Experts Sound Off on Right Way and Wrong Way to Cruise Vacation

by Sarah Kuta
Last updated: 11:40 AM ET, Fri May 23, 2025

Cruise vacations can be intimidating. There’s a lot to consider, from figuring out shore excursions to deciding whether to get the drinks package. And that’s only after you’ve narrowed down which cruise line to sail with, which ship to book, which region to visit and the dates of your trip.

A knowledgeable travel advisor can help. They’ve been there, done that, and can address all of your many questions and concerns. But, in the meantime, we asked a few cruise industry experts to share their best tips and advice around the “right” and the “wrong” ways to cruise. Here are some of their dos and don’ts.

Do: Embrace Traveling on Your Own

Think you can’t cruise because you don’t have anyone to travel with? Think again. Cruise lines are increasingly catering to solo travelers, with discounted fares and solo cabins for folks who are exploring the world on their own. So, go ahead and explore the world on your own.

River cruises are particularly solo-friendly. This year alone, for example, Riviera Travel is offering more than 50 departures dedicated to solo travelers, says Marilyn Conroy, Riviera Travel’s executive vice president of business development.

One of Riviera Travel's river cruise ships

“European river cruises are incredible options for solo travelers,” she says. “These itineraries eliminate the single supplement fee you would incur on a normal sailing, providing a cost-effective option. You will also meet and be surrounded by like-minded travelers.”

Do: Take Advantage of Group Booking Incentives and Perks

On the flip side, don’t be afraid to rally your friends, relatives and neighbors to go on a cruise with you. Many cruise lines offer special perks and booking incentives for groups traveling together, which means you can save money on your next vacation, says Conroy. Whether a family reunion, a milestone anniversary or a “just because” multi-generational vacation, an experienced travel advisor can help coordinate and plan your dream group trip.

“Ensure you are researching and capitalizing on group booking incentives, as planning together offers a seamless and affordable option,” Conroy adds. “Don’t miss out on saving opportunities.”

Do: Check Your Passport Expiration Dates Early

Nothing ruins a vacation faster than document issues, so remember to check your passport early to ensure it will be valid for your trip, says Nadia Folic, a cruise and vacation consultant with Expedia Cruises. A good rule of thumb is that your passport should have at least six months of validity from the return date of your trip. Otherwise, you’ll likely want to get it renewed—and that can take time, so plan ahead.

Do: Carefully Weigh the Pros and Cons of the Beverage Package

To buy the beverage package, or pay for drinks a la carte? It’s a big consideration when booking a cruise. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, but Folic recommends carefully considering both angles.

“Be honest with yourself, then do the math,” she says.

Carefully weigh the pros and cons of the drinks package

Do: Alert Your Bank

Don’t get caught in a stressful financial situation—like a frozen credit card—while you’re thousands of miles from home. Instead, remember to inform financial institutions, banks and credit card companies of your upcoming travels, says Folic.

“If a sudden charge is recorded [in another country], the credit card company may deny the charge as possible fraud,” she adds. “Not fun to clear up when you are on a tour and purchasing something at the gift shop.”

Do: Purchase Travel Insurance

Of course, you hope you never need to use it. But, if you do, you’ll thank yourself for purchasing travel insurance. Remember to read the fine print and compare plans, picking the one that will help resolve your biggest possible issue.

“Don't be cheap, but more importantly, don't minimize the importance of coverage,” says Folic. “For example, we hear stories of people being airlifted from a cruise ship for a medical emergency. Those can cost $20,000 to $100,000 and up, and that does not include any of the medical care needed. Do you have the insurance coverage for this? After the fact, can you be at peace that the $200 to $400 cost of insurance was worth that?”

Do: Arrive at Least One Day Before Embarkation

After all the planning and anticipation, the last thing you want to do is miss your cruise. Be sure to book flights that get you there at least one day early, says Gil Gamanche, owner of Sun World Travel, a TRAVELSAVERS affiliate in Tallahassee, Florida.

“Weather, airport or airline delays and other events could postpone your arrival and potentially cause you to miss your sailing,” says Gamanche. “There are literally thousands of individuals affecting your flight: think agents at the check-in counter, baggage handlers, air traffic controllers, even down to the people you pass on the way to the airport. If there is a minor hiccup somewhere, that could ruin your experience.”

He adds: “Arriving one day early reduces stress, helps you to get used to the time change, and makes for a much smoother adventure.

Do: Pack Smart in Your Carry-On

Remember to pack your medications, eyeglasses and any other important items you might need in your carry-on bag, not your checked luggage, says Gamanche. Also stash some common over-the-counter medicines, like aspirin and Pepto Bismol, just in case you need them.

And while you’re at it, go ahead and pack your bathing suit and sunscreen in your carry-on for the day you board your ship, says Sara Rohrbach, co-owner of Bernbach Travel, a NEST affiliate. That way, you can start taking advantage of the ship’s amenities right away, even if your room is not ready.

“Your luggage might be delayed getting to your stateroom,” she adds.

Do: Get Organized in Your Stateroom

You might be tempted to head straight to the buffet. But spend a little time unpacking in your stateroom first, suggests Marla Edwards, master cruise counselor with Creative Cruises and Tours, an affiliate of The Affluent Traveler Collection in Kerrville, Texas.

“If you unpack all your luggage and put the luggage under the bed, it will make the room seem larger after all your belongings are put away,” she adds. “You can also place little magnets on the wall to hold items.”

