Cruises will be magical — waking up in a brand new vacation spot every single day, limitless 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 masking cruises for the previous 15 years. And once we had been simply beginning out, we additionally had fairly just a few 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 unsuitable 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 whenever you e book a cruise, select a cabin or stateroom that most closely fits your wants.
Basically, there are 4 major forms of cruise ship lodging:
- Inside rooms are often the most affordable, but additionally probably the most cramped, and don’t have any home windows.
- Sea/Ocean view rooms have a window that might let in some mild and have a view of the skin.
- Balcony rooms have some additional area the place you may step outdoors and get a greater view of the ocean and the ports.
- Suites have extra facilities than typical. They arrive in all sizes and styles, and often include all types of perks.
So should you’re claustrophobic or liable to movement illness, it’s not a good suggestion to choose an inside cabin that’s on both finish of the ship. As an alternative, select one within the center half. You’ll additionally really feel the movement probably the most on greater decks or ranges.
When 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 every single day.
Learn opinions and have a look at the ship’s deck plan earlier than reserving.
2. Not understanding the inclusions.
Each time we characteristic a cruise and point out the worth or charge, among the typical questions we see within the remark part are: Is that for the room solely? How concerning the meals? How a lot if meals are included? Do we’ve got to pay to make use of or entry the swimming pools?
Normally or nearly all instances, whenever 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 lot of the crusing:
USUAL INCLUSIONS
Once more, these are lined by your cruise fare.
- Lodging
– the room the place you may be staying - Entry to most facilities (like swimming pools)
– not all or with exceptions - Primary leisure or reveals
- Full board meals
– breakfast, lunch, dinner
There are two forms of eating places on board: inclusive (or complimentary) and specialty (or paid).
When you dine on the inclusive or complimentary ones, you don’t have to pay something additional. These are included in your cruise fare. Often, 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 apart from the buffet, there’s additionally a complimentary full-service (or effective 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 received bored with the buffet meals however didn’t strive eating at Vesta as a result of they thought it was effective eating and needed to pay additional. Once I informed them that Vesta was truly free, they couldn’t consider it. I even needed to clarify it additional. They thought that as a result of it was effective eating, it could incur additional 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, you need to know the inclusions, in addition to the exclusions!
3. Not budgeting for “hidden prices”.
Then again, many first-timers assume cruises are 100% all-inclusive. Spoiler alert: they’re not.
While you’re reserving a cruise, the primary costs which are offered to you’re often simply the so-called “cruise fare”. As talked about, it already covers your lodging, major meals, and entry to facilities and a few leisure. However whenever you attain the checkout web page, you’ll out of the blue discover some additions to the price. That’s most likely the “port prices”. Extra on this later. Beneath are the exclusions out of your cruise fare that you have to be conscious of.
EXCLUDED FROM CRUISE FARE
- Port Fees. Port prices (generally known as port charges or port taxes) are the obligatory charges that cruise traces pay to every port your ship visits, form of like “hire” for docking there. The cash goes to the port authorities for issues like upkeep, safety, and customs operations. You’ll often see port prices already included in your whole cruise fare, however generally they’re listed individually to indicate transparency. They’re not optionally available, even should you resolve to remain on the ship and skip the tour. The cruise line nonetheless has to pay the port on your ship’s go to. When you’re reserving with a journey company, the revealed charges often don’t embrace port prices but. So count on to pay extra upon reserving.
- Flights and Transfers. Attending to the port just isn’t 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 prices mechanically added to your invoice to compensate the hardworking crew reminiscent of your cabin attendants, eating workers, and behind-the-scenes crew, who preserve every thing spotless and working easily. You won’t 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 particular person per day. You may 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 unsuitable. These crew members work lengthy hours for modest pay, in order that little additional goes a great distance. Briefly, it’s not a rip-off, it’s simply cruise tradition.
- Different Obligatory Charges. For sailings to Japan, a JPY 1000 Vacationer Arrival Charge can be collected. For Sanya, China, in our expertise, we had been charged a HKD 15 dealing with payment.
