According to research, the cruise industry welcomed 29.7 million passengers in 2019 and 13.9 million passengers in 2021.
Taking your first cruise vacation can be a daunting experience. There are so many things to remember and so many choices to make.
A lot of people make mistakes on their first cruise, which can ruin the whole experience.
But don’t worry. We’re here to present the top 5 mistakes to avoid so you can have a great time without stressing!
1. Choosing the Wrong Cabin Type
There are plenty of cabin types to choose from, depending on how many passengers you’re traveling with and your budget. You can go for inside cabins (less expensive), outside cabins (more expensive), or balconies (most expensive).
If you want to save money, an inside cabin is a great option. Of course, you’ll have to be okay with not looking out the window, but that’s a small price to pay for saving money.
If you’re traveling in a group of 4 or more, book 2 cabins and open the wall between them. The living room will become your bedroom and each passenger gets their own bed.
2. Not Understanding Port Arrangements
You can find the itineraries for each cruise voyage on any cruise line’s website before you buy. On these itineraries, you will find information about the ports of call.
You should print out this information so that it is readily available when you embark on your vacation.
It is much easier to have this information when you need it than to be searching for it when you are tired and jetlagged.
3. Failing to Book Shore Excursions in Advance
Some people feel important when they do shore excursions. They like to go on tours or ride in a helicopter. You need to book these well in advance because they can fill up quickly.
Some people would like to have English-speaking guides but sometimes there is no guarantee because it’s less expensive if you don’t use an English-speaking guide.
Remember that some ports might not take credit cards and you need cash for some things
4. Skipping the Pre-Vacation Sea Trial
No matter how fancy your cabin is, it is important to test out the ship. This way, you can see what your new home is like.
You will also be able to see if the ship has any problems or not. An experienced crew member can answer any questions you might have about living onboard the ship.
5. Not Understanding Costs Before You Go on Board
If you don’t understand all of the costs before boarding, you might be surprised by your bill at the end. For example, many cruises for families charge “gratuity charges.”
These charges are mandatory for most guests. On some high-end lines, these charges can be $110 per day.
You will also have to pay service fees and photo charges (some as much as $25 for ONE picture). There are also surcharges, such as corkage or fuel supplement fees, which may not be included in the cost of tours.
With this in mind, it’s always good to have a cruise vacation budget so that you don’t overspend and get yourself in unnecessary financial difficulty.
You can learn how much it costs when booking a cruise at sites like cruisehive.com.
Enjoy Your First Cruise Vacation With Confidence
The bottom line is that if you are planning your first cruise vacation, there are a few things you can do to make sure it is an enjoyable experience. Remembering the tips in this article can help you plan your cruise with skill and expertise.
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