Avoid these cruise booking mistakes

Are you considering booking a cruise but feeling overwhelmed by the options available? You’re not alone! In this guide, we’ll explore some of the best cruise lines for your next adventure and discuss how to avoid common booking mistakes.

Choosing the Right Cruise Line

If you’ve read my previous post on Unlocking the Secrets to Your Dream Cruise Vacation you might recall my brief overview of different cruise lines. Today, we’ll delve deeper, focusing specifically on ocean cruise lines catering to diverse travel styles, budgets, and preferences.

Within the English-speaking market, I’ve identified 23 cruise lines! Yes, 23! And there’s probably more I don’t know about.

These cruise lines fall into three main categories:

1. Mass-Market Lines (26%): Often featuring large ships with vibrant entertainment, kids’ clubs, and activities for multi-generational families. Think of Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas. They usually have more restaurants and recreational facilities, making them popular for all age groups.
2. Premium Lines (43%): These offer multiple dining options, bars, and entertainment, but tend to be more subdued compared to mass-market lines. The atmosphere is more relaxed, focusing on live music rather than grand productions.
3. Luxury Lines (30%): Typically characterised by smaller ships, fewer onboard activities, and a quieter environment. These might appeal more to older travellers but also allow access to more exclusive ports without the need for tendering.

These percentages are the number of cruise lines in each category. However, if we looked at it by the number of ships, total passenger capacity, or gross tonnage, mass-market lines would dominate due to their massive ships, like Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas.

Generally, the higher you go on the luxury scale, the smaller the ships get. And more often than not, the higher the fare, the better the inclusions! So, don’t overlook luxury brands! By the time you add in the costs of meals, drinks, entertainment, wi-fi, and shore excursions, the differences may not be that significant—especially if you fancy a premium cabin or a ship-within-a-ship experience on a mass-market vessel!

Mass-market ships are usually geared towards vibrant late-night entertainment, kids’ clubs, and activities for multi-generational families. They typically offer more restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues, along with fun activities like water slides, go-karts, and laser tag! But just because these ships are vibrant doesn’t mean you have to be a kid or a party animal to enjoy them! There’s something for everyone on these ships. That’s why they’re often the larger vessels sailing the oceans—well, they need to be to accommodate all that fun onboard!

Premium cruise lines also boast multiple dining options, bars, entertainment, and some activities, but they tend to have a more subdued atmosphere. Think singers and musicians rather than big Broadway-style productions. Evening venues close earlier, too, creating a more relaxed vibe.

Luxury lines, on the other hand, have the smallest ships, meaning fewer restaurants and activities. Activities may include classic shuffleboard and table tennis, and you might find they attract an older demographic, leading to a quieter atmosphere. But don’t be fooled—this doesn’t mean younger travellers should shy away! A big bonus is that smaller ships can access more ports without the need for tendering, and a greater variety of ports, unlike larger vessels.

For me, the choice between these lines often hinges on whether you’re keen on exploring ports or soaking up relaxation. Port-heavy itineraries can be tiring but rewarding, with walking tours and sightseeing galore. Alternatively, if you’re yearning for a chill getaway, consider a cruise with more sea days or one where you stay on the ship while in port. When everyone else is in port you can enjoy the peace of a quieter ship!

Michael and I are heading to North America later this year, and we’ve planned two cruises. We’ve selected a higher end premium line in a smaller ship for our Canada and New England trip, focusing on the ports. For our Bermuda cruise, however, we chose a mass-market ship because it’s heavy on the sea days, and we want to experience the amazing variety of onboard activities. We’re particularly hoping that Michael will be allowed to drive the go-karts, since his vision impairment means he doesn’t drive in real life, and he loves driving!

And if you’re a beach lover, many mass-market and some premium lines have their own islands in the Caribbean where you can spend a blissful day during your cruise! And the bonus? Most meals, drinks, and Wi-Fi are included if you have a package—just like on the ship! So think about who’s coming along, what everyone loves, and whether you’re all about exploring ports or just unwinding on the ship!

Consider your needs—are you more inclined to explore ports or unwind on the ship? Knowing this will help determine the best cruise line for you. For instance, if you’re looking for a peaceful retreat, a more relaxed cruise might be ideal. However, if you’re keen on sightseeing, opt for a port-heavy itinerary.

Avoiding Common Booking Mistakes

Now, let’s discuss some pitfalls to avoid when booking your cruise!

Overlooking travel insurance

Planning a holiday is exciting and fun, and let’s be real: no one wants to think about negative scenarios. However, it’s crucial to prepare for contingencies!

Overlooking travel insurance can be one of the biggest mistakes you’ll make.

In 2013, Michael had a major retinal detachment while we were in New York. Michael is nearly blind in one eye, and his so-called good eye is extremely short-sighted, with about 5% vision. The detachment occurred in that good eye!

Had it not been fixed he would have been completely blind. Luckily, we were in New York—home to one of the best retinal surgeons in the world. Even now, over a decade later, Michael’s specialist in Australia still praises the incredible job that surgeon did.

But let me tell you, it didn’t come cheap. The hospital alone was going to cost us over $30,000 US dollars, and then there was the doctor’s fees and medication. Thankfully, we had travel insurance, so we ended up paying very little out of pocket. But if we hadn’t? We would’ve needed to find that money, and there was no alternative—Michael had to undergo surgery immediately to save his sight.

