As somebody who cruises for a residing, I all the time see passengers making the identical errors over and over. From flying the identical day as their cruise to sporting the flawed sneakers, there are rookie errors that needs to be prevented when cruising wherever on the earth.
I not too long ago returned from my third European cruise, a Western Mediterranean itinerary visiting Italy, Malta, Spain, and France. European cruises are among the many hottest itineraries Royal Caribbean affords, however navigating the ins and outs of cruising Europe could be difficult for first time vacationers to the continent.
During my most up-to-date crusing, together with two others final yr, I seen passengers making the identical few errors that had been negatively impacting their expertise each in port and onboard. Whether cramming too many actions into in the future or strolling round with a painful blister, I couldn’t assist however want these passengers may have learn the following pointers earlier than their cruise started.
Here are the highest 12 errors it is best to keep away from on a European cruise.
Booking shore excursions in each port
Many cruisers, particularly these visiting Europe for the primary time, assume they should e-book an tour in each port. For most case eventualities, I counsel in opposition to doing this, and as an alternative having a mixture of excursions and self-exploration.
Shore excursions are handy when on a European cruise, as they permit you to expertise every port’s high locations, whether or not the Colosseum in Rome or Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. As a matter of reality, I’d argue that shore excursions are obligatory in ports the place the town middle is much from the port. If your itinerary visits Florence, for instance, it should take round 90 minutes to achieve the town middle from the place your ship docks in Livorno.
Although you could possibly attempt to go to Florence by yourself, touring up to now with out an organized tour might improve your threat of lacking the ship.
Related: What occurs in case you miss your cruise ship?
So whereas excursions are nearly required in some ports, they aren’t obligatory in others. Some cities, resembling Valletta in Malta, are positioned only a few minutes’ stroll or a brief shuttle bus experience from the port.
In these ports, I discover it extra fulfilling to stroll round alone with out worrying a couple of tour group. With some research forward of time, you possibly can expertise the vacation spot’s sights by yourself, which may prevent time, cash, and improve flexibility whereas visiting.
Cramming an excessive amount of in in the future
Shore tour or not, strive to not cram an excessive amount of right into a single port day on a Royal Caribbean cruise.
It’s tempting to try to expertise as a lot as doable throughout every port day. With only some hours in every port, I all the time see cruisers dashing round making an attempt to tick gadgets off an inventory. More typically than not, they don’t appear like they’re having enjoyable.
Sometimes much less is extra, particularly when planning a cruise ship port day. Try to not rush from museum to cathedral to restaurant to memento store to museum to cathedral. Instead, choose one or two stuff you’d prefer to see and spend ample time at every vacation spot.
Related: 7 methods to have a good time in port with out a cruise ship shore tour
I discover that when I attempt to cram an excessive amount of into in the future, I see “everything” however on the identical time expertise nothing. Picking one or two sights permits me to totally immerse myself within the vacation spot with out feeling too overwhelmed and exhausted.
In reality, my favourite moments when cruising Europe haven’t essentially been the port’s “highlights” however the small moments, resembling folks watching in a park or strolling via picturesque, cobblestone streets with out a vacation spot in thoughts.
Not accounting for warm temperatures
Royal Caribbean’s cruise season runs from late April to October every year, and temperatures can get uncomfortably heat through the peak summer season months.
On a Caribbean cruise you possibly can counteract a sizzling, humid day by swimming within the seashore or pool. On a European cruise, although, you’re extra more likely to spend your days strolling round cities and sightseeing somewhat than taking a dip within the ocean.
In the center of summer season, strolling round cruise ports in Europe can get extraordinarily heat. It’s doable to see temperatures within the 90s which, underneath a beating solar, can shortly make you’re feeling depressing.
Related: What is one of the best time to cruise the Mediterranean?
Keeping temperatures in thoughts when planning your cruise is beneficial. If your schedule is versatile, take into account cruising within the early or late season when temperatures are extra delicate. If you might be cruising through the summer season, make sure you keep hydrated and plan nearly all of sightseeing within the morning earlier than it will get too heat.
Taking a day break within the shade, resembling when eating in a restaurant or grabbing a drink, also can assist make heat summer season days extra tolerable.
Flying within the day earlier than a European cruise
Most flights to Europe are red-eye flights, that means they depart North America within the night and arrive in Europe the next morning. Although we all the time recommend heading to your cruise port the day earlier than your cruise begins, it’s suggested to fly to Europe two days earlier than embarkation day.
