Cruises could be magical — waking up in a brand new vacation spot daily, countless meals, and sunsets that look straight out of a portray. However like several journey, a little bit of preparation could make or break your journey.
We’ve been overlaying cruises for the previous 15 years. And once we had been simply beginning out, we additionally had fairly a couple of misconceptions that turned out to be false and made some errors that had been truly avoidable. And on this article, we’ll share with you 13 rookie errors to keep away from when reserving a cruise or boarding a ship.
Plan sensible and spend much less time stressing and extra time sipping cocktails by the pool.
1. Reserving the fallacious cabin.
Not all cabins are created equal. Some rooms and decks can set off movement illness greater than different areas, whereas others are higher for senior vacationers as a result of they’re nearer to the elevator. So if you e book a cruise, select a cabin or stateroom that most closely fits your wants.
On the whole, there are 4 primary kinds of cruise ship lodging:
- Inside rooms are often the most affordable, but in addition probably the most cramped, and haven’t any home windows.
- Sea/Ocean view rooms have a window that would let in some gentle and have a view of the surface.
- Balcony rooms have some further house the place you’ll be able to step exterior and get a greater view of the ocean and the ports.
- Suites have extra facilities than ordinary. They arrive in all sizes and styles, and often include all kinds of perks.
So when you’re claustrophobic or vulnerable to movement illness, it’s not a good suggestion to select an inside cabin that’s on both finish of the ship. As a substitute, select one within the center half. You’ll additionally really feel the movement probably the most on increased decks or ranges.
In case you’re touring with seniors or these with mobility points, select a room near the elevator. Ships are loopy lengthy, and it may be fairly difficult for them to stroll half the size of the ship daily.
Learn critiques and have a look at the ship’s deck plan earlier than reserving.
2. Not understanding the inclusions.
Each time we function a cruise and point out the worth or price, a number of the ordinary questions we see within the remark part are: Is that for the room solely? How in regards to the meals? How a lot if meals are included? Do we’ve got to pay to make use of or entry the swimming pools?
Generally or nearly all instances, if you e book a cruise on the cruise line’s web site and even with a journey company, the cruise fare already consists of the next for the whole thing of the crusing:
USUAL INCLUSIONS
Once more, these are coated by your cruise fare.
- Lodging
– the room the place you can be staying - Entry to most facilities (like swimming pools)
– not all or with exceptions - Primary leisure or exhibits
- Full board meals
– breakfast, lunch, dinner
There are two kinds of eating places on board: inclusive (or complimentary) and specialty (or paid).
In case you dine on the inclusive or complimentary ones, you don’t have to pay something further. These are included in your cruise fare. Normally, there’s a buffet restaurant choice. On Royal Caribbean, they’ve the Windjammer. On Star Cruises, it’s Lido. And on Costa Serena, Prometeo. However except for the buffet, there’s additionally a complimentary full-service (or wonderful eating) choice, which can be freed from cost. The names additionally differ relying on the ship.
Lately, on our earlier cruise reel about Costa Serena, there was a remark that they acquired bored with the buffet meals however didn’t attempt eating at Vesta as a result of they thought it was wonderful eating and needed to pay further. Once I informed them that Vesta was truly free, they couldn’t imagine it. I even needed to clarify it additional. They thought that as a result of it was wonderful eating, it could incur further charges and that solely the buffet was “free”. What a missed alternative! Think about, seven days of crusing they usually didn’t get to expertise the opposite complimentary eating places.
So earlier than the cruise, familiarize your self with the complimentary or inclusive options of the ship to maximise your money and time! Make each journey price it!
So, it’s best to know the inclusions, in addition to the exclusions!
3. Not budgeting for “hidden costs”.
Alternatively, many first-timers assume cruises are 100% all-inclusive. Spoiler alert: they’re not.
Once you’re reserving a cruise, the primary costs which might be introduced to you might be often simply the so-called “cruise fare”. As talked about, it already covers your lodging, primary meals, and entry to facilities and a few leisure. However if you attain the checkout web page, you’ll abruptly discover some additions to the fee. That’s likely the “port costs”. Extra on this later. Beneath are the exclusions out of your cruise fare that you need to be conscious of.
EXCLUDED FROM CRUISE FARE
- Port Prices. Port costs (generally known as port charges or port taxes) are the necessary charges that cruise traces pay to every port your ship visits, form of like “lease” for docking there. The cash goes to the port authorities for issues like upkeep, safety, and customs operations. You’ll often see port costs already included in your complete cruise fare, however generally they’re listed individually to indicate transparency. They’re not non-obligatory, even when you determine to remain on the ship and skip the tour. The cruise line nonetheless has to pay the port in your ship’s go to. In case you’re reserving with a journey company, the revealed charges often don’t embrace port costs but. So count on to pay extra upon reserving.
