15 ROOKIE CRUISE MISTAKES (HOW TO AVOID THEM) / First Time Cruise Tips You Need

Are you cruising or the first time? Don't make these common rookie cruise mistakes! In this video I share 15 cruise tips that will help you to avoid potential disasters and have a better cruise vacation!

Beyond the cruise advice you may have heard before, you're bound to find some new beginner cruise tips that will be useful as you plan your cruise vacation.

You'll find out information about cruise packing, and what to pack and not to pack, cruise line dress codes and what to wear, how to choose the best cruise ship for you, planning your flights to and from your cruise ship, cruise booking mistakes and more!

Cruise lines this applies to includes Carnival cruises, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Holland America, MSC Cruises, Cunard, Viking Cruises and more (ocean cruises).

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PACKING TIPS & Resources mentioned in video

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*RESOURCES I RECOMMEND*

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*USEFUL CRUISE ESSENTIALS - PACKING, ORGANIZING, CRUISE LIFE*

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Please note that I do not sell cruises on Life Well Cruised. This and all other videos are for entertainment purposes only. I share my own opinions, personal experiences and information with other cruise travelers, which I hope can be helpful. Please contact your travel agent or the cruise line directly for advice and any information specific to your booking.

Photos and Videos courtesy of:
Royal Caribbean Cruise Corp
Princess Cruise Line
NCLHC
Celebrity Cruises

Music Credit: Surf Time by Lux-Inspira

[druegillis]

Hi, Ilana- Your #4 about multigenerational family or different friends cruising together is an excellent point. In January, we had a 3 generation family cruise to celebrate my wife and myself’s 50th Anniversary. We discussed beforehand our expectations with the family. The only thing we thought important was to be together for dinner in the MDR and one night in the steak restaurant. Everyone agreed and we did have a wonderful time. We explained at the planning stage that we were paying for the cost of the cruise (including Taxes and port fees) and anything above that was at their expense. I booked 3 balcony cabins so everyone was treated equally. In short, all 7 of us had a memorable time.

[joannatassin]

Overpackers Unite! I don't consider myself an overpacker, because I use every outfit in my bag. But I wear 2 outfits a day, so I"m NOT a light packer!

[terrymurphy]

We've only flown in the day before. Thank God we have never had any problems nor felt tired.

[geminiots]

I am an overpacker. I have accepted it. It's easier for me to have choices in case the weather changes or just my mood.

I would never travel with other people. I like to wander around on my own time and just do my own thing. I don't like to cater to people's indecision of what they want to or don't want to do.

Oh a tip I wanted to mentioned about the phones. One of the first things I did after I booked was to put a couple of alarms or calendar reminders for me to change my phone to airplane mode on embarkation day. Now that im thinking it, I might put one for the 2nd day just to ensure that I put my phone on airplane mode.

Since I booked the solo cabin, I may just stick with that as I want to get good vacation sleep in the dark since I don't get much of that at home. I'm an early riser and it will be easier for mw to sleep more soundly at night.

[suewolf]

yep, I'm an overpacker. in fact I'll grab some extra things for my husband and put them in my bag. there is a 50-50 chance he will use those extra items. I tried to pack for every type of weather, and I bring a boatload of gadgets, and the biggest over-the-counter medicine and first aid kit that you can imagine. typically we have always used all of the otcs that I bring.

[Star-Boarder]

I'm not an overpacker. I'm just very prepared 😇

100% agree with discussing expectations. AND budget/finances and kids cruise card money ...that goes for kids phones and other electronics. Lock it all down.

Know and Respect the difference between ship time and ports time. Listen to announcements regarding when you need to get back. Bring a watch that you can set to ship time. Read the cruise info and the signs and listen to announcements on port days. Ships don't wait for you unless you are on a their own cruiseline excursion.

[rh]

My wife and I have just returned form our 26th cruise so we are experienced cruisers. Your 15 rookie mistakes are all excellent. The only thing I would add is make sure you use an experienced travel agent in cruise booking. I have spoken to very disappointed people on cruises that were on the wrong ship for them. I have just subscribed.

[a.hostling]

i was surprised how cool the ships air conditioner runs, especially in theater. Bring pashma or cardigan

[jesicaraymond]

This will be our first cruise not until 2023 but still are first one!! These tips and videos you do are fantastic because it is giving us so much to know. I am a overpacker for sure!!! Thanks for doing these I know it will allow is to have an amazing first cruise without a lot of stress!!

[kirby]

Our first cruise we ate lunch before getting on ship since didn't think food would be available until dinner. Oh boy did we learn, lunch is already being served. Nine cruises later we don't do that anymore.

[elizabethmancini]

I've been enjoying your videos. I just got off my fifth Cruise, a nine day cruise round trip from Venice to Croatia and Greece. As a solo cruiser or with family I've sailed on four cruises with Norwegian in the last 5 years and a RC cruise about 20 years ago. I'm definitely an overpacker but I'm learning with every cruise. I'm looking forward to doing many more because it's a great way to see the world, you can unpack once and see so many ports.

[lovecruisin]

I wish I had all these tips 23 years ago when I started cruising!!

[suewolf]

over the last week I have purchased several of the items that you recommended. however, the vast majority of the items are not foe me, because I own 99% of what I ordered. I actually ordered the items for some of my clients, neighbors, and family members that are going on a cruise. thank you so much. I truly think we must be soulmates. I'm old enough to be your mother. lol!

[lovecruisin]

I get free laundry service onboard Princess, so I no longer overpack. 😀

[DonLekei]

You could do an entire video just on what is included (sometimes called "free"). I see so many first time cruisers on forums who think they must book a drink package or dining package or excursion in every port. There is coffee, tea, milk, juice, water, flavored drinks, ice (so you can make your own iced coffee or tea or floats with the free ice cream), and occasional free alcoholic drinks (eg. at events) plus free allowances (eg. 2 bottles of wine and one dozen soft drink on Royal).

There is so much great food and the MDR has a 7-day menu cycle, that there is no need to book specialty dining for your first few cruises because you won't have been able sample all of the included food. And many ports have plenty to see and do within walking distance of the port (eg. Nassau, Barcelona, Vancouver, Gran Canaria, etc.) that a stroll near the port, a hop-on-hop-off bus or transit day pass will be plenty. Of course, spending a port day on the ship is free and less lines.

[glenda]

Overpacker here!!😊A girl needs choices!🙂 20th cruise coming up in March 2022. A 10 day Southern Caribbean. I will be bringing 2 large suitcases and a carry on.I book with Princess Cruise line's EZ Air and travel day of.If flight is delayed, they will get me to the ship.I always get the insurance.

[GiantParfait]

I've been traveling since childhood so I've just never been an overpacker. I'll bring at most a carry on and a backpack but honestly it's usually just the backpack unless I've got formal attire or lots of film equipment.
I love seeing the suitcases on the first day, some people have enough for a month!

[shavbobster]

The first thing I tell people is to have fun on a cruise ship. Sometimes we get into the mind set of I got to do this and do that. And sadly we don't sit back and enjoy and truly have a great time cruising.

[kimberlyann]

Great tips! I generally love the dresses/tops you wear in your videos, and I have to say that red is definitely a beautiful color on you!

[lauraguerrero]

Have done 61cruises.you can also, look at the flights offered by the cruise line for an idea as to, what time to, book your flights