I still cringe thinking about my first cruise on Carnival Dream back in 2019. I made every rookie mistake in the book — and I mean every single one. I spent too much money, missed incredible experiences, and honestly felt overwhelmed for the first three days. But here's the thing: these mistakes taught me everything I know about cruising smart.
After 40+ cruises, I've watched countless first-timers make the same errors I did. So let me save you the heartache (and the money) by sharing the 12 biggest mistakes I wish someone had warned me about.
On my first cruise to Cozumel, I figured I'd just "wing it" and book excursions onboard. Big mistake. The snorkeling tour I wanted was $89 per person when I checked online before the cruise. By the time I got to the Shore Excursion Desk on embarkation day? Sold out. The only remaining option was $129 per person.
Here's what I learned: popular excursions sell out fast, and prices only go up once you're onboard. Book your must-do excursions at least 60 days before sailing — that's when cruise lines typically open bookings.
Pro tip: If you're sailing on Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, or Celebrity, you can cancel most excursions up to 48 hours before your port day with full refund.
Share your shore excursion wins and fails in our Shore Excursions forum!
I spent my entire first cruise eating at the main dining room and buffet, thinking I was being "smart" by not spending extra money. Then on the last night, I splurged on Chops Grille aboard Allure of the Seas. It was hands-down the best meal of my cruise — and I realized I'd missed five other amazing restaurants.
The bigger mistake? I could have saved 20% by purchasing a dining package before the cruise instead of paying à la carte prices.
Here's the math: On most Royal Caribbean ships, specialty dining runs $45-75 per person. A 4-night dining package typically costs $200-250 per person. If you plan to eat at specialty restaurants more than three times, the package pays for itself.
Insider tip: Book your first specialty restaurant for night two of your cruise, not the first or last night. You'll have settled in but won't be rushing to pack.
I brought $800 cash on my first 7-day cruise, thinking I'd need tons of money for tips, drinks, and ports. Guess what? I spent maybe $150 in actual cash the entire week. Modern cruise ships are nearly cashless — everything goes on your room key card.
But here's where I messed up: I didn't bring small bills for port activities. Try splitting a $50 bill among four people for taxi fare in Nassau — it's awkward and you'll overpay.
My cash formula now:
Two 50-pound suitcases for a 7-day Caribbean cruise. I'm not kidding. I packed for every possible scenario, including formal wear I never wore and enough toiletries for a month.
Meanwhile, my cabin on Deck 8 felt like a shoebox with all my stuff crammed in. I couldn't even walk around the bed without climbing over luggage.
Reality check: You'll wear swimwear 60% of the time, casual clothes 35%, and formal wear maybe twice. Pack accordingly. Most essentials you forget can be bought onboard (yes, it's pricier, but not having space to move around your cabin is worse).
Game-changer: Pack one nice outfit per formal night, two casual dinner outfits, and call it done. You're on vacation, not attending a fashion show.
I booked the cheapest interior cabin I could find on Deck 3 of Norwegian Gem, directly under the buffet. From 6 AM to midnight, I heard chairs scraping, dishes clanking, and what sounded like bowling balls being dropped.
Then there was the 2 AM fire drill practice. Apparently, crew training happens at all hours, and sound travels down through the ship.
Cabins to avoid at all costs:
Sweet spot: Mid-ship, Decks 6-8, away from public areas. You'll pay slightly more, but you'll actually sleep.
Get personalized cabin advice in our Cabin Selection forum!
I let the automatic $14.50 per day gratuities get charged to my room, assuming that covered everyone. Then I felt guilty the entire cruise wondering if I should tip extra, who I was missing, and whether my room steward thought I was cheap.
Here's the truth: those automatic gratuities are minimum recommended amounts that get distributed among your key service staff. They're perfectly adequate for standard service. But if someone goes above and beyond, a little extra cash is always appreciated.
My current approach: Keep the automatic gratuities and bring $20-40 in small bills for exceptional service moments. Your room steward fixes your air conditioning at midnight? Slip them a $10. Your bartender remembers your drink order after day one? A $5 tip goes a long way.
Cocktails were $12-15 each on my first cruise. I did the math: if I had more than 6-7 drinks per day, the $65/day beverage package would pay for itself. Easy decision, right?
