We've Been on 100 Cruises — Here’s What We'd Do (and Wouldn’t Do) Again
Source: Our analysis of the creator's lived experience, based on what they said in this video.
Creator's Key Takeaways
All cruises are not created equal. Each cruise line has its own style, vibe, and onboard offerings, which can even vary from ship to ship within the same fleet.
If you don't choose carefully, you'll set yourself up to have a terrible time on your maiden voyage.
We recommend purchasing a policy through a third party provider rather than your cruise line.
After 100 cruises, you don't have to always book with the cruise line. They tend to be the most expensive option and often provide the least interesting experiences.
Creator's Tips & Advice
🆕New to Cruising? This Creator Addresses:
Questions This Creator Answers
Topics Covered
Scale: 0–5 strips in half-step increments. 0 = “meh”, 5 = “bacon bliss”. Aggregated from creator-review sentiment, weighted by channel expertise.
About our Bacon Score methodologyYouTube Video Description↓
💲Save BIG with MEI-Travel cruise deals: https://bookmeicruise.com/?apid=escy 🌎Save Up to 40% On Shore Excursions: https://www.shoreexcursionsgroup.com/?id=1603014 Planning your first cruise? ⚓ Don't make these costly mistakes! After sailing on over 100 cruises, we're sharing the most common first time cruise mistakes that can ruin your vacation—and exactly how to avoid them. Subscribe to the Eat Sleep Cruise YouTube Channel if you love to travel and cruise the world! https://www.youtube.com/@Eatsleepcruise1 Choosing the right cruise line and ship is critical for first-time cruisers. Not all cruise lines are created equal—each has its own vibe, style, and onboard offerings. We'll help you understand the difference between mainstream, premium, and luxury cruises so you pick the perfect match for your vacation style. Essential First Time Cruise Tips: 💰 Booking Smart - Why using a travel advisor saves you money (plus exclusive perks you can't get booking direct) 🧳 Packing Like a Pro - What to bring, what to leave home, and why overpacking is your enemy 💳 Cashless Systems - How onboard spending really works and setting up your account correctly ✈️ Arrival Strategy - Why flying in the same day is risky and how to protect your vacation investment 🛏️ Cabin Selection - Choosing the right stateroom location to avoid noise and maximize comfort 🍹 Drink Packages - When they're worth it and when you're wasting money 📱 Phone Settings - Avoiding $1000+ roaming charges with one simple setting ⏰ Ship Time vs Local Time - Why this confuses cruisers and how to never miss your ship We'll also cover crucial cruise tips for first timers including: when to check in online, why travel insurance is essential, muster drill requirements, exploring the ship efficiently, booking shore excursions strategically, proper tipping etiquette, and mastering disembarkation day. Don't Learn These Lessons the Hard Way These cruise mistakes for first time cruisers are completely avoidable when you know what to expect. Whether you're sailing on Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian, Princess, Celebrity, or any other cruise line, these tips apply to all cruises. Ready to plan the perfect first cruise? Watch now to learn from our mistakes so you can be one step ahead of everyone else onboard! Subscribe to Eat Sleep Cruise for more cruise tips, ship reviews, and destination guides to help you sea the world, one port at a time. We’ve Been On 100 Cruises. Here's What We Wish We Knew Before Our First One 0:00 First Time Cruise Mistakes 0:25 Not All Cruise Lines Are Created Equal 1:32 It is a Cruise Ship, Not a Boat 1:58 Not All Cruises are ‘Luxury’ 3:15 You Don't Save Money Booking With the Cruise Line 4:20 Packing Too Much 5:30 Certain Items Are Prohibited Onboard 7:05 All Purchases on a Cruise Ship are Cashless 8:35 Fly in the Day Before You Board 9:22 The Right Cruise Cabin Can Make or Break Your Trip 10:45 Complete Your Online Check-In Early 12:10 Not Buying Travel Insurance 13:15 Bring a Day Bay Packed With Essentials on Cruise Boarding Day 14:20 It's Cheaper to Prebook Cruise Add-Ons 15:35 A Drink Package Could Save You Money 16:30 Skipping the Muster Drill is Dangerous 17:20 Explore the Entire Ship On Cruise Boarding Day 18:20 You Don’t Need to Book All Your Tours with the Cruise Line 19:50 You Should Budget Extra for Cruise Gratuities 20:25 Keep Your Cellphone in Airplane Mode Whenever at Sea 21:40 The Ship’s Time is Not Always the Same as the Local Time 22:40 The Cruise Line Will Collect Your Luggage for Disembarkation Questions? Drop them in the comments—we respond to every single one! #firsttimecruiser #CruiseTips #CruiseMistakes #CruiseAdvice #FirstTimeCruiser #CruisePlanning #CruiseHacks #CruiseVacation #CruiseTravel #NewToCruising #CruiseBeginners #RoyalCaribbean #CarnivalCruise #NorwegianCruise #PrincessCruises #CruiseShip #TravelTips #VacationPlanning #cruiselife ---TRENDING VIDEOS FROM EAT SLEEP CRUISE------ Best Cruises for Couples: https://youtu.be/fenNj5GmLdM Cruise Essentials We Always Pack: https://youtu.be/xa-0mxKWkeo The Cruise Rip-offs https://youtu.be/cjbKOLTVStQ Big Changes to NCL in 2025: https://youtu.be/F6H3Jp9_iPo Guide to NCL More at Sea: https://youtu.be/hKNpqwdUfg8 Join us on Social Media as we “Sea the World, One Port at a Time.” Instagram: https://instagram.com/EatSleepCruise Facebook: https://facebook.com/EatSleepCruise Twitter: https://twitter.com/EatSleepCruise TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@UCEWq5SMTt-0nSCQZLMhoFHA Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/EatSleepCruise