Ahoy cruisers!
We've put together a list of 12 big mistakes that cruises always seem to make.
Let's see if we can help you save some time and money.
But first don't forget to subscribe to our channel because it would be a big mistake if you don't.
So tip number 1 is not researching the ship properly.
Every single ship and every single cruise line caters to a different type of traveler.
If you're the type of person that is looking for a relaxing vacation experience
you don't want to end up on a booze cruise do you.
Absolutely and there is ships for every type of person.
So different strokes for different folks as they say.
So if you don't pick the right cruise line
you could end up on a cruise that's really not for you.
One that's full with families or one that's full with just a lot of mature people and you're a family.
So you obviously want to do your research.
Look into the different companies and to the different specific ships
to see what activities, entertainment and facilities they offer.
Also the time of year that you sail may bring a different crowd.
So if you're sailing during the school holidays, you're gonna see more families
and if you're on short cruises they tend to be a bit more hectic and be a bit more of a booze cruise.
Absolutely and we say don't just go for the first cruise that looks really cheap.
Make sure you do your research because there might be lots of hidden extra charges.
Such as dining, drinks and things on board that you're gonna have to pay afterwards.
So mistake number 2 is booking shore excursions on the ship.
Yeah, they can be super, super expensive.
You're talking three four times more expensive
than if you were to book them through a port excursion provider.
Or just do them DIY.
So just get in a taxi or use a local transportation.
The thing is though.
You've got to make sure you use a reputable company who provides shore excursions.
To make sure that you get back to the ship well in advance of the time of the ship leaving.
Because the only difference between excursions booked on the cruise line
and excursions booked off the cruise line
is that when you book some on the cruise you're guaranteed to get back
so you don't miss your ship.
That is super important.
So make sure you use a company that's going to get you back with plenty of time.
Port stops are not guaranteed.
For example you may not be able to dock due to bad weather.
Look for a company that will refund you if you are not able to do your excursion.
So, mistake number 3 is traveling to your departure port on the same day of your departure.
Yeah. It's a very big risk.
If you are in the car there may be traffic on the roads.
Your plane might be delayed and you don't want to miss the ship
Because it won't wait for you.
We recommend try to get there the night before and staying in a hotel.
Exactly. Anything could happen to stop you getting there
and just for peace of mind alone.
It's only a few extra dollars, or pounds, to book that hotel room.
Plus, you get an extra night on your holiday.
Mistake number 4 is buying a drinks package when you don't need one.
Yeah these can be super expensive.
So what we recommend is that you check how much you would normally drink on in a day.
Find some menus online to see how much the drinks are on your cruise
and see if you're actually going to spend that amount.
Because it can be upwards of a $100 per day which is so expensive.
And drinks packages are not unlimited on some cruise lines as well.
Sometimes it's limited to sort of 12 - 15 drinks.
So you're not going to get your values worth if you're only buying beers and wines
and not the really expensive cocktails.
If you have a drinks package, but you're not making your money's worth out of it.
You feel the need to constantly be getting drinks just so that it's worth the value of money.
This is super hard when you're on a week's cruise.
Because drinking every single day to that amount is really hard work.
Yeah particularly if you have a lot of pots.
You are not going to be on the ship that much.
Mistake number 5 is cruising at the wrong time, in the wrong season.
The hurricane season can lead to port cancellations
and bad weather in the Caribbean.
You've have the off season in Alaska which can lead to bad weather again.
Also, out of season in the Mediterranean is hit and miss with the weather.
You can have sunshine or you can have to torrential rain.
And holidays make a big difference to your cruise.
Cruising during the kids holidays
which is in the summer or during Christmas
or during big celebrations like Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, things like that.
There's going to be loads and loads of kids and families onboard.
So that can dramatically change the way your cruise is.
And obviously during bad weather.
You're going to be having more movement on the ship as well.
So if you do suffer from seasickness it's best to cruise when the weather's a little bit nicer.
Number 6 is not purchasing travel insurance.
Yeah this is a big "no no" guys.
You have to buy travel insurance.
Because you could be left with massive fees from the medical center
if something was to happen.
Touch Wood!
You have to make sure your insurance includes full cruise cover
for all of the destinations that you're going to be visiting on the cruise.
You don't want to end up with big medical bills do you.
Plus, if you have to cancel your cruise because of circumstances outside of your hands.
For example, if maybe you injure yourself before sailing.
Then you need to have travel insurance to claim your money back.
Because you won't get a refund from the cruise line.
Also it covers other things such as
Cancelled flights, lost baggage and other travel needs.