Wrong. I forgot that I'd be off the ship half the time at ports. I basically paid $65/day to drink heavily during sea days and evening hours. Plus, I felt pressured to "get my money's worth," which led to more drinking than I normally would.
Better strategy: Track your actual drinking patterns for the first two days, then decide. Many cruise lines let you add beverage packages up to day 2 of your cruise. Or consider the refreshment package (sodas, coffee, water) for $25-35/day instead.
Pro tip: Carnival's CHEERS! package includes gratuities; Royal Caribbean's doesn't (add 18% to everything).
I almost skipped formal night entirely, thinking it was pretentious and outdated. I reluctantly threw on a sport coat and hit the main dining room for a quick dinner, then retreated to my cabin.
Huge mistake. Formal night is when the ship transforms. The photography is stunning, people are genuinely happy and dressed up, and the energy is different. I missed some of the best people-watching and photo opportunities of the entire cruise.
You don't need to go overboard: A nice dress or slacks with a collared shirt is perfectly fine. The goal is to participate in the experience, not win a fashion contest.
I booked an 8 AM snorkeling tour in Cozumel, thinking I'd maximize my port time. What I didn't consider: we docked at 7 AM, and I had to be at the meeting point by 7:45 AM.
That meant waking up at 6 AM (after staying up until 1 AM the night before), rushing through breakfast, and dealing with the chaos of early disembarkation. I was exhausted before my excursion even started.
Lesson learned: Book excursions that depart 2-3 hours after docking. You'll have time to wake up properly, grab breakfast, and actually enjoy your day ashore.
I spent probably 2 hours of my first cruise just wandering around lost. Carnival Dream felt like a floating city, and I had no idea how to get anywhere efficiently. I missed the start of a comedy show because I couldn't find the theater, and I was perpetually late to dinner reservations.
Game-changer: Download your cruise line's app before boarding and study the deck plans. Most apps have maps with GPS-like directions. Spend 30 minutes on embarkation day walking the ship with the app open.
Quick orientation trick: Find the main elevator banks and locate them relative to your cabin. Everything else is positioned around these central points.
I treated my cruise like a military operation. Every hour was planned: fitness class at 9 AM, pool time at 10 AM, lunch at noon, excursion planning at 1 PM, bingo at 3 PM... you get the picture.
By day four, I was exhausted and felt like I needed a vacation from my vacation.
The magic happens in the unplanned moments: Random conversations with other passengers, discovering a quiet deck spot, or spontaneously trying an activity you never considered. Schedule your must-dos, but leave breathing room for serendipity.
My first cruise had two sea days, and I considered them "wasted" time between ports. I spent them basically doing nothing, wishing we were somewhere more "exciting."
Now I know better: sea days are the best days. The ship's amenities aren't crowded, you can actually get pool chairs, restaurants have shorter waits, and you can experience everything the ship offers without the pressure of being in port.
Sea day strategy: This is when you book spa treatments, try specialty dining, attend cooking classes, or just read a book by the pool. Embrace the slower pace — it's what cruising is really about.
Here's what I wish someone had told me before my first cruise: you're going to make mistakes, and that's okay. I made all 12 of these errors and still had an incredible time. These lessons just helped me enjoy cruise number two (and all the others) even more.
The most important thing? Don't stress so much about doing everything "right" that you forget to enjoy the experience. Your first cruise is about discovering what you love about cruising, not executing a perfect plan.
Ready to plan your first cruise? Get personalized advice from experienced cruisers in our First-Time Cruisers forum — we're here to help you avoid these mistakes and create amazing memories!
After 40+ cruises, I've watched countless first-timers make the same errors I did. So let me save you the heartache (and the money) by sharing the 12 biggest mistakes I wish someone had warned me about.
Mistake #1: Not Pre-Purchasing Shore Excursions (The $200 Lesson)
On my first cruise to Cozumel, I figured I'd just "wing it" and book excursions onboard. Big mistake. The snorkeling tour I wanted was $89 per person when I checked online before the cruise. By the time I got to the Shore Excursion Desk on embarkation day? Sold out. The only remaining option was $129 per person.
