First-time cruisers may be scared of falling overboard, but veteran cruisers know there are far more frightening (and plausible) things to be afraid of on a Royal Caribbean cruise.

We wanted to find out the biggest fears among cruisers, so we posed the question to members of the Royal Caribbean Blog message boards. Over 40 cruisers responded, sharing their biggest rational—and irrational—fears.

Some cruisers are panicked at the thought of getting left behind in port, while others are more concerned about what they would do if they forgot their underwear at home.

Forget falling off a cruise ship—these are the 11 things cruisers are actually scared of while onboard.

Leaving their passport at home

If there’s one thing that can ruin a cruise vacation before it even begins, it’s forgetting your passport at home.

Lost luggage? Forgot your sunscreen? These mishaps may be unfortunate, but at the end of the day, items like clothing and toiletries are easily replaceable. Your passport, on the other hand, is the single most important item you need for a cruise vacation.

Related: Can I cruise without a passport?

Message board member BXcruiser mentioned how forgetting their passport at home is their ultimate cruise fear; they constantly check to make sure the passport is packed before leaving home.

User loki007 added to the discussion by explaining what happened when they once forgot their passport. Fortunately, they realized their mistake while staying at a hotel the evening before embarkation, but the 7-hour round trip drive to retrieve the passport was far from enjoyable.

Evacuating the ship in an emergency

Every cruiser knows they must complete Royal Caribbean’s safety drill on embarkation day, but for most, the thought of a real emergency never crosses their mind. Cruise ships rarely encounter major issues at sea, after all, and emergency evacuations are largely unheard of.

Nonetheless, there’s a reason that millions of passengers complete safety drills each year—an emergency is always a possibility. Whether the ship is taking on water or a fire starts onboard, some cruisers stress about what an emergency evacuation could entail.

Message board member Geezer Of The Seas expressed his concerns, stating that “somehow, I don’t envision the real thing going as smoothly as the drills the crews perform periodically.”

Being left behind in port

We’ve all seen videos of frantic cruisers sprinting back to their cruise ship before it leaves port. Dubbed pier runners, these cruisers are frequently the target of jokes in the cruise industry. Several Royal Caribbean Blog message board members mentioned missing the ship as their biggest cruise fear.

It’s important to be cognizant of time while in port, as it’s crucial to return back to the ship in time. With the exception of those on shore excursions booked through Royal Caribbean, the cruise ship will not wait for late passengers. Those guests who miss the ship’s departure will need to make their own arrangements to meet up with the ship in the next port of call.

Related: What happens if you miss your cruise ship?

Moral of the story? Keep an eye on the time in port, and make note of whether your ship is following the port’s local time or ship time to ensure you get back onboard with plenty of time to spare.

Not making it to the embarkation city

Not getting back to your cruise ship before it leaves a port of call is a common cruise fear, but what about missing your cruise ship’s first departure altogether?

User smokeybandit explained how their biggest concern is getting to the port in the first place, particularly during the winter. User JimnKathy shared a similar remark, stating how “I never feel comfortable until the plane lands at our port of departure. Commercial air travel is SO unreliable these days.”

One of our most tried and true cruise tips at Royal Caribbean Blog is arriving at your embarkation city at least one day before your cruise begins. Even still, some veteran cruisers remain wary of travel delays that could cause them to miss the ship despite proper planning.

Something bad happening at home

Royal Caribbean Blog message board user RockerDom31 mentioned how their biggest cruise fear is something happening at home, such as an injury or death in the family. Many cruisers can relate to this fear, and it’s important to always be prepared for the worst case scenario.

No one wants to think of an emergency occurring at home while on a cruise, but it’s always a possibility. To be prepared for the worst, we recommend purchasing travel insurance before your cruise.

Related: Travel insurance for a cruise: Why you need it

Many travel insurance policies offer trip interruption coverage in case of the death of a family member back home, which may cover costs associated with an early departure from your ship when possible.

Plus, travel insurance will keep cruisers covered if something happens to themselves on a cruise, whether a sudden illness or emergency medical evacuation.

Losing luggage before (or after) boarding the ship

Frequent cruisers are meticulous when packing for a cruise, ensuring they pack the perfect outfit for each formal night or a day at the beach. Yet what if your luggage goes missing?

For several users on our message boards, losing luggage takes the top spot on their list of cruise fears.

Member asquared17 wrote how one of their biggest fears is watching their luggage float on the water as the ship pulls away from the cruise terminal. Traveling Mike shared similar sentiments, explaining how he would have trouble finding well-fitting clothing at the last minute if his luggage were to be lost.

Related: 6 tips to help keep a cruise line from losing your luggage

PhantomWolf shared a tip for those with luggage concerns, recommending that cruisers place AirTags in their luggage prior to leaving for a cruise. This way, cruisers can track down their bags on the chance they are misplaced.

Bad weather before, during, and after the cruise

Everyone wants a cool breeze and sunny skies when cruising, but weather will always be somewhat unpredictable regardless of where a cruise takes place.

From heat waves in the Mediterranean to hurricane season in the Caribbean, cruisers often express concern about encountering bad weather on a cruise.

Board user SPS explained how bad weather is his biggest fear on a cruise. Storms, winter travel, and cooler-than-expected weather can cause travel delays, missed ports of call, and miserably cold days at sea.

Royal Caribbean tries its best to complete every itinerary as scheduled, but out-of-the-ordinary weather patterns can occasionally put a damper on even the most anticipated cruise vacations.

The bar running out of a favorite drink

On a lighter note, what if your favorite beverage is out of stock on a Royal Caribbean cruise?

You can try dozens of unique drinks onboard a Royal Caribbean ship, whether a classic Cucumber Martini or tropical-inspired Parrot Punch. Some cruisers, though, prefer sticking to their favorites.

Related: 21 drinks to order if you have a cruise drink package

Message board user Ryan79 stated how the scariest thing that could happen on a cruise would be “the bar running out of Kraken for my lava flow!” and, after 55 cruises, Mike45orlando mentioned that “all the bars running out of your beer of choice is our biggest nightmare.”

Fortunately, even if the cruise ship does run out of your favorite drink, there are more than enough other intriguing choices available.

Getting food poisoning

There’s nothing glamorous about food poisoning—no one wants to spend their entire cruise in the bathroom! As expected, many cruisers are fearful of catching norovirus or another gastrointestinal illness onboard.

User Pattycruise said her biggest fear is learning about multiple cases of food poisoning through her sailing’s Facebook group.

“Reading in the Facebook group for your sailing that numerous people have food poisoning... I had the ‘joy’ of norovirus on disembarkation day on one of those sailings.”

Our advice? Make sure to wash your hands frequently while onboard. It’s a good idea to carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer with you, too, which you can use after handling commonly-touched items like buffet tongs and door handles.

