With cruise lines returning to cruising after the pandemic, most lines now leave your cruise cards at your stateroom door.

Long-time cruisers in loyalty programs have a priority boarding line. Carnival Cruisers allow passengers to purchase “faster to the fun” or FTTF for quicker boarding too.

At check-in, each member of your party receives a cruise card. Not only do they act as a stateroom key, but they’re used to buy drinks and onboard purchases.

Some cruise lines like Princess have gone to Medallion Class or Ocean Medallion , a disk that replaces the plastic credit-like card. With the ongoing pandemic, it’s likely more lines will move to medallion-style disks in place of cards. 

The cruise lines use the disks to do trace tracking should there be any cases of Covid-19 onboard. The disks are mailed to the passengers before the cruise, making the check-in process a breeze. 

Passengers have the option to purchase disk accessories so that the disks can be worn on a watch strap , necklace, belt clip, etc. And the accessories are reusable each time you cruise. 

If you’ve booked a fancy suite, especially those in the ship-within-a-ship cabins , you’ll have priority boarding and get access to your suite faster.

Should you be traveling to a country that requires a visa, all passengers need one, even if you don’t plan to get off at that port.

Bring A Day Bag

It can take a few hours before your luggage makes it to your stateroom, which is generally off-limits once you board your ship. Bringing a day bag is a smart idea if you need to change clothes into something cooler or take a dip in the outdoor pool.

When I fly to California or Florida (from Canada) in winter, my embarkation day bag includes a bathing suit, sunscreen, flip-flops, and summer clothes so I can change on the ship.

Once onboard, I can immediately enjoy the outdoor pool and lounging areas without waiting for my luggage to arrive.

Decorate The Stateroom Door

I know this seems a bit cheesy, but after you have unpacked your cruise essentials and put on your cruise ship lanyard , you should decorate your door. Why do you ask? Because all hallways and doors look the same.

Decorating your cabin door makes it unique, fun, and easy to find. Have you ever arrived at the wrong door and tried to enter that stateroom? It’s totally embarrassing!

After you’ve had a few drinks, who wants to be reading numbers when it’s easier to spot your uniquely decorated door. Why not get a personalized magnet ? It’s an excellent way to celebrate a special occasion too; like a birthday, honeymoon or anniversary.

Download The App

Once on board, put your smartphone on airplane mode and use the ship’s free Wi-Fi to download their app. I have used the apps on a few cruise lines and plan to use them a lot more.

The apps keep me up to date on onboard activities and allow me to set favorites, so my phone will let me know when an event is upcoming.

They also allow you to book specialty restaurants, spa treatments and view your onboard account. Some apps have navigation systems and will give you directions to places on your cruise ship.

Others allow you to communicate with fellow passengers or family. Carrying a smartphone and using an app is much better than carrying a daily newsletter.

Avoid The Buffet

Most cruise ships will start boarding at approximately noon and finish three hours later. When the majority of passengers arrive, they are generally hungry and head straight to the buffet.

Avoid the buffet because it’s crowded with hungry passengers with carry-on bags. Instead, head to a sit-down restaurant for a leisurely lunch.

On most of my cruises, the restaurant was often open, even when staff said it was closed. Since most are unaware there are other options, there are no line-ups, and it’s far more enjoyable to have a relaxing lunch in a slow-paced environment.

If you’re gluten-free (like me) or suffer from any significant food allergy, be sure to stop by guest relations on the first day. The staff will add a food allergy alert to your cruise card. That way, wherever you eat onboard, staff will know to notify the kitchen of your allergies.

Tour The Ship

Once you’ve had your fill of food, take some time to tour your ship and get familiar with its layout. With the vessel being partly empty, it’s nice to walk around and view areas that will typically be crowded.

Be sure to check out the ship’s gymnasium, restaurants, and spa. Most ships offer a spa tour on embarkation day with a free draw for spa treatments. You must be present when the draw takes place to win.

While most passengers enter to win, they don’t come back for the actual drawing, so your chances of winning are quite good. If you’re lucky, as I have been on two of my cruises, you’ll enjoy a spa treatment for free or receive a spa credit towards a treatment.

Keep your camera handy because if you prefer to get photographs without crowds of people, this is the time to do it. Touring the ship allowed me to discover hidden areas and secret decks.

On the Carnival Glory, there is an excellent place above the Lido that serves fish and chips and other authentic British food. On debarkation day, I spoke to passengers who had never found its location during the 7-day cruise.

If you have children, be sure to tour the children’s play areas and learn about the various kids’ clubs and services offered onboard. Embarkation day is the only opportunity to photograph the kids club areas. Due to privacy laws, photography is forbidden once the programs start and children are present.

