There’s something magical about being out at sea—endless ocean views, fresh salty air, and that indescribable feeling when the ship pulls away from port. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned cruiser, there’s always a way to make your experience smoother, more enjoyable, and a lot less stressful. I’ve cruised enough times to learn what works (and what doesn’t), and I’m sharing my go-to tips that have helped me and others enjoy every trip to the fullest.
This list of 24 cruise tips comes from personal experience. I’ve done most of these things myself, and I genuinely recommend them to anyone stepping aboard a ship. Some may seem obvious, others might surprise you, but together they will make a huge difference in your cruise experience.
🌏 Pre-Cruise Planning
1. Arrive a Day Early
Travel plans can get delayed, luggage gets lost. We always arrive the day before now—no stress, no missed departures.
2. Use a Passport (Even When It’s Not Required)
Having a passport gives you real peace of mind—especially if something goes wrong in a foreign port and you need to fly home unexpectedly. It also makes the check-in process noticeably faster and easier every single time.
3. Do Online Check-In Early
Board early, grab the best dining times and be first in line for excursions. Your cruise experience truly begins the moment you step on board—so why not start your vacation as early as possible? I never skip this step.
4. Plan Your Excursions Before You Sail
Popular tours fill up fast, and the last thing we want to do is scramble for options once onboard. We always plan our excursions before we board—even if our plan is nothing more than a relaxed shopping day. Looking at you, Mahogany Bay. 🙂
🛋 Packing & Preparation
5. Pack a Carry-On for Embarkation Day
Backpacks are a necessity on embarkation day. Your luggage might not show up until dinner, so I always keep swimwear, sunscreen, and meds in my carry-on. I also make sure to keep all our boarding documents handy in the backpack. Having both hands free is super convenient too, especially when navigating the terminal or boarding the ship.
6. Bring a Cruise-Approved Power Strip
One outlet in the cabin is never enough. A non-surge power strip keeps everything charged. But be sure to check your cruise line’s policy before packing one—some lines are starting to ban or confiscate them. Always double-check to avoid surprises at embarkation!
7. Use Magnets for Cabin Organization
Super, super handy. I use magnetic hooks for hats, lanyards, and even wet swimsuits. But be aware—some cruise cabins don’t have metal walls, so finding a good spot for your magnets can be tricky. Still, when they work, they’re a total game-changer.
8. Bring a Refillable Water Bottle
Staying hydrated matters, and bottled water adds up quickly. We usually use the bottled water provided as a perk with Carnival, but we’ve seen plenty of cruisers refilling their water bottles in the buffet areas—especially on port days. Whatever your preference, having a water bottle handy is always a smart move.
9. Pack Motion Sickness Remedies
Even if you think you won’t need them—you might. While I’ve found that I don’t really need anything anymore, my wife still packs the patches and wears one (at least until it falls off). Be smart and pack them—you’ll be glad you did if the seas get rough.
10. Use Packing Cubes
They keep will stuff organized and make unpacking in small cabins so much easier. This one’s on the list because it makes perfect sense—but full disclosure, that doesn’t mean we actually follow this advice every time. 🤦♂️
11. Bring Small Bills for Tipping and Shopping
A few singles and fives go a long way for porters, guides, and those surprise moments of great service. Always bring cash on shopping trips, too—most of the time, U.S. dollars will get you a better deal. It’s not necessary at the more touristy shops like Ron Jon’s or Piranha Joe’s but in places like Cozumel or Progreso, cash definitely talks.
12. Bring a Small Daypack or Backpack
Perfect for excursions or poolside essentials. I love using a backpack—it keeps my hands free and gear secure.
13. Photograph Important Documents
Snap pics of passports, cruise cards, and other travel docs—just in case anything gets lost. This is on the list because it makes sense, but full disclosure—we haven’t actually done this yet. 🤦♂️ That said, I plan to finally do it on our next cruise in July!
🚤 Onboard Experience
14. Download the Cruise Line’s App
I use it for daily schedules, reservations, maps, and ship info. On Carnival, the messaging feature is a paid add-on that we’ve never actually used, but it’s worth checking out your cruise line’s app ahead of time to see what’s included. Some features work without Wi-Fi, while others may require a plan. Be sure to visit your cruise line’s website for full details.
15. Check the Daily Newsletter or App
This is a daily MUST. So many hidden gems pop up daily—trivia, live music, game shows, tastings, and more. We always find something interesting, which helps us plan our day so we don’t miss anything worth doing.
16. Avoid the Buffet on Day 1
Everyone rushes there, and it can feel chaotic. We skip the crowds and head to a smaller venue for a more relaxing lunch. On Carnival, “Guy’s Burgers” is our first stop every single time!
17. Book Specialty Dining Early
If you want a steakhouse night or sushi dinner, book it right away. If you don’t book the Steakhouse before embarkation day, you won’t get in. I’ve missed out by waiting too long—lesson learned!
18. Use a Lanyard for Your Cruise Card
You’ll need that card constantly. I clip mine in a waterproof lanyard—now. Hard lesson learned right here! I lost mine on our last cruise, and thankfully my wife spotted it on the floor behind me. I’ll definitely be using one when we cruise again in July!
19. Use Airplane Mode + Ship Wi-Fi
This is a must. Avoid those nasty roaming fees by switching your phone to airplane mode as soon as you board. On Carnival, the app won’t even work unless you’re in airplane mode. I use the ship’s Wi-Fi only when necessary, but airplane mode is non-negotiable.
20. Set a Budget for Onboard Spending
This is a must for us. Drinks, spa visits, shopping—they add up fast. We set a limit to avoid shock later. Bonus tip: if you bring extra cash and don’t spend it, you can apply it to your onboard account before the last night to help pay down your bill—before it hits your credit card!
21. Wear Comfortable Shoes
From long excursions to deck walking, I’ve learned (the hard way) that sore feet can ruin a day.
🌊 Making the Most of It
22. Don’t Overpack – Use Laundry Services
Most ships have laundry options. Our friend does this and never takes home dirty laundry. Us? My wife says she’s on vacation—she is NOT doing laundry. 😂 Still, this is good advice. We pack way too many clothes every single trip. 🤦♂️
23. Try Something New Each Day
Each ship has tons to do—from dance classes to cooking demos. We tend to save this for excursions since we’ve been on a lot of cruises, and now we mostly “people watch” on sea days. Oh boy—is that fun! 😂 But trying something new is still great advice for making the most of what the ship has to offer.
24. Disembark Early If You Have a Tight Schedule
This is a new concept for us. In the past, we would set out our luggage and let the cruise line take it off the ship—which means you get off last on Carnival. If you can manage it, ALWAYS take your luggage off yourself. On our last cruise, we did just that and were driving out of the parking deck within 30 minutes of the first announcement to debark. 🙂
Cruising should be fun, not frustrating. With these 24 tips, It will make each trip smoother, more relaxing, and more memorable. I hope they help you as much as they’ve helped us. Bon voyage!
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