Tips & Tricks

← Back to Cruise Ships

Expert Tips for Cruise Ships

Cruise vacations offer an exciting blend of relaxation, entertainment, and adventure. Whether you’re a first-time cruiser or a seasoned traveler, mastering the ins and outs of cruise ship travel can dramatically enhance your experience. This guide covers proven strategies to help you maximize your time aboard, stretch your budget, and avoid common pitfalls.

Getting Better Faster

Download the Ship’s Mobile App Before Boarding

Most cruise lines offer dedicated mobile applications that let you review your itinerary, check dining schedules, and explore onboard activities before you board. Installing the app in advance and familiarizing yourself with the ship’s layout and available amenities means you’ll hit the ground running and won’t waste time figuring out where everything is located on your first day.

Attend the Muster Drill Early

The mandatory safety drill happens on your first day, but attending it promptly and paying close attention helps you understand emergency procedures and meet crew members. This also gives you a chance to explore different decks and get oriented to the ship’s geography while everyone else is still unpacking.

Introduce Yourself to Your Dining Room Server

If your cruise includes assigned seating for dinner, make a genuine effort to learn your server’s name on the first night and thank them for their service. Building a quick rapport with your server and cabin steward leads to better attention throughout your cruise and often results in improved service quality and special touches.

Learn the Ship’s Daily Newsletter Schedule

Each evening, cruise ships deliver a newsletter outlining the next day’s activities, special events, and dining options. Reading this quickly helps you plan which activities and restaurants to prioritize, ensuring you don’t miss experiences you’re interested in and can avoid overcrowded venues during peak hours.

Get Your Key Card and Understand Its Functions

Your key card does far more than unlock your cabin—it charges purchases, serves as your boarding pass, and grants access to different areas of the ship. Understanding what each function does prevents delays and confusion throughout your vacation.

Time-Saving Shortcuts

Pre-Book Shore Excursions and Dining Reservations

Booking these services before your cruise eliminates lines and guarantees your spot in popular restaurants or activities. Many cruise lines offer discounts for advance bookings, and you’ll save significant time by not waiting to book onboard where lines are lengthy and premium options may sell out.

Use Onboard Dining Flexibility to Your Advantage

Most modern cruise ships offer flexible dining options where you can dine at any time within a set window rather than adhering to fixed seating times. This flexibility lets you eat when you’re hungry, avoiding long waits by dining slightly off-peak hours like 5:30 PM or 9:30 PM instead of the crowded 7:00 PM rush.

Locate and Use Self-Service Elevators During Peak Hours

Ships have multiple elevator banks, and some are designated for crew use. Learning which elevators see the least traffic during busy times—like after dinner—helps you move around the ship efficiently without waiting in crowded elevator banks.

Check Port Times the Evening Before

Review your port departure times each evening so you’re not surprised in the morning. Set a phone alarm for well before departure time, allowing you sufficient time to return from shore activities without stress or risk of being left behind.

Money-Saving Tips

Bring Your Own Beverages and Snacks

Most cruise lines allow guests to bring bottled water, non-alcoholic beverages, and snacks in their carry-on luggage. Stocking your cabin with these items reduces the temptation to purchase expensive drinks and snacks throughout the day, potentially saving $10-20 per person daily.

Skip the Specialty Dining for Some Meals

While specialty restaurants offer excellent cuisine, your cruise fare includes access to main dining rooms and buffets with quality food and enormous variety. Mix specialty dining with included venues to enjoy premium experiences without paying extra for every meal.

Book Your Cruise During Wave Season

Wave season (January through March) sees cruise lines offering their deepest discounts of the year to stimulate bookings. Planning ahead and booking during this period can save hundreds of dollars compared to booking closer to your travel date.

Use the Included Fitness Classes and Entertainment

Ships offer complimentary fitness classes, cooking demonstrations, trivia contests, and live entertainment throughout the day. Taking advantage of these included activities provides excellent value and keeps you entertained without additional spending.

Quality Improvement

Arrive at Ports Early for Better Exploration

If you’re not booking a shore excursion, tender services can create delays getting ashore. Waking early and being among the first off the ship gives you several uninterrupted hours to explore ports before crowds arrive and popular shops become congested.

Seek Out Hidden Gems and Quiet Spaces

Ships have numerous quiet lounges, adult-only pool areas, and tucked-away bars that most passengers never discover. Exploring beyond main thoroughfares reveals peaceful refuges perfect for reading, working, or simply enjoying solitude away from crowds.

Dine at Different Times and Venues

Rather than following a predictable routine, vary your dining locations and times each day. Breakfast at the buffet one morning and room service the next, dinner at the main dining room one evening and a specialty restaurant the next creates variety and helps you experience different aspects of the ship’s culinary offerings.

Attend Trivia and Contests for Fun Prizes

Cruise ships host numerous trivia contests, shuffle board competitions, and games throughout the day with prizes ranging from drink vouchers to onboard credits. Participating adds competitive fun to your vacation and can result in tangible rewards for your participation.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

  • Motion sickness: Request a cabin midship on a lower deck where movement is minimized. Bring ginger candies or motion sickness medication, and focus on the horizon when on deck to reduce symptoms.
  • Dining room assignment disappointment: Contact guest services immediately if your assigned dining time or table isn’t suitable. Crew members are often able to accommodate changes, especially if you ask politely and early in the cruise.
  • Internet connectivity issues: Purchase internet plans in advance rather than onboard for better rates. Test connectivity in your cabin early and report issues to tech support immediately so they can troubleshoot.
  • Missed tender back to ship: Contact guest services immediately if you’re running late returning from a port. They may hold the tender or advise you on alternative arrangements, but waiting until the last minute eliminates options.
  • Cabin cleanliness concerns: Politely inform your cabin steward on the first day of any cleaning preferences or issues. Establishing good communication prevents problems from escalating throughout your cruise.
  • Lost or damaged luggage: Report baggage issues to guest services within 24 hours and keep all baggage tags and receipts. Take photos of valuable items before packing to document condition if damage occurs.
  • Overcrowded venues and shows: Attend popular shows during matinee performances or second showings rather than peak evening times. For buffets, eat slightly off-peak times to avoid the worst congestion.