Cruise hacks for 2023

You can find tranquility, you can find party, you can find new friends. I'm a cruise convert.

-Guy Fieri

1. Preparation

To be be fully prepared for a cruise, I would recommend bringing the essential top 10 cruise items that make cruising way easier. If you don’t remember what they are you can always read my popular article on them found HERE

I said it once and I will say it again! Do not cruise without Gorilla Hooks, they are a life changer!

Also make sure you download the specific cruise line app before embarking on your next Cruise. This app is very intuitive and informative and will make your cruising experience a whole lot better. From most cruise apps, you can download the daily schedule, book specialty restaraunts and even chat with fellow cruisers. Some cruise lines, like carnival, will even allow you to order a pizza to anywhere on the ship!

2. Planning

Planning in advance is important for most cruises, You need perfect planning if you want to truly maximize your dollar. I personally book shore excursions through private vendors to save money. For example, the Atlantis Aqua-venture in Nassau is around $100.00 per person, most cruise lines charge $189-$249 for the same excursion. You can also save money by pre-purchasing drink and internet packages in advance.

I personally love to rent cars and explore the destinations on my own. A full day jeep rental can be found for $80-$120 on most islands and offer a budget friendly adventure.

TIP: Make sure you have a good waterproof cellphone case like this one HERE. The ones on Amazon always leak and the ones they sell onboard cost upwards of $30.00

TIP: Be back on board before the suggested time (at least 30 minutes) One time I rented a car on st. maartin and got stuck in their rush hour traffic and almost missed the boat. I became what’s known as a “pier runner” for obvious reasons.

3. Arrive Prepared

During the world of Covid, I still try to use my status to get on board as quick as I can. Some lines let you choose an earlier boarding time than others.

I’ve boarded ships at 10:30am and at 3pm and I can tell you, getting on the ship before noon really feels like an extra day. 

Rookie Mistake, don’t come between 11:30 and 1:30. This is the highest traffic time. If you can’t arrive early, I recommend going after 1:30pm.

Remember, rooms don’t tend to open until a little later anyway so I would recommend a backpack like THIS and wearing bathing suits under your cloths so that you and your kids or spouse can enjoy some pool time. 

4. Once onboard 

My must do’s once onboard go like this: First I find out from guest services where I can adjust my dining preferences (table size, time or allergy requests). After I take care of that I head over to the specialty restaurants and amend my reservation for the best possible day. 

Basically if I’m on a 4 day cruise, I want to be able to go to the main dining room once and then to each specialty restaurant once and basically the same principle applies on a 7 day. Let me tell you this, the specialty restaurants is not to be missed on most cruise lines. For example, “CHOPS” Steakhouse on Royal Caribbean costs $35.00 per person, a land bast equivelent restaurant serving cuts of prime beef would be around $80-$100 per person. A true no brainer for me.

Finally, I head to lunch! TIP: Skip the Buffet on the embarkation day, there is usually a dining room open or other quick service food. The buffet is a mad house!

TIP: Make sure you have a lanyard like THIS on your next cruise, It will carry your onboard key, which will open your stateroom door, allow you to make purchases and it is your card to get off and on the ship. Cruise lines charge up to $25 for these and don’t include and safety feature’s. I have even found them to be itchy, THIS one I referenced is 100% cotton.

After lunch I like to sit by the pool and relax until muster time. Usually rooms are not ready until about 1:30pm so I pack up a backpack and fill it with sunscreen, bathing suits, pool towel clips and a waterproof phone case. Most of these items can be found HERE

HOT TIP: Dress your kids in bathing suits and a T-shirt on embarkation morning. Ladies, wear a swimsuit under your clothes and bring a backpack for your husbands to change in to a bathing suit as well. 

5. P.M.A. (POSITIVE MENTAL ATTITUDE!!

I’ve been a cruiser for a long time, I have over 100,000 posts on cruise critic and have sailed every single major cruise line multiple times and one thing I can tell you is every cruise line has its ups and downs. If you go on a cruise with a positive attitude, you will have a good time. Don’t let Covid worries get you upset. Cases are few and far between on ships and much safer IMHO then your local grocery store as everyone has been both vaccinated and tested before embarking.

You can not and will not be able to do everything, a cruise is about relaxing and if you want to stress yourself (and your entire family) out, you will. So take it easy and relax, let the kids explore and do what they want, Skip the presentation and do only what makes you happy.

TIP: Use a Good “cruise ship approved” power strip like THIS to keep all your electronics charged. Most staterooms only have 1 outlet and it can prove difficult if you don’t have the right Strip, most “Home Style” Power strips are not cruise ship friendly and can be confiscated by security if found. I have used this one on 20+ cruises without incedent.

TIP: Wait to play bingo on the last day, the prizes are the best and sometimes feature a free cruise.

TIP: Use a nightlight like THIS because most cruise rooms are pitch dark at night and often have no nightlight. I can’t tell you how many times I've tripped or slammed my leg in to the bed.

TIP: If I am going to be gambling on my cruise, I go to the casino on the first night, Ive found the slots to be much looser then. If I win or loose, I do not return to the casino again unless i’m planning to lose it all.