The Worst Mistakes Cruisers Make

There’s a reason hand sanitizer dispensers are placed at the entrance of nearly every cruise ship dining room—clean hands are one of the simplest defenses against illness at sea. But don’t rely on sanitizer alone to keep you healthy. While it’s helpful for general germs, hand sanitizer doesn’t kill norovirus, a common culprit behind cruise ship stomach bugs. Only thorough handwashing with soap and warm water can do that.

In the close quarters of a cruise ship, viruses like norovirus can spread quickly. Protect yourself by always washing your hands after using the restroom and before eating.

Sitting on a cruise ship’s railing to capture the perfect photo might seem like a great idea, but it’s extremely dangerous. According to Newsweek , approximately 19 people go overboard on cruise ships yearly, and tragically, only around four are rescued.

Cruise ship railings are intentionally built high to prevent such accidents, but incidents still occur—often involving passengers who are intoxicated, engaging in reckless behavior, or attempting stunts for fun.

If you witness someone going overboard, alert a crew member immediately. The ship will attempt to stop and return to the last known location, but locating someone in the vast open sea is extremely difficult and time-sensitive.

If your cruise departs at 4 pm, you might think you have plenty of time to fly in around noon and not worry about paying for a hotel the night before. The reality is, you’re gambling with the cost of your trip if you fly in on your cruise’s departure day.

Cruise ships operate on strict schedules and won’t delay departure for late arrivals—no matter the reason. Flight delays, cancellations, or unexpected traffic en route to the port can all derail your plans in an instant.

We recommend arriving at least the day before your cruise departs to give yourself plenty of buffer time.

The WiFi on cruise ships has improved significantly in the last few years, and if you want to stay connected, it makes sense to purchase an internet package. Just remember to turn your phone to airplane mode before boarding, lest you get hit with a very expensive bill once you’re back on land. Rates for using cell phones at sea are set by individual network providers and can be extremely pricey. Check with your carrier, as there may be cruise roaming packages you can purchase.

To avoid unexpected charges, it’s best to turn your phone to airplane mode before the cruise departs the first port. If you turn off data roaming in your settings app, you’ll only be able to access data via WiFi, meaning you won’t get charged.

The last thing you want to see as you walk up to the pier is your cruise ship pulling away from the dock. If you’re planning a private off-shore excursion (or exploring independently), make sure to confirm the “all aboard” time for the day. Give yourself plenty of buffer time to ensure you’re back on the boat well in advance of this time. If you’ve booked a shore excursion directly through the cruise line, don’t stress if you’re running late—the ship will wait for your group. However, if you’re off the boat independently, the ship will sail on without you if you’re not onboard at the designated departure time.

If you miss the boat, the cruise ship’s crew will leave your passports with port staff so you’re not completely stranded. It will be your responsibility (and cost) to make arrangements to either meet the ship at it’s next port of call or to simply give up and head home.

If there’s a specific attraction or activity you’re eager to experience at a port of call, be sure to book your excursion well in advance. Popular and specialty outings—like helicopter tours or scenic flights—often sell out quickly, leaving cruisers who didn’t plan ahead heartbroken at missing out.