When cruising, as in life, there are things that are beyond your control. And while some of those things — bad weather, chair hogs, itinerary changes — are beyond your control, there are many things you can do to make sure that you have the best possible vacation. There are also things you can do, whether intentionally or not, to sort of sabotage your own vacation. Such as? Well, any of the following mistakes could result in your cruise being anything but smooth sailing!
1. Get to the Port Late
You know the old joke, “Call me anything you want, just don’t call me late for dinner”? The same applies here. The last thing you want to do is find yourself partaking in a mad dash to get checked in, through security and onto the ship before it sets sail. Leave yourself plenty of time so you can feel relaxed right from the start!
2. Forget to Relax
We fully admit to being the type of people who get excited when we return to the cabin each evening and find tomorrow’s daily on the bed or counter. We grab that puppy, pick up our handy-dandy highlighter (one of our 7 Small Items You’ll Be Glad You Packed) and begin marking our must-do events. That said, we’re also big believers in down time. After all, it’s a vacation. Run around trying to do absolutely everything, and you’ll wind up exhausted by the end of the week. So when putting together that daily schedule, make sure to slate yourself for a nap by the pool or reading session on the balcony!
3. Over Indulge at the Buffet
Keep in mind that there’s a difference between all you can eat and all you should eat. There’s a reason gluttony is considered one of the seven deadly sins! Gorging on the buffet at lunchtime and then having no room for dinner is a rookie mistake. Plus, the last thing you want to do is get home and find out that you packed on 10 extra pounds… and not in your luggage!
4. Drink Till You Drop
Just because you paid for the drink package (or better, got it as a free perk when you booked) doesn’t mean that you have to pickle your liver in order to get your money’s worth. There’s a fine line between having a good time and being the good time that’s had by all as they watch you make a fool of yourself.
5. Go for Broke… Literally!
Whether you’re playing the slots or hitting a table game, it’s always smart to set a limit for yourself. The worst words you can possibly utter in a casino aren’t “let it ride,” but rather “cash advance.”
6. Fail to Have a Solid Exit Strategy
Just like you don’t want to screw up the beginning of your trip by getting to the port late, you don’t want to end the vacation badly by scrambling to get to the airport before your flight home takes wing without you. If you’re trying to arrange transportation while standing on line to disembark, chances are good that your re-entry into the world is going to be unpleasant.
What are some other ways to ruin your cruise?
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