11 Overrated & Underrated Cruise Tips!

Of all the cruise ship advice and tips out there, there are a few that stand out as totally overrated and a few that are underrated too!

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[deliacall]

Underrated - Magnet hooks! I love magnet hooks. It keeps things like purses, hats, cruise schedules, etc., and even backpacks, off the desk. Plus you can hang your swimsuit to dry easily and out of the way with magnet hooks

[jimtorode]

Regarding over packing/under packing, I think it's smart to overpack undergarments. You can always wear a shirt/shorts/pants more than once, but socks and underwear can be a bit of a challenge.😄

[jl]

Rather than using a laundry hamper, here's an alternative. When we travel, we use a suitcase as a laundry hamper. All our dirty clothes go into a suitcase as we use them. Additionally, it reduces packing at the end of the trip.

[dawneckert]

When I pack…I stick with one color pallet. Either black or navy baseline …and everything mix and matches. Basically expands your wardrobe. Also cuts down shoe needs.

[ss_sailaway]

Couple thoughts-
I’ve cruised several times now. And with that the travel was both with or without a travel agent involved. Can’t say there’s been any difference either way.
Bringing a collapsible hamper seems unnecessary and here’s why. When I get into my cabin I unpack leaving my empty suitcase under the bed. Then once clothes are used they go into the suitcase case again maybe in a plastic shopping bag. Easy fix.

[allyrooh]

I wear my swimsuit under a flowy dress on embarkation day. Whip that dress off and you are set. Kill the time until your cabin is ready hanging out by the pool. I always overpack. Always. You might spill things, you don't want to wear the same dress clothes to dinner. You sweat if it's in a hot region. You have sand in everything you took to the beach, and so on. Bring a bottle of wine if your cruise allows, but I never bring soda etc. I order my soda and water plus a bottle of liquor to the room. Bring medication in case you get sick/Covid. (we got it on our last cruise). I am extremely frugal, but one of the best pictures I have hanging in my house is one we had taken on our cruise. Sometimes $50-100 is worth it. Thanks for this video

[lauriestrickland]

For two adults, the over-the-door shoe bag isn't necessary, but in my opinion, for 3 or 4 adult women who have tons of moisturizer, sunscreen, razors, etc., it is very helpful. I do agree with using a travel advisor - I am a cruise specialist and I do so much more for my client family than book the cruise. I appreciate your honesty and content, especially for first time cruisers. You help me do my job!

[schamber]

Thank you! I’ll be bringing magnetic hooks, carrying my bathing suit with me, putting my phone on airplane mode, putting suitcases under the bed, and filling out everything beforehand! All because of your tips! Thank you!

[williamoday]

I've always subscribed to the concept that it's better to have something and not need it, than it is to need something and not have it. So I tend to overpack. I actually carry a small pharmacy with me, for example, because experience has taught me that medical maladies tend to occur at odd hours, often when the ship's medical facility is closed. I also carry clothes that I am confident I'll not wear. I carry emergency supplies (power banks, a small, usb rechargeable desktop fan, flashlights and even lumi-sticks) because, although incredibly rare, if your ship loses power, air conditioning, etc. you'll be less miserable if you can run a fan, see your way around the stateroom, etc. I carry a magnetic, motion detecting nightlight that "sticks" to the stateroom walls - great for middle of the night bathroom trips! I carry a closet shoe organizer (not over the door) and have for years, and believe it is quite worthwhile. We use it for...wait for it...shoes! Otherwise we have a dozen pairs of shoes piled up on the closet floor. We carry laundry mesh bags for our dirty laundry. Keeps dirty laundry from being strewn about (yes, you can use your empty suitcase, but that means pulling it out from under the bed several times a day - my mesh bag can sit on the closet floor because my shoes are in the hangning organizer!) I always carry rain ponchos and compact umbrellas - seldom have I used either of those in 20+ years of cruising but I still carry them. I carry magnets with swivel hooks - we hang our ball caps, sunglasses, pool coverups, etc. on them. Easy to grab a cap and sunglasses when they're hanging right at the stateroom door. And yes, we carry outlet "multipliers" always, although admittedly they come in much handier on older ships were only two 110 volt a/c outlets are provided. We'll use one of those for heavier draw items (like the blow drier) and the other we'll use the "multiplier" so we can charge phones, tablets, etc. as they cumulatively draw only about 10% of the outlet's capacity. Just be sure that the adapter used isn't surge protected, or it'll be confiscated. And I ALWAYS take more of my medication than I will need for the days of the cruise. That way if my return is delayed for any reason I'm still covered.