Losing car keys for the way home

In all the excitement of embarkation day, some cruisers may toss their car keys into the first convenient place they find in their luggage. Come disembarkation day, however, remembering where they put their car keys can be challenging.

Member Auto mentioned losing his car keys as one of his biggest cruise fears, having experienced this himself after one sailing.

“We got to the parking garage to go home and I can’t find the keys anywhere,” he explained. “After about 10 minutes of searching, I finally found them in a pocket of a backpack I have never used before (or since). Not a great feeling.”

For those driving to the cruise port, make sure to put your keys in an easy-to-remember place.

Looking at your bill at the end of the cruise

Finally, one of the scariest moments all cruisers can relate to is looking at the final bill at the end of the cruise.

While onboard, it’s easy to swipe your SeaPass card without much thought. Another $15 cocktail? Sure, why not! The $200 spa treatment is only $150 today? What a steal!

Related: How much does a cruise cost?

After days of spending—and treating yourself—comes the dreaded moment of receiving your final bill.

To avoid intense sticker shock at the end of the cruise, keep an eye on your onboard charges via the Royal Caribbean app. If the number frightens you just halfway through the cruise, that’s a great reminder to cut back on your spending.

Royal Caribbean is the biggest cruise line in the industry, and it attracts millions of passengers every year.

I've taken at least one cruise every month of the year so far, often adding a second or third sailing within the same calendar month. It's an amazing vacation option that has taken me to the Caribbean and Europe, and I've got plenty more planned into next year too.

Though my cruises have been positive overall, things can always go wrong.

Here are the biggest mishaps I've encountered on Royal Caribbean cruises, and how I prepare for them in advance.

Getting seasick can ruin your day, so I bring the right medication

Many first-time cruisers are worried about getting seasick on a cruise ship. I think the chances of it happening are lower than most people assume, but there's definitely the possibility.

Even I occasionally get seasick if the winds are rocking the ship in the right direction.  Earlier this year, I was sailing on Freedom of the Seas and I noticed I started feeling queasy on our sea day and recognized the telltale sign of motion sickness coming on.

The good news is you can combat seasickness quite easily and quickly, but it helps so to have the right things with you.

While there are homeopathic remedies, I prefer to have a supply of over the counter medication at my disposal.

I always pack Bonine chewable tablets with me (link contains affiliate link, which costs you nothing extra).  

When I first started cruising, I would take one a day, beginning the day before my cruise began. As I've cruised more, I don't feel the need to take it daily, but they do work quickly if the symptoms of motion sickness begin while already onboard the ship.

Delays of any size can wreak havoc on travel plans, so I plan my schedule to account for them

Want to know the most costly mistake you can make on your cruise? Trying to fly in the same day your cruise begins.

Whether you're trying to save money on a hotel room or simply aren't aware of the risks, traveling the same day your cruise is scheduled to begin is playing with fire.

Air travel delays are notoriously bad, and they happen all the time.  Because of this, I always pad my travel plans to add more travel time in case of a delay or cancellation.

If you miss the ship because your flight was cancelled or delayed, there's not much recourse to get you on the ship. Certainly travel insurance may pick up the tab on lost cost, but it won't replace the actual relaxing vacation you planned.

I always fly in at least one day before the cruise is set to begin for cruises that depart my own country. If I'm flying internationally, I'd bump that up at least two days before the cruise is set to begin. In fact, I'd recommend more days to not only account for travel delays but also jetlag.

Cabin noise can make sleeping difficult, so I always bring ear plugs

I have a high tolerance for noise, until it interferes with my sleep.

Most of the time, I have few problems with getting a good night sleep on a cruise ship. In fact, I often sleep better on a cruise, especially when I'm in an inside cabin that provides ideal sleeping conditions.

Just in case, I pack a supply of disposable ear plugs in my luggage.

Cabin noise can be the result of many sources, including rattling, other passengers, or music.

When you're awakened mid-sleep and you just want to get back to sleep, I don't have the energy to track down the source every time.  So I'll grab my ear plugs, put them in, and get right back to sleep.

Power plugs can be scarce, so I pack an approved power adaptor

Royal Caribbean has gotten really good about adding enough power outlets in cruise ship cabins with its newer ships, but I always assume there aren't enough outlets in any cabin.

What do I need to plug in? My laptop, phone, wife's phone, smart watch are usually all plugged in at one time or another.  And then when my wife needs to blow dry or straighten her hair, there's more outlets needed. Never mind my kids' devices.

If you're on a cruise ship built before 2010, there's a good chance your cabin will have just two power outlets.

As a result, I pack a power adaptor with me on every sailing I take.

Royal Caribbean recently banned multi-plug outlets, but there are still approved outlet adaptors you can take with you.

I bring a USB hub in my carry-on bag, and it ensures we can keep a few things charging concurrently. (Contains affiliate link, which costs you nothing extra to use)

Before my cruise, I start to drink more water to avoid travel stomach

Despite my hundred or so cruises I've taken in my life, my digestive track seems to get triggered by travel quite often.

Grumpy gut is not the result of a bacterial infection, just bad luck with the transition to new foods, dehydration from flying, changes in climate, or something else.

A couple days before the cruise begins, I'll try to drink more water to help keep everything moving.  I feel this especially important on embarkation day of the cruise too, because it's so easy to go right to "I'm on vacation" mode and enjoy cocktails without enough water too.

Water alone won't always work, so I travel with medicine like Pepto Bismol or Imodium to quickly take care of the symptoms. (These are affiliate links that cost you nothing extra, but I get a referral fee if you buy something).

When I cruise, I love taking advantage of every trick to save me time or money, but not all of them work as well as I hoped.

I find there are a lot of tried-and-true cruise tips and hacks that work quite well.  Some are so ingrained in my routine that I just consider them standard operating procedure, although they may not be so obvious to someone new to cruising.

Planning a cruise effectively means you side step common mistakes and set yourself up for a great time.  However, some strategies just aren't as useful as they may sound.

To be fair, I concede some tips work for others, but not for me. The first time I tried an over the door shoe organizer as a cruise hack to save on storage space, I thought it wasn't nearly as useful as I imagined.

Nonetheless, I love to try tips out all the time in order to make me a better cruiser.  Over my last few cruises, I found a few more duds that just didn't work for my family.  Some were tips that I think are overrated, while others may be ship or itinerary specific.

Here's why they generally weren't worth the effort (and what we found worked instead).

Wear a bathing suit to the ship on embarkation day

A really good cruise tip to know is you can use the pool and water slides on embarkation day, and it's one of the best times to do so without big lines or crowds.

With that tip in mind, you should bring a swimsuit with you so you can change into it in one of the public bathrooms after you board.  Personally, I hate changing clothes in a public bathroom because it's awkward and not comfortable at all. 

