Booking your first cruise is exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time. The thought of visiting exotic locations, endless ocean views and savoring new dishes was super enticing to me, so much so that I almost forgot the practical details. Making these rookie mistakes took a little shine off my vacation. Although I had a wonderful time, with a little better planning I could have enriched my trip much more. I’m sharing the exact 15 first-time cruise mistakes I made so you can avoid them and enjoy every second at sea.
1. Booking the Wrong Cruise Line for Your Travel Style
If you’re a first-time cruiser, one of the biggest mistakes to avoid is booking a cruise that doesn’t match your travel style. Cruise lines cater to different demographics. Carnival for instance, caters to a young crowd with children and young families.
As a senior and if you’re not traveling with young children, it might not be your vibe for that particular cruise. Holland America caters to an older crowd, but so does Celebrity and other cruise lines. The entertainment and onboard activities are more sofisticated and toned down. To prevent this common cruise booking mistake, research the cruise line’s reviews, target audience and onboard activities. Matching the right cruise line that Alines with your tastes will ensure you create wonderful memories!
2. Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute to Book your Cruise
I hear this question all the time. Can I wait for the last minute and get a great deal. Yes, you can get good deals on last-minute bookings but be prepared for a little disappointment if you do. First, if it is a popular cruise during the summer for instance, the price will more than likely go up and not down.
If you do get a great price, the cabin will probably be a “guarantee” cabin. This means the cruise line picks the cabin for you and the location might not be the greatest, for instance below the restaurant or the pool. Noisy locations or so far towards the front that you’ll feel the ships movement much more.
Pro tip: Book 6–12 months in advance for the lowest rates, free upgrades, and your choice of sailing dates and staterooms. Keep an eye on the price, cruise lines will honor price drops up until final payment, after that date they might give extra onboard credit or other freebies.
3. Flying into the Port City on the Same Day
One of the first cruise travel tips I tell my clients: Try to arrive a day early to the port. There is nothing more disappointing than missing your cruise because your flight was delayed. I’ve seen it happen and it’s heartbreaking and harrowing for first time cruisers. Specially if you’ve flown internationally to take your cruise. At the most you’ll spend a little extra on hotels, but you’ll be rested when you’re ready to board.
4. Don’t Wait to Get Onboard to Buy Your Drink Package
If you wait to get onboard the ship to purchase your drink package, you’ll be paying up to 25% more. That goes for all the other packages as well, WI-FI, Specialty Dining and Shore Excursions. You can wait until just before embarkation to buy the drink packages, just be sure to check the cruise lines’ policies on that subject.
Some cruise lines will have special sales on drink packages before sailing, so keep checking back to see if they do it for your cruise. I honestly believe that drink packages are worth it for longer voyages because even if you’re not a heavy drinker, 1-2 glasses of wine add up quickly on a 14-day voyage. Also, most packages include WI-FI and Specialty Dining at their fine restaurants. I’ve done the math on some packages and found that just using the WI-FI and the Specialty Dining more than make up for the price. I’ve cruise with and without the drink package and have come to the conclusion that for longer voyages, and if it includes extras like specialty dining or shore excursion credits, they are usually worth the price.
My Tip: Grab the drink package during the booking process or right after final payment. The savings add up fast!
5. Don’t Skip Buying Travel Insurance
Halfway through my first cruise I caught a nasty stomach bug and missed two ports. Without insurance I was out $800 in unused excursions and had to pay for onboard medical visits. Insurance would have covered everything. On another cruise I fractured my ankle and needed medical attention. Thankfully I had already learned my lesson: Don’t Travel Without Insurance!
Always buy travel insurance the day you book your cruise. If you need time to do more research, most insurance will let you cancel within a 10-day period, but you can’t purchase it after final payment. Travel Insurance protects against cancellations, medical emergencies, and lost luggage. Make sure to read the policy thoroughly, if you need a “cancel for no reason” clause, that is usually an add-on and extra cost. Also, check the amount of coverage. Being airlifted off of a ship is very costly!
