Cruise Tips from an Avid Solo Cruiser: Smart, Real Talk Guidance

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Hello fellow cruisers, I am Jennifer, your cruise-obsessed friend who has happily called more than a dozen ships “home” for a week (or two). I have cruised everywhere from the Mediterranee, to the Caribbean, to Alaska. These aren’t just tips from a travel brochure, they’re real-life lessons I’ve collected from the good, the bad, and the “I wish I’d known that” moments at sea.

Introduction: Cruise Tips

In my opinion, cruising feels like a small floating city. There is always something to see, do, and eat. But with all of the acitivites and options, it can also be and feel a little overwhelming. Honestly, cruising has been trial and error with everything from embarkation, to disembarkation, to knowing where the best food places are, to when to go, to ensuring you get a lunge chair on the at-sea days. Whether this is your first cruise or tenth, you can never have enough cruise tips to ensure you have a memorable and enjoyable sailing. Now, let’s dive in!

1. Arrive the Day Before

If I can stress anything as far as cruise tips go, it’s absolutely ensuring you arrive to your sailing departure city the day before your sailing. All you need is one delayed or cancelled flight arriving the day of, and you will 100% miss your cruise. Arriving a day or two early allows you to ease into your cruise stress free, and even enjoy a new city that you may not have been able to experience arriving the day of. Plus, arriving the day before allows you to board your cruise much earlier, allowing you to experience the ship and enter vacation mode soon.

Pro Tip: If you’re flying internationally, arrive two days early to adjust to the time zone and avoid jet lag on day one.

2. Cruise Excursions

If there are any activities or cruise excursions that you absolutely want to do, make sure you book them well in advanced. Not only will you save money booking early, it’ll also ensure that you have a guaranteed spot on the excursion. The same goes for spa appointments and specialty dinning reservations. Both book up quick, especially on at-sea days. On one trip, I hesitated booking a sunset catamaran tour and it sold out within hours of boarding. Because of this, I ensure if there are any activities that I absolutely want to do, I book them immediately.

3. Cruise Inclusions & Exclusions

Cruises aren’t truly “all-inclusive.” Even though your cabin, most dinning, and most activities are included, there are several things that are not included. Things like drinks, certain restaurants, Wi-Fi, spa treatments, and excursions can add up and aren’t included in your cruise booking. The way to avoid this is to book as much as you can ahead of time and pre pay your gratuities, and then that will eliminate the sticker shock bill that you may receive at the end of your cruise.

Pro Tip: Look for deals through your travel advisor as they can tell you when pricing is the best to purchase any extras.

4. Cruise Arrival Time

The first thing I usually do when I board the ship is get my muster station drill completed, and then I walk around, explore, and just give myself a tour of the ship so I know where things are. I then head to the buffet for lunch before I go to the pool. Rooms are usually ready after 1pm, so I will usually head to the room around 3pm, unpack, and shower and get ready for dinner.

5. Cruise Packing Tips

Cabins aren’t exactly walk-in closets. When it comes to packing, I consider myself an expert packer. I can’t stress enough the importance of using packing cubes, packing light, using a capsule wardrobe, and packing in a carry-on. I always carry a backpack with a few necessities and some clothes to change into for the pool as rooms are never ready until early afternoon.

Pro Tip: A magnetic hook set is perfect for hanging hats, bags, and jackets on cabin walls (yes, they’re metal!) and towel clips for the pool chairs are also game changers.

Discover expert cruise tips, real experiences, packing hacks, budgeting advice, and smart strategies from an avid cruiser.

6. Cruise Sea Sickness

If you’re prone to seasickness, avoid hurricane season in the Caribbean (June–November) or mid-winter North Atlantic crossings. And even if you have an iron stomach, a small pack of motion-sickness bands or ginger chews is worth tossing in your bag just in case.

7. What to do on Cruise Port Days

Unfortunately, sometimes cruise port days are shorter than we’d like, especially if the cruise docks late or if you have to use tender boats to get to the shore. I book shorter, flexible tours and leave extra buffer time before the “all aboard.” One of my best lunches ever was in a tiny Greek taverna just steps from the port, sometimes, staying close means you get to savor more.

8. Cruise Upgrades

I’ve lucked into balcony cabins by booking “guarantee” fares and letting the cruise line assign my room. I am also always watching prices in case cabins drop in order to get a cabin upgrade for a fraction of the cost. Also, make sure your travel agent is monitoring your cruise price. They can reprice it as frequently as the prices drops, up until final payment.

9. Cruise Essentials

When it comes to cruising, there are several cruise essentials that I think make your cruise experience even better. First, a cruise-approved power strip is great as outlets can be limited (this needs to be packed in your carry on bag, not the checked bag), a refillable water bottle, wall/ceiling magnets, and towel clips, also all make my cruise experience even better. I also stash a bit of emergency cash in a travel-sized shampoo bottle, which sounds odd, but it’s an easy way to keep it safe and hidden.

Blue, yellow, pink, and green plastic swim fins with adjustable straps for water sports and snorkeling activities.

Luggage tags, travel accessories, and portable power adapter from Jet Setting with Jen, tailored for organized travelers and frequent flyers.

10. Try Dining Ashore

While the cruise lines have award winning and honestly, absolutely amazing food. It’s also nice to enjoy some local foods, maybe for lunch, when you are at port. We never have enough time at port to experience the culture of the destination, but one way to experience a little bit of their culture, is supporting the local communities, and trying some new and amazing food.

Conclusion: Cruise Tips

Every cruise is a mix of adventure, relaxation, and the occasional “well, that’s a story” moment. If you arrive to your destination and port early, utilizing my packing light packing tips, plan and book excursions ahead, and plan for the unexpected, you will have the most amazing cruise adventure. These cruise tips aren’t just theory—they’re the tricks that have kept me sailing happy for more than a decade. So here’s to smooth seas, great meals, and memories you’ll never forget. Bon voyage!