Heidi BucoloAfter 100+ cruises, we’ve tried everything, made plenty of mistakes, and figured out what actually makes a difference. We learned which “rules” to ignore, which upgrades are worth it, and which mistakes even experienced travelers keep making. Most cruise tip lists out there are either too obvious or too generic. But these are the cruise hacks we still swear by because they work. Some will save you money. Some will save you stress. A few will make you wonder why nobody told you sooner.
1. Book through a travel agent — not the cruise line
This is the single highest-leverage thing you can do before a cruise, and most people skip it. A cruise-specialist often has access to group rates, exclusive amenities, and onboard credit that you simply cannot get booking directly or through a general travel site. We’ve consistently gotten more value by booking through our travel partner, MEI-Travel, than we ever could have on our own. And it costs you nothing extra.
Read more→ A First-Timer’s Guide on How to Book a Cruise
2. Book early for cabin selection, not just price
Conventional wisdom says book early for deals, which is true. But the real reason we book early is cabin selection. The best room locations and best decks go fast. If you wait for a price drop or a last-minute deal, you’re choosing from what’s left. Book the cabin you want. You can always ask your travel advisor to monitor the price, and you can often request a price adjustment if it decreases (depending on the fare type you book — so read the fine print).
Read more→ Cruise Booking Guide: Here’s Why You Should Book Early
3. Consider a guaranteed cabin if you’re flexible on location
A guaranteed cabin means you’ll get at least the category you paid for, but the cruise line assigns the specific room. In exchange, you typically pay less. We’ve been upgraded to cabins significantly better than what we paid for using this strategy, and other times we’ve ended up with a less-than-ideal obstructed view. But we use this cruise hack again and again to secure a balcony cabin for a discounted rate. It’s not for everyone but if you’re flexible and want value, it’s worth considering.
Read more→ Should You Book a Guaranteed Cabin? Pros and Cons
4. Repositioning cruises are the best-kept secret in cruising
When ships move between regions, like from the Caribbean to Europe in spring or Alaska to Mexico in fall, the fares are generally reduced per-night rates. It’s the same ship, same food, and same amenities — just more sea days and less ports of call. Transatlantic sailings of 10-14 days in length are often available for less than what a typical 7-day cruise costs. Again, it’s not for everyone but if you want a relaxing experience and time to enjoy all the ship’s amenities, it’s a great option.
Read more→ What Is a Repositioning Cruise and Should You Book One?
5. Cruise during shoulder season for significantly lower fares
Peak season means peak prices. Shoulder season — the timeframe just before or after the busiest travel periods — offers noticeably lower fares. We often cruise the Caribbean after the holidays in January or early February for cheaper rates. For seasonal destinations like Alaska and the Mediterranean, late April through early June and September into October are the windows we actively target for the best prices. The ships and destinations are less crowded too, which is a bonus in itself.
Read more→ How to Pick the Best Time to Go on a Cruise
6. Always cruise with a passport — even on closed-loop sailings
U.S. citizens can technically cruise the Caribbean and Alaska on a closed-loop itinerary with just a birth certificate and ID. But we never cruise without a passport and recommend you don’t either. If you have a medical emergency in a foreign port and need to fly home, you need a passport. If you miss the ship, you need a passport. The scenarios where a passport saves you are exactly the stressful, unexpected ones where you can least afford the added complication. So, just invest in a passport and take it whenever you cruise.
Read more→ Where Can You Cruise Without a Passport?
7. Always fly in the day before your cruise
Never fly in on embarkation day. Flights get delayed or cancelled and connections get missed. Any of those scenarios on the day you’re supposed to board a ship that won’t wait for you is a nightmare. We always fly in the day before, book a hotel near the port, and board relaxed. The extra hotel night is insurance that you won’t miss your cruise entirely.
Read more→ 24 First-Time Cruise Mistakes: Avoid These Common Pitfalls
8. The Caribbean is great — but don’t let it be the only place you cruise
The Caribbean is the most popular cruise region for good reason, but after 100+ cruises we’d argue it’s only the beginning. Alaska is breathtaking. The Mediterranean is unforgettable. Japan, Australia, Antarctica — there’s a whole world of cruise itineraries that most people never get to because they keep returning to the familiar. If you’ve done the Caribbean a few times, start exploring. You too can “sea the world one port at a time”!