Here's what I learned: popular excursions sell out fast, and prices only go up once you're onboard. Book your must-do excursions at least 60 days before sailing — that's when cruise lines typically open bookings.
Pro tip: If you're sailing on Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, or Celebrity, you can cancel most excursions up to 48 hours before your port day with full refund.
Share your shore excursion wins and fails in our Shore Excursions forum!
Mistake #2: Ignoring Specialty Dining Until It's Too Late
I spent my entire first cruise eating at the main dining room and buffet, thinking I was being "smart" by not spending extra money. Then on the last night, I splurged on Chops Grille aboard Allure of the Seas. It was hands-down the best meal of my cruise — and I realized I'd missed five other amazing restaurants.
The bigger mistake? I could have saved 20% by purchasing a dining package before the cruise instead of paying à la carte prices.
Here's the math: On most Royal Caribbean ships, specialty dining runs $45-75 per person. A 4-night dining package typically costs $200-250 per person. If you plan to eat at specialty restaurants more than three times, the package pays for itself.
Insider tip: Book your first specialty restaurant for night two of your cruise, not the first or last night. You'll have settled in but won't be rushing to pack.
Mistake #3: Bringing Way Too Much Cash (And Not Enough Small Bills)
I brought $800 cash on my first 7-day cruise, thinking I'd need tons of money for tips, drinks, and ports. Guess what? I spent maybe $150 in actual cash the entire week. Modern cruise ships are nearly cashless — everything goes on your room key card.
But here's where I messed up: I didn't bring small bills for port activities. Try splitting a $50 bill among four people for taxi fare in Nassau — it's awkward and you'll overpay.
My cash formula now:
- $20-30 per port day for taxis, small purchases
- $5-10 per day for crew tips (beyond prepaid gratuities)
- $20-40 total for casino/arcade if you indulge
- Bring mostly $1s, $5s, and $10s
Mistake #4: Packing Like I'm Moving Apartments
Two 50-pound suitcases for a 7-day Caribbean cruise. I'm not kidding. I packed for every possible scenario, including formal wear I never wore and enough toiletries for a month.
Meanwhile, my cabin on Deck 8 felt like a shoebox with all my stuff crammed in. I couldn't even walk around the bed without climbing over luggage.
Reality check: You'll wear swimwear 60% of the time, casual clothes 35%, and formal wear maybe twice. Pack accordingly. Most essentials you forget can be bought onboard (yes, it's pricier, but not having space to move around your cabin is worse).
Game-changer: Pack one nice outfit per formal night, two casual dinner outfits, and call it done. You're on vacation, not attending a fashion show.
Mistake #5: Choosing the Wrong Cabin Location
I booked the cheapest interior cabin I could find on Deck 3 of Norwegian Gem, directly under the buffet. From 6 AM to midnight, I heard chairs scraping, dishes clanking, and what sounded like bowling balls being dropped.
Then there was the 2 AM fire drill practice. Apparently, crew training happens at all hours, and sound travels down through the ship.
Cabins to avoid at all costs:
- Directly under restaurants, pools, or the gym
- Near elevators or stairwells (constant foot traffic)
- On Deck 1 or 2 (engine noise and vibration)
- Under the sports deck (think basketball bouncing at 7 AM)
- Near the theater (late-night shows, early rehearsals)
Sweet spot: Mid-ship, Decks 6-8, away from public areas. You'll pay slightly more, but you'll actually sleep.
Get personalized cabin advice in our Cabin Selection forum!
Mistake #6: Not Understanding How Gratuities Really Work
I let the automatic $14.50 per day gratuities get charged to my room, assuming that covered everyone. Then I felt guilty the entire cruise wondering if I should tip extra, who I was missing, and whether my room steward thought I was cheap.
Here's the truth: those automatic gratuities are minimum recommended amounts that get distributed among your key service staff. They're perfectly adequate for standard service. But if someone goes above and beyond, a little extra cash is always appreciated.
My current approach: Keep the automatic gratuities and bring $20-40 in small bills for exceptional service moments. Your room steward fixes your air conditioning at midnight? Slip them a $10. Your bartender remembers your drink order after day one? A $5 tip goes a long way.
