Cruise-Ship Employee Shares 9 Issues to Know Earlier than Reserving a Cruise

With countless quantities of meals, world-class leisure, and dreamy ocean views, cruises sound like a dream getaway for a lot of.

They are often fairly nice. Nonetheless, reserving a cruise is not at all times so easy. Take it from me — I’ve labored aboard a variety of ships for a number of years.

Right here are some things I believe you need to know earlier than planning your subsequent at-sea trip.

Not every little thing is included in your unique fare

It is a widespread false impression that cruises are all-inclusive.

Though most cruise traces embody your room lodging and limitless meals from the buffet and eating room, some issues will value further.

For instance, alcoholic drinks are normally not included, so you may should buy a drink package deal or purchase cocktails à la carte, which might add a hefty invoice to your getaway.

Different issues, reminiscent of WiFi, shore excursions, spa companies, specialty eating, {and professional} pictures, additionally usually value further — so ensure to funds for what you may wish to add to your expertise.

There are specific occasions of the 12 months when the waters are rockier

With large ships on the market longer than the Eiffel Tower is tall, you may virtually by no means discover that you simply’re floating in the midst of the ocean.

Nonetheless, tough waters can remind you within the worst means that you simply’re on a ship. When planning your cruise, strive to not guide your journey throughout usually stormy seasons, particularly when you’re liable to seasickness.

For instance, take into account avoiding cruises that sail within the Caribbean throughout its hurricane season or on the Atlantic Ocean within the winter, when seas may be tough.

Some port stops are shorter than visitors anticipate

Port stops are an superior strategy to discover a number of international locations in a single journey.

It is fairly widespread for visitors to get about eight hours in a port, however typically ships will solely keep in a single place for half a day. That is normally attributable to port guidelines or the set itinerary, because the boat must make it to the subsequent cease in time.

Be sure that to examine the itinerary occasions earlier than reserving your cruise when you’re hoping to spend extra time in a particular port.

You will have to sit down with different visitors at dinner

Though this custom is turning into outdated, there are nonetheless cases the place you could have to share a big desk at dinner with different visitors.

Generally, this project is given to you earlier than the cruise.

Though many benefit from the expertise of attending to know different passengers, don’t be concerned if you wish to preserve your group separate — simply speak to maître d’ when you board to request a brand new desk project.

The port arrival time listed on the itinerary is just not when you can exit the ship

I’ve seen many disillusioned passengers guide excursions with exterior operators and assume the arrival time listed is after they’ll be allowed to go ashore.

The arrival time is simply when the ship formally docks on the port. The vessel should then bear an inspection from native authorities and obtain clearance earlier than letting passengers off, which might take wherever between 20 minutes to over an hour.

If you need a extra correct thought of when you can depart, search for the “gangway clearance estimation” time, which can usually be listed within the ship’s actions information.

You may’t preserve the alcohol that you simply purchase in ports with you on the ship

Your plan to purchase 14 bottles of Mexico’s best tequila and do photographs in your stateroom later probably will not be attainable.

Sometimes, alcohol bought onshore must undergo a scanner upon reentry to the ship and will probably be checked in with safety till the top of the cruise.

In lots of circumstances, it will likely be delivered to your stateroom on the final night of the cruise.

There could also be formal and themed nights, so you need to pack accordingly

Though adhering to those gown codes is usually optionally available, I can not let you know what number of visitors have instructed me they want they knew there was a proper or themed night, like Seventies evening.

The entire leisure data is normally listed on the cruise line’s app or web site previous to the crusing, so ensure to examine it earlier than you pack.

Your cabin might not look the way you anticipate

Cabins on cruises vary from small, inside rooms with no home windows to suites as huge as a apartment condominium.

Both means, learn opinions on-line and ensure you see bodily photos of the sort (or class) of cabin you guide — particularly when you do it via a journey company — so you already know what you are getting.

It is a a lot totally different expertise to guide a room with two units of bunk beds and no window versus one with a picturesque balcony and particular person beds. 

Gratuity is routinely added for every passenger, however you may change it

Visitors normally examine their invoice on the final day of the cruise and panic after they see gratuity expenses underneath every particular person’s identify.

On most cruises, gratuity is routinely calculated at a per-person, per-day price on your servers and housekeeping crew, however you may change the quantity by speaking to the guest-services desk.

Simply you should definitely take into account the crew earlier than decreasing it — they’re very hardworking.

This story was initially revealed on November 7, 2021, and most just lately up to date on July 18, 2025.