Read more→ Top Cruise Destinations You Need to Visit
9. Always buy travel insurance — every single time
We never board a cruise ship (or travel anywhere) without it. In fact, we purchase an annual travel insurance policy for added convenience. Emergencies at sea, missed connections, trip cancellations, lost luggage — any one of these can turn into a serious financial hit without coverage. The cost of travel insurance is a fraction of what a single emergency could cost you out of pocket. We’d call this tip non-negotiable regardless of your age, health, or how many times you’ve cruised without incident.
Read more→ Here’s Why You Should Purchase Travel Insurance for Your Next Cruise
10. Magnetic hooks are a must-have
Cruise ship cabin walls are metal. Magnetic hooks stick instantly, no damage, and completely transform how usable a small cabin feels. We use them for bags, hats, jackets, and anything else that would otherwise end up on the bed or sofa. You can also use them to dry wet bathing suits or rain coats. It’s the single most recommended item among experienced cruisers for a reason.
Read more→ Bet You Didn’t Think of These Cruise Cabin Hacks
11. Pack a power strip — a cruise-approved one
Cruise ship cabins have notoriously few outlets, especially on older ships. A power strip without a surge protector or extension cord (which are prohibited on most lines) solves this instantly. One strip — with a variety of power and USB outlets — handles phones, cameras, laptops, smart watches, and anything else you need to charge. Confirm your cruise line’s specific policy before purchasing one.
Read more→ The 40 Items Experts Always Pack for a Cruise
12. Bring an over-the-door shoe organizer
Cruise ship bathrooms are small and storage space is limited. A hanging shoe organizer on the back of the bathroom door (or on the wall with magnets which is our preferred method) gives you instant storage for toiletries, sunscreen, medications, glasses, and other small items that would otherwise clutter the counter space. It’s a $10 item that packs flat and makes a real difference in a small cabin. We always cruise with one.
Read more→ 12 Household Items You Need to Pack for a Cruise
13. Pack your carry-on bag like your luggage won’t arrive until dinner
We always leave our large suitcases with porters when we arrive at the terminal and suggest you do the same. Though, be aware that this checked luggage won’t make it to cabins until mid-afternoon on embarkation day — sometimes later. Everything you need for the first 4-6 hours (swimsuit, sunscreen, medications, change of clothes, toiletries, valuables) needs to be in your carry-on.
Read more→ Essential Items to Always Pack in Your Cruise Carry-On Bag
14. Use packing cubes
Packing cubes are a game changer, especially for cruise travel. We’re not sure why it took us so long to start using them. They keep your suitcase organized, make unpacking into drawers faster, and compress clothing so you fit more in less space. We use them every time we travel. One cube per category — daytime outfits, bathing suits, pajamas, undergarments — leaving the hanging closet space mostly for nighttime outfits. Everything stays organized for the entire trip and allows you to fully unpack.
Read more→ Our Complete Caribbean Cruise Packing List
15. Always pack a luggage scale — and consider throwing in an extra duffel bag
A luggage scale is a small investment that pays for itself the first time you use it. Weigh your bags before you leave home and again before you leave the ship — souvenirs and onboard purchases add up fast — to ensure you’re not over your airline’s weight limit. We also pack a lightweight collapsible duffel bag in our suitcase for the return trip. If the bags are overweight, redistribute into the duffel rather than paying airline overage fees or leaving things behind.
Read more→ The 50 Top Cruise Gifts: The Ultimate Gift Guide for Cruise Lovers
16. Make your luggage stand out
We always travel with brightly colored or patterned suitcases. Yes, it’s partly because I like vibrant colors and patterns, but it also makes spotting the bags much easier. You’ll find them instantly on a crowded luggage carousel at the airport or in the terminal on disembarkation morning. It saves real time and eliminates that moment of doubt when every black rolling bag looks the same. If you’re not ready to buy new luggage, a brightly colored luggage strap or tag works just as well.