Mistake number seven, it's a murky one, is not washing your hands.
It's really surprising how many times we see people leave a bathroom
without washing their hands.
You need to keep healthy and hygienic on a cruise.
So make sure that you wash your hands regularly
and we recommend taking a little portable hand sanitizer
just to keep those germs away.
The amount of people who just bypass the wash stations before a buffet
it's just shocking.
It's not just for your own health.
It's the health of your family and other people on board.
Nobody wants a ruined cruise because of norovirus spreading around the ship.
Tip number 8 is booking the wrong cabin.
Tf you are prone to suffer from motion sickness.
The best location for you
will be towards the middle of the ship and lower down.
That's where you're going to get the least movement on the ship.
And if you are prone to claustrophobia and don't like enclosed spaces.
An inside cabin probably isn't for you.
So a balcony cabin where the doors can open
is probably going to be the better choice.
Also think about the type of cabin that you book.
If you're going to be using the cabin just to sleep and get changed and showered.
Why not go for an inside cabin and save some money?
Or if you go for a balcony cabin.
Think are you going to be using the balcony?
Is it a cold cruise? We you even be out there?
and you could actually save more money by booking an ocean view instead.
So, mistake number 9 is trying to fit everything in
and do everything on your first day of the cruise.
We've done this so many times.
Guys, slow down.
Take your time.
You have the whole cruise to enjoy the ship.
I know the big ships can be overwhelming.
A good tip here is to miss a port that you're not too fussed about
or even do a half-day in a port because the ship is much quieter while it's docked.
Mistake number 10 is not making reservations before you sail.
You've got to make reservations for loads of things nowadays.
Especially on the newer, bigger ships.
Things like activities, the lazer tag, escape rooms, even entertainment.
Some ships now make you book shows for the big Broadway style shows.
You can usually do this beforehand
on your cruise planner or by logging in on your cruise lines website
or using the app on your phone.
It's really easy to be disappointed if you don't get in there early.
Especially with some ships, like Disney.
Their dining - so there are two dining restaurants on board their ships
- well on the bigger ships you've got Palo and Remy -
book out months in advance.
So if you want to get in there and get your favorite restaurants
make sure you book nice and early.
Mistake number 11 is saving seats and places for other people.
This is so annoying.
What you think? Do you agree with us?
We've seen people save whole rows in a theater
and it's not fair.
It is first-come first-serve.
We don't mind saving a seat or two for your family. That's absolutely fine.
But like David said. When people are saving massive rows.
It is super, super annoying.
You've got people climbing over you every two seconds.
Oh! Same goes for sun beds as well.
Now this can be a real big problem.
An issue with cruising is that people tend to get up really early
chuck their tower onto a sun-bed.
And just leave it there all day. Get the best sun beds.
It's really annoying and what can happen
and is happening much more often
is the staff are coming around and checking
who's been there and who hasn't been there.
Then removing personal belongings and towels.
We've seen it cause fights and everything haven't we.
Yes we've actually seen fights on cruises
and we've actually seen people reserving 2 sun-beds.
One for the morning and one for the afternoon. [Ben] Crazy.
I'm sorry is just greedy isn't it.
It's not fair.
It's unfair on the other passengers.
Not good.
So, our final cruise mistake is paying for the Wi-Fi.
Unless you get a super good deal package
these are usually really expensive.
So just stay away from it.
Let me tell you.
Most of the ships we've been on have awful Wi-Fi.
It's super slow.
And so super annoying that it's just not worth the money in the first place.
You can get free Wi-Fi in ports.
In cafés, restaurants and even McDonald's offer free Wi-Fi.
Good tip tip there. I always look for McDonald's for the free Wi-Fi.
Exactly so you can save a lot of money
and you're on holiday as well.
It's super annoying that you're trying to get online.
Ships Wi-Fi is not fantastic.
Some maybe.
It's a big cost.
Some charge you pair megabytes.
Some charge you pair minute.
Either way it always ends up costing a fortune.
We've made this mistake so many times haven't we.
Particularly when we first started cruising.
It's so tempting to update your social media.
It's super slow.
Wanting to post every photo.
And now we're just like: Look, if we can't get the Wi-Fi at a good price.
We're not bothered. It's okay.
We will catch you in the next port.
So guys that's it for our 12 biggest cruise mistakes.
We hope you enjoy them.
Please leave your comments in the section below.
Of all the biggest mistakes that you've made and we might pop them in our next show.
We would love to know if you've made any big cruise mistakes.
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So that's it till next time.
Happy Cruising!