Are you getting ready for your first cruise—or just want to make your next one even better? Before you step onboard, there are a few insider tips you need to know that can save you money and upgrade your experience.
After going on more than 25 cruises, I’ve learned a lot. Below, I’m sharing the exact cruise hacks I wish I knew from day one.
These are the tips most first time cruisers never hear about—but they can help you avoid common mistakes, spend smarter, and get the most out of your trip.
Pack a Carry-On with Day One Essentials
This is a mistake a lot of first-time cruisers make.
Don’t put everything in your checked luggage.
Your bags won’t show up in your cabin right away—it can take several hours, sometimes even until the evening.
So make sure you pack a carry-on bag with everything you’ll need for the first day. Especially if you plan to use the pool.
That includes things like your swimsuit, medications, sunscreen, a change of clothes, and anything else you don’t want to be without.
That way, you can start enjoying the ship right away instead of waiting around for your luggage.
Free Champagne at Art Auctions
One of the easiest ways to get complimentary champagne is by attending an onboard art auction.
These events are usually pretty relaxed, and the staff will hand out free champagne just for showing up.
And don’t worry—there’s no obligation to buy anything.
So if you’re looking for a fun, low-key activity and a free drink, this is an easy activity.
Text for Free on the Cruise App
Here’s something that can save you money right away.
Most cruise lines have their own mobile app—and many of them include a built-in chat feature that lets you message other passengers onboard.
And the best part? It’s completely free.
That means you don’t need to buy a WiFi package just to stay in touch with your family or friends on the ship. It’s perfect for coordinating dinner plans, meetups, or just finding each other during sea days.
Just make sure everyone brings their own devices and downloads the app.
Your Wine Follows You
Here’s something even a lot of cruisers don’t realize—your wine doesn’t stay in one place.
If you buy a bottle in the main dining room, you don’t have to finish it there. The crew can actually store it for you and make it available at other venues around the ship.
So let’s say you order a bottle at dinner but don’t finish it—you can ask for it later at a bar that same night, or even the next day.
This takes away the pressure of trying to drink the whole bottle at once—and it saves you money compared to ordering by the wine by the glass.
Get Free Room Service
Room service isn’t always free—but here’s the trick.
On many cruise lines, you can still get free room service if you order continental breakfast.
That usually includes items like coffee, tea, pastries, fruit, cereal, and yogurt.
Now, here’s the catch: if you order hot breakfast items like eggs, bacon, or pancakes, there’s usually a room service fee.
So if you want to keep it free, stick to the continental options.
Book Shore Excursions Early
If you want to save money on your cruise, this is one of the easiest ways to do it.
Many cruise lines actually offer early bird discounts on shore excursions when you book in advance.
That means the exact same shore excursion can cost more if you wait until you’re onboard.
So instead of waiting, lock in your tours early and take advantage of those lower prices.
And here’s a bonus—popular shore excursions do sell out, so booking early also helps you secure your spot. Plus, most cruise lines let you cancel and rebook if your plans change, so there’s really no downside to booking ahead.
You Can Bring Wine Onboard
Most first-time cruisers have no idea—you can actually bring wine or champagne onto the ship with you.
But here’s the catch: this is only allowed on embarkation day. If you try to bring alcohol back onboard during a port stop, it will likely be confiscated and returned at the end of your cruise.
Each cruise line has slightly different rules, but in most cases, you’re allowed one 750 ml bottle per person. Definitely double check your cruise line’s policy before you pack.
Know that if you bring that bottle to the main dining room, you’ll usually be charged a corkage fee. So if you want to avoid that, just enjoy it in your cabin instead.
Always Switch to Airplane Mode
This one is critical if you don’t want a shocking phone bill at the end of your trip.
As soon as the ship starts to leave port, put your phone on airplane mode—even if you don’t plan on using it.
Here’s why: your phone is constantly running in the background—refreshing apps, checking email, updating data—you could be charged extremely high roaming fees.
Check the Dining Room Menu in Advance
Here’s a simple tip that can upgrade your dining experience.
Most cruise apps let you view the main dining room menu for every night of your cruise ahead of time.
This makes it easy to plan your meals.
For example, you can see when they’re serving premium dishes like lobster or steak—and make sure you don’t miss those nights.
It also helps you decide when it might be worth booking a specialty restaurant… or when the buffet might be a better option.
A little planning here can make a big difference in your overall cruise experience.
Bring a Refillable Water Bottle
This is a simple hack that makes your cruise way more convenient.
Bring a refillable water bottle with you.