These are crucial. Nevertheless, there are additionally optionally available gadgets that may make your cruise expertise extra handy or fulfilling however are additionally not included in your cruise fare.
OPTIONAL ADD-ONS
- Wifi. Cruise ships often supply web packages for a payment.
- 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 a part of an organized tour. However both manner, these should not included. Your bills whenever you alight the ship should 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. While you dine in certainly one of these specialty eating places, you’ll be charged additional. However you may completely get by with out these premium eating places.
Drinks are additionally restricted to water, fundamental espresso or tea, and generally, just a few 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 provides you with 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 always working promos. We frequently encounter gross sales like “4th visitor sails free,” “children cruise free,” or “purchase one, get one 50% off.” These offers can slash tons of of {dollars} off your whole fare, however provided that you understand when and the place to look.
The issue is that many first-timers panic-book on the first respectable value they see. The secret is to remain looking out. Cruise traces are inclined to launch promos throughout off-peak reserving intervals or once they’re filling up particular sail dates. When you’re versatile together with your journey dates and cabin sort, you may snag insane offers.
Additionally, TPTers or our readers may also take pleasure in a further 5% OFF on some cruises. All you could 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 should you e book with Cruising.com.ph. The code is WORTHIT, which can even offer you 5% OFF. You may strive it on their web site, however generally the system doesn’t work. However should 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’s also necessary to keep in mind that extra providers and comforts are often less expensive whenever you e book them BEFORE your crusing date — wifi, shore excursions or excursions, drink packages, and even paid eating places. You’ll save extra should you e book them upfront than whenever you’re already on board.
Some workers, often managers or head waiters, are additionally licensed to grant reductions. We often expertise this on Royal Caribbean cruises. The pinnacle waiter assigned to us on the major eating room gave us 50% OFF on one other restaurant once we talked about we needed to strive it.
5. Not understanding 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. Unsuitable. Even should you’re technically solely stepping off for just a few hours throughout a port cease, you’re nonetheless coming into one other nation. And if that nation requires a visa on your nationality, you higher have one — otherwise you won’t be allowed to board the ship in any respect.
Fortunately, a lot of the cruise ships accessible to us Filipinos don’t require visas. When 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 need to pay the Vacationer Arrival Charge (JPY 1000). Cruise traces often cost USD 10 for this.
For China, as of writing, should you’re staying in China for lower than 24 hours, you may transit and not using a visa. When you’re staying longer, you’ll want to use for one. To be secure, you may apply for a double-entry visa.
For South Korea, no want for a visa should you’re visiting Jeju Island solely. However should you’re crusing to every other 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 payment applies.
- China: NO – if staying for lower than 24 hours. However should 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
Observe: That is as of this writing, 2025. These insurance policies change over time, so be sure you get the up to date information. Cruise traces will often inform you after reserving, however it’s nonetheless your accountability to verify the necessities.
6. Not giving sufficient time allowance.
It’s good to give your self sufficient time earlier than and after your crusing. Cruise embarkation and disembarkation will 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 provides you a cushion in case one thing goes unsuitable.
The identical goes for after the cruise. Disembarkation can take hours, so don’t schedule an early flight house. As an alternative, spend yet one more evening within the metropolis. It’s far more enjoyable and stress-free. It additionally provides you a while to discover the house port.
WAIT, WAIT, WAIT! If you could e book a resort within the homeport metropolis, you may 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 based mostly on present conversion. That’s big! We additionally get credited for each reserving, which helps us preserve this web site.
7. Fighting 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 gained’t wait.
Cruise traces often announce time adjustments over the intercom or within the each day bulletin, however individuals are inclined to miss it between buffets and bingo. At all times 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 manner, your gadget doesn’t betray you mid-shopping spree in a foreign country. It seems like a small mistake, however it occurs so much.