Take the Stairs

After boarding, the main elevators are closed as porters deliver the luggage to passengers’ cabins. So, you’ll have to take the stairs instead. If you have mobility issues, walk to one end of the ship until you find a set of elevators that are not in use by the luggage porters.

Watch The Muster Drill

While no one likes muster drills, they are mandatory. For those cruising for the first time, a muster drill is a mandatory safety exercise to familiarize you with the location of your lifeboat and emergency procedures should one arise.

Thankfully, muster drills are available to watch on your smartphone or stateroom TV. Once you’ve watch the safety drill, you’ll need to check into your muster station to complete the drill. It will be interesting to see if this new program continues after social distancing is lifted.

Should you be booked on a back-to-back cruise, some cruise lines allow you to skip the safety exercise on the second leg of your vacation.

Take Advantage Of First Day Deals

On the first day of your cruise, your cruise line will offer a selection of deals. These can include internet packages, discounts on spa treatments on the first day.

Sometimes, you can get discounted prices on specialty restaurants on the first night. If you have never eaten at a specialty restaurant, embarkation day is the perfect time to try one.

The meals are spectacular and come at a fraction of the price of five-star land-based restaurants. Sometimes, drink packages are discounted on day one too. During my Celebrity Eclipse cruise, I took advantage of a deal at the Le Petit Chef specialty restaurant.

Embarkation day is a great time to meet new people and share cruise experiences. If you’re interested in viewing other stateroom types, try to join a cruise cabin crawl event . 

Meet Your Cabin Steward

Be sure to meet your cabin steward and remember his/her name. He/she will be taking care of your cabin needs for the next week. Ask for extra hangers if you need them (and probably will), bathrobes, and more towels.

If you have any other requests, be sure to convey these to your steward. I sometimes enjoy ice in my drinks, so I request fresh ice each evening. Some cruise lines have gone to optional turn-down at bedtime. If you still want this service, be sure to tell your room steward.

Some lines leave bedtime chocolate on the pillow each night. Since I’m lactose-intolerant, I request dark chocolate, which has no milk.

If you’ve kept your packing to a minimum , you can quickly unpack and head out to the pool deck to enjoy the sail-away.

Final Thoughts

Sail-away is the moment that your long-awaited vacation has begun. As the ship leaves port, it’s best to be on deck because some ports like Vancouver , Sydney, and New York offer spectacular views.

It’s an excellent time to mingle with others and meet fellow cruisers from all over the world. Most ships also host a sail away party in the evening. If you’re not exhausted from flying, be sure to join the fun and leave your troubles behind.

As you can see, embarking on a cruise ship doesn’t have to be stressful. In fact, after more than a dozen cruises, it’s routine to me. If you have any further tips to make your first day easier, I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Happy travels ~ Karen

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3 things first-time cruisers need to know before stepping foot on the ship

When Anne Crowley took her first cruise in July, she did not realize there was a dress code. She and her husband, John, along with their three children, took a Mediterranean cruise from Barcelona, and only learned when they got on the ship that the Royal Caribbean International ship had different themes for attire some nights. 

"So, one night is really formal, one night you wear all white, one night was Hawaiian night," Crowley, 49, told USA TODAY.

While the preschool teacher, who is based in Duxbury, Massachusetts, said they "lucked out" by bringing clothes that could pass for each category, that was one of several things Crowley wishes she knew before boarding a ship for the first time.

First-time cruisers may not be aware of those kinds of particulars, and taking your first voyage can present new considerations, from how to plan it to what to pack. This summer may be a particularly good time to try it: As travel costs have gone up amid inflation and high demand, cruises are a more affordable  option.

USA TODAY spoke with travelers and travel experts to get their tips.

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1. Figure out what kind of cruise you want and when to book it

First, consider where you want to go. Once you pick, Linda Speer, a travel agent affiliated with Virtuoso-member agency Brownell Travel, recommended working with a travel adviser who can help you pick the best time to go. Crowley worked with an adviser at My Path Unwinding Travel.

For Alaska cruises, for instance, the season runs from mid-May to mid-September, but in order to have "reliably good weather, you'd really want to go ... from Memorial Day to Labor Day," Speer said.

The itinerary can also impact other aspects of the voyage. Speer said some newbies opt to get their feet wet by taking a three-day cruise, but she warned that is a "terrible idea."

"The cruise lines usually put their oldest vessels on their shortest routes, so in order to go on the nicer ships, you need to primarily do a seven-day or longer cruise," Speer said. Longer trips also give first-time cruisers more time to get oriented.

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Cruise lines are all different, as well. 

"If they're purely looking for cheap, then we know to look at Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, not to worry about the more expensive ones like Holland America, Princess, Celebrity," said Geoffrey Millstone, owner of Clarksburg Travel Service.

But even if a cruise is affordable, air travel can add significantly to a trip's overall price tag. Driving to a closer port can present a less expensive alternative, said Speer.