One tip was to simply wear your bathing suit when you board the ship under your clothes. 

It seemed like a good workaround, since by the time you're done swimming, your stateroom cabin should be ready to go and change back.

The issue I had was wearing a bathing suit for a few hours isn't that comfortable, especially men's bathing suits with a mesh lining. I'd put it on in the morning of the cruise, and then wear it through the cruise terminal until I got on the ship and into the pool.

After a few hours of wearing swim trunks, I felt as though the mesh lining becomes the single most uncomfortable item of clothing ever made. 

My preferred hack for enjoying a ship's pool or slides is to go on a port day instead.

Don't overpack

I'm an over packer and always have been, so I've tried to be better about it.  

If I'm cruising from a port in Florida where I can drive or take the train, overpacking really isn't an issue since I don't have to worry about luggage allowances. 

But when I fly to cruise, cutting down on overpacking seems like a good tip to follow.  Even if I'm cruising locally, having a smaller suitcase would be easier.

The problem I have when I under pack is it gives me anxiety about running out of clothes when I get on the ship. Plus, during summer months, I find I sweat through more clothes than I thought I would.

On a cruise to the Mexican Riviera from Los Angeles in June, I sweat so profusely in Mazatlan that I even surprised myself.

Of course, I can send clothes out for dry cleaning on a ship, but it's not cheap.

Having backup clothes just makes things easier, and I feel less anguish about if I should re-use clothing.

Skip the buffet on your first day

There are few venues on a Royal Caribbean cruise that get as busy as the Windjammer buffet on embarkation day.

It seems as though everyone that gets onboard wants to eat lunch, and they all head to the buffet.

I really like the buffet, and go there on nearly every cruise. But it's definitely frustrating trying to find a seat, especially on Royal Caribbean's older cruise ships.

There are two ideas for skipping the buffet with an alternative.

The first hack is to go to a different complimentary venue, but the value of this tip really depends on the ship.  If you're on an Oasis or Icon Class ship, it's a great idea because you can hit up Park Cafe or Aquadome Market.  

Each has a good selection of food, freshly prepared, and it feels like a meal.

On other ships, you're relegated to Cafe Promeande or Sorrento's Pizza. Maybe it's just a me thing, but I don't find either satisfying as a meal.

The other hack is to go to a specialty restaurant on embarkation day.  Sure it costs money, but you get to sit down and enjoy a full meal.  And you can find at least one specialty restaurant open on any Royal Caribbean ship on embarkation day.

The problem I have with this hack is I'm too excited for all the fun of the cruise to sit around for an hour or more to eat a meal.

While this option is indeed satisfying, when I board a ship, I want to explore and do things. I'm excited to cruise, and I'm not in the mood to sit around.

I doubt I'll adopt this hack, other than if I'm on a ship that has a really good alternative. Sign me up for Aquadome Market any day of the week, if I'm on a ship with that option!

Use the free showers in the fitness center

The last time I shared a cabin with my kids, my oldest daughter was hogging up the shower like all teenagers typically do.

I then remembered a commonly shared cruise tip to use the free showers in the fitness center.

On every Royal Caribbean ship, the gym has a changing room and shower that anyone can use.

I gathered my stuff and was about to go use this tip when I remembered an equally important tip from college: you need to wear shoes of some kind to avoid athlete's foot.

I didn't have the proper shoes for it, so I had to skip this tip. While I've sworn off sharing a cabin with my kids at this point, if I ever did again, I'd have to remember to bring the right kind of footwear with me.

A 74-year-old man takes his wife that he's been married to for 55 years on a cruise twice a year, and he has no intention of stopping.

Ron Lodowski lives in upstate New York with his wife, Susan, and they love to go on cruises as a way to escape to the tropics and enjoy a carefree trip.

While Millennials lead the post-Covid recovery in travel, baby boomers are increasingly booking trips. That's according to Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty.

In an interview in 2023, Mr. Liberty said Baby Boomers tend to pay more for a cruise (because they prefer higher end accommodations) and they bring their kids and grandkids with them.

"That Baby Boomer is bringing in more of that multigenerational travel, as the grandparents are looking to travel with their kids and their grandkids."

Ron is part of that Baby Boomer generation, and he likes how everything is taken care of on a cruise, "Need a meal? Royal has you covered. Need your cabin or suite cleaned? No problem. Want to see some form of entertainment after dinner? Look no further. Royal Caribbean cruising is one stop vacation shopping."

He didn't start cruising until later in life. His first cruise was in 2008 as a gift to his daughter. While he admits he made a "big mistake" choosing a Carnival cruise as his first cruise, he quickly made the jump to Royal Caribbean and now goes on multiple cruises per year.

"I cruise twice a year, on average, normally, once in March or April and once is September or October," he said.

"Living in the Northeast... these dates tend to extend the warm summer for us instead of having the summer begin in May and end in late August or early September."

I asked Ron for his tips for how to plan the right cruise based on how he likes to cruise with Susan and his family.

Book early

Ron says he picks his cruise based on four criteria: the time of the year, the itinerary, the ship, and lastly the price.

As an example, "With the introduction of the newest Icon and Oasis class ships, the cruise decision based upon ship has jumped ahead of the itinerary."

His first tip for booking a cruise is to book the cruise sooner than later.

"The sooner you book, normally the lower the cruise fare.  If the price does decrease, you can always cancel and rebook as long as it is before the final payment date."

The ability to re-book up until final payment to take advantage of a price decrease is available to residents of certain countries, such as the United States or Canada. It is indeed one of the best ways to save money on a cruise.

"I have done this numerous times and have saved thousands of dollars. Better yet? Have your travel agent do this for you. Their charge is nonexistent, and their service is priceless."

Our team recommends using a good travel agent for the service they provide, as well as the opportunity to save money, just as Ron described.

Splurge

Ron approaches every cruise with a sobering but pragmatic view, "Treat ever cruise like it might be your last cruise."

To that point, he doesn't shy away from spending more on cruise extras.

"Enjoy the specialty dining experience, have that extra cocktail after dinner, treat yourself to a suite with all the suite benefits. Or better yet? Go full out and experience the pampering which you will receive from a Royal Genie. You will never forget it!"

While there are a lot of freebies on a Royal Caribbean cruise, Ron sees cruising as an escape. 

I asked Ron what he'd tell someone else his age about why they should try a cruise. He joked, "I would first tell them to turn up your hearing aid" and then said he would explain how a cruise can transport you to amazing places.

"Cruising is an amazing experience. You get to travel to beautiful, scenic places and once onboard everything which you might want, or need is taken care of by one of the helpful crew members"

He also emphasized the importance of meeting new friends on a cruise, "And most importantly, unlike land vacations, where people come and go, when you are on a cruise, people you meet become your friends for life. I speak from experience. "

Book off season

Ron's last tip is to look for off season rates, which can save a lot of money compared to peak season.

