10 things I wish I'd done differently on my first cruise, from booking a better room to avoiding specialty restaurants

Joey HaddenApr 9, 2024, 21:22 IST

Business Insider's reporter took her first cruise on board Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I took my first cruise on one of the world's largest ships, Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas.
Mistakes like choosing a room at the ship's front and forgetting earplugs made it less enjoyable.

I'd traveled by car, bus, train, and plane, but boats of any kind were completely new to me until April 2022, when I went on my first cruise to the Caribbean.

I embarked on a seven-night voyage on one of the world's largest cruise ships, Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas. We sailed to Roatán, Honduras; Cozumel and Costa Maya in Mexico; and Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas.

While it felt surreal to be on such a large vessel in the middle of the ocean, I made some mistakes that made my trip more expensive and less enjoyable than it could have been. Here's what I'll do differently next time.

Booking a seven-night trip for my first cruise experience was an ambitious decision that made me feel overwhelmed.

The author's first cruise was a week long.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I took this cruise by myself, but if I were to do it again, I'd travel with someone else.

The author in her stateroom.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I'm prone to motion sickness, and I unknowingly booked a room where movement on the ship felt the strongest.

The front of the ship from the stateroom window.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

If I had remembered to bring earplugs, I might have gotten more sleep.

The author had trouble sleeping most nights.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I forgot to bring cash, which was essential for tipping bus drivers and tour guides during excursions.

Inside of a tour bus during an excursion in Costa Maya.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I regret wasting space in my suitcase on dresses for formal nights since dress codes were not enforced.

The author and other guests on a formal night.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I missed some shows because I didn't make reservations for the week as soon as I boarded the ship.

Reservations for a show in the AquaTheater on Wonder of the Seas.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Before my trip, I reserved all specialty restaurants, but I wish I hadn't booked so many once I realized the included restaurants were delicious and diverse.

The author eats at specialty restaurants on the ship: The Mason Jar, left, and Wonderland.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

At the ports, I booked two excursions with beach stops and felt like I wasted time.

Beach time in Tulum, left, and Costa Maya.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

For the end of my cruise, I made the mistake of booking a night flight, which left me in the airport for 14 hours.

The author attempts to sleep while protecting her bags at the airport.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Ultimately, I left the ship thinking that cruises were cool but not for me. But I might have had a different conclusion if I hadn't made these mistakes.

The author stands in front of the largest cruise ship in the world.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Ultrawealthy cruising: See inside Royal Caribbean's most extravagant upgrades and a $100,000-a-week cabin on its Icon of the Seas

Cookies on the Business Insider India website