[edobkin]

Hey Matt! Hope you’ve been well!

Honestly, imho, we have found that booking far from the elevators and taking the stairs are our secret to keeping the pounds off when we cruise. Takes the guilt out of enjoying ourselves, too!

[dakg]

I always overpacked, then end up taking home clothes and shoes that I never used during the entire cruise. I do the same with landed vacations as well.

[jimfearn]

My only other suggestion for cruisers is to book and pay for your excurions prior to boarding the ship. Often they will be less expensive and you reduce the chance of the one excursion you really wanted being sold out.

[delbee]

Yes, I decided not to bring a shoe organizer for storage and instead I brought super sticky notes and a marker and I placed them as labels for drawers and it indeed looked better and less clutter. The sticky notes also reminded me that I have stuffs there and when it's time to leave, I just remove them.

[phox]

5:33 my last cruise I bought the refreshment package but I also brought a 12 pack.... Why? Because I really enjoy my Arizona Green tea and none of the cruise lines have it. So if you have a special beverage in a can that's not offered on ship, you may find that a good idea. Maybe you don't want to have to leave your room, walk to And wait on elevator then walk to and wait on bar and then all over again... Just for a soda. Nice to have a supply in room.
If you're worried about carrying it, get a backpack or personal rolling cooler from Walmart... Cooler is like $15. If you fly in you can buy it after landing.

Sorry but I think bringing beverages is good advice

[christineshields]

Although I agree with most of your points, as others have said a pop-up hamper is overrated and unnecessary. We designate one of our empty suitcases as the "hamper". At the end of the trip all our dirty clothes are in one suitcase. This saves time when packing at the end of our cruise. The value of a good travel agent can't be stressed enough.

[RamblerTravelAgency]

Thank you so much for mentioning travel agents. No one realizes how important this is, and that we are free. I appreciate you Matt!

[coastcoastcards]

We went on our first cruise in February. I was so worried that I overpacked because I heard again and again to take half of what you think you need. I wore all but one outfit. My husband brought less and ended up having to have clothes laundered.
As far as a travel agent goes, I took your advice and used MEI-TRAVEL. Kelley is great!! Saved me so much hassle that we booked our next cruise through her!
I used my over-the-door organizer and will bring it again. I liked having sunscreen and other toiletries easy to find without searching for them.
Thanks so much for all of your useful advice! Our first cruise was amazing and will definitely not be our last. RC is outstanding ❤

[elainepeters]

I bring a 12 pack of soda, but I carry it on in a backpack and then have an entire empty back pack to use for other things once the soda is in the fridge

[chroniccomplainer]

Most underrated advice for Royal Caribbean is TAKE SNACKS AND DRINKS YOU LIKE. Theres tons of free food and great food and drink options but i always bring a 12 pack of my favorite drink (Dr pepper cream soda). And some Doritos. But i love snacks so i value it a lot.

[GerardPinzone]

Underrated: Planning. You can save a lot of money and aggravation by knowing in advance what's going to happen before you get on board. Obvious stuff like shore excursions are what most people think of. Less obvious ones are formal nights. They're usually the 2nd night. That's when the staff photographers are out. If you want nice pictures, that's when you want to plan them. If you want to try some specialty dining, find out the menus in the MDR and schedule it for nights you want to avoid.