As a retiree, Ron and Susan can take advantage of times of the year when there is less demand because school is in session, and thus, families are reluctant go to on vacation.

"Off season rates, January thru March and September thru November are usually much cheaper, so why not take advantage of these months?"

"You're retired, so you have no job or family to interfere with your vacation plans. You deserve it!"

Going on a cruise in the months Ron mentions can be a great time to go on a cruise for those added savings.

While the Caribbean is a year-round destination, booking a trip during one month over another could be the difference in hundreds of dollars.

Good etiquette extends to a cruise ship vacation, and there are a few things some cruisers do that are sure to annoy others around them.

Everyone's on vacation, so there's a certain degree of a laid back atmosphere on a cruise. However, vacation isn't an excuse to be inconsiderate of others.

I've cruised enough to notice when certain behaviors irritate others, and it's either the result of ignorance or selfishness. I'm not saying I've never gotten into an elevator and hit the "close door" button because I wanted to get going. We're all a little bit selfish, but I like to think I have never done any of the 10 most annoying habits on a cruise.

You don't need to go on a cruise to make friends, but you can do little things to avoid being that guy. If you've never cruised before, consider this a good list of what not to do.

Smoking where you're not supposed to

Royal Caribbean has designated areas of the ship specifically for smoking or vaping, and everywhere else it's not allowed.

Unfortunately, a few people will sneak smokes in elsewhere, such as on their stateroom balcony or even in public areas around the ship.

Smoking is not permitted in any dining venue, theater, bar, lounge, hallway, elevator, and jogging track. Outdoor areas near restricted areas, food venues, and kids play areas and pools will not allow smoking.

In my experience, people vaping indoors is the most commonly occurring example of this.  Almost always they try to be sly about it, exhaling into their shirt, up in the air, or down to the side.

This is one of the few annoying habits on this list that is more than about being inconsiderate, it's flagrantly against Royal Caribbean's rules.

Using your hands at the buffet

I'm always surprised when I see someone use their hands to grab food from the buffet, but it happens.

It might seem innocent, like grabbing a bread roll or cookie.  The issue is mitigating the spread of germs onboard, and using your hands doesn't help with that.

It's unsanitary, and others around you are sure to notice.

Not letting others out of the elevator first

When an elevator arrives at a floor, the people waiting for the elevator should stand aside from the doors to let others out of the elevator first, before getting in.

Unfortunately this lack of elevator etiquette is not limited to cruises. I see it at hotels on land all the time, but it doesn't excuse it.

Not only is it polite to let others out of the elevator first, it benefits you to do so because it frees up space in the car.

Playing music loudly

In today's age of Airpods and noise cancelling headphones, I'm always surprised when someone is playing their music too loudly.

I experience this less at the ship's pool than in cabins. Some people are used to listening to music in their room as they get ready, and I suspect that might be why some passengers play their music too loudly.

Cruise ship staterooms are not very well insulated against noise, and your music will absolutely bleed through the walls.

Likewise, when bringing a speaker to the pool or beach, make sure the volume is not high enough to be heard all around you.

Yelling at someone else

We all have moments where there's an issue and your blood boils and you want to lash out at a family member, friend, or stranger. But yelling and creating a scene isn't the solution.

This is one of those "easier said than done" bits of advice, because when you become frustrated, you're not going to start thinking of blog posts.

Likewise, if another passenger gets on your nerves, my advice is walk away to defuse the situation.  It's simply not worth hashing it out with a stranger and then having to become a spectacle in that moment.

Hogging a pool chair all day

Chair hogs are a real issue that probably rank among the most frustrating parts of a cruise.

My definition of a chair hog is someone that goes out to the pool in the early morning, puts towels or belongings down on chairs to reserve them, and then disappears for a few hours.

A lot of people want to be in or near the pool, especially on sea days. It's fine if you want to wake up early and enjoy time by the pool, but you shouldn't take up chairs if you're not going to be there for an extended period of time.

While I doubt the chair hog problem goes away anytime soon, try not to contribute to making the problem even worse.

Talking loudly during shows

While a Royal Caribbean theater is not as formal or swanky as a Broadway theater in New York, talking during a performance is rude to both your fellow passengers and the cast on stage.

Obviously it's okay to whisper something to someone sitting next to you, but having a full conversation is a faux pas to avoid. Especially at normal speaking volume.

It's perfectly acceptable to excuse yourself to step out of the theater to take a phone call or speak with someone else.

Holding up disembarkation lines

Getting off the cruise ship in the morning is never fun. Your vacation is over, and you're headed back to reality.  So the last thing you want to do is slow the line down disembarking.

There's usually a line to exit the ship, and all that's required is you scan your SeaPass card.  Yet, there's always a number of passengers who either don't have their SeaPass card ready or left in in their cabin.

The SeaPass is needed to scan so the crew knows you've disembarked. So keep your SeaPass with you as you exit the ship, and have it ready to scan when you get close.

Trying to register at kids club at prime time

Royal Caribbean holds an open house for the entire afternoon on embarkation day, and yet there's usually a family that tries to register their kids at Adventure Ocean at check-in later that evening.

The problem is there's just one entrance to the kids club for each age group, and if someone is registering their kids, it blocks the rest of the line.  This means everyone else must wait to sign their kids in while the parent at the front finishes the registration paperwork.

Adventure Ocean registration begins at 1pm on the first day of your cruise, and it's a great time to go and meet the counselors and get everything taken care of so drop off is super quick.

Being disrespectful to crew members

There's never an excuse to be rude to a crew member.

Crew members work extremely hard to make your vacation amazing, and sometimes accidents happen. Or they're there to enforce important rules, regardless if you agree with the rules or not.

Unfortunately, some passengers will completely ignore a crew member, yell at them, or lecture them like a child.

If there's an issue at hand, ask to speak to their manager or go to Guest Services to get it resolved. 

And if a crew member gives you an instruction, it's your obligation to follow it. They didn't make up the rules, they're just reminding you of what you should be doing.

There are a few common, but avoidable, mistakes that new cruisers tend to make and I bet if you ever did them, you'd never make the same one again.

There are so many lists of travel mistakes people make during the cruise, from minor gaffes to major problems.

As an example, getting sun burned is something that happens to the best of us, no matter how many times you swear it will never happen again.

However, I think there are a few blunders that if you made them, you'd almost certainly never make again.

Fly in same day your cruise sets sail

The worst mistake you can make is never making it to your cruise ship at all because you were delayed arriving.

A lot of travelers will fly to the city their cruise ship departs from, but unfortunately flights get cancelled or delayed. If that happens to you and you miss the ship, you paid for a cruise you won't actually go on.

