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Lorraine McLeod has taken more than 100 cruises and has seen first-time travelers make mistakes.
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Independent excursions can be risky for first-time travelers, and not all cruise lines are created equal.
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Always read the cruise website and the materials they give you upon boarding.
Lorraine McLeod, a human resources manager and mother of five from New Jersey, has taken more than 100 cruises over the past 28 years.
She said she tries to take four to five cruises a year with her husband, children and other family members and loves how convenient and activity-filled this type of trip can be.
These are the biggest mistakes you see first-time travelers make.
Go on independent excursions, especially when you are not very familiar with the port you arrive at.
Once a ship arrives in port, passengers can take a cruise-sponsored excursion or independent excursions.
McLeod, who has taken independent and cruise line-sponsored excursions, said booking an independent may not be a good idea if it’s your first time cruising and you’re just getting your feet wet. They may be cheaper, but they carry greater risk: unlike cruise-sponsored excursions, the ship does not have to wait for people from individual excursions to return.
“The main thing about taking a cruise ship-sponsored tour is that they will make sure you get back on time. And if they can’t, they will alert the cruise officials and the ship will wait,” he told Insider.
If you choose an independent excursion, McLeod said, bring your passport so you can meet the cruise at the next port or return home if the ship leaves without you.
Failure to read cruise information packages and websites before embarking
It is important for first-time boaters to do their research and read everything about their boat before setting foot on it. If you don’t, you could miss out on a lot.
“When you get on the ship, everyone gets a packet of information. But I often think people are so excited when they first get on board that they just want to get out and do everything before they really understand what the cruise has to offer.” she said.
He said it’s also important to do some reading and research before boarding, especially when it comes to knowing what you can bring on the boat. You’ll also want to know what clothes to pack for different events on the ship, such as formal or theme nights.
Another important way to get to know your ship and its offerings is to use the first two hours of your trip to explore the ship, McLeod told Insider.
“I once went on a cruise with my kids and found out there was laser tag on the second to last day, which was the last full day on the ship. I was so angry,” she said. “If I had known beforehand, I would have gone every day.”
Losing the opportunity to take a cruise because you don’t have people to accompany you
McLeod said some people may be afraid to go on vacation alone and convince themselves they can’t go on a cruise because they don’t have friends or family to go with them.
“Honestly, you don’t have to be alone if you don’t want to,” he told Insider. Many cruises host meetings and activities geared toward solo travelers, so there are opportunities to meet other people in the same situation.
“There are always a lot of solo cruisers on board. It’s a great place where you can meet people and meet other people who have also done a solo cruise,” he added.
Thinking All Cruise Lines and Ships Are Equal
“Not all boats are created equal,” McLeod said. Each cruise line and ship has different layouts, entertainment options, food, and more.
If you’re having trouble deciding which ship is right for you, he said, research different cruise lines before booking. Read reviews and look for photos and videos of passengers to get a more realistic perspective.
“I usually find that the cruise website doesn’t give me a good picture of the room, so I always like to go to YouTube and find someone who has already reviewed the room. This way, I can see what the room is.” what the interior, exterior and balcony cabins actually look like,” she told Insider.
He also said travelers should check to see if the cruise line they’re interested in serves various age groups. Many cruises have kids’ clubs with activities and some are even geared specifically toward families. Others have a “more adult atmosphere,” she said, and have adults-only decks or boats.
Read the original article on Insider
