Ten Things That Could Ruin Your Cruise (and how to avoid them!)

Paige Evatt
Feb 1
5 min read

Most cruise problems don’t start on the ship. They start with small decisions made before you ever sail. Here are some of my expert cruise tips to help you avoid the most common cruise mistakes before you sail. After years of cruising (and watching the same issues pop up over and over), these are the ten things that can ruin an otherwise amazing vacation - not because cruising is hard, but because no one tells you this stuff until it’s too late.

BUT when you cruise with PIE, it's always a sweeter adventure, so let's talk about the most avoidable issues that could ruin your cruise, so we can stop them before they start...

Woman wearing a blue and white dress standing on a cruise ship deck at sunset, looking back over her shoulder toward the camera, with the ocean and sun setting on the horizon. — Sunset at sea on the first night of the cruise, because the best cruises start with confidence, not chaos.

1. Passport Issues

United States passport placed on top of a birth certificate, representing required identification documents for cruise travel. — Valid travel documents are the foundation of a smooth cruise. Don’t overlook the basics.

Something many people don't realize but is very important as a cruise passenger is that your passport must be valid for six months after your cruise, not just through your return date.

If you’re on a closed-loop sailing (meaning a sailing that starts and ends in the United States), adults can sail with an original birth certificate and a photo ID, and minors only need an original birth certificate. With that being said, having a passport avoids problems you don’t even know exist yet, which could include: missed ports, medical emergencies, or needing to fly home unexpectedly.

When it comes to international travel, having a valid passport is always a better option.

2. Not Using Airplane Mode

Smartphone control center showing airplane mode turned on, with cellular, WiFi, and Bluetooth icons visible. — Airplane mode is essential at sea - one missed setting can mean an expensive surprise.

As soon as you board, put your phone in airplane mode.

At sea, phones connect to maritime cellular networks that are not covered by most plans. Even a brief connection can result in charges totaling hundreds, and sometimes even thousands, of dollars. This can occur even without you actively using your phone.

Use airplane mode and connect only through the ship’s WiFi immediately upon embarkation to avoid a hefty cell phone bill.

3. Flying in the Day of the Cruise

Commercial airplane flying over the ocean at sunset, representing air travel before a cruise departure. — Arriving a day early is, essentially, travel insurance.

Flight delays happen every day. Cruise ships do not wait.

Arriving the day before your cruise gives you buffer for weather, delays, cancellations, and general travel chaos. Missing embarkation due to a flight issue is rarely refundable and is almost never the cruise line’s responsibility.

Paying for ONE hotel night is much cheaper, is less anxiety inducing, and involves fewer tears than missing your ship.

4. Not Packing Toiletries and Sunscreen

Cruise ship sundries shop displaying toiletries such as sunscreen, toothpaste, tampons, medications, and personal care items. — Onboard toiletries are limited, overpriced, and not always easy to find, so be sure to plan ahead.

Cruises don’t have TSA liquid limits, so use that tid bit of information to your advantage.

Finding basic toiletries onboard a cruise ship can be surprisingly difficult, expensive, and inconsistent. On some ships they’re in vending machines, on others they’re tucked into unexpected places (like the liquor store on Explorer of the Seas, as pictured above), and availability varies widely by ship and class.

Stopping at a convenience store on the way to port is a smart, low-effort, and low-cost move that saves frustration and dollars later.

5. Not Checking Your Onboard Account Daily

Person opening a wallet and pulling out cash, representing unexpected charges and the importance of reviewing cruise expenses. — Unchecked charges can add up quickly. Reviewing your onboard account daily saves money and frustration.

Mistakes happen, and that can include charges you aren’t responsible for.

Review your onboard account at the end of each day so you can catch issues early. Fixing errors during the cruise is quick and straightforward compared to debarkation day, or even the night before, when guest services lines are at their longest.

Always do a final review before leaving the ship. Onboard guest services are far easier to access and have more efficient tools to resolve issues than the customer service phone line you’ll be left with once you disembark.

6. Forgetting to Download Your Cruise Photos

Cruise ship photographer wearing a blue jacket and holding a professional camera, representing onboard photo services. — Onboard photographers capture your cruise memories, but it’s up to you to download them before you leave.

If you purchased cruise photos, you must download them before you disembark.

Once you leave the ship, those photos are gone - paid or not. It is your responsibility to download and save them before the cruise ends. This is one of the most frequently asked questions I see in cruise groups from disappointed people who simply forgot. Royal Caribbean cannot access your photos after you disembark.

Don't assume you can do it later. Make it part of your final night of the cruise PLAN.

7. Expecting the Itinerary to Be Guaranteed

Traveler sitting on a suitcase with head in hands, representing disappointment when travel plans change. — Cruise itineraries can change. Staying flexible makes all the difference.

A cruise is a floating resort, and plans can change. Weather, civil unrest, regional instability, or passenger medical emergencies can result in sudden itinerary changes.

Flexibility makes the difference between a ruined trip and a great one.

8. Not Realizing Ports Can Be Removed Long-Term

Cruise ship docked near a port sign reading “Labadee,” with palm trees and ocean in the foreground, illustrating a cruise destination that may be removed from itineraries long-term. — Ports may change, but a good cruise attitude travels anywhere.

Some ports aren’t just changed temporarily. They can be removed for years at a time.

For example, Labadee, a Royal Caribbean customer favorite, has been canceled across itineraries into 2026 due to regional safety concerns. Entire destinations can disappear from schedules with little notice.

This is why cruising requires flexibility and realistic expectations.

9. Ignoring How Travel Affects Your Body

Even if you never have stomach issues at home, travel can take its toll.

Pack anti-nausea and anti-diarrhea medication, drink plenty of water, and eat fiber-rich foods. Changes in routine, food, hydration, and time zones all affect digestion.

Preparation here can save an uncomfortable (and inconvenient) few days.

10. Waiting to Book Add-Ons

Children sitting on a dock by turquoise water at a tropical destination, representing a relaxed cruise experience made easier by pre-booked add-ons. — The best cruise moments happen when the details are handled ahead of time.

Excursions, drink packages, WiFi, and specialty dining are almost always cheaper before your cruise than onboard. Waiting often means higher prices or missing out entirely. If you know you want something, booking early is the smarter move.

Final Thoughts on Ten Things That Could Ruin Your Cruise

Cruises are easy when you know what you’re doing. None of these issues are dramatic, but all of them are avoidable with a little preparation.

The goal isn’t perfection. Travel is inherently unpredictable. What I love most about being a travel agent is helping my clients travel with confidence. That confidence starts before you ever step on the ship by being informed, prepared, and realistic, while still leaving plenty of room for magic and adventure.

And when you want that balance done right, avoiding the things that could ruin your cruise that are within your control, a truly sweet adventure starts when you Cruise with PIE.