We were bursting with so many cruise tips, we had to give you more. Be sure to read our tips for choosing your cruise and our best cruise tips. Do remember that these are general tips, and your specific cruise may have somewhat different operations, so it is always best to check with your travel advisor.
Tip 1: Stay Healthy
How to stay healthy on a cruise?
First, take hand sanitizing seriously. Most ships will have sanitizer available all over the ship. I even carry a small bottle in a clutch. Use it after every time you touch an elevator button, use a handrail, or any other high touch point. Even before Covid, norovirus was an issue on cruises. This helps keep you healthier.
Second, take the stairs. We like to avoid cruise weight gain by walking and taking the stairs as much as possible. For this reason, we don’t mind having a cabin way at the front or back of the ship. Also, cabins at the front or back of the ship tend to be slightly less expensive.
Third, consider the fitness classes or using the gym. Ever wanted to try yoga? This can be a good opportunity to try new things.
Best of all, most ships have a promenade deck devoted to walking outside. You’ll see many walkers of all speeds. Even better, you might spot some wildlife. We’ve seen whales, dolphins, and sea turtles as well as many birds while ambling the promenade deck.
Tip 2: Tips About Tipping
Many cruises nowadays, especially those cruises of higher value like the ones in Seven Tips for Choosing Your Cruise, will include crew gratuities in the fare.
However, with lower priced cruise lines tips are often not included. Expect to be given a list of suggested gratuities that will be shared among the service crew. In general, in 2023, these will run between $15-$20 per person (kids too!) per day.
The crew works for very low pay and they spend months away from home and family. They work very long hours as U.S. or European labor laws don’t apply when the cruises are run under foreign flags. While tipping is not mandatory, we strongly encourage you to do so.
One of our best cruise tips 2023 is to prepay the recommended gratuities if it’s not in your package. Then, at the end of the cruise, seek out crew members who gave exceptional service and slip them some extra cash. In fact, you can ask for envelopes for this purpose at the ship’s front desk.
Tip 3: Don’t Have a Fit About Formal Nights
First, if you are doing a short cruise, they might not have any. In addition, it is rare on river cruises to have formal nights. The ocean cruises that have formal nights tend to have them on days at sea with no port stops. Here are some of our best cruise tips 2023 for formal nights.
You don’t have to participate in formal night. Most ships will let you visit the buffet, pool, and other areas without formal wear. You can have room service in your cabin. The ship’s daily briefing will have the details for your cruise, but there will be places for you.
Remember formal is not as formal as it once was. Although you may see a few tuxedoes, most cruises now only expect men to wear a sports jacket. By the way, one of those tuxedoed men will be my husband looking spiffy in the same tux he has owned for 30 years.
If you would like to buy a tux at a reasonable price, call around to the formal wear rental stores in your area. They often sell used formal wear at great prices. Look for a classic style that will still be useable on your next five cruises.
Your cruise line will have written guidelines for the dress code available to you in advance. Your travel advisor can get them for you.
Honestly, nowadays, there is often lax enforcement of the dress code. We do encourage you not to press the issue, though. Other passengers make the effort, so we encourage you to do so as well.
One of our best cruise tips 2023 is the secret hidden benefit of formal night. If you do gussy up there will be ship’s photographers set up around the ship to take pictures of you looking your best, with beautiful backdrops. The sittings are voluntary and FREE. You are under no obligation to buy the photos. But if you like the pictures, they will be your favorite mementos when you get home. And you didn’t have to set up an appointment with a local photographer and pay a sitting fee. It is especially perfect for families cruising together.
One more cruising 2023 perk of formal night is that many cruises will have a Captain’s cocktail party. Often this means free cocktails, canapes and some lucky passengers can have their picture taken pouring a champagne fountain.
Tip 4: More Food
If you want two entrees or three appetizers, just ask! The crew will accommodate you. Only on the least expensive cruise lines will there be rules or extra fees for this.
I remember once my sister and I happened to sit at lunch with 4 men who we did not know. Every one of them ordered two entrees and finished them all. The wait staff didn’t even blink, but I did.
When traveling with children, one of our favorite cruise tips is to get them to try new things. You can assure them if they don’t like what they order, it will be replaced by something else. There is always a kid’s menu with all the classics: macaroni, grilled cheese, burgers, and pizza.
The only downside of encouraging your children to try new things is they may like it. Nichole developed a life-long love of duck during a cruise as a child.
The cruise staff want you to be happy so don’t be shy. If you don’t like what you were served, just nicely ask the waitstaff to replace it. They want you to enjoy your cruise.
Tip 5: Covid Cruise Tip 2023
Make sure you read and understand your cruise line’s COVID and other health policies. Most have removed testing requirements, but cruises are subject to the regulations of any ports you visit. Since the pandemic, more people are buying travel insurance and we think that’s a good thing.
Tip 6: Embarkation Day
Board as early as the cruise line will let you. Download their app in advance as it can be very useful. If you can, upload all the needed documents in advance of boarding. Of course, pack a carry-on bag with essentials like swimsuits or sunscreen or medications while you wait for your luggage to be delivered to your cabin, so you are good to go.
Take a little time to explore the ship. Do your muster drill check-in-the ship can’t leave until everyone does that.
Most people hit the buffet as soon as they board and that’s fine. We prefer to check out the ship’s guide and visit the main dining room or other venues that are open. It’s quieter and usually better food.
There is almost always a Sail-Away party by the pool when the ship departs. There are drink specials, live music, and it is fun! There’s nothing quite like sailing off into the sunset knowing a great voyage is beginning.
Tip 7: Wine
If you like wine with dinner but can’t finish the bottle, just ask the wait staff to tag it and keep it for you for the next evening.
Tip 8: When in Doubt Ask Your Cabin Steward
Your cabin steward is amazing. Need tape? They can get it. Are there twin beds when you wanted a double? They can fix it. Need more towels? More hangers? Ask your steward. And certainly, if there are maintenance issues like a leaky faucet, notify your steward immediately.
To make your travels easier, we have suggestions for cruise essentials and luggage.
Want More Great Travel Tips?
We share our favorite travel tips and information every week. You can see them all here.
