7 Things Experienced Cruise Travellers Do Differently

If you’ve ever come off a cruise thinking, that was fun but also weirdly exhausting, you’re not alone.

Cruising isn’t like normal travel; it has its own learning curve, and most of it isn’t written anywhere obvious. The seasoned cruisers you see floating around with a drink and zero stress didn’t get lucky – they learned what actually matters after a few trips.

They know what to sort early, what to ignore completely, and how to avoid the little traps that drain your energy.

This article is about drawing from their experience with these seven tips, so your cruise feels a lot more enjoyable from day one.

1. Pick The Ship Before The Destination

Anyone who’s done this a few times before knows to stop letting the map make the decisions for them.

They’ve learned that the ship is the place you actually live for a week or two, not the ports you’ll pop into for a few hours at a time. Different ships have different vibes and offer a completely different experience.

When the ship fits you, even ordinary sea days feel good. When it doesn’t, even the best destination can’t save it.

• Cabin Booking Strategy

Your cabin booking strategy needs to be well thought-out.

A mid-ship cabin means fewer motions and easier walks to everything. Being a few decks away from busy areas saves you from foot traffic and light-night noise. Experienced travellers also think about what’s above and below them, not just the view.

Elevators sound convenient until you’re waiting in a crowd, so being near stairs suddenly makes sense. Focus on choosing a space that works with the rhythm of your day and makes everything easier.

• Arrive Early

People who’ve been doing this a while don’t gamble with travel days anymore.

They’ve done the mad sprint through an airport, the sweaty watch-checking, the “we’ll be fine” optimism – the whole shebang. Arriving early takes all of that off your dance card.

Arriving the day before means there is plenty of time for a decent coffee, lunch near the port, maybe even a moment or two to feel smug about your life choices. That calm, unhurried state carries straight on board and sets the tone for the cruise.

• Cruise Insurance

Cruise insurance is one of those things experienced travellers never skip, because they’ve seen how quickly plans can change.

Flights get delayed, bags go missing, ankles get twisted, and ships don’t hang around while you sort it out. Medical care onboard or in a foreign port can cost more than the cruise itself, and suddenly that “we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it” plan feels super expensive.

Insurance lets you relax properly. You’re not doing mental calculations every time something feels off or plans shift slightly. If something goes sideways, there’s backup and support instead of stress.

• Pre-Book Dinners and Shows

Seasoned cruisers know that the best dinners and shows don’t magically stay available.

They book them before the ship even leaves port. It’s not a pedantic thing; it’s more like making sure you get the most out of the cruise experience. When all of your reservations are locked in ahead of time, your evenings will be much more enjoyable.

Absolutely no one enjoys hanging around outside restaurants, waiting for a table to become available – so learn to book before you go.

• Excursions

One of the best things about going on a cruise is the excursion options.

Some days just call for a ship excursion with transport handled and zero thinking required. Other ports are easy to explore independently, often for less money and with more flexibility.

Experienced travellers also know to read recent reviews, check timing carefully, and leave plenty of time to get back on board without stressing or panicking. They avoid overpacking on the day and choose one extraordinary experience rather than stacking activities back to back.

• Eat At Odd Times

People who cruise often stop letting the dinner bell run their evenings.

They know that when most passengers head to eat all at once, the experience starts to feel hurried and packed. So they choose a different window – earlier, while the ship is still easing into dusk, or later, once the rush has passed.

The difference is immediately noticeable. You’re seated without hovering, meals arrive calmly, and the room isn’t quite so deafening.

Final Thoughts

Cruising has a talent for being brilliant and baffling at the same time. One minute you’re sipping a drink at sea, the next you’re stuck in a long line wondering it all got so busy so quickly.

Follow these seven simple habits above to make things go smoother and with fewer issues.

The result is less rushing, fewer headaches, and far more time actually enjoying the experience. Borrow these small, sensible tricks and your next cruise won’t feel like a learning curve – it’ll feel like you knew what you were doing all along.