Read more→ What to Expect on a Cruise: A First-Timer’s Complete Guide
17. Co-pack your suitcases
If you’re traveling as a couple, never put all of one person’s clothes in one suitcase. We always split items across both bags so that if an airline loses one, we each still have half of everything. It takes an extra five minutes of packing but can save you from having to wear the same outfit all week if luggage issues do arise.
Read more→ How to Pack for a Cruise: 15 Cruise Packing Tips
18. Complete online check-in the day it opens — so you can grab the earliest boarding timeslot
Most cruise lines now require online check-in and will assign you a boarding time as part of that process. Complete it the day it opens. Boarding timeslots are assigned first-come, first-served. If you wait too long, you won’t be able to board the ship until later in the day. Grabbing the earliest slot means you can start your vacation sooner and you’re onboard while most passengers are still stuck in the terminal line.
Read more→ What Every Cruiser Should Know About Cruise Boarding
19. Board as early as possible — and explore the ship before everyone else settles in
The first few hours after boarding is the only time you’ll have the ship largely to yourself. Use it. Walk the decks, locate the restaurants and bars, scope out your favorite pool spot, and get your bearings before the crowds fill in. It’s also the best time to book spa appointments, make any remaining reservations, register the little ones at the kids’ club, and maybe even take a dip in the pool. Board late and you’re immediately behind everyone else.
Read more→ 31 Expert Cruise Embarkation Day Tips
20. Skip the buffet on boarding day — head to the MDR or a casual eatery instead
The buffet on embarkation day is chaos, and we try to avoid it whenever we can. Every first-timer makes a beeline for it the moment they board and it’s packed and impossible to find a seat. On some cruise lines, the main dining room is open for lunch and is far less crowded. Or, look for a casual alternative like Guy’s Burger Joint on Carnival ships or El Loco Fresh on Royal Caribbean ships.
Read more→ Our 30 Top Tips For First-Time Cruisers
21. Print your luggage tags in advance — but don’t attach them until you’re heading to the terminal
Cruise line paper luggage tags have a way of getting lost or damaged. If the crew doesn’t know who the suitcase belongs to, it can’t be delivered to your cabin. That’s why we always put our printed luggage tags in a plastic sleeve. But only attach them to your bags right before you head to the terminal — not before you leave home, where they can get damaged in airport transit.
Read more→ Alaska Cruise Packing List: What to Pack for an Alaska Cruise
22. Mid-ship, mid-deck is almost always our first choice
Higher decks feel premium but they come with more motion, longer walks to indoor venues, and higher prices. Lower decks feel like a downgrade but they’re actually more stable for those with motion-sickness. We’ve landed on mid-ship, mid-deck as the sweet spot — least motion, most central location, and usually a good value.
Read more→ What Are the Best Rooms on a Cruise Ship?
23. Always check what’s surrounding your cabin on the deck plans
After you decide on a cabin location, check the deck plans. It might seem perfect until 6 AM when the deck chairs above start scraping, or you realize you’re next to the elevator bank, a crew area, or the nightclub. Noise comes from above, below, and beside. Before booking, cross-reference your cabin number against the full deck plan. It takes two minutes and can save you from a miserable week.
Read more→ Worst Cruise Cabins: Avoid These 12 Cruise Ship Cabins
24. Bring an extra card to keep your cabin lights and power running when you leave
Many cruise ship cabins use your room key card to power the lights and outlets — pull it out when you leave and everything shuts off. The hack: bring an old hotel key card, store loyalty card, or any spare card the same size (not a credit card) and leave it in the slot when you head out. Your devices keep charging, your lights stay on, and the room is cool when you return.
Read more→ Cruise Cabin Tips & Hacks: 15 Things You’re Still Getting Wrong
25. Ask your stateroom attendant for exactly what you want on day one
Always meet your stateroom attendant on Day 1. Tell them your preferences — extra towels, ice bucket, a blanket, more hangers, morning versus evening service. They’re accommodating and it costs nothing to ask. Tipping extra on day one doesn’t hurt either. You might end up with nightly towel creatures for this generous gesture.