Instead of constantly going back and forth to the buffet for a glass of water, you can just fill up your water bottle and keep it with you throughout the day.
Most ships have water stations at the buffet where you can easily refill, and it’s also great to have water in your cabin for when you get thirsty at night.
You Don’t Need to Buy Cruise Beverage Packages
A lot of first-time cruisers assume the drink package is a must—but that’s not always true.
In fact, for many people, it’s not a great value.
These packages are expensive, so you really need to do the math. Think about how many drinks you’ll realistically have—not just on sea days, but especially on port days.
If you’re off the ship exploring for most of the day, you’ll probably only be drinking at dinner or later in the evening. So ask yourself—how many drinks are you actually going to have at dinner? For a lot of people, it’s just not enough to justify the cost.
And here’s something a lot of people don’t realize—many cruise lines require everyone in the same cabin to buy the drink package.
So if your travel companion isn’t a big drinker, that alone can make it not worth it.
Before you buy, take a minute to really think it through—you could end up saving a lot of money.
Buy Cruise Extras Before You Board
Aside from saving money on shore excursions, buying other cruise extras early can save you even more.
Most cruise lines offer early bird discounts—often 10% to 30% off—when you pre-purchase things like drink packages, WiFi, specialty dining, and other add-ons before your cruise.
And here’s a tip most people don’t know: cruise lines like Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises often allow you to cancel and repurchase these extras if the price drops.
So if you see a flash sale, don’t hesitate to book it. Lock in the deal, and if it goes cheaper later, you can simply cancel and rebuy at the lower price.
Just make sure you check your specific cruise line’s cancellation policy before buying, since rules can vary.
Don’t Skip the Free Port Talks
You don’t need to book a tour at every cruise port—and if you’re planning to explore on your own, make sure you attend the free Port Talks onboard.
These sessions are run by the shore excursion team and they’re packed with helpful insider tips about the port you’re visiting.
You’ll learn about the best attractions, local food spots, shopping areas, and transportation options.
And the best part? You can stick around afterward and ask questions specific to your plans.
Watch Recordings on Your Cabin TV
If you miss the port talks, no worries. You can usually watch the replay on your cabin TV. In fact, if you miss other talks on the cruise, most likely, you can catch the replay.
Just double check with the cruise staff to find out if they will be broadcasting the talk on your cabin TV.
Choose Your Cabin
This is something many first-time cruisers don’t think about—but it can seriously impact your trip.
If you let the cruise line assign your cabin, you will most likely end up with the cabins that no one wants. It might be in a noisy or inconvenient location—like near elevators, above the theater, or under the pool deck.
That can mean late-night noise or early morning activity right above you.
It’s best to choose your cabin instead.
And if you’re prone to seasickness, try to book a mid-ship cabin on a lower deck, since that area feels the most stable during movement.
A good cabin location can make a huge difference in your overall experience.
Arrive at the Port a Day Early
Seasoned cruisers almost never fly in the same day as their cruise.
And there’s a good reason for that—it’s risky.
Flight delays, cancellations, or missed connections can easily cause you to miss your ship entirely.
That risk gets even higher during bad weather or hurricane season.
Instead, plan to arrive at your departure port at least one day early.
It gives you a buffer, reduces stress, and lets you start your cruise relaxed instead of rushing.
Bring Cash for Tipping
Even though cruises are mostly cashless these days, you still need to bring some cash with you.
You’ll want small bills for things like tipping porters at the terminal, tour guides on excursions, and even taxi drivers in port.
It’s also useful for local markets or small purchases where cards might not be accepted.
Having cash on hand just makes everything smoother and avoids awkward situations when you need to tip.
Attach your Luggage Tags Before You Arrive
This is a small step that makes a big difference on embarkation day.
After you complete your online check-in, your cruise line will give you luggage tags that you can print at home.
Make sure you print them and attach them to your checked bags before you get to the port.
If you don’t, you’ll have to fill them out manually at the terminal—which means more stress.
Trust me, do it ahead of time, and your check-in process will be way smoother.
Cruise Essentials to Buy Before Your Cruise
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Travel Must-Haves
Passport neck wallet – Keeps your passport and travel documents secure and accessible. It also has RFID protection.
Cruise lanyards – A super convenient way to keep your cruise card within easy reach. No more digging through your bag every time you need it! I recommend getting one lanyard per person in your group and choosing different colors so it’s easy to tell them apart.
Anti-theft crossbody bag with anti-pickpocket clip – Genius anti-theft clip and versatile enough for both port days and evenings in the dining room.
