3 Cruise-Wrecking Mistakes That Ruined Their First Cruise

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I put absolutely nothing on social media until I get back home

Just did a Mexican Riviera. I am a retired Police Officer that can carry a gun any where in the US, US territorial waters, international waters. That said UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES would I try to Mexico. The ship left from Long Beach California which is 30 miles away and driving distance. I went through my luggage with a fine tooth comb AND a metal detector prior to packing. Guy boarding ahead me failed to. They found ONE stray bullet in his carry on. He received a life time ban from NCL right then and there. He was taken back behind doors in cuffs for additional processing. People are shocked how often this happens. (Don't use your Range bag for ANYTHING other than the Range)

I had a similar experience with the ship medical service. My wife and I were on a 31 day cruise and we both got ill on the boat. I recovered after a week, but she did not. close to the end of the cruise, she stayed in the cabin and went out. I returned to find her on the floor, incoherent. I then decided to take her to the ship medical facility immediately. They sent a crewman up to get her and she spent 24 hours in the ship hospital. The bill was $5600.00, and like in the case in the video, I had to pay with my credit card. Fortunately that was not a problem, but the $5600 was a good hit to our budget. After we were home for a month, I was reading my benefits in my Medicare Advantage plan and found that it covered emergency treatment worldwide. I submitted the bill and was reimbursed. Thank God she is OK and the medical treatment on the ship was wonderful.

From a cruise company insider. 4. Don't fly the same day as your cruise. 5. Don't get violent at the cruise terminal . 6. Don't joke about bombs at the cruise terminal. Folks have been banned. 7. Don't carry illicit drugs or even opiods 8. Read your contract of passage carefully. 9. Get passports and visas right. 10.Don't carry ammunition 11. If you have a mobile scooter let the line know beforehand and make sure it's small enough.

I can't even imagine sharing specific trip and booking information, with your reservation number, online. And travel insurance is ALWAYS worth it.

This never happened to us, but forgetting to put your phone in airplane mode. I've heard of cruisers and teenagers running up thousands in roaming fees at sea only to get a huge bill later. Put your phone in airplane mode before leaving port!

It cost us 20,000.00 US to fly my husband home with private medical plane. He had to fly from Miami to Buffalo, NY, and then ambulance across the border into Canada to the hospital. It was the FIRST time l NEVER got insurance. Please, for the cost, get insurance.

Mistake #1 is a prime example of why a Travel Agent can be very important especially for first time cruisers. The Agent would have asked sufficient questions to zero in on what their expectations are and direct them to an appropriate cruise line.

I think that couple, age group, younger, even older, would enjoy Carnival Cruise Lines! They should also consider mixing it up as far as the meals, give the buffet, dining room, as well as, other eateries onboard a try! Hopefully they give cruising another chance 🛳🛳 I think 1st time cruisers should research everything and get an understanding of what is expected prior to cruising. Read the cruise lines websites, watch YouTube videos, use google, get as many answers to questions as you can, which prepares you to have a better experience!

If u do use the medical facility on a cruise ship (if u purchased the insurance) be certain to SAVE EVERY RECEIPT. U will need proof of payment to get reimbursed from the insurance. Or if u see a dentist or chiropractor on shore u will need a receipt of payment.

I never got the travel insurance. I thought it was just in case you have to cancel your cruise. I'll buy it for my next cruise for sure

We don't post that we are going on a cruise on social media. It tells people that you are not home and increases the chances of home burglary, or worse. However, we do usually post pictures on line after the cruise.

I never post travel information until after my trip.

I find that it is not always the cruise line, but the time of year you cruise. As an older couple we tend to cruise in January or February and those times of year there are a lot of older couples, so there are dance bands and entertainment to match. But, we have cruised in June, and were prepared for a younger crowd. Frankly, if you go on a cruise and connot find something to do, it's not the ship; it's you.

The thing that most surprised me about the gentleman with the medical bill was that it was ONLY $2500 for something that serious. I had to be seen in medical for a sunburn and my bill was over $500. He got a bargain! LOL In my case, I had travel insurance which did reimburse me, but I did have to pay the bill myself first.

Look into annual/multi trip insurance as it can be cheaper than buying insurance for each trip.

I was on Koningsdam to Alaska where I met a couple who were hating it. They couldn't figure out how to get into the MDR, or into a show or anything. They were huddled in the buffet, surrounded by all the wonders of Hubbard glacier, unwilling to stop whining long enough to just look out the window. I would have walked them to wherever and shown them what they needed to know, but their toxicity was too overwhelming.

I went on a cruise in 2019. Just before I was involved in not 1 but 2 car accidents 18 days prior departure and was in the hospital for a week 4 months prior to departure. So YES i got the insurance for medical as I was and still am a solo traveler. Luckily I didn't need to use it. As a side note 6 weeks after the cruise I had an 8 hr. Surgery from that previous 1 week hospital stay. I am now booked on NCL for November. And now my health is much better. Ken

My very first cruise was on Celebrity. I was 44 years young and absolutely loved it. I was hooked on cruising ever since. Shows not all 40 somethings are the same. Also, I really doubt that 90% of the passengers on their cruise were 65+