Read more→ What’s Free on a Cruise? Plus Hidden Perks You Might Not Know About
26. Unpack completely and store your luggage under the bed
The single best thing you can do to make a small cabin feel like home is unpack the moment your bags arrive. Hang everything, fill the drawers, organize the bathroom — then slide your empty suitcases under the bed where they fit perfectly on most ships. Living out of a suitcase for seven days in a small space is not the answer. Unpacking takes 20 minutes and makes the cabin feel twice as big.
Read more→ 20 Things You Should Never Do in Your Cruise Cabin
27. Do the drink package math before you buy — and count everything, not just alcohol
It’s true that the break-even point on most drink packages is 5-6 alcoholic drinks per day per person. But most people only count cocktails and miss the full picture. We factor in specialty coffees, bottled water, sodas, and fresh-squeezed juices too. When you add those up alongside alcoholic drinks, the package often makes more sense than it first appears. Still, we always recommend you calculate what you’d likely spend on a la carte drinks before you decide to purchase a drink package.
Read more→ 12 Cruise Drink Package Mistakes You’re Probably Making (Do This Instead)
28. Most cruise lines let you bring wine onboard, so take it
Most major cruise lines allow guests to bring aboard one bottle of wine per adult (or two bottles per cabin) on embarkation day in their carry-on luggage. It’s one of the most underused perks in cruising. This is especially useful if you opt not to purchase a beverage package. Just be sure to review your line’s policy before you pack — some lines, like MSC, do not allow any outside beverages.
Read more→ What You Need to Know About Bringing Alcohol on a Cruise
29. If you have a drink package, stockpile bottled water in your cabin
This is one of those tips that sounds obvious once you hear it but most people don’t think of it until half way through the cruise. If your beverage package includes bottled water, grab a couple every time you pass a bar and stash them in your cabin. You’ll always have water available to hydrate after a night at the bar or when you wake up in the morning.
Read more→ Our Complete Guide to Cruise Drink Packages in 2026
30. Book specialty dining before you board — but plan it around the MDR menus you like least
The best time slots fill fast, so you should always book your specialty dining online before you sail. We typically pre-book no more than two specialty dining reservations per sailing unless we have a dining package. The trick: look up the MDR menus in advance and schedule specialty dining on the nights the MDR is least appealing to you. That way you’re not paying for a specialty restaurant on a night you would’ve loved the main dining room anyway.
Read more→ 8 Cruise Splurges That Are Actually Worth the Money
31. Request the same MDR table and server every night
In recent years, more and more cruisers choose to forego traditional dining for more flexible options. But that doesn’t mean you still can’t get the best of both worlds. Even with flexible dining, we request the same server each night — especially on longer sailings. Your server learns your preferences, your drinks arrive as you sit down, and dinner becomes more enjoyable. Ask the maitre d’ on night one.
Read more→ Cruise Dining Tips: 12 Things You’re Still Getting Wrong (Do This Instead)
32. Order multiple dishes in the MDR — that’s what it’s there for
This surprises first-timers every time: you can order (almost) as much as you want in the main dining room. Two appetizers, two entrees, two desserts. It’s the best way to try things you’re not sure about and perfect for sharing multiple items with your travel party. The one caveat: some cruise lines are starting to charge extra for additional entrees, so check the menu before ordering.
Read more→ 20 Things Disappearing from Cruising
33. Decide which onboard extras you want to splurge on before you sail — and stick to it
In mainstream cruising, more and more ships now have a long list of paid extras. Before you board, look at what’s available on your specific sailing, pick the two or three you definitely want to try, and budget for them. Then stick to the plan. The cruisers who feel nickeled-and-dimed are usually the ones making impulse decisions at every turn. If you want to show off your culinary skills in the cooking class or feel the need for speed on the racetrack, go for it — just know what it costs going into the cruise.
