8 Common Cruise Mistakes NOT to Make (& what to do Instead)

Cruising is fun & relaxing, but there are some cruise mistakes that can actually ruin your cruise! There are common cruise travel mistakes people are still making, plus, these days there are some new travel mistakes people are regretting!

In this video, I go over some common and lesser known cruise mistakes and how to avoid them. More importantly, I share some useful cruise tips on what you can do to make things even better when you plan your cruise vacation.

If you are a first time cruiser, or are an avid cruise traveler, this video is full of helpful cruise information and travel tips for 2022 and beyond! If you want to know how to avoid common cruise mistakes, this video is a must-watch.

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🛳 THE ULTIMATE CRUISE PLANNER 🛳

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ABOUT ME
Hi! I'm Ilana! I live in Montreal, Canada with my husband Frank. We can often be found dreaming about and planning future cruises, ideally to hot and sunny destinations! I believe in having fun, being kind and that you are never too old, or too young, to live the life of your dreams!

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.
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Video Credits: Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean
Music Credit: Surf Time by Lux-InspiraMusic

[texasboy]

We “cross pack” our suitcases. We put part of our clothes in each other’s cases. This way if you lose a suitcase, you can get by with what’s in the other bag.

[zippydogthemisanthrope]

You are so right about not every cruise being for every one. My wife and I were told by a number of people that we would be bored on a transatlantic cruise, I am glad that we ignored them. We have done 3 and loved them, the fourth is booked for December.

[miltongee]

Not all cruise line are the same. Find a cruise line that come close to what you want and need. Consider cost, food and service, activities and entertainment on the ship. The more homework you do the better your trip. But don't stress out yourself. Be flexible. Maybe talk to a travel agent to get more info.

[maryalice]

Social media can really help with finding the right cruise line/ship/destination for you. Between YouTube reviews and Facebook groups I found the right line for our once in a lifetime Alaska cruise. We had an amazing time, the cruise line was exactly what we wanted and we were so prepared for weather, destinations, etc.

[lesliereynolds]

So glad you explained the final payment date. Never knew that happened and what would occur because of it.

[tatianaflorez]

Oh my gosh! Don't even know where to start. In Sum: Worst worst mistake going on my cruise was NOT being prepared in any way about it. Went to the cruise with NO sleep, cause I worked the night shift before. I ate very saltily and poorly the night before. Of course, when we made it (kids and aunt) to the ship, I couldn't stand anything around me n much least MYSELF, cause I was too exhausted to even pick up my self and go to sleep!
Seasick like heck! Felt as though I was leglessly drunk. Symptoms went away in the middle of my delicious but very late dinner. Biggest unsolicited advice, consider your own age (I'm 45) the older we get the less fitter we are, the more arrangements ought to be made. Happy Cruising!

[virginieholmes]

Hi, Ilana!! Love the golden glow you have going. Thanks for reminding me to get travel insurance..we're 60 days away from embarkation day. Whoot!!

[wisskier]

Good tip on scouting the weather conditions for the destination and time of the cruise. I did this before my first cruise and it paid off well. We went on an Alaskan cruise and I was completely comfortable on the whale watching excursion and the glacier approach. However it was warm in general and my whale watching attire was a bit too warm in Mendenhall NF. But I could tolerate that. Definitely go the day before, what's the cost of a hotel after the cruise and flights -- we went the day before on the AK cruise and we had weather problems cancelling our flights to ORD. We got to Chicago just before the drop dead time for the last flight to Seattle.

[karenbaillie]

Hi I think another thing to put in your hand luggage is a swimsuit as they could be hard to replace.

[pauljohnson]

Very late 60s and about to go on our first Cruise (UK to West Coast of America).Your videos are so usefull and informative, not sure if we will Love or Hate cruising, but thank-you so much.

[anakerose]

I was surprised how cold it was on the first and last sea days when we did the Mexico cruise on Panorama. Definitely learned that cruise!

[DancEncounters]

Having gone on a TA this past spring with two stops in Spain, I can say with authority that the rain in Spain does NOT stay mainly in the plain. Fortunately I always bring a waterproof windbreaker wherever I go.

Also, don’t count of the cruise company to send you an email to remind you about the final payment.

[happycruiser]

Book through a travel agent and you won't have to worry about final payment. One of many reasons I will only use a travel agent.

[jamess]

Funny you should mention boring cruises. We recently did a 14 day Alaska cruise where the views were almost always great. So you felt like you had to constantly look at stuff or you might miss a whale or a mountain. So our next cruise we picked because it has a lot of boring sea days when we can just relax.

[Reed-big]

The reason many fly in the same day is because cruise transportation is only said to be for those flying in on the same day. It would be better to allow passengers, staying at the airport, to signup for cruise supported transportation.

Recently I’m seeing more cruises say you cannot join at the next day as the new protocols don’t allow that. The last one I saw was not in the US!

[raymullen]

You are SPOT on with Air Lines and IT's our Rule to follow ....
In Our Carry on We have Our CP's, RX and 2 Days of Cloths Just in case ...
Leaving for Port Liberty next week for Bermuda, Bags Pack
and at the DOOR Semi-- Ret. ..??

Cruise ON !!!

[kalieneko]

I went with my aunt on a Caribbean cruise and told her to bring something warner, not only because the weather can be colder, but the AC of the ship can be really cold.

[eminiarvii]

Hi Illana, yes my agent has it that it is automatically deducted from the card they have on file, BUT like you i call in a week earlier and tell them to pay the final payment. My 36 yr old son has turned me on to AirTags and offered to buy them for me….and speaking of son’s. Your’s is maturing so much😊

[robertshinazy]

Another fantastic video.
In all your videos you put out some great info. that you can't find anywhere else. We Love it. Thank You🌹

[bradh]

Now more than ever it’s imperative to get to your port early. Have done day of cruise flight. Once. All fine, but no calm until actually on ship.
We have a big white board with all our cruise info. All significant info (dates, cabin #, ship, contact, excursions, OBC, etc. and final pay date with amount due.
Not a big insurance fan (all good so far on five previous cruises) but with future long cruises (10+ days and European embarkation points) we are making the investment. Too many What Ifs.
I spend days, hours, weeks and months researching cruises, ships and excursions. Practically to the point it’s a hobby now. If we end up on a “boring” cruise, it’s clearly my own fault.
Thanks for your well thought out tips.