Do: Find a Seat at Shows Early

Cruise ship entertainment is truly incredible, from Broadway-caliber productions to hilarious comedians and more. If you can’t make reservations ahead of time, plan to get to the venue early, says Edwards.

“They will fill up fast and you might have to miss them,” she says.

Do: Go With The Flow

Yes, your cruise has an itinerary. But plans can—and often do—change, especially on small ships or expedition cruises, says Todd Smith, president and founder of AdventureSmith Explorations. So, just roll with it.

“Detours often lead to the most incredible memories,” he says. “If you find yourself getting caught up in the minute itinerary day-by-day descriptions, aim to step back and trust that your captain and crew will show you the best of what’s out there.”

AdventureSmith Explorations in Australia

Do: Live in the Moment

Taking a few photos and videos is fine, but don’t become so fixated on getting the “perfect shot” to show your friends back home that you miss out on the moment entirely, says Smith.

“An example we often give is for taking photos of whales,” he says. “Nine times out of 10, they don’t do the moment justice via replay.”

Do: Visit the Bridge

It’s not possible on every ship. But if the bridge is open, Smith highly recommends making your way up there.

“Not only do you get the best views, you also can get special insight from the captain and crew on everything from whales to tales from their lives at sea,” he says.

Don’t: Overpack for Your Cruise Vacation

Today’s cruise cabins are relatively spacious—but that doesn’t mean you should bring the kitchen sink along for your vacation. Pare down your packing list to just the basics—you probably don’t need to bring as many outfits as you think you do.

“Focus on essentials and versatile clothing, while also considering the cruise's dress code to ensure you're prepared for any formal or casual events,” says Conroy.

Rohrbach echoes that sentiment.

“I always tell clients to pack and then take half out,” she says.

Don’t: Miss Out on Social Elements of the Cruise

You might feel like retreating to your cabin after a long day of adventuring. But, if you do, you’ll miss out on connecting with people from around the world—and that’s a huge part of the fun of traveling. Make socializing a priority and try to attend as many activities and gatherings as you can.

“Don’t miss out on the onboard social events and shared meals, you’ll have the chance to connect with like-minded travelers and never know what fascinating stories you may hear,” says Conroy.

William Wordsworth river cruise ship, Riviera Travel

Don’t: Wait Until the Last Minute to Review Emails

Your travel advisor works hard to get you all the information you need for a successful trip. Don’t wait until the day before your trip to check email and review important documents, says Folic.

Don’t: Post Photos While You Are Away

You may be inclined to post photos and videos to social media while you’re traveling. But, to be safe, Folic says it’s best to restrain yourself and wait until you get back home.

“It advertises to people that you are not home,” she says.

Don’t: Pack Important Items in Your Checked Luggage

Don’t pack electronics, medications, one-of-a-kind important items, and liquids in glass containers in the checked suitcase,” says Folic.

“You would think this would be common sense, but I recently had a traveler who packed meaningful jewelry and a bottle of wine in the checked luggage,” she says. “Not all the jewelry returned and the bottle was shattered.”

Don’t: Count on Ship WiFi

Yes, it’s true that ship WiFi is actually pretty good these days—and many cruise lines have upgraded to Starlink satellite internet service. But you just never know. It’s best not to depend on WiFi on the ship for important work or personal matters, says Rohrbach.

“Plan accordingly to not have service, then if you do, it's a bonus,” she says.

Don’t: Skip the the Safety Drill

Especially if you’ve cruised before, you might consider skipping the safety drill, which usually takes place the first afternoon or evening of the cruise. But, according to Rohrbach, you should prioritize attending.

“Remember that every ship is different, even if you have cruised before,” she adds. “This is there for your protection in case an emergency should arise.”

Don’t: Wait in Long Lines to Disembark

Once aboard your cruise, don’t wait in a long line to get off the ship, says Gamache.

“Take a comfortable seat in one of the lounges and relax,” he says. “Look over the side if you can, and once you see passengers going ashore, you can head for the gangway and not have to wait.”

Don’t: Schedule Early Return Flights

Getting off the ship can take longer than you expect. Don’t schedule your return flight earlier than 11 a.m. or whenever the cruise line suggests, says Edwards.

Don’t: Get Left Behind

It’s truly every traveler’s worst nightmare: being left behind by your cruise ship. To avoid this vacation-ruining experience, keep a close eye on the time while you’re in port, says Edwards.

“You need to be able to get back to the ship in plenty of time for the departure,” she says.

Don’t: Try to Reserve Pool Chairs

We’ve all seen it: towels and items of clothing strategically placed on chairs on the bustling pool deck. But this is inconsiderate to other guests.

“The ships’ pools have a limited number of chairs,” says Edwards. “Don’t reserve chairs at the pool or leave your belongings on them if you’re not using them.”

Don’t: Get Too Hung Up on Cabin Selection

When you’re in the planning stages, it’s natural to become focused on the types of cabins available and which one you should choose. But Smith recommends not getting too hung up on your accommodations.

“You’ll find you spend most of your time outside of your cabin, other than sleeping of course,” he says.

Don’t: Obsess Over the Weather

You might want to research the best time to visit a destination based on the weather. But, particularly in places like Alaska or Antarctica, the weather can be unpredictable, no matter what time of year you cruise. So, try not to obsess over the weather too much. Instead, spend your energy on what you can control—your packing list.

“There's no bad weather, only bad gear,” says Smith. “Focus on acquiring the right gear. This way, no matter what happens with the weather, you are prepared for a good time.”

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