10 Cruise Mistakes You're Still Making

Posted on 8th Jul, 2026

The Roaming Trap: Why forgetting to activate aeroplane mode can result in a shocking maritime cellular bill.
Timing Pitfalls: The hidden risks of cutting it too close with your embarkation day travel arrangements.
Booking Blunders: Why waiting until you are onboard to reserve shows and dining is a recipe for disappointment.

We all like to think of ourselves as savvy holidaymakers, especially if we’ve clocked up enough sea miles to earn a shiny loyalty tier status.

But as cruise ships grow larger, technology evolves, and onboard systems change, it is incredibly easy to slip into complacent habits.

Whether you are a veteran of the waves or planning your second getaway, you might be surprised by how many sneaky pitfalls are still catching you out.

Here are 10 common cruise mistakes you are probably still making, and how to fix them.

1. Travelling to the Port on Embarkation Day

It is the golden rule of cruising, yet thousands of passengers still risk it every single week. Relying on trains, flights, or motorways to run perfectly on the morning of your cruise is playing roulette with your holiday. If there is a signal failure, a flight delay, or a motorway gridlock, the ship will not wait for you.

The Fix: Always travel to your homeport city at least one day in advance. Booking a budget hotel for the night before transforms embarkation morning from a stressful race against the clock into a relaxed, enjoyable start to your holiday.

2. Letting the "Maritime Roaming" Bill Catch You Out

Most people know to turn off their data when travelling abroad, but the trap catches people the moment the ship leaves land. Once you are out at sea, your phone connects to the ship's satellite network.

This is classed as "maritime roaming," and it is famously expensive. Just receiving a couple of automated background notifications can rack up a bill worth hundreds of pounds before you’ve even reached your first port.

3. Waiting Until You are Onboard to Book Dining and Shows

The days of simply wandering down to the theatre or rocking up to a speciality restaurant on a whim are largely gone, particularly on mega-ships.

If you wait until you step onboard to book the top-tier speciality dining venues or the hit West End production shows, you will likely find the best time slots are completely booked out by passengers who planned ahead.

4. Only Ever Eating at the Buffet

The onboard buffet is fantastic for convenience, but living there means missing out on some of the best complimentary food on the ship.

Many cruisers completely forget that the main dining room is often open for a sit-down, beautifully cooked breakfast and lunch on sea days, entirely included in the cruise fare.

5. Overlooking Independent Shore Excursions

Booking excursions exclusively through the cruise line is comfortable because it guarantees the ship won't leave you behind if the tour runs late. However, relying only on cruise line tours means you are consistently paying a premium for packed coaches.

For simple port stops, self-exploring via local taxis or booking through highly rated, independent tour operators offers a far more intimate, customisable, and budget-friendly experience.

6. Overpacking Your Wardrobe (Especially Shoes)

We’re all guilty of it: packing an outfit for every single night, plus "just in case" backups. The reality is that cruise cabins have clever layouts but limited wardrobe space.

You will almost certainly end up wearing your favourite daytime shorts or evening smart-casual trousers more than once.

Pay special attention to footwear; you realistically only need a pair of comfortable walking shoes, pool sandals, and one pair of versatile evening shoes.

7. Double-Tipping on Your Drinks

When you buy a cocktail, a glass of wine, or a speciality coffee onboard, take a close look at the receipt before you add a tip to the blank line at the bottom.

Most major cruise lines automatically add a 15% to 20% beverage gratuity directly onto the bill at the time of purchase.

Unless the bartender gave you truly mind-blowing service, adding another tip means you are accidentally tipping twice.

8. Not Packing an Embarkation Day Carry-On Bag

When you arrive at the cruise terminal, you hand your large suitcases over to the porters. These bags are loaded onto the ship in bulk and might not arrive outside your cabin door until late into the evening.

A classic mistake is packing everything into those main bags, leaving you stranded for hours without swimwear, essential medications, phone chargers, or a change of clothes for dinner.

9. Buying Basic Toiletries and Medicine Onboard

Forgot your sun cream? Need some paracetamol or sea-sickness tablets? The ship's onboard shops will gladly sell them to you, but at an astronomical markup. Because they have a captive audience, basic over-the-counter medicines and toiletries are treated as premium luxury goods on the high seas.

The Fix: Create a dedicated "just in case" medical pouch in your luggage filled with plasters, painkillers, motion sickness remedies, and rehydration sachets. It takes up minimal space but saves you a fortune if needed.

10. Leaving the Cabin Curtains Open at Night

If you have a Balcony cabin or an Oceanview window, this mistake ruins many a holiday lie-in. When the ship moves between ports overnight, the direction changes.

You might fall asleep looking out at a dark, empty ocean, only to wake up at 6:00 AM flooded with blinding sunlight because the ship has docked directly opposite a brightly lit terminal building or facing the sunrise. Keep the blackout curtains pinned shut to guarantee a restful sleep.