Read time: about 2.5 minutes. Published 2025-12-01

Whether you’re sailing Alaska, the Caribbean, or Mediterranean, a cruise is the ultimate vacation. But, unlike flying to a hotel, once that ship leaves the dock, it’s gone! To keep your feathers from getting ruffled, I’ve spotted the absolute must-knows before you board, and I’m here to share them with you!

The "Early Bird" Rule - If you take only one piece of advice from me, make it this: Fly in the day before your cruise. Flight delays happen, weather happens, and cruise ships run on a tight schedule. Start your vacation early with a nice dinner in the port city, sleep in a real bed, and board the ship stress-free. Don’t risk waving goodbye to the ship from the pier! (Pro-Tip: While you're packing, print the luggage tags provided by the cruise line and attach them securely, so your bags breeze through the terminal!)

The Key to Everything, Your Cruise Card - This card (or medallion/wristband) is your room key, ID, and onboard charge card. Keep it secure, as you will need it for everything like buying a drink, getting a table at dinner, and getting on and off the ship.

Your Phone: Best Friend or Expensive Foe? – The Foe: Cruise ship cellular data is incredibly expensive. As soon as the ship starts moving, put your phone in Airplane Mode and leave it there (make sure roaming data/networks are off, but you can leave Bluetooth on for your earbuds). Connect to the ship's Wi-Fi if you bought a package, but don't let your phone roam, or you'll come home to a bill bigger than a whale! The Friend: Download the Cruise Line App, books, podcasts, movies, etc. before you leave the house. The app can be used to view/book dining and entertainment, as well as keeping track of your account balance. Most apps offer an affordable chat feature if you don’t want to spring for the WiFi package.

Don’t Let the Final Bill Ruffle Your Feathers - While the cruise fare covers your room, main dining, and basic entertainment, be prepared for additional costs. The biggest add-ons are Gratuities/Service Fees (usually charged daily per person), Specialty Dining, Drink Packages, Wi-Fi, and Shore Excursions. These can all be purchased ahead of time to help budget the big picture.

"Ship Time" is the Only Time - This is the Golden Rule of shore excursions and daily schedules on board. Your phone might update to local time, but the captain runs the ship on "Ship Time." Always check your watch against the ship’s clock before you get off. If you are late, the ship will leave without you (and I can’t fly fast enough to catch you!). Watch for overnight time changes during your cruise, or you might find yourself an hour late to breakfast! (Pro Tip: Carry ship's port agent contact information in case of an emergency while ashore.)

Pick Your Port Adventure - Decide if you will book tours through the cruise line (more expensive, but the ship will wait for you if the tour is delayed) or book independently (often better value, but if you are late, the ship will leave).

Ready to Set Sail? With these tips tucked under your wing, you’re ready to cruise like a pro! A little preparation goes a long way to making sure your trip is nothing but smooth sailing. And remember, if you ever feel overwhelmed by the details, you don’t have to fly solo—Victoria and Adam are here to handle all the planning so you can focus on the fun. Anchors aweigh!