And even with cruise lines that offer fares with drinks and other amenities included, she said her office will frequently "price it out naked," stripping away everything but the fare, taxes and fees. Then she can pick the packages or offers that make sense for each client. "If you're not going to use something, you don't really want to pay for it," she said.

As you're planning, pick your cabin carefully. "First-time cruisers usually are like, 'I don't really care what my room is like, I just want to go,'" said Speer. "And so I will tell them to get their smartphone or their book and go and sit in their walk-in closet and see how comfortable they are."

If you get claustrophobic, she said, you should avoid inside cabins, which do not have windows.

2. Prepare and pack accordingly

Before taking your first cruise, doing your own research can help. Denise Langner and her husband went on a Carnival cruise to the Bahamas for their honeymoon and to celebrate her birthday. While the 29-year-old's husband, Keefer, had cruised before, she had not, so she sought out wisdom online before their March trip.

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"I guess really the most helpful thing was browsing on Reddit, just trying to figure out the process of things," said Langner, who lives in Costa Mesa, California. "There's posts for first-time cruisers, like, tips and such, and I think I took a lot from that."

When it comes to your suitcase, though, consider taking less than you might think. Speer said many people overpack when taking their first cruise, typically bringing at least twice as much clothing they will use. All of your bags "will have to be stored in your cabin, and most of the time you can do that under the bed," she said.

3. Give yourself time to adjust on board

Once on board, you may need to adjust to the ship. If you are concerned about motion sickness, Speer recommended turning your cabin temperature down so it's cool, and standing in a "fully open outside area" as the ship sails away from shore, so you can watch the horizon disappear.

She said to do so for at least 30 to 45 minutes "because that will allow your brain to come into the realization that you're on something that's moving. Millstone said Sea-Bands work well, too.

Speer also recommended going to the top level of the ship and walking around each level that has public areas to familiarize yourself. 

If you have a watch, set it to the clock on the ship before you get off at ports, Millstone said, to make sure you are back when you need to be. A good rule, he said, is to always be on the ship an hour beforehand unless you're on a cruise ship tour.

Despite the attire surprise, Crowley said she and her family had a great first cruise. "I'm ready to book another one," she said.

10 Things You Won’t Be Able to Do on Cruises Anymore

Get on board with these cruising changes.

I t seems like just yesterday that the cruise industry was shut down completely. Now, every cruise line has a full fleet of ships on the water, and they’re dropping COVID restrictions and testing requirements. In July, the CDC also stopped tracking COVID cases on ships. As a result, the demand for cruises has soared, with eager travelers booking their favorite cruises —from couples cruises and  singles cruises to family-friendly options . If you’re one of those travelers, you should be aware of a few cruising changes before you set sail.

While the changes directly related to the pandemic tend to get all the attention, they’re not the only ones you need to know about. Others may seem subtle in comparison, but they’re actually incredibly significant for passengers, as well as for the health of the planet. Here’s what you can expect, from what kind of cruise you can book to what you’ll be drinking once you’re on board. When you’re up to speed, this info on cruise ship code words , hidden cruise ship features and the  things polite people never do on cruises will also come in handy.

Use a plastic straw

The Muster Station, a popular website for cruise tips , has calculated that the average cruiser uses five straws per day. With around 420,000 people cruising at any given time, that means more than 2 million straws are used on cruise ships every day—which works out to 750 million every year! Now, most of the straws you’ll see on cruises won’t be plastic. In 2018, the Norwegian coastal cruise line Hurtigruten announced its plan to become the world’s first plastic-free cruise company. Since then Royal Caribbean has also eliminated plastic straws, as have Carnival and Disney.

While straws may seem like a small step, they’re an important one. Around 27 million tons of plastic goes to landfills every year, while more than 11 million tons ends up in the ocean, with as many as 8.3 billion plastic straws polluting the world’s beaches. You may also want to invest in your own reusable straws and add them to your cruise packing list .

Consult a paper daily planner

One of the tiny joys of cruising is returning to your cabin after dinner and a show to find a towel animal and tomorrow’s schedule of events printed and placed on the edge of your bed. This is what cruising on Carnival was like for decades, but last summer, their ships stopped distributing the Fun Times program, pushing guests toward its HUB app to access show times, events and daily schedules. While the paper version is no longer placed in rooms each night, you can get a pared-down version from Guest Services. Other ships on the best cruise lines are following suit, and while it’s an environmentally sound decision, some cruisers miss referring to a tangible schedule to plan their days.

Cruise to nowhere

Once upon a time, you could board a cruise ship and drift off to international waters for a few days without a destination on the itinerary or a port of call to be called upon. It was called a cruise to nowhere, and it was quite popular for a short, inexpensive and thoroughly relaxing getaway. This is something you will not be able to experience again on a cruise, unless the ship has an all-American crew, which isn’t the case on big lines like Carnival, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean.