The boarding window on the first day is limited, and the ship will not wait for you if your flight plans cause you to be late.

Moreover, you're not entitled to a refund from the cruise line because of that situation.

On the Royal Caribbean message boards, twangster illustrated how recently two separate groups  at the Seattle airport missed their cruise because they tried to fly in the same day it began.

"Yesterday as I was in the process of working with a gate agent to find new alternatives for a delayed Seattle flight I saw two separate groups explaining to other gate agents they are going on an Alaskan cruise and now they were going to miss their cruise.  There was nothing the gate agents could do, there was no alternative flights to put them on. "

What you should do to avoid this mistake is never fly in the same day your cruise begins.  

Always plan to arrive at least one day before your cruise so that a travel delay doesn't mean you can't make the ship. If you're flying overseas for a cruise, I'd make it at least two days before the cruise.

Yes, there's the added cost of an extra hotel night, but the peace of mind it comes with is completely worth it.

Overpaying for things onboard

It's eye opening how much more cruise add-ons cost once onboard the ship versus if you pre-purchased them at home.

Whether it's a shore excursion, drink package, or WiFi plan, it all costs more onboard.

The best example is the Royal Caribbean drink package, which routinely costs more than $100 per person, per day when purchased on the ship.  At home, it's regularly $20-$30 cheaper per person, per day.

Read more: Drink package guide and advice

Internet packages are another easy place to save money, because there are no discounts once you get onboard.

I bought a 1 device internet package for my upcoming Utopia of the Seas cruise, I would only pay $23.99 per day, saving $4 per day. 

There are sales and discounts on pre-cruise purchases all the time, which means you could easily save hundreds of dollars if you bought it before the cruise.

Even if you're late to the game and check to buy these things just a few days before your cruise begins, you will save money instead of buying it onboard.

Being late back to the ship

Every time I've seen a video of a cruise ship passenger frantically running back to the cruise ship because they're late, I always swear it won't ever be me.

Your cruise ship is in port for a set few hours, and the all aboard time is a set time for you to be back onboard. Or else.

The cruise ship might wait a few minutes, but the Captain has to adhere to their schedule and depart on time. There's very little wiggle room for delays.

Passengers returning late could be from a variety of reasons: lost track of time, traffic delays, injury, got lost. Regardless, if you venture off the ship on your own, then it's your responsibility to make it back to the ship on time.

If you go on a Royal Caribbean shore excursion that was purchased through the cruise line, then the ship will wait for that tour.

I wouldn't go as far as to say not to venture off the ship without a cruise line excursion, but you do need to manage your time.

I recommend planning to arrive back to the ship about 2 hours before the all aboard time. That way, if there is some crazy delay, you'll likely be back with time to spare.

Not putting phone into airplane mode

The silent cruise mistake you won't know about until you get home is probably in your pocket.

Everyone has a cell phone, and if you bring your phone onboard without putting it into airplane mode, you can bet you'll end up with a giant bill.

A woman in the UK went on a Caribbean cruise and ended up with a £1186.59 bill because her phone was roaming for the entire trip.

When your phone is out of it's normal operational area, it tries to use other carrier's networks, and that comes with very high roaming rates.

Even if you aren't actively using your phone, you could get a big bill because most phones use the network even while idle to check for updates or messages.

There's a very simple way to avoid this costly cruise mistake, and that's to put your phone into airplane mode as soon as you get onboard.

Once your phone is in airplane mode, it cannot use other cellular networks (but you can still use WiFi).

Needing travel insurance when you don't have it

No matter how cautious you are, eventually everyone gets sick, hurt, or encounters unforeseen circumstances.

There are all sorts of reasons you might need to cancel your cruise at the last minute: sudden onset of an illness, loss of employment, major accident, death of a family member, and more. 

Once you're past the final payment date, there are major penalties for canceling your cruise. If you want to cancel just a few days before the cruise, there's not going to be any money returned to you, other than port fees and taxes.

Travel insurance is an affordable add-on cost that protects you against many common reasons people want to cancel a cruise. 

You can buy it through Royal Caribbean, through your travel agent, or even shop for it on your own.

One travel agent is raising a red flag about common scams she's seen that could ruin your cruise vacation plans.

 Jenn Greene is a Travel Planner affiliated with MEI Travel and regularly books Royal Caribbean cruises. She's one of the top earners at her agency, and she's run into all sorts of scenarios with her clients.

While most people have no issues, she's noticed an influx lately of bad actors who are causing problems, "With cruising being more popular than ever, we are seeing an uptick in scammers trying to take advantage of travelers."

Consumers should always be vigilant about sharing personal information, as well as deals that seem "too good to be true".

Whether it’s an overly aggressive salesperson on the other end of the phone, or an all-too-friendly Facebook profile, there’s plenty to be wary of.  Here are the most popular scams Jenn is seeing right now. 

Oversharing in cruise groups

While it may be a fun idea to join a group to coordinate with others on your cruise, user beware because scammers are among you.

We recommend finding a Facebook group or roll call thread for your upcoming sailing because of the opportunity to meet new friends and learn more about your specific sailing.  However, you want to keep your guard up in these groups.

Ms. Greene recommends not posting too much information about yourself or your cruise, "It’s ok to make plans to meet up at the bar once onboard, but don’t trust giving your information to others via private messages."

"Before you know it, a scammer has your phone number, email and booking information, which gives them easy access to your vacation plans."

If you think Ms. Greene is exaggerating the concern, a woman recently learned this lesson the hard way when she lost a $15,000 cruise after posting reservation number on social media.

Call the right phone number

This may seem trivial, but scammers pay a lot of money to have their fake phone numbers land on Google searches. 

If you are looking for a contact number for Royal Caribbean, go directly to cruise line website, not the internet search bar.

Ms. Greene shared she's seen an uptick in these problems, "Just recently, cruisers that are booked have almost been scammed by these fake numbers, posing to be the cruise line."

She explained before the phone agent can "help you", they tell you that you owe more money for an embarkation fee, or a deck fee, which are all fake fees. 

"Once you pay them, they will then help you with whatever you may be calling about. When you hang up, they will have taken your money, and have your credit card information - and you still have no resolution to your problem," she explained.

"Free" cruise scam

If something seems too good to be true, then it probably is, including an offer for a free cruise.

Social media is rife with these posts that claim there's a giveaway for a free cruise, airplane ticket, or trip to a resort.

"It’s very common to see posts on Facebook, Instagram or other social media giving away the trip of a lifetime," Ms. Greene explained.  "Usually it’s an impersonation of a major cruise line, offering a free cruise giveaway or telling you that you’ve been specially selected."

She recommends if you are contacted by a cruise line on social media, do not trust it. 

