- Cruise ships offer travelers unique experiences that they might not find on land.
- But without careful planning and preparation, simple mistakes could easily ruin your vacation.
- For example, if you forget to check your cruise's itinerary, you could end up missing the ship's departure.
- And while on board, if you don't wash your hands frequently enough, you could quickly get sick.
Cruise-ship vacations offer travelers unique experiences that they might not find on land. But if you're not careful, you might leave your trip with more bad memories than good ones.
Forgetting to bring certain clothing items, for example, could prevent you from participating in fun activities on board. And while all-you-can-eat buffets sound indulgent, there are some foods you should be careful about consuming.
From overpacking to choosing the wrong cabin, travelers will want to avoid making these 11 travel mistakes during their next cruise.
Picking the wrong type of cruise ship could put a damper on your vacation plans.
It's important to pick a cruise ship that offers the type of experiences you're looking for on your vacation.
If you're traveling with your family, for example, kid-friendly options like Disney Cruise Line are ideal. But if you're seeking nightlife and entertainment, adults-only cruise ships would likely be a better fit.
To avoid making this mistake, make sure you spend some time doing thorough research before making any reservations.
If you forget to check your cruise's itinerary, you could end up missing the ship's departure.
Cruise itineraries can change at any moment, altering your ship's destinations, departure times, and boarding locations in the process. TV personality Maria González Roesch and her husband Alessandro recently learned this the hard way.
In February, the two made headlines when they arrived 45 minutes late for their Royal Caribbean cruise, which was docked in Nassau, Bahamas. González Roesch and her husband ended up being among six passengers who were left stranded as the ship sailed away.
González Roesch previously told INSIDER that she blamed herself for not checking the cruise ship's itinerary.
"It was like Murphy's law," González Roesch said. "Because we were always checking the itinerary in the morning but that last day we were relaxing and we didn't check the app."
Packing your suitcase without researching what you'll need could prevent you from participating in fun activities.
When booking a cruise, it's easy to have your sights set on lounging by the pool and walking on sandy beaches — but be careful not to get too distracted.
Cruise lines like Royal Caribbean offer everything from ice-skating rinks to formal dinners on board, so travelers should bring a range of clothing items that can be worn in both cold and hot climates, as well as casual and classy settings.
See the rest of the story at Business Insider