The 10 mistakes cruise experts see first-time passengers make again and again

If you've never been on a cruise, planning one can feel overwhelming. I'm in my fourth decade of cruising, and you'd think I should know all the important things by now. But sometimes, even I make missteps. To help you avoid first-cruise regrets , I spoke to a handful of experts about the mistakes they've seen, along with advice for avoiding them. 

Several themes came up repeatedly. Nearly everyone recommended boarding with a carry-on that has everything you'll need for your first day and evening, in case your checked luggage doesn't arrive quickly. Arriving at port without the correct documentation was also a consistently cited rookie mistake. Ditto to skipping travel insurance. (In case you're dubious about that one, Carole Tokody, CEO of Southern Cross Travel Insurance, says the average cruise claim her company has paid this year is $3,584.)

Beyond those basics, our cruise experts had plenty to share about the mistakes first-time passengers are prone to make. Let's dive in.

1. Trying to cram too much into your cruise 

"From this captain's perspective, the biggest mistake first-time cruisers make is trying to do everything," says Captain Kate McCue , with Four Seasons Yachts and the first American female captain of a mega cruise ship for Celebrity Cruises . "Leave room to enjoy the ship and be spontaneous. My best advice is to plan enough to avoid stress but leave enough space to be surprised."

Former cruise ship dancer Kelsey Glennon echoes Captain Kate's thoughts on keeping it simple. "The reality is, excursions are exhausting." She suggests booking the things you really want to do, while leaving enough time to just hang out, either on the ship or in port. 

Travel writer Richard Carroll agrees and recommends being realistic about your own limitations. "Traveling anywhere consumes an enormous amount of energy," he says. "Your body is tested on a cruise with long lines at every turn." 

2. Rushing to guest services with minor problems on embarkation day

Former crew member and travel blogger Sharon Waugh reminds all cruisers — and not just the newbies — that attempting to immediately address small hiccups can gum up the work of the day, which is to embark all the new passengers and get the ship underway.

"Don't try to resolve non-urgent problems immediately upon embarkation," she says. That would include things like drink package snafus, beds not arranged correctly and Wi-Fi problems.

3. Ignoring important information

It may sound obvious, but pay attention — especially when it comes time to leave the ship. "Read your excursion tickets," says Waugh. They contain all the details about where to be and when to be there. Tour departures change from port to port. You may be asked to wait in a public space on board in one port and to gather on the pier in the next. 

Captain Kate adds another important PSA: "Always follow ship time — not necessarily the time on your phone — and remember that 'all aboard' is the deadline, not the time to start heading back (although we do love the entertainment of pier runners)."

4. Not consulting the pros

Erica Silverstein , a long-time cruise and travel journalist, says travel agents are worth it for new cruisers. "First-time cruisers don't always know the best ways to spend their budget," she says.

Winging it on their own often leads to picking the cheapest cabin, which can leave everyone disappointed and cranky, or regretfully overspending on things a seasoned travel consultant might have helped them avoid. A good travel agent can help you sift through the cabin options and add-on packages to create the cruise experience that fits your budget. 

5. Forgetting to pre-book onboard dining

Don't get stuck eating at the buffet every night. Gwen Pratesi , an award-winning food and travel writer, says you should book everything you really want to do before you board the ship, when that's allowed, and especially when it comes to the ship's restaurants .

Many cruise lines let you do so in their apps. But she also notes that the timing can be tricky. "When you're allowed to make those reservations may depend on your stateroom category, cruise line status, etc." Some lines that may restrict advance dining reservations according to cabin size or status include Norwegian , Royal Caribbean , Virgin Voyages and Princess .

6. Assuming everyone speaks English — or that they know where your ship is

Simon Veness , a veteran travel writer, recalled a time when he almost didn't make it back to the ship in time for departure from Istanbul because of language barriers with a taxi driver.

"We hastily drew a picture of a small ship on a piece of paper to indicate where we were, and then a much larger ship to try to indicate where we needed to be," he says. "Eventually, he understood enough to get us back to the cruise terminal just as the gangways were being pulled in. The moral of the story: Always get the written address of the port before you leave the ship!"

I'd also add to take the contact information for the ship's agent in each port. If the ship still prints a daily schedule, you can simply tear out the info and take it with you. If it's posted in an app or at the gangway, screenshot it or take a picture of the posting. That information is critical if you do miss the ship.

7. Disrespecting the destination's culture

Kristi Switzer, with Travel Juneau , offers one piece of advice every cruiser should heed: Don't disrespect the culture. "It's sad when visitors don't take time to learn a little about Alaska Native history and the appropriate way to interact with public art, like our Kootéeyaa Deiyí (totem pole trail)."

Whether you're visiting Greek archaeological sites, shopping for trinkets in the Bahamas or visiting a mosque in Istanbul, educate yourself in advance about what is appropriate, including clothing and behavior.

8. Packing too much, too little or the wrong stuff

Captain Kate says comfortable shoes and sunscreen are non-negotiables, and Silverstein adds that first-timers often fail to consider the possibility of changing weather, even in the tropics. Packing layers helps prepare you for shifting conditions.

Ashley Kosciolek , a travel writer who's been on more than 100 cruises, has an entire list of tips to share and a master packing list . One surprising item on her list is duct tape. But when you need it, you need it — I used it to salvage my trusted dive fins that broke in transit before an early-morning scuba excursion.

9. Thinking the rules don't apply to you

Roderick Eime, editor and publisher of Expedition Cruising , shared a funny-not-so-funny story about almost losing his thumb to a crocodile. Despite being warned by a guide not to touch any animals, he couldn't resist taking a selfie.

"Even though a supine crocodile may seem harmless, they're prone to unexpected moves," he recalls. "As we were all grins, the unfortunate beast had one last thrash, bringing his needle-sharp jaws down on my ill-placed thumb."

The moral of that story: Listen carefully to safety instructions from the ship's crew and your guides.

10. Failing to ask other cruisers all your questions

Even with all the amazing advice I gathered from experts, there's one thing I'd add: Join a social media group for your cruise line and, if possible, one for your specific sailing. Facebook groups and Reddit communities are both popular options. Your fellow cruisers can be an excellent source of advice on topics like good hotels near the port, excursion reviews and menu recommendations. Join early, and you might even make friends you can meet up with during your cruise.