Read more: 4 warning signs a cruise deal is too good to be true

Fake social media accounts

It’s common for scammers to create fake social media accounts based on well-known people in the cruise community, such as Captain Kate from Celebrity Cruises, or Royal Caribbean President and CEO Michael Bayley.  

For example, you might receive a message that there’s a problem with your cruise booking or that there’s an exclusive offer on a cruise, but at some point, you’ll always be asked for your bank details as scammers try to get your money. 

Ms. Greene added, "it’s highly unlikely that a cruise CEO or Captain is reaching out to users on social media."

How to protect yourself against scams

Hopefully this warning will ensure you think twice in the future, but another safeguard is to work with a trusted travel agent.

A good travel agent can answer any questions you may have along the way. You'll have a direct contact at all times to assist with your plans.

Want to change your dining time? Not sure, if you already prepaid gratuity? Travel agents are always there to help. A good travel agent will never charge a fee, and will help you every step of the way.

Royal Caribbean Blog works exclusively with MEI Travel and cannot say enough about their professionalism and service. 

I've taken 8 cruises in the past 12 months, and each one taught me something.

As a new cruiser, I knew I had a lot to learn from personal experience.

Not only was cruising a new form of travel when I started, but my cruises also took me to regions I'd never visited before.

Although all my sailings took place on Royal Caribbean ships, I sailed different ships each time; Wonder of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Radiance of the Seas, Enchantment of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Icon of the Seas, and Oasis of the Seas.

Each different itinerary and ship type introduced me to a new aspect of cruising.

From choosing the right stateroom to saving money on shore excursions, I'll explore the top lessons I learned from each sailing. 

Read more: I've never been on a cruise, but spent a week researching what I need to know. My top 11 important lessons I think I learned

Your cabin selection has a huge influence on the experience

Cruise: Wonder of the Seas

My first cruise took place on Wonder of the Seas, sailing a 7-night Eastern Caribbean and Perfect Day at CocoCay itinerary.

Any Oasis-class ship would make for the perfect first cruise.

I was blown away by the amount of dining, activities, and amenities onboard, and felt like I barely had enough time to experience it all.

But while we splurged on specialty dining and shore excursions, we also tried to save money by booking a guarantee stateroom.

It turned out that this cheaper cabin selection had a huge influence on the entire cruise.

We were assigned a windowless interior cabin at the very front of the ship, and I quickly learned why other cruisers tend to avoid that location.

The room was consistently dark, without a view, and we often heard the noise of the anchor chain banging on the ship's hull.

I also learned that I suffer from seasickness while cruising, and the forward location of the stateroom left me even more susceptible to the vessel's rocking motion.

If I hadn't packed Dramamine, the nausea would have been unbearable.

Although I've booked interior cabins since this cruise, and find that the darkness makes for a good night's sleep, I regret not picking a better cabin for my first cruise.

For a first cruise (or the first one in a while), splurging on a better cabin will upgrade your experience.

Snorkeling is worth it, and you don't always have to pay extra

Cruise: Freedom of the Seas

My Freedom of the Seas cruise took place over a few short days, sailing to Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay.

For this trip, I decided to invest in my experience on Royal Caribbean's private island. 

I purchased the snorkel shore excursion, which turned out to be an amazing way to see the beaches of the Bahamas.

After renting the snorkel equipment, I took a self-guided tour of the shipwreck and natural life near the shores of CocoCay.

I saw sea snakes, tropical fish, and a jellyfish!

It was a cool experience, and I later realized that there was nothing stopping me from purchasing and bringing my own snorkel equipment to the island.

At any visit to Perfect Day at CocoCay, you could experience the snorkel shore excursion for free.

Cruising smaller ships is a marvelous way to relax

Cruise: Radiance of the Seas

My third cruise was my first on a smaller ship—the 961-foot Radiance of the Seas.

The 5-night getaway sailed the Western Caribbean, taking me to ports I hadn't visited before.

While I wasn't sure what to expect, I learned that a smaller ship makes for a great way to relax.

The cruise was a calming getaway. The pool areas were always clear, and the elevators were easy to navigate.

I also noticed a more distinct ship culture; the crew members all seemed to know each other, and the captain even walked around to meet cruisers onboard.

Despite all the flack that smaller ships get, I found the cruise a quiet, enjoyable experience.

Plus, we got to visit exciting ports of call that the large ships can’t visit. 

Research thoroughly before sailing a new region

Cruise: Enchantment of the Seas

Enchantment took me to new regions as well: I cruised a 7-night Athens to Barcelona Mediterranean sailing, having never visited the continent before!

I tried to have a more flexible mindset for this cruise, assuming that I'd learn things as I went along.

While I'm usually a big researcher, I did less preparation beforehand and expected to learn from experience.

This isn't the best move when it comes to visiting a new country.

I found myself at a loss when it came to Greek culture or Spanish phrases. Also, when I visited some historical locations such as the island of Crete, I wished that I'd read up on their impact. While the tour guides did give us a lot of information, more reading beforehand would have enhanced my experience.

Read more: 8 lessons learned after trying a European cruise for the first time

The suite life is very sweet indeed

Cruise: Allure of the Seas

My 3-night weekend cruise on Allure was my first time staying in a suite—and it was luxe.

For the first time, I realized just what a huge difference splurging on your cabin could make.

We were greeted with champagne and snacks, and our own coffee machine.

The stateroom had a huge balcony we could eat dinner on and a deep bathtub I used twice during the 3-day cruise.

Plus, the Grand Suite granted access to the suite lounge and other great benefits.

Once again, I saw that splurging on your stateroom really makes a difference.

Purchase shore excursions separate from Royal Caribbean to save money

Cruise: Anthem of the Seas

For the majority of my cruises, I was a loyal to Royal shore excursion buyer.

As soon as the cruise was booked, I would hop on the website to peruse the cruise line's sponsored tours.

While I knew that it was more expensive to purchase through Royal Caribbean, I figured the safety and security it gave me would be worth it.

However, on my Anthem of the Seas Bahamas and Perfect Days sailing, I decided to branch out and find an excursion on shoreexcursions.com.

I purchased a Glass Bottom Boat Ride with a stop on Pearl Island for about $50 per person.

When we arrived at the tour, we had an amazing time, and I discovered that the guests who paid for the same excursion through Royal Caribbean had spent $100-$150 on the excursion.

That means they spent double or even triple for the same tour!

The guides winked and told us not to tell anyone how much we'd saved.

Try as many different dining venues and dishes as you can

Cruise: Icon of the Seas

My next cruise took place on the much-hyped Icon of the Seas, and I truly believe she deserves all the praise she gets.

On this 7-night Western Caribbean and Perfect Day sailing, I was grateful that I made it a priority to try all the different cuisines onboard.

