Experts share most common mistakes to avoid when booking a cruise in 2025

By CARLY NEIL

Wealth of Geeks

A record 19 million Americans plan to take an ocean cruise in 2025, making it the third straight year of record cruise passenger volume, according to AAA. Of those 19 million cruisers, newto- cruising individuals and families represent a growing cohort of bookings.

According to the last year’s State of the Cruise Industry from Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), 27 percent of cruisers over the past two years have come from this new-to-cruise category, an increase of 12 percent over the year prior. As more families take their first cruise, the opportunity for oversights during the booking and planning process grows.

Cruise lines make it easy for families to plan and book a voyage. That said, facets unique to cruising, like selecting a room location or dining time, require extra research and introduce the potential for mistakes. Some of these errors seem innocuous, but mishandling the planning of a cruise sets the tone for the entire vacation.

Fortunately, common mistakes mean experts possess the foresight to help those new to cruising plan a great getaway. As long as travelers know how to save money, a cruise doesn’t have to be overpriced. Experts also urge families to plan their cruises carefully to avoid overscheduling and overextending everyone.

Overlooking ways to save

Many travelers shop around for bargain prices when booking a cruise, and those new to cruising will stop at a low sticker price. Experts point out, however, that many other avenues exist to help bring down the cost of a cruise.

Theme park journalist Megan duBois urges all travelers, especially those new to cruising, to shop for discounts. “Every cruise line offers deals for cruises, even Disney, including kids sailing for free, discounted drinks packages, or reduced rates on particular room types,” duBois says. “Some lines even let you bundle deals together for the biggest savings.”

If it all feels overwhelming, du-Bois notes that speaking to a travel agent specializing in cruises helps lock in the best price. A pro at cruising herself, duBois admits she still relies on the expertise of those working at a reservation center. “The biggest reason is that they can see how discounts will impact your overall cost. So spending 20 minutes on the phone with someone can be a huge benefit.”

As travel and food writer at Delish Knowledge Alex Caspero shares, actionable steps travelers take to save on a cruise include opting for less luxurious accommodations. To maximize savings, she recommends booking interior cabins. Interior rooms come without windows or balconies, but Caspero notes cruises often price these rooms at nearly half the rate of more luxurious accommodations. She adds, “You likely won’t spend much time in your room anyways, and you can put that money towards excursions or your next cruise vacation!”

Like vacations on land, dining represents a significant line item in a cruise vacation budget. DuBois recommends that travelers opt out of pricey upgrades, such as drink packages or deluxe dining packages, to cut down on costs. “Instead of a dining package, consider just booking a night or two of specialty dining. This is often cheaper in the long run, and since many of the newer cruise ships have multiple included dining options, it’s unlikely that you will get bored eating in the same restaurant meal after meal.”

Jessica Gardner, The Theme Parkette on Instagram, shares another tip on reducing the cost of dining, especially for travelers who opt to add an alcoholic beverage to their meal. She urges cruisers to “Check the policies on bringing beverages onto the ship. Some will allow a certain amount of bottled water, and some even allow a couple of bottles of wine!”

Overplanning and not planning enough

Like when looking for a discount, utilizing reservation call centers and agents will give travelers a key advantage in curating the perfect cruise itinerary.

Kimberly Fidler, Vice President of Marketing of Get Away Today, agrees with other experts on the importance of using an agent when planning a cruise to avoid mishaps. “There are a lot of questions regarding passports, travel requirements, cabin location on the ship, and types of staterooms,” says Fidler. “The best way to be prepared is to talk to an expert who knows what questions you may not even think of and which is the best cruise ship for you.”

While an agent helps recommend activities and excursions a family will enjoy on their voyage, they also help mitigate over-scheduling a cruise vacation. DuBois says a significant mistake she sees cruisers make involves booking every add-on possible. “If you really think you’re going to use all of those add-ons, then great, but in reality, most cruisers won’t,” she says. Many cruise lines now offer their own private islands that reduce the need to plan excursions.

When it comes time to set sail, many travelers make errors when booking flights if a family needs to fly to the cruise departure port. Sarah Gilliland, founder of On The Road with Sarah, urges cruisers to arrive the day before the start of the cruise. “Too many travelers rely on airlines or other modes of transportation to arrive at the port just in time to board. That can add unnecessary stress to the first day of your cruise, and, occasionally, some families can even miss their cruises due to travel delays.”

Gilliland adds, “Cruises are too expensive to attempt to save money by not arriving at least 24 hours before you set sail.”

Adding travel insurance to cruise reservations also helps mitigate the risk of mishaps occurring during a cruise, particularly during hurricane season when the odds of delays or cancelations increase.

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