Advice & Tips

With only so many hours in each port of call, you'll want to maximize your time ashore with shore excursions, tours designed to immerse you in the culture, history, and beauty of each destination. 

You can elect to book shore excursions through your cruise line or independently. Either way, it's important that you do enough research on all the available options to ensure you find the best fit for your budget and preferences. There are also pros and cons to each. 

Though part of the allure of cruising is visiting multiple places within a single vacation, the ship itself is often considered a destination in and of itself. 

From world-class dining to entertainment options that rival those in major cities, cruise ships offer numerous onboard experiences for guests to enjoy. Because the ship is essentially a floating playground, passengers may not always feel the need to disembark in port. 

If you are torn, here are 8 reasons you should consider staying onboard during port days. 

Would you ever consider bringing cleaning supplies to tidy up your cruise cabin?

One TikTok user, Niki’s Side of Cleantok, shows how she deep cleans her cruise ship cabin in a viral video. The creator has more than 3 million followers on her TikTok page, which focuses on cleaning, organizing, and self-care. Cleantok is a community of creators on TikTok that focuses on handy cleaning hacks.

Embarkation day is one of the most highly anticipated days on any cruise vacation. Not only does it mark the first time that you'll see the ship in person, but it signifies the true start to your vacation. Hours after stepping foot onboard, you'll be sailing away and watching the coastline disappear. 

Amidst all the excitement, however, there are some common embarkation day mistakes that you should avoid making. Though not all will ruin your vacation, you certainly don't want to start off on the wrong foot. 

Out of the nine cruises I went on in 2023, four were aboard the same two ships: Symphony of the Seas and Freedom of the Seas. I wasn't worried about being bored, though, even with both cruises on Freedom sailing to the same ports of call in The Bahamas. 

I knew these ships had enough to offer new and experienced sailors alike, and reflecting on all four sailings, the experiences couldn't have been more different. 

When planning your cruise, you want to make sure you get the most out of your experience. Though you'll likely be visiting some touristy areas, especially if you're sailing to The Bahamas and Caribbean, there are ways to ensure you don't feel ripped off. 

Typically, tourist traps are a waste of time and money. They aren't exclusive to The Bahamas, either. There are plenty to be found all over the world, from the bustling streets of New York City to the crowded floating markets in Thailand. 

From news reports of passengers falling overboard to ships being quarantined due to outbreaks of diseases, one might question if it's safe to go on a cruise. 

While there are inherent risks with any form of travel, you can rest assured knowing the cruise lines have implemented safety protocols and health measures to help ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable experience. 

That, however, doesn't mean that you can disregard common sense. While onboard your cruise, you must exercise caution, especially when going ashore. 

What really works to minimize seasickness?

As soon as I got on my first cruise, I realized that I was susceptible to seasickness. 

Once the ship begins moving, I start feeling nauseous, dizzy, and sick. This makes it hard for me to focus and enjoy the cruise vacation.

It certainly pays to be loyal to a specific cruise line, as the more you sail, the better perks that you'll get. However, not all loyalty programs are designed the same way. 

Since I began cruising in the early 2000s, I've been on over a dozen sailings on five different lines, including MSC Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbean, and I've learned that I prefer certain lines over others due to the benefits of their programs.