The ship blew me away with its range of dining options and upgrades to previous Royal Caribbean venues.

Read more: 10 lessons learned after trying Icon of the Seas for the first time

It was the best food I'd had on a Royal Caribbean ship—and I only tried the complimentary venues!

If you're planning on cruising Icon, be sure to try as much of the food as you can, and I'd recommend splurging on the specialty dining as well.

A summer trip to Europe is rough, but a positive attitude will take you far

Cruise: Oasis of the Seas

On my second European cruise, I was determined to learn from my past mistakes, and I did tons of research beforehand.

I told myself it would be a great cruise, and it was one of my favorites!

However, sailing to Spain, Italy, and Greece during June is a sure-fire way to run into crowds of tourists, and I did.

Although my research told me I could expect huge crowds, I was unprepared for how much that affected my experience.

When I visited museums, I only got a few seconds in front of the paintings before a group would get in my way. And traffic on the roads cut into our time at port.

Although it ended up being an amazing experience, I would have much preferred a less crowded season.

How can you make your cruise just a little bit better without much fuss?

We wanted to find some more simple, low-effort ways to make your cruise a more enjoyable vacation, so we took to the Royal Caribbean Blog Facebook group to ask our readers what they do.

Hundreds of comments later, here are 12 easy things our readers do to make their cruise better.

1. Go with the flow

Karen Taylow Henelde commented: "Go with the flow and participate!"

One easy way to improve your cruise is by deciding to go with the flow of activities during your cruise.

Plans can change, and delays happen, so it's best to forgo any attachment to a specific outcome.

Leslie Lasage Babineaux expanded on this advice, saying to "take every moment as it comes, especially during embarkation and debarkation."

"I go with the same attitude with every day on the ship. Wake up and just go with the flow of the day. You never know what activities will be on the schedule that you will love. If not, grab a cocktail and sit by the pool or walk around the ship."

It's hard to predict what will be the most enjoyable activity until you get onboard, so going with the flow ensures you'll have a fun cruise!

Read more: 13 things I wish I'd done differently on my first cruise, from avoiding seasickness to eating at different venues

2. Get to know the crew members

Making connections with crew members onboard just takes some kindness and conversation, and it can make your cruise so much better.

"Get to know some of the staff," Patty Vognild commented.

"Once you ask them some questions about their home/country and family they usually light up."

Asking others about themselves is an easy way to show care, and humanize crew members instead of ignoring them.

Royal Caribbean crew members work hard on all aspects of the cruise, from covering entertainment to serving guests in the Main Dining Room, to the stateroom attendants cleaning your cabin every day.

"Making some of those connections makes the cruise more enjoyable!" Vognild added.

On cruises where I've befriended crew members (whether a bartender or a waiter), I've always learned more about the ship and felt like I had a friend to come back and see.

3. Order room service breakfast

Many readers commented that ordering room service breakfast is an easy thing that improves their cruise.

"[We] order room service for breakfast so we don't have to worry about crowds, clothes, or showers first thing in the morning," Melissa Renee said.

Continental room service breakfast is free and can be ordered as late as the night before.

Your food will be delivered right to your door at the time you select, and you can enjoy it from the comfort of your cabin.

Ordering room service breakfast, especially on excursion days, gives you extra time to get ready and help circumvent crowds at other complimentary venues.

4. Pre-pay gratuities

Pamela Martin commented: "Pay anything at all before I set foot on the ship. No bills leaving."

Royal Caribbean allows you to pre-pay the obligatory gratuities before your cruise.

You can easily do this by contacting your travel agent, or logging onto the website and paying online.

Experienced cruisers like to pre-pay their gratuities because it allows them to pay off the balance early and lock in the current gratuity rate.

If you prefer to budget and spread out your expenses, pre-paying is a smart idea.

Read more: We asked our readers what one thing they regretted packing for their cruise

5. Bring more money and fewer clothes

Mark Olwick gave some sound advice in his comment: "Take twice as much money and half as many clothes as you think you’ll need."

Bringing plenty of money, especially cash, ensures that you have enough to spend on souvenirs, food, and tips. 

While there is an ATM machine on your ship, it will come with a lot of fees, so grab your cash ahead of time.

And when it comes to packing, you won't need as many clothes as you expect.

If you know how to pack efficiently and bring adaptable clothing, you'll save yourself space in your luggage.

Read more: 40 essential things to bring on a cruise

6. Go to the Main Dining Room

Dining at the Main Dining Room is free and easy to manage on board a cruise ship.

Tammy Baumann said she "very much [enjoys] the Main Dining Room."

Baumann recommends cruisers go "so [the staff] can spoil you, bring you your favorite beverage without you even asking, scrape away your crumbs, and honor you."

The Main Dining Room is a cruise institution, an elegant, complimentary venue where cruisers are served multiple-course meals.

Given its formality, the venue is a great place to relax and enjoy trying new dishes.

If you dine there every night, the waitstaff will get to know you and your preferences.

7. Unpack and organize your clothing

One of the first things I do when I get onboard and inside my cruise cabin is unpack all my clothing and the majority of my items.

Tammy Albert does the same. "It's very hard living out of luggage!" She commented.

Unpacking completely allows you to make the cruise cabin your home, take stock of the things you packed, and organize the stateroom.

Your clothes and items will be within reach, making it easier to get ready during the day.

Unpacking ultimately saves you time and space.

Read more: We asked our readers what one thing they wish they packed for their cruise

8. Enjoy the moment

"Take a moment to just enjoy the view with your own eyes," Tom Johnson advised.

"Yes, it is great to get a photo of something, but give yourself a chance to look at what you are seeing."

This is a great tip, not just for cruises, but for all types of travel.

Taking time to soak in the scenery and reflect on the wonder of your experience reminds you why you've traveled all this way.

Pause on the photos and entertainment, and just appreciate everything around you.

Read more: Best things to bring on a cruise under $10 I always regret forgetting to bring

9. Use a travel agent

Booking with a travel agent was Jan Lefave's top tip.

Most agents charge no fees for their services, and it can save you a lot of time.

Since travel agents have access to better rates and often offer onboard credit, they'll also save you money on the cruise.

Travel agents can help with any of your booking and question questions, even when you're onboard the ship.

They'll offer peace of mind in emergencies, and allow you to use headspace for the more fun parts of planning.

"Life is too short to get hung up on silly things," Lefave commented.

10. Allow yourself to spend time indoors

"It’s ok to just chill in your room," Ian Hunter said.

"Sometimes I feel like I’m 'missing out' but if you just want to sit in your room or balcony and relax then that’s just fine!"

Cruise ships have endless activities available on board, not to mention the exciting ports of all that many cruises will stop at.