By the way in which, each evening, your cabin steward will go away a each day program in your room. It lists every thing occurring onboard the subsequent day: reveals, trivia video games, dance lessons, film screenings, meals tastings, and even karaoke. It additionally tells you if there can 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 highly regarded Artwork Road is simply inside strolling distance. In Naha, you can even 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 should 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.
Bear in mind! Cruise ships comply with strict schedules, and they won’t anticipate late passengers.
When you be a part of a ship-organized tour, you’re secure — they’ll be sure you’re again in time. However should you discover independently, be aware of the all-aboard time. It’s not like lacking a bus; should you’re late, the ship will actually sail with out you. At all times 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 observe 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 doable time. You in all probability gained’t want it (fingers crossed), however should you ever do, you’ll be so glad you bought it. Consider it as probably the most boring buy that might 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 positively does is PGA Sompo’s TravelJoy. To e book, simply go to www.thepoortraveler.web/defend. 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 price, use our code WORTHIT, which provides you with 5% OFF.
9. Forgetting the costume code.
Most cruise ships working in Asia are fairly informal. But it surely’s nonetheless fairly enjoyable to decorate up. You may assume, “It’s trip! I’ll put on slippers all over the place.” However not all eating rooms or lounges agree. Whereas ships have turn out to be 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 costume or a collared shirt. Don’t fear, you don’t actually need to convey a tux. Simply one thing a bit nicer than your “mall” outfit.
And should you intend to swim, correct swimwear is often non-negotiable.
10. Overpacking
Cruise cabins are cozy — and by cozy, we imply small. Generally, actually small. Bringing two suitcases stuffed with “simply in case” outfits will go away you tripping over your baggage. The trick? Pack sensible.
Follow mix-and-match items, convey one pair of costume footwear, and don’t overlook swimwear and one thing heat for the chilly decks at evening.
Additionally, don’t overlook 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 may and might’t convey on board, they usually take them significantly. These guidelines differ relying on the ship or cruise line, however typically, weapons, unlawful substances, and gadgets which are sharp, flammable and harmful are prohibited. These are fairly apparent.
However there are different issues that individuals mistakenly attempt to convey 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 hearth hazards. As an alternative, convey these small journey adapters.
- Alcoholic drinks, usually prohibited on most ships, with just a few exceptions, like one bottle of wine per cabin (Royal Caribbean).
Once more, these guidelines differ from firm to firm, so simply verify the effective print earlier than packing.
12. Not making ready for seasickness.
Some vacationers deal with sea days (days and not using a port cease) as “wasted” days. Massive mistake. Sea days are literally the perfect a part of cruising, the calm between adventures.
Use them to loosen up. Lounge by the pool, hit the spa, be a part of a wine-tasting, or simply nap prefer it’s your job. You can even use the time to discover the ship. By the tip, you’ll notice sea days are whenever you actually really feel the cruise life.
However it’s nowadays at excessive seas that are typically the shakiest. Even should you assume you’re not the sort to get movement illness, the ocean may humble you. It occurs to the perfect of us — even seasoned vacationers.
Pack motion-sickness patches, tablets, or wristbands simply in case. And should you begin feeling queasy, go outdoors and have a look at the horizon. It helps your mind recalibrate.
I don’t actually get dizzy so much. 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, every thing 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 choose good old style money. And in case your bank card out of the blue decides to have belief points mid-trip, you’re in hassle.
Right here’s the factor: generally, your financial institution sees international transactions and freaks out, assuming your card’s been stolen regardless that you’re simply making an attempt to purchase souvenirs. When that occurs, the cardboard will get blocked. Been there, completed that. It occurred to us once we had been crusing within the Caribbean from Miami. It additionally occurred to a good friend 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 convey 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 just a few crisp USD payments as common backup. It doesn’t should be so much — simply sufficient for emergencies, suggestions, or that impossible to resist avenue meals.
Carry some small payments, too, for tipping crew members who go the additional mile. A little bit 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’ve suggestions so as to add to this checklist? Or have you ever been responsible of any of those? Tell us within the feedback part under.
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2025 11 5 – First uploaded