Mistake #7: Overpaying for Drinks (By a Lot)
Cocktails were $12-15 each on my first cruise. I did the math: if I had more than 6-7 drinks per day, the $65/day beverage package would pay for itself. Easy decision, right?
Wrong. I forgot that I'd be off the ship half the time at ports. I basically paid $65/day to drink heavily during sea days and evening hours. Plus, I felt pressured to "get my money's worth," which led to more drinking than I normally would.
Better strategy: Track your actual drinking patterns for the first two days, then decide. Many cruise lines let you add beverage packages up to day 2 of your cruise. Or consider the refreshment package (sodas, coffee, water) for $25-35/day instead.
Pro tip: Carnival's CHEERS! package includes gratuities; Royal Caribbean's doesn't (add 18% to everything).
Mistake #8: Treating Formal Night Like a Chore
I almost skipped formal night entirely, thinking it was pretentious and outdated. I reluctantly threw on a sport coat and hit the main dining room for a quick dinner, then retreated to my cabin.
Huge mistake. Formal night is when the ship transforms. The photography is stunning, people are genuinely happy and dressed up, and the energy is different. I missed some of the best people-watching and photo opportunities of the entire cruise.
You don't need to go overboard: A nice dress or slacks with a collared shirt is perfectly fine. The goal is to participate in the experience, not win a fashion contest.
Mistake #9: Booking the First Port Excursion of the Day
I booked an 8 AM snorkeling tour in Cozumel, thinking I'd maximize my port time. What I didn't consider: we docked at 7 AM, and I had to be at the meeting point by 7:45 AM.
That meant waking up at 6 AM (after staying up until 1 AM the night before), rushing through breakfast, and dealing with the chaos of early disembarkation. I was exhausted before my excursion even started.
Lesson learned: Book excursions that depart 2-3 hours after docking. You'll have time to wake up properly, grab breakfast, and actually enjoy your day ashore.
Mistake #10: Not Learning the Ship Layout
I spent probably 2 hours of my first cruise just wandering around lost. Carnival Dream felt like a floating city, and I had no idea how to get anywhere efficiently. I missed the start of a comedy show because I couldn't find the theater, and I was perpetually late to dinner reservations.
Game-changer: Download your cruise line's app before boarding and study the deck plans. Most apps have maps with GPS-like directions. Spend 30 minutes on embarkation day walking the ship with the app open.
Quick orientation trick: Find the main elevator banks and locate them relative to your cabin. Everything else is positioned around these central points.
Mistake #11: Overscheduling Every Single Day
I treated my cruise like a military operation. Every hour was planned: fitness class at 9 AM, pool time at 10 AM, lunch at noon, excursion planning at 1 PM, bingo at 3 PM... you get the picture.
By day four, I was exhausted and felt like I needed a vacation from my vacation.
The magic happens in the unplanned moments: Random conversations with other passengers, discovering a quiet deck spot, or spontaneously trying an activity you never considered. Schedule your must-dos, but leave breathing room for serendipity.
Mistake #12: Not Taking Advantage of Sea Days
My first cruise had two sea days, and I considered them "wasted" time between ports. I spent them basically doing nothing, wishing we were somewhere more "exciting."
Now I know better: sea days are the best days. The ship's amenities aren't crowded, you can actually get pool chairs, restaurants have shorter waits, and you can experience everything the ship offers without the pressure of being in port.
Sea day strategy: This is when you book spa treatments, try specialty dining, attend cooking classes, or just read a book by the pool. Embrace the slower pace — it's what cruising is really about.
The Bottom Line: Your First Cruise Doesn't Have to Be Perfect
Here's what I wish someone had told me before my first cruise: you're going to make mistakes, and that's okay. I made all 12 of these errors and still had an incredible time. These lessons just helped me enjoy cruise number two (and all the others) even more.
The most important thing? Don't stress so much about doing everything "right" that you forget to enjoy the experience. Your first cruise is about discovering what you love about cruising, not executing a perfect plan.
Ready to plan your first cruise? Get personalized advice from experienced cruisers in our First-Time Cruisers forum — we're here to help you avoid these mistakes and create amazing memories!
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