Anti-theft crossbody bag with RFID – Padded shoulder straps with RFID lining to safeguard against identity theft.
Insulated water bottles –I don’t like spending money on bottled water, and I always want fresh water in my cabin. I’ll fill my bottle at the buffet or ask my server at dinner, then bring it back so I have water at night. This is my go-to water bottle—I prefer ones without straws since they’re much easier to wash in the cabin sink.
Pashmina – This multi-purpose wrap always earns its spot in my luggage. Use it as an evening wrap, a lightweight plane blanket, or a cover-up when visiting places of worship that require modest dress. I never cruise without one—you’ll be surprised how often it comes in handy.
Cruise Planning Essentials
Day Passes to Resorts– Booking private beach resort access in advance guarantees a comfortable beach experience at the cruise port.
Travel Insurance with CFAR Coverage– CFAR travel insurance gives you flexibility to cancel your cruise for any reason and recover part of your costs if plans change.
Last Minute Cruise Deals– Search for last minute cruise deals.
Cabin Comfort & Organization
Non-surge Cruise power strip– Cabins never have enough outlets (check cruise line rules first).
Magnetic hooks – Super-strong magnetic hooks that attach easily to your cabin walls. They’re perfect for hanging hats, cruise lanyards, goggles, swimsuits, and towels. I personally use the 85+ lb hooks—they’re incredibly sturdy and can even hold backpacks!
Small portable fan – Improves airflow and keeps Inside Cabins from feeling stuffy.
Motion sensor night light – Perfect for Inside Cabins, for when you get up at night to use the bathroom. It also has a magnetic base, so you can easily attach it to your cabin walls.
Toiletries & Laundry
Hanging toiletry bag – Keeps your essentials neat and accessible.
Fabric freshener spray – Fights wrinkles and refreshes clothes between wears.
Travel-size detergent – Handy for washing swimsuits, underwear, and quick-dry clothing in the sink.
TSA-approved travel containers – Easy to pack your lotions, creams, and other liquids without worrying about TSA rules.
Health & Wellness
Anti-seasickness medicine – My go-to meds for anti-seasickness. I take one in the morning on sea days (bring chewables for kids).
Acupressure bands – A natural alternative for seasickness relief. I use this with the anti-seasickness meds.
Packing & Storage
Cruise travel planners– Check out my travel planners, they help you stay organized before and during your trip.
Packing cubes – I never travel without packing cubes! They make packing and unpacking so easy—you can simply slip the entire cube into the cabin closet or drawer. I like to assign a different color to each person so there’s no mix-up.
Foldable duffel bag – I always pack a foldable duffel bag in case I bring home too many souvenirs or do some extra shopping. It doubles as an extra carry-on and barely takes up any luggage space.
Foldable shopping bag – Perfect for shopping at cruise ports, these bags fold up small enough to keep in your purse. I always carry one with me—you never know when you’ll need it! Plus, many countries charge a fee for shopping bags, and I’d much rather use my own than pay extra.
Foldable backpack – Perfect for cruise port days when you need an extra bag. I love that these backpacks are lightweight and fold down small, so you can toss one in your luggage without taking up much space.
Travel luggage scale – I always keep one in my suitcase so I can weigh my bags before heading to the airport. It’s a simple way to avoid overweight baggage fees.
Apple AirTags – I pop one into each of my bags so I can track my luggage for peace of mind. They’re especially helpful if you have a short layover and worry about your suitcase getting left behind.
Beach Essentials
Towel Clips – A simple must-have for pool and beach days! They keep your towels from slipping off lounge chairs, and I never cruise without brining a few in my luggage.
Waterproof phone pouch – Protect your phone from water and sand while still being able to snap photos. I always bring one when cruising the Caribbean or Mediterranean—it’s a lifesaver for beach and pool days.
Striped beach bag with zipper – You’ll need a beach bag with zipper to keep your things secure. I like this one because it’s stylish, has a water bottle holder, keeps belongings secure and has a lot of pockets.
Kid-Friendly Cruise Essentials
Magnetic toys – Cabin walls are magnetic, making these toys perfect for fun, mess-free entertainment. They keep kids busy when you’re in the cabin, especially since cruise TV options for kids can be limited. It’s always best to bring your own toys.
Collapsible beach buckets and toys – You’ll definitely want to bring beach toys if you’re going on a Caribbean cruise! This collapsible set includes foldable buckets, shovels, and sandcastle molds, all packed neatly in one bag. They’re easy to fit in your suitcase without taking up much space.
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