Think you’ve mastered the art of the cruise holiday? You might be surprised. Whether it’s your first sailing or your fiftieth, even frequent cruisers fall for these classic traps. If you want to maximise your holiday and minimise stress, avoid these 10 common mistakes. Often, a few small changes to your routine can make a huge difference in your overall experience. These simple adjustments will help you save time and ensure your next trip is your most relaxing one yet.
Contents:
- Flying on embarkation day
- Packing your day one essentials in your hold luggage
- Relying entirely on the lifts
- Following the crowd straight to the buffet on embarkation day
- Forgetting to switch aeroplane mode on
- Ignoring the evening dress code
- Allowing your phone to update the time automatically
- Ignoring the safety briefing
- Assuming entry requirements are the same for every port
- Miscalculating your time in port
1. Flying on embarkation day
One of the most expensive mistakes you can make is assuming your flight will arrive on time for the ship departure. Unless you’ve booked your flight directly through the cruise line, in which case they are responsible for getting you to the ship, you are on your own if things go wrong. If you "miss the boat", you’ll be covering the bill for catching up to the ship at the next port.
The solution: Plan to arrive at least a day early. A pre-cruise hotel stay is a cheaper and less stressful alternative than scrambling to book a last-minute flight to the next port. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore the embarkation destination, which often there isn’t time to do on turnaround day.
Alternatively, why not opt for a cruise from the UK? Sailing from a variety of UK ports, including the likes of Dover, Southampton and Liverpool, this is a popular choice for those looking for a relaxing start to a cruise holiday, without the stress of having to catch a flight.
2. Packing your day one essentials in your hold luggage
When you arrive at the port, you’ll hand your suitcases over to the staff to be delivered to your cabin. While this is convenient, it’s a huge operation, with thousands of bags to sort; so it can take several hours, sometimes until after dinner, for your luggage to arrive. If you’ve packed everything in your main suitcase, you’ll be stuck in your travel clothes for the sail-away party and potentially your first evening meal.
The solution: Pack a carry-on bag for embarkation day. Include a change of clothes for dinner, swimwear if you want to hit the pool early and any essential medications. This ensures that you can start enjoying the ship’s amenities and "nice" dining venues immediately, regardless of when your suitcase finally shows up at your cabin door.
3. Relying entirely on the lifts
On a ship carrying thousands of passengers, the lifts can be one of the busiest spots on board, especially during peak times like the end of a theatre show or at the start of a dinner seating. You can easily spend 10-15 minutes just standing in a corridor waiting for a lift. Also, with the amount of food available on a cruise, you’re missing out on a built-in way to keep those extra calories at bay.
The solution: Take the stairs whenever you’re only going up or down a few decks. Not only is it often faster than waiting for a lift, but it also leaves them available for those with limited mobility or young children in pushchairs. We like to challenge ourselves to stay "lift-free" for the entire sailing; it’s the best way to justify that extra trip to the midnight buffet!
4. Following the crowd straight to the buffet on embarkation day
Most passengers board the ship and head immediately to the buffet because it’s the easiest and most obvious option. The result? A hectic, crowded start to your holiday. Additionally, many travellers overlook the fact that the first few hours on board are when you’ll find the best introductory deals for the spa, shops and even the casino.
The solution: Do your research before you board to see which other dining venues are open. Often, the Main Dining Room or smaller speciality spots are open for lunch and are significantly quieter than the buffet. Once you've eaten in peace, use the afternoon to tour the ship and take advantage of first-day-only promotions from the spa, casino or maybe even restaurants.
5. Forgetting to switch aeroplane mode on
As soon as the ship departs from the shore, your phone will likely attempt to connect to a maritime network through satellite. These networks usually aren't included in your standard roaming plan, and the costs can be extremely high, often charging several pounds per megabyte. If your phone is left on and starts updating or syncing photos in the middle of the ocean, you could end up with a phone bill that costs more than your actual holiday.
