Cruising is often marketed as one of the easiest, most stress-free vacations you can take and in many ways, it is. Your accommodations, dining, entertainment, and transportation between destinations are all bundled together, which is exactly why so many people fall in love with cruising.
But here’s the part most people don’t realize until after their first cruise: Cruising doesn’t operate like a typical land vacation.
Now, I know what you’re thinking “Of course a cruise is different, it’s a ship, not a hotel.”
And you’re right.
But the differences that catch people off guard usually have nothing to do with being on the water. They’re the little things most travelers don’t think about until they’re already onboard like your phone connecting to an expensive maritime network, your ship operating on a different time zone than the port you’re visiting, or finding out that the power strip you packed was confiscated at embarkation.
The good news? A little preparation goes a long way. Knowing what to expect before you sail can help you avoid common cruise mistakes and focus on what really matters – enjoying your vacation.
I’ve worked with many cruise clients, and I can tell you this with confidence: The biggest issues rarely come from big mistakes… they come from the little things people didn’t know to think about.
So before you sail, here are the cruise mistakes to avoid including the obvious ones, the overlooked ones, and the ones that tend to catch even experienced travelers off guard. Sometimes I even make these mistakes.
The Most Common Cruise Mistakes
1. Bringing the Wrong Power Strip: This is one of those rules that surprises even veteran cruisers. On cruise lines like Royal Caribbean & Celebrity, anything with surge protection, extension cords, or multi-outlet expansion is typically prohibited. Even if it’s marketed for a cruise, it can be confiscated during boarding.
Cruise cabins are limited on outlets to begin with, which is why people bring their own but unfortunately, not all are allowed on every cruise line.
Instead, bring a cruise-approved, non-surge USB hub. It solves the problem without risking confiscation. It’s easy to forget and grab the wrong charging block because it was fine on your last cruise. You don’t want to have to stop at the naughty table to pick up your power strip at the end of the cruise.
Another good idea is to bring a European travel adaptor to take advantage of the type E plug.