If your cruise begins on Wednesday and also you fly to Europe Tuesday night time, you’ll arrive in Europe only a few hours earlier than your cruise begins. This doesn’t go away a lot, if any, wiggle room for airline delays and cancellations.
Related: 7 ideas for a fantastic Mediterranean cruise
Plus, intensive journey time from airport to port could also be required in choose European cruise ports. If your cruise embarks in Ravenna, Italy and also you fly into Venice, you’ll must take a multi-hour prepare or shuttle bus journey from the airport to the Ravenna cruise port.
Therefore, flying two days earlier than your cruise begins provides you a whole ~24 hours to spend in your embarkation metropolis earlier than your cruise begins. You can use this time to sightsee, recoup from jet lag, and kick off your trip early.
Only reserving Western Mediterranean itineraries
Western Mediterranean itineraries are the most well-liked cruise itineraries in Europe. They go to among the continent’s most well-known cities—Rome, Florence, and Barcelona, amongst others—and provide a pleasant start line to exploring Europe.
Regardless of their reputation, I’ve discovered that I’ve loved cruising on different itineraries in Europe way over the Western Mediterranean. I discovered ports within the Western Mediterranean to be far more crowded than different locations and plenty of required prolonged distances to achieve the town middle from the port.
Related: Western Mediterranean cruise information
Most of those locations actually require a number of days to expertise the town’s highlights—I personally discover (most of) them extra appropriate for a land-based trip.
When visiting Naples, for instance, it’s virtually not possible to go to the town, Pompeii, and Amalfi coast in simply in the future. The identical goes for a metropolis like Rome, the place you’ll be so rushed on a in the future tour that it may very well be extra tense than stress-free.
There’s nothing flawed with reserving a Western Mediterranean itinerary, and I positively loved my current cruise within the area, however don’t overlook cruises to different European locations just like the Adriatic, Greece, Norway, and northern Spain and France.
If you might be planning a Western Mediterranean cruise, I extremely suggest spending a couple of days in your embarkation/disembarkation cities earlier than and/or after the cruise. This will provide you with additional time to see and expertise stuff you merely can’t match into a brief port day.
Not grabbing lunch in port
I all the time have lunch or snacks in port whereas cruising in Europe regardless that there’s included meals onboard my cruise ship.
As scrumptious because the meals on a Royal Caribbean cruise could be, I nonetheless make it some extent to strive native delicacies whereas in port. After all, how may you cruise to Italy and never strive contemporary pasta or go to France with out consuming a crêpe?
Related: Must-eat meals on a cruise to Italy
One of the most typical errors I see cruisers make, whether or not they understand it or not, is avoiding spending cash on meals in port. Instead of heading again to the ship for lunch, why not get pleasure from a meal at an out of doors restaurant? Not solely will you get to style native delicacies, however it should present ample folks watching alternatives and permit you to take a breather on an in any other case busy port day.
Even in case you don’t have time for a full sit-down meal, hop in an area bakery or ice cream store for a snack. Trying native meals can provide simply as a lot perception right into a port’s tradition as visiting monuments or museums, and it’s an entire lot tastier!
Wearing model new sneakers
I ought to actually comply with my very own recommendation.
Here at Royal Caribbean Blog, I continuously advise readers to by no means put on new sneakers in port, particularly in case your port days would require heavy strolling.
Just final month, as I ready for my Western Mediterranean cruise, I purchased a brand new pair of white sneakers. Not desirous to get them soiled, I made a decision to attend till I bought to Europe to interrupt them in. Let’s simply say this was an enormous mistake, and I spent the subsequent 5 days with an enormous blister that negatively affected my time in port.
Related: 22 disagreeable cruise ship issues you aren’t ready for
If you’re planning a European cruise, make sure you break in any new sneakers earlier than the journey. Wear them to run errands, take your canine for a stroll, and even to work. While blisters should not fulfilling no matter once you get one, it’s loads higher to get well from a blister at residence somewhat than on a cruise.
Getting tender tickets too late
Depending in your cruise itinerary, you might have to make use of a young port to journey from ship to shore on a port day. One of the most typical errors I see cruisers making when visiting Europe is ready too lengthy to get tender tickets.
Certain ports in Europe, together with Mykonos, Santorini, and Kotor, are tender ports, that means you can’t stroll straight off the ship onto a pier. For these ports, you could accumulate a young ticket which you’ll use to board a smaller boat to deliver you ashore.
Related: What does tender imply on a cruise ship?
Royal Caribbean will present data on the place and when you possibly can accumulate tender tickets. I strongly advise getting a young ticket as quickly as you possibly can, even when it means ready in line for a couple of minutes earlier than tickets start being distributed.
