A cruise can be an easy vacation—until one small mistake costs you money, time or even the ship.
Before your next sailing, keep these five rules in mind.
• Don’t arrive at the last minute. Give yourself plenty of time for check-in, security and boarding. The ship won’t wait for a late passenger.
• Don’t lose track of all-aboard time. If you’re exploring a port on your own, leave a generous buffer to get back. Missing the ship can turn a relaxing vacation into a very expensive problem.
• Don’t put everything in your checked luggage. Keep medications, passports, valuables and anything you’ll need right away in your carry-on.
• Don’t assume your phone works normally at sea. Cruise cellular charges can add up quickly. Check your carrier’s cruise coverage before sailing and understand when roaming applies.
• Don’t assume the destination is where the ship docks. A cruise advertised as “Rome” or “Paris” may dock far outside the city. Check the actual port, transportation time and excursion schedule before making plans.
The smarter take: A great cruise is mostly about avoiding preventable problems. Keep your essentials close, protect your time and always plan around the ship—not just the destination.