8 Things To Avoid Doing On A Cruise Ship
August 15, 2019
source: Cruise Critic
Cruises are one of the most popular types of vacations in existence. In fact, an estimated 20 million people go on cruises each year. It makes sense – you have the convenience of sun, pools, restaurants, and entertainment, and you also get to stop at a ton of tropical destinations along the way. If you’re planning on a cruise in the near future, take note of these eight common cruise mistakes so that you don’t make them, too!
Remember, rooms on cruise ships are not like standard hotel rooms. It is a ship, after all! Since cruise ship rooms are extremely small, you don’t want to try and cram a bunch of people into one tiny space. One or two people to a room is plenty.
2. Expecting Free Wi-Fi
Although many hotels and resorts offer free wi-fi in the lobby and rooms, it’s generally a different story on cruise ships. Most cruise lines charge wi-fi rates by the hour, and they can be pretty astronomical. Make sure you check what your cruise’s wi-fi policy and rates are before booking if you feel like you need to stay connected to the internet during your trip.
3. Not Making Reservations
If you show up at one of the cruise’s restaurants without making a reservation, there’s a good chance you won’t be getting in. Because there are so many people on cruise ships, you should make dinner reservations as early as possible – like right when you book your trip!
4. Booking Ship Excursions
If you want to book excursions for when you dock, you might not want to do it through your cruise line. Their excursion prices tend to be much higher than different, more local parties.
5. Ignoring The Daily Service Charge
Most cruise lines charge a daily service fee for things like room cleaning, valets, and more. These service charges average about $30 per day, and can leave you with a big bill at the end if you weren’t expecting them.
6. Not Monitoring Your Tab
Most cruise ships are not all-inclusive. For this reason, it can be easy to lose track of your drink tab. Some cruise ships require that you pay your tab daily, while others allow you to pay at the end of your trip. If you aren’t monitoring your tab, you could be left with a huge bill at the end.
7. Ignoring Seasonal Trip Trends
If you’re looking for a quiet, romantic getaway with your partner, you won’t want to book a cruise during March break. If you want more of a family atmosphere, you won’t want to book your cruise during college spring break weeks. Be aware of these busy times and plan your trip accordingly.
8. Using Your Phone Freely
Remember, the majority of cruise trips take place in the middle of the ocean. If you don’t get a travel phone plan or forget to turn off data and roaming, your phone bill is going to give you quite the scare.