- Flights and Transfers. Attending to the port is just not included both, except you’re reserving a fly-and-cruise bundle.
- Journey Tax. Philippine passport holders additionally have to settle the Philippine journey tax.
- Gratuities. These are nightly service costs mechanically added to your invoice to compensate the hardworking crew reminiscent of your cabin attendants, eating employees, and behind-the-scenes crew, who hold all the pieces spotless and working easily. You may not see most of them, however they’re those ensuring your towels are magically folded into swans and your buffet plates by no means run dry. Some cruise traces and sailings (like Singapore sailings of Royal Caribbean) embrace gratuities within the fare. However others cost them individually — often round USD 10–20 per individual per day. You possibly can prepay them earlier than your journey or have them billed on the finish of your cruise. And whilst you’re technically allowed to regulate or take away them in some instances, it’s usually frowned upon except one thing went terribly fallacious. These crew members work lengthy hours for modest pay, in order that little further goes a great distance. In brief, it’s not a rip-off, it’s simply cruise tradition.
- Different Necessary Charges. For sailings to Japan, a JPY 1000 Vacationer Arrival Price can be collected. For Sanya, China, in our expertise, we had been charged a HKD 15 dealing with charge.
These are an important. Nevertheless, there are additionally non-obligatory gadgets that may make your cruise expertise extra handy or gratifying however are additionally not included in your cruise fare.
OPTIONAL ADD-ONS
- Wifi. Cruise ships often supply web packages for a charge.
- Shore Excursions. Sure, you may get off the ship and discover the locations. You are able to do it by yourself (DIY-style) or be part of an organized tour. However both means, these usually are not included. Your bills if you alight the ship usually are not included. DIY often finally ends up extra budget-friendly.
- Meals at “paid eating” spots. Earlier, I discussed inclusive or complimentary eating places. You’ll additionally discover specialty or paid eating choices on board. Once you dine in one in every of these specialty eating places, you’ll be charged further. However you’ll be able to completely get by with out these premium eating places.
Drinks are additionally restricted to water, primary espresso or tea, and generally, a couple of flavored drinks. If you’d like soda, different juices, smoothies, wine, beer, or cocktails, you’ll should pay for them.
Drink packages are additionally quite common on cruise ships, which gives you limitless drinks, however they’re often very costly and unhealthy. I’ve by no means paid for a drink bundle, and I nonetheless take pleasure in my time on board with out issues.
4. Lacking out on promos.
Cruise traces are continually working promos. We regularly encounter gross sales like “4th visitor sails free,” “youngsters cruise free,” or “purchase one, get one 50% off.” These offers can slash a whole lot of {dollars} off your complete fare, however provided that you already know when and the place to look.
The issue is that many first-timers panic-book on the first first rate worth they see. The secret’s to remain looking out. Cruise traces are inclined to launch promos throughout off-peak reserving intervals or after they’re filling up particular sail dates. In case you’re versatile along with your journey dates and cabin kind, you’ll be able to snag insane offers.
Additionally, TPTers or our readers also can take pleasure in a further 5% OFF on some cruises. All you must do is keep in mind and enter our promo codes. For Star Cruises (Star Navigator and Star Voyager) and Dream Cruises (Genting Dream), e book at www.stardreamcruises.com and use our code thepoortraveler, small letters or lowercase! That’s 5% OFF!
We even have a code for Royal Caribbean when you e book with Cruising.com.ph. The code is WORTHIT, which may even offer you 5% OFF. You possibly can attempt it on their web site, however generally the system doesn’t work. However when you e book with Cruising on the telephone, simply point out that you simply had been referred to by THE POOR TRAVELER and point out the code WORTHIT.
It is usually necessary to keep in mind that further providers and comforts are often less expensive if you e book them BEFORE your crusing date — wifi, shore excursions or excursions, drink packages, and even paid eating places. You’ll save extra when you e book them upfront than if you’re already on board.
Some employees, often managers or head waiters, are additionally approved to grant reductions. We often expertise this on Royal Caribbean cruises. The pinnacle waiter assigned to us on the primary eating room gave us 50% OFF on one other restaurant once we talked about we needed to attempt it.
5. Not realizing the visa necessities.
Many first-time cruisers assume that as a result of they’re “simply on a ship,” they’ll skip the entire visa enterprise. Flawed. Even when you’re technically solely stepping off for a couple of hours throughout a port cease, you’re nonetheless coming into one other nation. And if that nation requires a visa in your nationality, you higher have one — otherwise you may not be allowed to board the ship in any respect.
Fortunately, a lot of the cruise ships accessible to us Filipinos don’t require visas. In case you’re crusing to or from Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, or Taiwan, no visa is required for Philippine passport holders.
For Japan, a visa is NOT required for cruise passengers arriving and departing on the identical ship. However you should pay the Vacationer Arrival Price (JPY 1000). Cruise traces often cost USD 10 for this.