The solution: Make it a habit to switch to aeroplane mode as soon as you step on the gangway. You can still turn on the Wi-Fi separately to use the ship’s app or any internet package you’ve purchased. Only disable aeroplane mode when you are safely in port and have confirmed you have a signal from a local provider that is covered by your plan.
6. Ignoring the evening dress code
While many modern cruise lines have moved away from strict "Black Tie" requirements in favour of a more informal vibe, they still typically have dress codes applicable to dining in the speciality and main dining restaurants. Casual on a ship doesn't mean anything goes. Turning up for dinner in flip-flops, a vest and swim shorts is a quick way to be politely turned away at the door, which can be an embarrassing (and hungry) start to your evening.
The solution: Always check your specific cruise line’s dress code before you pack. Most lines require smart casual as a minimum for dinner, which generally means trousers or smart jeans rather than shorts, and closed-toe shoes.
7. Allowing your phone to update the time automatically
As you sail across different time zones, your phone will naturally try to update its clock. However, because you’re likely in aeroplane mode or picking up a signal from a distant land tower, your phone can get confused. It might stay on home time, sync to a different local time zone or fail to update entirely. This time zone tango can cause you to be an hour late for your dinner reservation, miss a theatre show, or, in the worst-case scenario, return to the pier only to find the ship has already left.
The solution: Switch your phone’s date and time settings to "manual" as soon as you board. Every evening, the ship’s daily programme will tell you if the clocks are changing. Manually adjust your phone to match the ship time. On a cruise, the ship’s clock is the only one that matters. Remember, ships run on a very strict schedule.
8. Ignoring the safety briefing
It is easily the least exciting part of your holiday, but the safety briefing or muster drill is non-negotiable. Many passengers tend to switch off or treat it as a box-ticking exercise, but, in the unlikely event of an actual emergency, trying to find your muster station for the first time in the dark or amidst a crowd is a nightmare you want to avoid.
The solution: Give the briefing your full attention. Once you’ve watched the safety video or attended the drill, physically walk the route from your cabin to your assigned muster station so it is stored in your memory. Make sure you know exactly where your life jackets are kept, too.
9. Assuming entry requirements are the same for every port
It’s easy to think that because you’re on a cruise, the ship acts as your universal passport to every destination. However, every port of call has its own specific rules. Whether it’s a required visa, travel insurance or even surprising local laws (did you know many Caribbean islands ban camouflage clothing?), failing to do your homework can lead to you being denied entry or even fined.
The solution: Review the official GOV website for every single country on your itinerary at least two months before you sail. Don't rely on the cruise line to handle the paperwork; while they manage the ship's manifest, some visas and entry forms are the passenger’s individual responsibility.
10. Miscalculating your time in port
It’s easy to assume that every port stop allows for a full day of exploration. However, some stops may only offer five or six hours, while others might extend late into the evening. To avoid being caught off guard by a short visit, make sure to check the port times when you book your trip. Once you’re on the ship, if you don’t check all aboard time, you may find yourself rushing back or, even worse, watching the ship sail away because you lost track of time at a local café.
The solution: Check the ship’s daily programme the night before to see exactly when you arrive and, more importantly, when you must be back on board. Plan your day around the "all aboard" time, which is usually 30 to 60 minutes before the ship actually sails. That said, don't let the ticking clock deter you from returning to the ship too early; embrace every moment ashore and fully immerse yourself in the local culture until that final call brings you back.
A cruise should be a relaxing holiday, and by dodging these ten common errors, you’re now ensuring that the only thing you have to worry about is which cocktail to order at sunset, rather than frantic phone bills or missed departures.
Book your getaway with Iglu Cruise today
Now that you’ve got the insider knowledge to avoid the traps, it’s time to put it into practice! Whether you’re looking for a sunny Mediterranean escape or a bucket-list trip to the Fjords, we’re here to help you find the perfect ship and the best deal. Start planning your stress-free adventure today.
