Though we believe cruising is the best way to travel, there are some common cruise mistakes you need to know about and avoid making.
When you embark on a cruise, you want to make the most of your time away and enjoy your vacation however you wish. Cruising is one of the most relaxing, stress-free and enjoyable ways to travel, plus you have the benefit of visiting multiple destinations on a single itinerary. Ultimately, the goal is to relax and have fun, but it’s also important to know the things you should avoid doing while on a cruise.
If you follow our advice on what not to do, you’ll have the best possible experience on your next Celestyal cruise vacation.
Don’t fly into port the day of departure
Many cruisers fly into port in the morning of departure without any issues, whereas others have faced a flight delay or even a cancellation. The trouble is, your cruise ship won’t be able to wait for you if you’re late, which is why we recommend you fly into port the day before your cruise is scheduled to depart and stay in a hotel near the embarkation port. Even if you’re on a tight budget, spending a little extra money on a one night stay in a hotel means that you won’t have any problem making it to the port on time. In addition to the peace of mind you’ll get by arriving a day early, you can spend more time sightseeing and exploring your port city before your cruise vacation starts.
Don’t skip the muster drill
The muster drill is a safety exercise that is scheduled on the first day of your cruise, usually before the ship sets sail. Announcements will be made so that you know what time the muster drill is taking place and to give you plenty of time to grab your life jacket from your stateroom and get to your muster station. The muster drill is mandatory and the information in the drill enables you to learn what to do in the unlikely event of an emergency, so there is no excuse not to attend. As the crew will take attendance of who is present, your absence will not go unnoticed if you decide to skip the drill.
Don’t overdo it on the alcohol
This isn’t our way of saying you shouldn’t indulge in fabulous wines and colorful cocktails. After all, it’s your vacation and you’re allowed to enjoy it however you wish. But you do need to be careful with the booze and always be aware of how much you’re drinking, mainly because we don’t want you to feel unwell or have an accident on the ship as a result of excessive alcohol consumption. One thing that can help you to pace your drinks is to alternate alcoholic beverages with non-alcoholic drinks. Also, make sure you eat plenty of food and drink lots of water throughout the day.
Don’t miss breakfast
We all know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day and it’s the fuel that gets you going in the morning, which means you shouldn’t leave your good eating habits behind when you set sail on a cruise. Each time the ship reaches a new port and you go ashore, chances are you’ll be sightseeing and walking all day so it’s best to eat a hearty breakfast in the morning to give you enough energy and keep you going for a while. Besides, your Celestyal cruise fare always includes a delicious breakfast at our restaurants every day, so you might as well eat on the ship to eliminate needless spending on food when in port.
Don’t limit yourself to one lounge or dining room
Our cruise ships feature more than just one lounge and restaurant, from cozy bars and poolside eateries to main dining rooms and specialty venues. No matter how much you like the cocktails in one of our bars or the cuisine in one of our restaurants, be sure to check out all of the other places on your ship. By doing so, you’ll get to experience all of the venues and enjoy all-inclusive meals and drinks in different environments. You’re bound to have a favorite lounge and restaurant eventually, but don’t rule any out until you’ve tried them all.
Don’t ignore your cruise ship crew
Our dedicated crew members work extremely hard to help make your cruise vacation special, whether that’s cleaning your stateroom and creating artistic towel animals or making your favorite drinks and serving you delicious food. During your time on board, introduce yourself to the crew members, chat with them, and don’t forget to thank them for the service you receive. Even just a friendly “hello” and a smile will go a long way.
Now that you know what NOT to do on a cruise, you can request one of our new 2025-2026 brochures and start to plan your next vacation at sea.