The reasoning is complicated, but it has to do with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security attempting to better enforce immigration laws and working visas often held by cruise ship members. As a result, foreign-flagged ships (those registered in the Bahamas, for example) can no longer sail without stopping at a foreign port at some point on their itinerary. Instead of a cruise to nowhere, you can take short vacations at sea that make just one port stop, including some of these all-inclusive cruises .

Take pictures with a drone

While the photo opportunities on cruises are delicious, drones are now off-limits on most cruise ships for the safety of the captain, the ship itself, the crew and other passengers. In fact, Carnival just jumped on the anti-drone bandwagon in May 2022. “There have been some instances where these drones have caused problems,” Carnival brand ambassador John Heald explained on Facebook. “We also had one recently where a drone pilot crashed very close to the ship in a port.”

Drones are also restricted in many ports, including Florida’s Port Canaveral and Port Miami. If you’re caught flying a drone in these areas, you could be slapped with a $5,000 fine and your drone could be destroyed by local authorities. You may still be able to fly your drone on smaller ships, including some of the most scenic America river cruises , but check with the cruise line first.

Contribute to overtourism

Overtourism is one of the silent problems of the travel industry. Back in 2018 at an industry conference, top executives at two of the biggest cruise lines, Carnival and Royal Caribbean, announced they were working with local communities to gain more insight into the impact of cruise tourism on their cities, town, infrastructure, people and nature environments. Because of this, cruise lines are now partnering with destinations to stagger the number of visitors.

This is smart business for the cruise industry too, as no passenger wants to step off a port into an unmanageable crowd. The goal of the cruise industry is to make destinations, especially those in the islands and shore excursions offered there, more sustainable. Royal Caribbean, in fact, employs only locals in their private Labadee Haiti port of call. It also provides space for Haitian craftspeople to sell their wares, boosting the local economy and providing well-paying, long-lasting employment for hundreds on the island. Here are more ways you can be a sustainable traveler .

Drink from a single-use plastic bottle

Norwegian has eliminated single-use plastic bottles, which once numbered more than 6 million per year across their ships. Instead, they now use JUST Water, which comes in fully recyclable paper cartons with a sugarcane-based plastic cap. The cruise line is also making an effort to stop using plastic shampoo and conditioner bottles. These moves are part of the company’s Sail & Sustain Environmental Program, which aims to minimize waste sent to landfills, reduce carbon emissions and invest in technologies to reduce its environmental footprint. Princess Cruises is also taking  steps toward sustainability , eliminating plastic, Styrofoam, paper napkins and more from their ships and private resort destination, Princess Cays.

Leave your cabin lights on all day

Like most European hotels, many cruise ships now employ a key-card system to operate the lights and power outlets in their cabins. This environmental measure means that you will need to insert your room key when entering your cabin to be able to flip on the lights and charge your devices. When you leave and take your key out, the room goes dark and energy is conserved. You may want to bring along a portable charger to make sure your devices are fully powered up when you’re out and about.

Know that fellow passengers are vaccinated against COVID

Starting in September on select Royal Caribbean cruises, unvaccinated individuals will be permitted to cruise, though they may be required to take a test and receive a negative result before boarding. And Norwegian, Oceania and Regent Seven Seas will completely end vaccination requirements in September as well. Princess is also adjusting how it handles unvaccinated guests: “Unvaccinated travelers 5 years old and older on voyages less than 16 days will have to get a PCR test or perform a home rapid antigen test within three days of sailing and upload proof of that negative test before boarding.”

Assume that everyone has tested negative for COVID

Similarly, many lines are ending their previous pre-embarkation testing requirements. In July 2022, Virgin Voyages was the first to no longer require proof of a negative COVID test to board, and Norwegian and Royal Caribbean quickly followed. While cruise lines still encourage passengers to test if they feel sick , and not sail if positive, the requirement to show proof of a negative test is being eliminated en masse.

Cruise on a ship operating at half capacity

Vaccinated cruisers willing to wear a mask and be brave in the months after the cruising industry restarted in earnest in the summer of 2021 were treated to a rare experience: fully functioning ships with a full crew but a fraction of the passengers. This meant that travelers enjoyed wide, open promenades, no waits for restaurants, few lines at the buffet and easy access to theatrical shows, live music, art auctions and more. As the CDC eliminates its COVID-related cruising requirements, several companies—including Celebrity, Royal Caribbean and Virgin Voyages—have dropped their pandemic-era capacity restrictions. That means those ships won’t set sail with half or fewer of the maximum passenger load, and you won’t have the ship practically all to yourself. Still, on the best adults-only cruises, family cruises and more, you truly won’t mind.