The earlier you get a young ticket, the sooner your ticket’s quantity will probably be referred to as, which alerts if you end up allowed to disembark the ship. If you wait too lengthy to gather a ticket, you may end up ready onboard for a couple of hours earlier than you possibly can disembark.
Being careless with belongings whereas in port
One of the worst conditions that may occur on a cruise is dropping your private belongings, whether or not a cellphone, digital camera, pockets, or passport.
It’s straightforward to be distracted on a port day. You’re in a totally new atmosphere the place your senses are engaged with the sights, smells, and sounds of the vacation spot. Nevertheless, it’s crucial to stay conscious of your environment always, together with the place you place valuables whereas sightseeing, or you might lose your belongings.
Related: Where to maintain SeaPass card, cellphone, and money when on a shore tour?
I’m not harmless of creating this error. Last yr, when on a cruise to Kotor, I unintentionally left a private belonging on our desk at lunch. Luckily I noticed my mistake earlier than getting again onboard and the waiter acknowledged me and instantly handed me the belonging.
Fortunately the state of affairs resolved itself with none points, but it surely simply may have gone worse if I didn’t understand I had left one thing or if another person had taken the merchandise earlier than the waiter cleaned our desk.
You ought to by no means preserve valuables in your again pocket whereas sightseeing, particularly in busy areas. Likewise, I like to recommend placing your backpack or purse at your toes or in your lap whereas eating outdoor—hanging it from the again of your chair makes it simpler for pickpockets to grab.
My favourite journey important is an anti-theft backpack that solely opens from a zipper in opposition to my again. I by no means have to fret about somebody opening the bag with out me figuring out, making me really feel safe when on busy public transportation or in vacationer areas.
Related: 40 important issues to deliver on a cruise
Not strolling main as much as the journey
Most cruisers will expertise much more strolling on a European cruise in comparison with their daily life at residence. One of the most typical errors on a European cruise will not be realizing the quantity of strolling which may be required in your cruise ports.
Most locations in North America should not practically as walkable as European cities. This implies that many Americans and Canadians, particularly these residing within the suburbs and rural areas, should not accustomed to strolling lengthy distances daily.
Because of this, many guests to Europe discover themselves (and their toes) exhausted from strolling. To keep away from feeling exhausted, among the finest methods to arrange for a European cruise is to extend your strolling time whereas at residence.
If you don’t already, begin incorporating each day walks into your routine. If doable, stroll a couple of miles every day within the sneakers you intend to put on in your European cruise. Although you may really feel sore initially, it should make your time sightseeing in Europe extra fulfilling.
Taking out forex forward of time
First time cruisers to Europe might assume they need to take out European forex within the United States earlier than flying to Europe, however this isn’t obligatory. In reality, it’s nearly an antiquated apply.
Avoid the trouble of determining the place to order euros from the United States and go to an ATM as soon as in Europe as an alternative. ATMs are extensively obtainable in all European ports, and it’s a lot simpler to take out money when you arrive.
Related: How a lot money do you have to deliver on a cruise?
Plus, you most likely don’t want a lot money, both. Most locations in port will take bank card funds, even family-owned companies. In reality, some locations, such because the United Kingdom, might have companies which might be utterly cashless.
If you’re cruising to international locations utilizing the euro, I nonetheless suggest taking out round 100 euros. It’s doable you might come throughout small eating places and memento stands that don’t settle for playing cards, so having money available could also be helpful.
Disembarking the ship too late
I’ve been to over a dozen numerous European cruise ports, however one factor stays the identical in all of them: the sooner you get off the ship, the less crowds you’ll expertise.
One of the worst errors I see folks making time and again when cruising Europe is disembarking the ship too late. Your expertise in port can fluctuate extensively in case you disembark at 8AM versus 11AM, so waking up early is totally value it.
I all the time be sure that to disembark the ship in port as quickly because the gangway opens. During the morning hours, temperatures are extra nice and crowds are far fewer. Even in a busy cruise port like Mykonos, which is thought for large crowds, I’ve had areas of the city utterly to myself.
Around 11AM you’ll start to note large crowds in lots of ports. Streets turn out to be crowded and laborious to stroll via, seashores refill, and transportation from the port to the town middle might require ready in line.
If you get up early and do your sightseeing within the morning, you possibly can take the afternoon to chill out, whether or not having fun with a glass of wine at a waterfront bar or swimming within the Mediterranean. Navigating crowds isn’t enjoyable for anybody, and getting off the ship early helps make your expertise a lot nicer.