For China, as of writing, when you’re staying in China for lower than 24 hours, you’ll be able to transit with out a visa. In case you’re staying longer, you’ll want to use for one. To be secure, you’ll be able to apply for a double-entry visa.
For South Korea, no want for a visa when you’re visiting Jeju Island solely. However when you’re crusing to another a part of South Korea, you’ll want one.
IS VISA REQUIRED FOR FILIPINOS?
- Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Taiwan, Hong Kong: NO
- Japan: NO – Not required for cruise ship passengers, however JPY 1000 arrival charge applies.
- China: NO – if staying for lower than 24 hours. However when you really feel such as you’re going over, higher apply for a visa.
- South Korea: Jeju Island – NO; Busan and the remainder of South Korea – YES
Notice: That is as of this writing, 2025. These insurance policies change over time, so be sure you get the up to date data. Cruise traces will often inform you after reserving, nevertheless it’s nonetheless your accountability to verify the necessities.
6. Not giving sufficient time allowance.
You have to give your self sufficient time earlier than and after your crusing. Cruise embarkation and disembarkation could be chaotic. Flight delays, cancellations, and even visitors can simply smash your plans. Arrive on the port metropolis not less than a day earlier than departure. It offers you a cushion in case one thing goes fallacious.
The identical goes for after the cruise. Disembarkation can take hours, so don’t schedule an early flight dwelling. As a substitute, spend yet another evening within the metropolis. It’s far more enjoyable and stress-free. It additionally offers you a while to discover the house port.
WAIT, WAIT, WAIT! If you must e book a resort within the homeport metropolis, you’ll be able to e book with Agoda. However please use our promo code AGODATPT for as much as P5800 OFF. Utilizing the Agoda app, enter AGODATPT on the DEALS tab. Then when it’s time to e book a resort, enter it once more upon checkout. That’s truly 10% OFF however capped at USD 10, in order that’s 5800 pesos primarily based on present conversion. That’s big! We additionally get credited for each reserving, which helps us preserve this web site.
7. Battling time zone confusion.
Some sailings cross time zones, which makes time-telling fairly difficult. All of the sudden, your telephone says one factor, the ship’s clock says one other.
Lots of first-timers don’t notice that the ship’s “official time” doesn’t all the time match the native time at port, which might trigger chaos when planning shore excursions or assembly factors. Miss the all-aboard time as a result of your telephone auto-adjusted? The ship received’t wait.
Cruise traces often announce time modifications over the intercom or within the day by day bulletin, however individuals are inclined to miss it between buffets and bingo. All the time double-check the ship’s time earlier than getting off. It’s often posted all over the place or displayed on the in-room TV.
TIP! When doubtful, set your telephone to airplane mode and manually alter the clock to “ship time.” This fashion, your system doesn’t betray you mid-shopping spree overseas. It seems like a small mistake, nevertheless it occurs rather a lot.
By the way in which, each evening, your cabin steward will go away a day by day program in your room. It lists all the pieces taking place onboard the following day: exhibits, trivia video games, dance courses, film screenings, meals tastings, and even karaoke. It additionally tells you if there might be time zone crossing quickly.
8. Overlooking shore tour logistics.
Some stops or ports of name are simpler to discover than others. For instance, Penang and Malacca in Malaysia, Phuket’s Patong Seaside in Thailand, and Naha in Okinawa are simple to discover even with out becoming a member of a tour. In Penang, the very fashionable Artwork Road is simply inside strolling distance. In Naha, it’s also possible to stroll to a bus cease or get a cab simply.
However Port Klang is kind of indifferent from Kuala Lumpur. And in Taiwan, in case your goal is Taipei, it takes time to achieve it from Keelung, particularly when you’re taking public transportation. In Japan, Ishigaki’s port is kind of remoted, with a really restricted variety of taxis, so it’s greatest to constitution one upfront.
Keep in mind! Cruise ships comply with strict schedules, and they won’t watch for late passengers.
In case you be part of a ship-organized tour, you’re secure — they’ll be sure you’re again in time. However when you discover independently, be conscious of the all-aboard time. It’s not like lacking a bus; when you’re late, the ship will actually sail with out you. All the time control the clock, and provides your self not less than an hour’s buffer earlier than departure.
And oh, it’s all the time greatest follow to buy journey insurance coverage earlier than your journey. It’s not only for accidents; it additionally covers journey cancellations, delays, misplaced baggage, and people little “plot twists” that are inclined to occur on the worst potential time. You most likely received’t want it (fingers crossed), however when you ever do, you’ll be so glad you bought it. Consider it as probably the most boring buy that would find yourself saving your complete trip.
The factor is, not all journey insurance coverage firms present protection for cruises. However one which I do know undoubtedly does is PGA Sompo’s TravelJoy. To e book, simply go to www.thepoortraveler.internet/shield. It will lead you to PGA Sompo’s official journey insurance coverage citation web page.
