Don't Let These Cruise Blunders Sink Your Vacation
Cruising can be a fantastic way to travel and see multiple destinations while enjoying the amenities of a floating resort. However, even the most seasoned cruisers can make mistakes that can turn their dream vacation into a nightmare.
From choosing the wrong cruise style to underestimating the costs, there are several potential pitfalls to be aware of when planning a cruise.
Here are some of the biggest mistakes people make when they choose a cruise and how to avoid them.
Also read: Why Travel Protection is Crucial for Cruise Trips
They misinterpret their cruise style
Sure, you love the nightlife, you love to boogie.
No you don’t. You like a nightcap in a quiet lounge, and then off to bed at 10:30.
You also think an onboard racetrack is cool until you realize it’s populated entirely by caffeinated 14-year-olds who think it’s Grand Theft Auto 29.
The beauty of cruise ships is they offer a cruise experience for everyone. The awful thing about cruise ships is that if you pick the wrong experience you’re going to be stuck with people who are nothing like you doing things you wouldn’t dream of doing.
But that always turns out great in the movies, right? Hugh Grant meets Julia Roberts and suddenly the fact that the only entertainment onboard is a Cats movie marathon doesn’t matter anymore.
Hate to break the news, but a cruise ship isn’t a rom-com. You need to really ask yourself the sort of cruise experience you want, and then seek out a ship that delivers that experience.
You may wind up paying more, but the payoff is going to be much more than the pay-in.
Also read: How to Choose the Best Cruise Line for You
They think ports-of-call don’t matter
Here’s a truth: After a couple of days on a cruise ship, you’re really going to want to get off the cruise ship. It doesn’t matter if an entire theme park was somehow shoehorned on board. You’re going to want to get off the boat.
You'll want to stroll through charming streets, browse local markets brimming with unique souvenirs, and savor authentic cuisines prepared with regional flair. The ports-of-call present a chance to mingle with locals and experience the distinct character of each stop.
And you know what: It would be nice to do all this in a place that’s somewhat scenic, historic, and cool, with little side streets you can wander down and be enchanted.
You never know but Hugh Grant’s bookstore might be down one of them.
Ports-of-call matter. Choose places you’ve always wanted to visit and visit them. Maybe Venice will be a disappointment. But at least you’ll know.
They forget how much everything costs
On many cruise ships, the really good stuff costs. The good activities, the good restaurants, the good drinks, the good internet – they all cost.
And they can cost a lot.
If you want to really enjoy your cruise, do your research before you leave. If you like a pour of Remy Martin after dinner, understand how much it will cost onboard.
If you come up with a wish list of shore excursions, add up the cost and run it up against your budget and see who wins.
Most cruises are “all-inclusive” in promo-brochure name only. Understand that before you leave.
They pick the wrong cabin
Just this side of the people who live on cruise ships is another sub-species that exists to get screamin’ deals on cruises.
They’re real – the deals and the people. But when it comes to the deals, check out the details.
One of those details is the ship’s layout. Even if you plan on spending zero time in your cabin, you still have to sleep. If the bargain cabin is not someplace dark, quiet, and cool, your ability to sleep may be compromised. And no one wants that.
If considering a bargain cabin, examine the ship’s layout before you book and be sure you’re not near:
- The engine room
- Clubs and discos (above, below, or on either side)
- The gift shop
- Stairwells and elevators
Really understand everything having to do with your “bargain” cabin. If it doesn’t meet your standards, it’s not a bargain. Move on.
Also read: The Ultimate Cruise Packing Checklist
They overindulge
While cruise ships offer a plethora of exciting activities and amenities, it's easy to get carried away and overcommit yourself. From participating in too many shore excursions to signing up for every fitness class and event, the temptation to pack your schedule can be strong.
However, attempting to do it all can quickly lead to exhaustion and burnout, diminishing the enjoyment of your vacation. You may find yourself rushing from one activity to the next, with little time to truly savor the experiences or simply relax.
Strike a balance by carefully selecting the activities that genuinely interest you and leave ample room for downtime. Remember, a cruise is an opportunity to unwind and recharge, not an endurance test of how many activities you can squeeze in.
Overindulging in onboard offerings can also strain your budget if you're not mindful. Many premium experiences, such as specialty dining, spa treatments, or exclusive shore excursions, come with additional costs that can quickly add up.
Prioritize the activities that truly matter to you and resist the urge to overcommit. A well-paced cruise itinerary will leave you feeling refreshed and satisfied, rather than drained and regretful.
And, when it comes to exhaustion, there can even be medical implications. While it’s good that cruise ships have medical care onboard, it’s not good once the bill comes. It’s generally higher than what you’d pay on land, and your health insurance is highly unlikely to cover it.
Fortunately, travel protection with coverage for medical emergencies – like one of the three plans available from Generali Global Assistance – can help reimburse those expenses, so you can get on with your cruise.
They travel during hurricane season
It’s unfortunate that hurricane season coincides with the time when many people are better able to travel.
Sorry about that. You’re going to want to discuss that with the jet stream.
Regardless of how bad the timing is, hurricane season is real, it’s unavoidable, it happens every year, and you should take it into account when you travel.
Now, there’s research that shows that the southern Caribbean – Aruba et environs – is less susceptible to hurricanes than the northern Caribbean, but the thing is, you often have to cruise through the northern Caribbean to get to the southern, so that’s an issue.
What is helpful is buying travel protection for any cruise you might take during hurricane season – and any cruise at all, actually.
If you buy travel protection before a storm is forecasted, and the storm causes your cruise to not cruise, Trip Cancellation coverage kicks in.
In addition, Trip Interruption coverage can cover you if a big storm kicks up while you’re at sea.
Check before you go: U.S. Hurricane Risk Map
Travel insurance can’t help if you misdiagnose your cruise type, overstep your budget, or make a poor buying decision, but it can help with a lot of other things that can go wrong with your cruise.
Generali Global Assistance has covered cruises and cruisers for years. And getting a quote is quick and painless.
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