I’ve researched and used several different companies. You can find my review here: Best Travel Insurance for Seniors
6. Not Researching Shore Excursions Ahead of Time
Popular excursions in Alaska and the Caribbean sold out before I even stepped onboard. Do your research and try and book these as earIy as possible. Once you’ve paid the deposit you can book your excursions. Also missed out on the best dinner reservations because I assumed “we’ll just wing it.” Sometimes the available time slots were just too late or too early. Booking early will usually get you the best time slots and discounted prices.
7. Don’t Overpack or Pack the Wrong Items
Cruise cabins have limited storage. Pack strategically, check the weather in your destination ports, will there be formal nights onboard that you want to attend. Think about what shore excursions you’ll be going on and what outfits will be appropriate. Think about what additional travel gadgets you might find useful. Check out my “Best Travel Tips and Resources”. Some cruise lines can provide irons and ironing boards, others do not. Research what you can bring onboard with you and which items are not allowed.
8. Not Understanding Onboard Costs
The cruise fare generally will cover: The cabin cost, taxes, entertainment, meals in the main dining room or buffet area. It does not cover gratuities – service tips, WI-FI, Specialty Dining or shore excursions. There are exceptions of course, and specials from time to time. Be sure to budget for these added expenses so as to avoid surprises at the end of your voyage.
9. Forgetting to Check your Bill Before Disembarkation
I’ve made it a habit to check my bill the night before disembarkation. This avoids any nasty surprises once I get home. If there are mistaken charges, you can ask to have them removed while you’re on the ship. Once on land, it’s much harder to get refunds. I always ask for a printout of the final bill.
10. Not Signing Up for Loyalty Programs
Each cruise line has their own loyalty programs and the more you cruise with them, the better perks and freebies you can get. Sign up on their website before embarkation. Often times they will release cruise specials to their loyal customers first. blast on my first cruise, but these mistakes cost me money, time, and a little anxiety. Learn from my rookie errors and you’ll sail stress-free.
What I Would Do Differently Next Time
What I would do differently next time is plan my cruise more strategically. I’d research the cruise line, itinerary and onboard costs in advance to avoid unnecessary surprises. The best time to do this is 6 – 12 month before your travel date. This gives you ample time to research travel insurance, shore excursions and other add-ons, plus allowing you time to save money for final payment. I’d also arrive at the departure city at least one day early, or may two in order to do a little sightseeing, and ensuring a smooth and stress-free embarkation day.
If possible, I would pre-book and pre-pay all onboard experiences that are often cheaper before you get onboard the ship.
I hope these cruise travel tips help you travel confidently, and also make you aware of what not to do no a cruise.
For more information on Cruise Lines & Cruises, this page will give you the rundown on the most popular ones.
Choosing cruise cabins is very important, Here are the Best Cruise Cabins for Senior Travelers: How to Choose the Right Stateroom for a Comfortable Voyage
Are you a female traveling solo? Solo Travel Safety Tips for Women: Stay Confident and Protected on Your Adventure has all the details.
More Travel Tips & Resources can be found her.
If Hawaii is on your bucketlist, you might like: Best Hawaii Cruise in 2026? A Comparison
Western Caribbean cruises guide: The Ultimate Guide to the Best Cruises from Galveston in 2026–2027
Bucket list item coming up! Here are the Best Alaska Cruises for Seniors (2026 Guide) A Comparison
I’ve done the research on the Best Travel Insurance for Seniors so you don’t have to.
Ready to book your first cruise the smart way? Start planning early, grab those packages and insurance, and you’ll create memories that last a lifetime.
Happy Sailing! Evie
About the Author: Evie is the founder of Wander With Evie, a travel blog for seniors focused on helping readers enjoy stress-free cruising and destination travel. I personally cruise and research itineraries across the U.S., Europe and the Caribbean to ensure every guide is practical, realistic and based on real travel experience. It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it.
This post contains affiliate links. If you click one and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support the site and lets me keep sharing information and resources with you. Thank you for supporting Wander with Evie!