Now, picture yourself onboard a ship in the middle of the ocean and needing urgent medical care. You might be having a heart attack, a stroke, or have sustained a serious injury. And this can happen to anyone, regardless of age! If you require emergency treatment, not only will you (or your family) need to cover the medical costs, but you may also need to be airlifted off the ship—and trust me, that doesn’t come cheap!

As the saying goes, if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel. Don’t risk making what could be the costliest mistake of your life. Get that travel insurance!

Mis-timing your booking

When it comes to securing the best price for your cruise, there are two schools of thought: book early or book late!

The theory behind early bookings is that prices tend to rise as time goes on. So, if you book two years in advance when the itineraries launch, you’ll lock in the best price for your cruise and any additional packages.

On the flip side, booking late usually means doing so after the final payment, about 90 days before departure. At this stage, many people drop out because of financial issues or scheduling conflicts. Here, the cruise line is eager to fill up the ship and may drop prices to attract last-minute bookings.

I see advantages and disadvantages to both approaches. Booking two years out can feel intimidating—what if your plans change? The wait can be agonising, and tying up your deposit for so long feels risky. We’ve been there; earlier this year, we booked two cruises for early 2026 to celebrate Michael’s big 60th birthday. That meant paying for deposits and tying up a chunk of money.

Booking last minute, however, can restrict you in terms of cabin selection. Some travellers, like Gary Bembridge from Tips for Travellers, won’t settle for anything less than their desired cabin. Others, like Emma from Emma Cruises, often opt for guaranteed cabins for cost-effectiveness. Are you more like Gary or Emma? We tend to prefer choosing our cabin, but we’ve never had a bad experience booking a guaranteed cabin.

And what if you wind up missing that dream cruise altogether because you waited too long to book? Decisions, decisions and the only person who can decide what’s best for you is you!

Choosing the wrong cabin

There are generally six cabin types: inside cabins (no windows), ocean view cabins (with a non-opening window), balcony cabins (with, you guessed it, a balcony), mini suites (slightly larger balcony cabins), suites (multiple rooms), and owner’s suites (the penthouse version).

Prices start with inside cabins and soar upwards. I doubt many travellers can spend more without weighing their options first. Are you aiming to keep costs low? An inside cabin might seem like a smart choice, but can you endure being cooped up in what’s essentially a metal box without windows? We’ve never booked one before, but we have an inside cabin booked on Norwegian Prima for later this year, and I’ll admit, I’m a little nervous! But, with so many venues and activities on Prima, we likely won’t spend much time there.

My preferred option is always to book at least a balcony cabin—I love having fresh air and that stunning view available instantly.

Think about what suits your desires and budget before choosing a cabin type.

And let’s not forget cabin location! There are three key factors here:

• Seasickness: If you’re prone to it, grab a midship cabin on a lower deck to minimise movement.

• Noise: Many people suggest picking a cabin surrounded by other cabins, without restaurants or bars overhead or below, away from pool decks, and avoiding elevators or crew access points nearby. Some are more sensitive to noise than others—are you one of them?

• Proximity to venues: What areas will you use often? If your meals will largely come from the buffet, and it’s ten decks away, that could be a hassle—or to look at it positively, more of a workout!

To avoid mistakes, decide on your cabin type first, then consider the location based on seasickness, noise tolerance, and your desired proximity to onboard venues.

Being unaware of hidden costs

When searching for a cruise, the prices shown will be per person and may not include all associated costs, depending on your location. In the US, prices are often quoted without port fees, taxes, and gratuities. Now, California just implemented a law stating that all advertised prices must include fees and taxes, prompting many cruise lines to include port fees and taxes in their advertised cost in the US now. But you’ll still see an additional daily gratuities charge (unless you’re booking a cruise from Australia or New Zealand, where prices include these costs).

Inclusions are important too! You’ll always have access to meals in your fare, but specialty restaurants onboard typically come with an added cost. If you’ve heard rave reviews about one of those restaurants, you’ll want to keep that extra expense in mind when planning your budget.

Typically, you’ll see included drinks like water, juice, tea, and filter coffee, with the specifics varying between cruise lines. Some premium and luxury lines include beer and wine at lunch and dinner, but the majority do not offer a wide range of complimentary drinks. If you don’t drink much, it may save you money to pay as you go. Conversely, some find it easier to opt for a drinks package to limit onboard spending stress. I’m definitely in the drinks package camp—I adore a good cocktail, and it feels like they’re free when I have a package.

Wi-fi is another variable—while luxury lines often include some form of wi-fi, options vary. Some people might prefer to go offline on their holiday, while others (me again!) can’t live without connectivity. Even when wi-fi is available, sometimes it’s limited to just one device or specific tasks, like email. So, if you want access for social media, streaming, multiple devices, or anytime use, consider researching packages to see what you’ll be paying.

Avoid financial surprises by ensuring you understand the total cost of your cruise. You may need to add together the fare for each person, or if travelling alone a single supplement, port fees and taxes, daily gratuities, specialty meals, drinks packages, shore excursions and wi-fi packages! That appealing low price you were attracted to can look drastically different once all the extras are added in.

Final Thoughts

To wrap up, understanding the intricacies of cruise booking will allow you to avoid costly mistakes and enhance your travel experience. Michael and I have two upcoming cruises planned in North America later this year—each chosen for different experiences tailored to our travel preferences.

Don’t forget to leave your favourite cruise tips in the comments! And if you found this guide helpful, please consider subscribing for more exciting travel content. Happy sailing!