Staying inside your cruise cabin can feel like a waste of time when there are so many things to do. But it's your vacation and you're allowed to relax inside the cabin, or even take a nap.

"It’s your vacation and if you want some alone time to just relax and recoup then do it," Hunter added.

11. Arrive early for embarkation day

We always recommend arriving at the cruise port at least a day before embarkation day.

Ted Reighard mentioned this tip on the Facebook post, advising other cruisers to arrive ahead of time for embarkation day. 

If you're flying in, this might mean staying near the port the night before.

This just means moving up your travel plans by one day and is definitely worth it.

You'd never want to lose a cruise that cost thousands of dollars just because your flight got delayed!

The cruise ship won't wait for you, so plan to make sure you get on board.

12. Try new things

Part of the beauty of cruising is getting the opportunity to try so many new things, from visiting new parts of the world to activities like surfing to tasting new cuisine.

Rowan Humphries's advice was: "Don’t be afraid to try new things."

"In the Main Dining Room, my aim was to try food that I wouldn’t normally eat at home."

Challenge yourself to try new things, and enjoy aspects that you won't get to try at home.

For Humphries, this meant eating things like steak and seafood, but it can look different for everyone.

Just encouraging yourself to step out of your comfort zone is one easy way to make your cruise exciting and enjoyable.

Read more: I went on Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas. Here are the 7 best things I ate on the ship.

You could disembark your cruise ship while in port for a tour, or stay on board and enjoy a relatively empty ship.

The destinations a cruise ship visits is a major reason why people book a cruise. Destinations are one of the top two reasons people book a cruise (along with food).

Because of this, it might not make much sense when you see cruisers choose to stay on board and not visit the port of call for the day.

However, there are great benefits to staying on board during a port day.

Not only is cruising one of the most affordable forms of travel, but the cruise ship can also become a destination in itself.

Royal Caribbean cruise ships are built with countless amenities, activities, and forms of entertainment: from pools to shows to casinos and food venues.

Because there's so much to see and do on board, some cruisers choose to skip certain ports and stay on the ship for the whole day.

If you're wondering why this is a smart decision, here are seven reasons to stay on board when your cruise ship stops at a port.

Take time to slow down and relax

Especially on port-intensive cruises, it becomes easy to cram your schedule full of activities. 

From morning stretches to afternoon short excursions to evening shows, there will always be something to do on board the ship or offshore at the port.

If you don't intentionally plan a time to rest, you could become burned out. Overbooking yourself could lead to a less-than-pleasant experience if you or your fellow travelers become tired and cranky.

Skipping one of the port days on your itinerary is a great way to schedule some relaxation.

You could read a book, rest by the pool, take a nap in your stateroom (or any other quiet place!), and sit at a bar and have a drink in peace. 

As long as you are intentional about making yourself relax, staying on board is a great way to take advantage of a quiet day.

Read more: How to de-stress on a Royal Caribbean cruise (without alcohol)

Skip the lines

When other cruisers visit a popular cruise ship port and you remain onboard, you'll find fewer people remaining.

This is a great opportunity to avoid lines at more crowded locations, such as the Windjammer, where it can be hard to grab a seat and find a quiet place to eat.

You'll also find shorter lines if you need assistance at Guest Services, or want to try an onboard attraction.

With access to adventures like zip lines, sports centers, ice skating, laser tag, the FlowRider surf simulator, water slides, and dry slides, there are endless activities to try.

By waiting until a port day, you'll give yourself extra time and also avoid a long wait in line.

Get discounts on spa treatments

Getting a deep tissue massage or facial on a cruise ship sounds like an amazingly luxurious experience.

Royal Caribbean's Vitality spa offers amazing treatments like collagen facials and seaweed massages, as well as couple's services.

However, these treatments are an extra-cost add-on, and these spa package prices run quite high. 

One of the best ways to get a discount is to wait until a port day. 

The Vitality spa often offers discounts on port days, as well as the first and last day of the cruise.

If crew members at the spa see that the ship is not booking enough appointments they may offer more discounts on board. 

Since port days are less busy at the spa, they're likely to offer good discounts for treatments and salon services.

You won't get bored of popular ports

If you're a frequent cruiser to a certain region (like Alaska, the Caribbean, or the Mediterranean), you've probably visited some common ports more than once.

As someone who has taken a lot of Caribbean cruises, I've frequently stopped at Nassau, Bahamas, or Perfect Day at Cococay. It's easy to get tired of visiting these ports. 

Although many of the areas have rich cultures and histories to explore, a port is only one small location.

There's only so far you can explore and travel within the eight hours a cruise ship stops there. 

If there are ports that you frequently visit, you might be better off staying on board the ship rather than repeating a tourist excursion.

Take full advantage of your drink and WiFi packages

Royal Caribbean's drink package is a popular add-on for a cruise. By purchasing the package, you receive unlimited drinks per day for one set price. 

The deluxe drink package, which includes unlimited alcoholic and specialty drinks, costs $56 to $105 per day, per person.

If you visit the port, however, you'll pay extra for alcoholic drinks no matter where you go.

Similarly, WiFi is a common add-on that people pay extra for.

Royal Caribbean's Voom Wi-Fi costs about $20 to $30 a day per device.

The only port where you can still use these packages onshore is Perfect Day at CocoCay, where you'll still have a valid drink package and access to WiFi.

At such a high cost per day, it makes sense that you'd want to stay onboard the ship to take full advantage of these packages.

Since you're already paying per day of the cruise, but can't use them onshore, staying onboard for at least one port day gives you extra time to take advantage of your packages at no extra cost.

Grab a space at the pool deck

A huge benefit to staying onboard while other cruisers disembark to explore is avoiding the typical cruise ship crowds.

On sea days, you'll commonly fight to find a chair at the popular pool decks. Large groups and chair hogs tend to take over and reserve the majority of the pool chairs.

If you enjoy soaking in the hot tubs, you'll also notice how quickly they can fill to capacity. It's hard to find areas with any free space!

On port days, however, you'll find a quieter atmosphere to relax in.

This is especially advantageous if you're traveling with children. They'll be able to splash and play in the water while you watch from a chair close by.

Save money by enjoying what's on the cruise ship

While port adventures can include enriching experiences, the cost tends to add up.

Once you exit the ship, you could end up paying for shore excursions, beach access and chairs, museum tickets, souvenirs, and food and drinks.

Especially in tourist-heavy areas like cruise ports, there are constant sales and marketing attempts.

If your goal is a budget-friendly cruise, staying onboard the ship can make that happen.

Your cruise fare, once paid, includes access to your stateroom, free meals, amenities, pool chairs, beach towels, entertainment, and complimentary games and activities.

Why explore somewhere else, when there's lots to do onboard for free?

Read more: 15 free things to try on your next cruise