13 Common Cruise Mistakes First-Timers Make (and How to Avoid Them)

Cruises can be magical — waking up in a new destination every day, endless food, and sunsets that look straight out of a painting. But like any trip, a bit of preparation can make or break your trip.

We have been covering cruises for the past 15 years. And when we were just starting out, we also had quite a few misconceptions that turned out to be false and made some mistakes that were actually avoidable. And in this article, we’ll share with you 13 rookie mistakes to avoid when booking a cruise or boarding a ship.

Plan smart and spend less time stressing and more time sipping cocktails by the pool.

1. Booking the wrong cabin.

Not all cabins are created equal. Some rooms and decks can trigger motion sickness more than other areas, while others are better for senior travelers because they’re closer to the elevator. So when you book a cruise, choose a cabin or stateroom that best fits your needs.

In general, there are four main types of cruise ship accommodations:

• Interior rooms are usually the cheapest, but also the most cramped, and have no windows.
• Sea/Ocean view rooms have a window that could let in some light and have a view of the outside.
• Balcony rooms have some extra space where you can step outside and get a better view of the ocean and the ports.
• Suites have more amenities than usual. They come in all shapes and sizes, and usually come with all sorts of perks.

So if you’re claustrophobic or prone to motion sickness, it’s not a good idea to pick an interior cabin that is on either end of the ship. Instead, choose one in the middle part. You’ll also feel the motion the most on higher decks or levels.

If you’re traveling with seniors or those with mobility issues, choose a room close to the elevator. Ships are crazy long, and it can be quite challenging for them to walk half the length of the ship every day.

Read reviews and look at the ship’s deck plan before booking.

2. Not understanding the inclusions.

Every time we feature a cruise and mention the price or rate, some of the usual questions we see in the comment section are: Is that for the room only? How about the food? How much if meals are included? Do we have to pay to use or access the pools?

In most cases or almost all cases, when you book a cruise on the cruise line’s website or even with a travel…