Cruise insurance coverage insurance policies are barely pricier — often a 30% premium is added — however that’s higher than nothing. To assist cut back the fee, use our code WORTHIT, which gives you 5% OFF.
9. Forgetting the gown code.
Most cruise ships working in Asia are fairly informal. But it surely’s nonetheless fairly enjoyable to decorate up. You may suppose, “It’s trip! I’ll put on slippers all over the place.” However not all eating rooms or lounges agree. Whereas ships have turn into extra lenient, full-service eating places often don’t permit swimwear, flip-flops, and pajamas.
I often pack two units of outfits per day. One informal for daytime exploring and one thing extra smart-casual for nighttime actions. On the very least, my private rule is, at fine-dining locations, my prime ought to not less than have a collar.
Some ships even have formal or gala nights, which require correct apparel — like a gown or a collared shirt. Don’t fear, you don’t actually need to deliver a tux. Simply one thing a bit nicer than your “mall” outfit.
And when you intend to swim, correct swimwear is often non-negotiable.
10. Overpacking
Cruise cabins are cozy — and by cozy, we imply small. Typically, actually small. Bringing two suitcases filled with “simply in case” outfits will go away you tripping over your baggage. The trick? Pack sensible.
Follow mix-and-match items, deliver one pair of gown sneakers, and don’t neglect swimwear and one thing heat for the chilly decks at evening.
Additionally, don’t neglect a small day bag for shore excursions. You’ll want someplace to stash sunscreen, your telephone, and that “memento” you didn’t plan to purchase.
11. Bringing prohibited gadgets.
Cruise traces have strict guidelines about what you’ll be able to and might’t deliver on board, they usually take them significantly. These guidelines differ relying on the ship or cruise line, however basically, weapons, unlawful substances, and gadgets which might be sharp, flammable and harmful are prohibited. These are fairly apparent.
However there are different issues that folks mistakenly attempt to deliver on board, however find yourself getting confiscated. These embrace:
- Warmth-generating gadgets like flat iron (though hair straighteners and curling irons are often exempted).
- Extension cords or energy strips, as these are fireplace hazards. As a substitute, deliver these small journey adapters.
- Alcoholic drinks, usually prohibited on most ships, with a couple of exceptions, like one bottle of wine per cabin (Royal Caribbean).
Once more, these guidelines differ from firm to firm, so simply verify the wonderful print earlier than packing.
12. Not getting ready for seasickness.
Some vacationers deal with sea days (days with out a port cease) as “wasted” days. Large mistake. Sea days are literally the very best a part of cruising, the calm between adventures.
Use them to calm down. Lounge by the pool, hit the spa, be part of a wine-tasting, or simply nap prefer it’s your job. It’s also possible to use the time to discover the ship. By the top, you’ll notice sea days are if you really really feel the cruise life.
However it’s as of late at excessive seas that are usually the shakiest. Even when you suppose you’re not the sort to get movement illness, the ocean may humble you. It occurs to the very best of us — even seasoned vacationers.
Pack motion-sickness patches, tablets, or wristbands simply in case. And when you begin feeling queasy, go exterior and have a look at the horizon. It helps your mind recalibrate.
I don’t actually get dizzy rather a lot. However I’m all the time ready for it. Fortunately, I by no means had to make use of it. Not but, not less than.
13. Not bringing backup money.
On most cruise ships, all the pieces you purchase onboard will get charged to your room key or card. However when you step ashore, it’s a unique story. Some ports, markets, and even taxis nonetheless favor good old style money. And in case your bank card abruptly decides to have belief points mid-trip, you’re in bother.
Right here’s the factor: generally, your financial institution sees overseas transactions and freaks out, assuming your card’s been stolen despite the fact that you’re simply attempting to purchase souvenirs. When that occurs, the cardboard will get blocked. Been there, performed that. It occurred to us once we had been crusing within the Caribbean from Miami. It additionally occurred to a buddy once we had been crusing from Singapore to Malaysia.
It’s not simple to contact customer support overseas whereas everybody else is fortunately exploring. That’s why it’s all the time sensible to deliver backup money and one other card, ideally from a unique financial institution or community (like one Visa and one Mastercard). Hold some native foreign money for every port, plus a couple of crisp USD payments as common backup. It doesn’t should be rather a lot — simply sufficient for emergencies, suggestions, or that impossible to resist avenue meals.
Deliver some small payments, too, for tipping crew members who go the additional mile. A bit of generosity goes a great distance, and these hardworking of us usually keep in mind your kindness (and your favourite drink order).
It’s your flip! Do you could have suggestions so as to add to this listing? Or have you ever been responsible of any of those? Tell us within the feedback part beneath.
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2025 11 5 – First uploaded