Read more→ Cruise Money Traps: 17 Things That Are a Waste of Money on a Cruise
34. Front-load your cruise — do the must-do attractions early in the week
Don’t put off your must-do attractions. The waterslides, ropes courses, and other activities are significantly less crowded in the first few days than they are by the end of the cruise when others finally stumble upon them. Plus, the weather can impact if these attractions are open or not. Don’t plan to do it tomorrow because rainy weather might deter your plans. By checking items off our list early, we can relax while others wait in long lines on the last sea day.
Read more→ Top 40 Things to Do on Cruise Sea Days
35. Don’t sleep in on a sea day — unless you genuinely need the rest
Sea days are the most valuable days on the ship and the easiest to “waste”. The best deck chairs, the quietest spots, sit-down breakfast in the main dining room — they’re all gone by 9 AM. We like to wake up early on sea days and make the most of every hour. The one exception: if you’re on a port-intensive cruise and need the day to rest and recharge. But don’t just sleep in out of habit and miss out on everything you wanted to do.
Read more→ The 10 Sea Day Mistakes You’re Still Making
36. Complete muster the moment you board
Muster drill is a mandatory maritime requirement. Most cruise lines now offer an e-muster — where you watch a safety video on the app or your stateroom television and check in at your station without a full group assembly. If this is the case, complete it immediately when you board. It takes 10 minutes and you won’t have to think about it again.
Read more→ What Is Cruise Ship Muster Drill?
37. When elevators are packed, ride in the opposite direction to get a spot
On busy sea days and embarkation/disembarkation day, the elevators can be a nightmare. The cruise hack: press the button going in the opposite direction of everyone else, ride to the end of the line, and then ride back in the direction you actually need. You’ll get a spot on a nearly empty elevator every time. It adds a couple extra minutes to your ride but saves you standing in a crowd waiting.
Read more→ Cruise Etiquette: What Not to Do on a Cruise if You Don’t Want to Be That Person
38. Take advantage of laundry on longer sailings
Laundry adds up fast. Many cruise ships offer self-service laundromats, where you can wash and dry your own clothes for a small fee. Many lines also run fill-the-bag specials mid-cruise for a flat fee. It’s worth it. Using the laundry service lets you pack lighter, re-wear favorites, and arrive home without a mountain of washing. On longer or back-to-back sailings, we almost always take advantage of it at least once.
Read more→ How You Can Do Laundry on Cruise Ships: Tips & Tricks
39. Plan to stay on the ship at least once every cruise — intentionally
On nearly every sailing, we deliberately set aside one port day to stay onboard. The ship is quieter, most amenities are still available, and there are virtually no lines anywhere. It’s one of the most underrated experiences in cruising. Pick a port you’ve been to before or one that’s less of a priority and give yourself a relaxed and uncrowded “sea day”. You’ll wonder why you didn’t do this sooner.
Read more→ Here’s Why You Should Stay on the Ship at Your Next Port of Call
40. Don’t overlook private islands — they’re more underrated than you think
Cruise line private islands often get dismissed as a “fake” port day, but after visiting we’d argue they’re some of the best days on any sailing. The beaches are gorgeous, the food is often free, and there’s plenty of activities if you want them. If your itinerary includes a stop at one of these destinations, don’t plan to stay onboard that day — go ashore to enjoy a day of fun and sun.
Read more→ A Complete Guide to the Best Cruise Line Private Islands in 2026
41. Use third-party vendors for shore excursions — not just the cruise line
Booking shore excursions directly through the cruise line is convenient but you’ll almost always pay more. Third-party operators, like Shore Excursions Group, offer the same — often better — experiences at significantly lower prices. The cruise line guarantee (they’ll hold the ship if your excursion runs late) sounds reassuring, but a reputable third-party operator knows exactly how to get you back in time, some even offer a return-to-ship guarantee as well. We still use both options, but we never default to the cruise line without checking alternatives first.
Read more→ Pros and Cons of Booking Cruise Shore Excursions With the Cruise Line
42. Pack a well-prepared day bag every time you go ashore
What’s in your day bag can make or break a port day. We always pack: a rain jacket or compact umbrella (weather changes fast in most cruise destinations), a portable phone charger, a refillable water bottle or extra bottled water, and a portable fan for warm weather ports. It sounds like a lot but it all fits in a small backpack and we’ve never regretted having any of it.
