Picking a cabin category can be tough—the industry’s biggest ships often have more than 20 varieties spanning different sizes and features—so make sure the one you choose is a good match for your own
personal cruising style. Lowest-priced cabins, for example, might carry an attractive rate, but result in potentially claustrophobic and windowless “inside” quarters. If you’re planning on being out and about on the ship and in port for the vast majority of your sailing, though, there’s little point in splurging on a top-tier suite. Factor in preferences like size, views, amenities, and price. Individual cabin location is another important parameter: Consider where you will be spending most of your time on board (you might want the spa or pool deck within skipping distance, for instance), nab a good spot for stability if you’re prone to
seasickness (on a lower-level, mid-ship deck), and be sure to avoid potentially noisy staterooms near or under the pool deck or nightclub.
Don’t fly to your port of call the day of your cruise
Unlike on a land vacation, your roving holiday has a firm departure time. Cruise ships hardly ever wait for delayed flights, so if you’re not within driving distance of your embarkation port—especially if you’re cruising in winter, when snow can ground planes—you’ll want to fly into port the day before your sailing. The price of an overnight hotel stay is worth the peace of mind you’ll get in return. Plus, you’ll get to take full advantage of that first cruise day, or have an added day of sightseeing to tack onto your trip. One exception: If you live in a major city and have a non-stop flight to a well-trafficked locale like Miami, and there are several more flights after yours that would get you in before the ship sails away, we might look the other way if you fly in that morning.

Don’t leave key items out of your carry-on
If you’re going to let the ship take your bags at the dock and deliver them to your cabin later (which we recommend, since staterooms are often not ready for check-in upon boarding), you’ll want to make sure anything you need for those first few hours on the ship is in your carry-on. While many ships may allow you to board in the morning, your suitcase may not be delivered until closer to dinnertime, meaning you’ve got hours before you’re reunited with your things. If you plan to spend the first day on board at the pool or the gym, you’ll want to make sure you have everything you need with you—or risk finding yourself sans swimsuit on the pool deck. If you’re traveling from somewhere with a considerably colder or hotter climate, you might need a change of clothes on hand to quickly adapt. Make sure to carry on other key essentials, too, like medications, sunscreen, sunglasses, important documents, stuff for the kids, or toiletries for a quick refresher.

Don’t forget advance reservations
In cruises, as in life, some things require advance planning. While the allure of cruising for many is the ease with which you plan your trip—one upfront purchase gets you most of your vacation on the spot—it’s important not to take that too literally. Spa treatments on sea-day afternoons, top shore excursions, coveted tables for two at specialty restaurants, and even seats for the complimentary blockbuster evening productions tend to fill up fast. Check out your line’s website and see how early they allow you to book these add-ons, and then take advantage of the opportunity to pin down just what you want long before you take off. Not only will you get first dibs on your preferred times and dates, but you’ll avoid getting caught up in the mad grab for whatever slots are left over on the first day of the sailing.

Don’t expect to be Wi-Fi-reliant
While internet access at sea has improved considerably in recent years—with ongoing enhancements underway—many cruise ships still charge pricey rates for their satellite-provided Wi-Fi. Plus, service can be spotty when you’re far out at sea or sailing to off-the-path destinations. It can also be frustratingly slow during high-traffic periods when many passengers are competing for limited bandwidth (like during sea days). Overall, you should do well enough, at semi-affordable rates, for low-bandwidth tasks like sending emails, reading news, or scrolling through social media, but expect to pay a premium (if the option is even available) for access strong enough to stream shows on Netflix or to catch up with folks back home on FaceTime or Zoom.

Don’t hog the deck chairs
On many ships, there aren’t enough poolside lounge chairs to go around. The fastest way to make enemies onboard? Put your stuff down in the morning of a sea day, and then disappear for hours—to breakfast, the gym, the spa, for lunch. Return in the afternoon and, if the staff hasn’t taken your belongings off the chair, the scowls from fellow passengers will make you wish they had.

Don’t limit yourself to ship-sponsored shore excursions
It’s a fairly common misconception among new cruisers that the time spent in port is limited to the shore tours that the cruise line advertises. This isn’t typically the case—you’re often a free agent in port.* You could save some money if you go it alone, since excursions booked through cruise companies tend to be more expensive than ones you book independently.
Depending on your comfort level and degree of travel autonomy, plan ahead and research reputable independent local tour operators for either group or private tours, or simply design your own itinerary and head out independently. Just some caveats: Excursions booked through your cruise line come with certain guarantees and protections, which is why they cost more. Mainly, they’ve vetted the tour operators in advance, and the ship crew works with those operators in case any hiccups occur. If you’re on your own, it’ll be your job to make it back to port in time for the ship’s scheduled embarkation; unlike with ship-sponsored tours, the ship won’t wait to depart if you get held up while venturing off on your own.
*Editor’s note: Due to new COVID-19 protocols, more cruise lines are restricting guests’ time ashore to cruise-sponsored tours, with the aim of limiting exposure in port.

Don’t forget to keep tabs on your onboard account
There’s perhaps no quicker way to undo that onboard R&R than with an unexpectedly huge bill at the end of your sailing. Unless you’re cruising aboard an all-inclusive luxury line, on which many of the incidentals are covered with the fares you pay at booking, the many “extras” common to standard cruise vacations can add up fast. Staff gratuities, bar drinks, shore excursions, Wi-Fi packages, and spa treatments can easily fatten up the cumulative bill. Keep your financial expectations in check by keeping tabs on your shipboard account numbers every few days throughout the sailing.

Don’t assume you’re immune to seasickness
If you don’t know whether you’re prone to seasickness, this isn’t the time to find out. Thankfully, there are some easy precautionary measures you can take, such as staying hydrated, getting enough sleep, steering clear of sitting or standing opposite to the ship’s direction of motion, and avoiding activities like reading or staring at a computer screen for too long. If you can, book a cabin that’s located mid-ship and on a lower deck, where the ship sway is most stable, and if you start to feel your equilibrium getting off-balance, staring out at a fixed point on the horizon from the deck or your balcony can have a soothing effect.
Avoid waters known for rougher seas (that expedition cruise to Antarctica along the Drake Passage, for instance, might not be the best idea). To be on the safe side, consider talking to your doctor about a prescription or some over-the-counter meds like Bonine or Dramamine, or trying homeopathic methods like acupressure wristbands or ginger pills, all of which can help prevent and treat seasickness.
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