Read more→ Expert Alaska Cruise Tips: The Definitive Guide
43. The cheapest cruise isn’t always the best value
A low base fare can quickly get eaten up by add-on costs. We’ve taken sailings that looked more expensive upfront but included more of those extras, and they ended up costing less overall than a “cheap” cruise where everything was a la carte. Before you book based on sticker price, look at the total cost of the experience you actually want. Sometimes bundle fares like Princess Plus or Premier end up being the better value.
Read more→ Best Cruise Lines for the Money: 8 Lines Worth Every Penny
44. Prepay gratuities when you book
Gratuities are constantly increasing across most major cruise lines with most now charging $16-$22+ per person per day depending on the cabin category. By pre-paying them at the time of booking, you lock in the current rate and don’t have to worry if they increase between the time you book and the time you sail. Plus, it allows you to budget in advance and removes that line item from your final bill.
Read more→ Complete Guide to Cruise Gratuities by Cruise Line (2026)
45. Review your onboard account before the last night and settle any discrepancies before you disembark
Speaking of your final bill, errors are more common than people realize. Check your account a day or two before disembarkation while the line at guest services is still manageable. If there are any discrepancies, get them settled before disembarkation morning. Once you get off the ship, it’s a lot harder to get a charge reversed.
Read more→ 9 Tips for a Stress-Free Cruise Disembarkation
46. Download the cruise line app and use it — but know the paper daily schedule still exists on most lines
Every major cruise line has an app that’s used for things like making dining reservations, checking the daily schedules, and chatting among others in your travel party. Download it, set it up, and get familiar with it. Once onboard, connect to the ship’s internal network, which you can still use even if you don’t purchase a WiFi package. That said, if you prefer a paper daily newsletter, it’s still available on most lines — just ask your stateroom attendant or guest services.
Read more→ The Best Cruise Apps: What You Should Download Before Setting Sail
47. Put your phone in airplane mode the moment you board
Switch your phone into airplane mode immediately to avoid international roaming charges. You can still connect to the ship’s WiFi or use the app from there. It’s an easy thing to forget in the excitement of boarding day and an expensive mistake if you do. Make it the first thing you do when you step onboard so you don’t return home to an outrageous cell phone bill.
Read more→ Our Top Tips for Using Your Smartphone on a Cruise Ship
48. Set your phone clock to manual so it always shows ship’s time
When your phone is set to automatic time, it picks up whatever time zone the nearest cell tower is broadcasting — which in port can be different from ship’s time. Set your clock to manual and keep it on ship’s time for the entire sailing. Missing the cruise ship because your phone switched time zones while in port is a mistake you never want to make.
Read more→ 35 Mediterranean Cruise Tips We Wish We Knew Before Our First Sailing
49. Come prepared for seasickness — even if you’ve never experienced it
We personally don’t get seasick, but we’ve seen it derail cruises for people who thought they’d be fine. Always pack remedies including OTC meds like Bonine or Dramamine, Sea-Bands, or ginger candies. And if you know you’re sensitive to motion, plan ahead by booking a mid-ship, lower-deck cabin location.
Read more→ 7 Easy Ways to Prevent Seasickness on a Cruise
50. Take advantage of loyalty perks — but don’t let them stop you from trying something new
Loyalty programs on cruise lines are great. Priority boarding, free laundry, and drink perks add real value once you hit mid-tier status. We absolutely take advantage of them. That said, don’t let your loyalty status force you into always sailing with the same brand. If a new ship launches, a different itinerary calls, or you’ve always wanted to try a particular cruise line, go for it. While we do sail some cruise lines more than others, we personally like the variety.
Read more→ Here Are the Cruise Lines Experienced Cruisers Are Dying to Try Next
Comments
Do you agree with our list of cruise tips and tricks? What are your tried-and-true cruise hacks? Drop us an anchor below to share your best cruise secrets.
