15 Mistakes to Avoid on a Cruise Sea Day That Could Ruin Your Experience
“I wanted freedom, open air and adventure. I found it on the sea.” – Alaine Gerbault, Sailor.
Cruises are a hub of adventures. You get hours to catch some sun, have something good to eat, and get to know all that your ship has to offer. However, beware that you can unknowingly spoil what should be the best sea day experience.
Below are 15 mistakes to avoid on your cruise sea day (so you can make the most of it!)
Skipping Breakfast
Don’t just explore with a growling stomach! By skipping breakfast, you miss out on one of the best meals of the day! Findings by the American Heart Association’s Council on Epidemiology and Prevention indicate that missing breakfast puts one at a 91% high risk of dying from cardiovascular disease.
Cruise ships have great buffets with loads of fresh pastries and made-to-order omelets. Start your day strong! You’ll need that fuel!
Neglecting Sunscreen
Wear sunscreen even if it’s cloudy. In a Yale Medicine article, Dr. Leventhal says, “Unless you are completely shaded and protected from the sun, you still need sunscreen on cloudy days.”
Sunburns can be painful and uncomfortable, making it hard to enjoy an incredible sunbath on the deck. Make sure you slather on every couple of hours.
Failure to Check the Day’s Schedule
You don’t want to be the person who misses the trivia contest or the ice carving demonstration because you weren’t checking the schedule. Events, activities, and meal times are plentiful in the ship’s daily newsletter (or app).
Stay in the loop! Don’t risk missing a surprise guest performance or even a new onboard show.
Waiting too Long to Book your Excursions
Excursions are popular and, therefore, sell out fast! If so, you’ll likely not get the scuba diving experience or the cooking class you had your eye on.
Lock in your dream experiences; book early. You could have much fewer options—or none at all!—if you procrastinate.
Overloading Your Day
Doing EVERYTHING is exhausting. You want to pack in activity after activity but slow down. Liam Brodigan, an assistant business psychologist, highlights that slowing down and choosing to take breaks recharges the brain, resulting in heightened productivity.
The secret to the perfect sea day is a mix of fun, relaxation, and free time. You don’t want to sleep at night wishing you had stopped and just chilled for a bit and enjoyed the views.
Not Drinking Enough Water
Salty sea air mixed with sunny weather will dehydrate you quickly. Cocktails or coffee alone don’t quite cut it! Taking enough water will help you feel the best you can all day.
When soaking up the sun and sea, prioritize water intake; your body will thank you later.
Overindulging in Alcohol
You can easily get tempted to overindulge in the great drink specials, but you’ll feel sluggish, dehydrated, and possibly seasick if you drink too much. The International Association for Medical Assistance to Travellers (IAMAT) discourages travelers from drinking too much alcohol as it disrupts the brain’s function, causing effects like poor coordination.
Please sip your drink responsibly. You wouldn’t want to end up stumbling around the ship feeling woozy.
Forgetting Seasickness Prevention
Nausea is never a good thing, so be proactive. If you feel it creeping in, don’t wait until it gets intense. If you are prone to seasickness, be prepared.
Wear sea bands or take motion sickness meds. The CDC suggests grabbing some flavored lozenges, like ginger candies. Prevention can save you from a miserable day.
Not Exploring the Ship
A cruise ship is likened to a floating city, meaning you’ll have many hidden gems to explore. Don’t just stay in the pool deck. A cruise is an adventure, so find as many charming locations as you can.
Find the silent reading areas, a hidden bar, or charming relaxation areas at the spa. The good news is it’s fun, even addictive. The possibility of discovering a favorite spot makes it all worthwhile.
Skipping the Spa
A spa day at sea? Yes, please! Don’t miss a sea day without a massage or allowing some ‘me time’ in the thermal suite.
It’s one way to recharge your body and mind. There’s no better way to relax and rejuvenate before your next adventure.
Disregarding Dress Codes for Fine Dining
Now, some of these fancy specialty restaurants require you to dress up. You don’t want to miss out on that five-course meal because you didn’t pack your “dress to impress” clothes.
Plan ahead! The experience is worth the effort.
Not Booking Dining Slots Early
Specialty dining spots are popular; if you request one on the day of, you might miss out. As soon as you board, make your reservations so you don’t miss an evening meal.
There’s no reason to wait when you can enjoy some of the best food at the best spots on the ship.
Spending All Day Indoors
Don’t be locked inside all day. In addition to pool time, there are sunbathing and unmatched ocean views from a lounge chair. If you miss out on the outdoors, you will regret that.
An article medically reviewed by Poonam Sachdev states, “Sunlight helps boost a chemical in your brain called serotonin, and that can give you more energy and help keep you calm, positive, and focused.” Go out, get some sun. After all, you’re on a cruise, so there’s really no reason not to.
Ignoring Free Activities
Yoga at sunrise? Cooking classes? Karaoke? Free activities are included on a cruise ship to keep your day full of remarkable experiences. Don’t skip them.
Take advantage! New skills and fun memories are yours to take home and to brag about a little bit.
Skipping the Safety Drill
In other words, safety drills aren’t exciting but are essential. Cruises have some potential dangers that call for preparedness in case of an emergency- Simwave, a maritime training provider. Skipping it might land you in trouble, and no one wants that.
Listen to the rules, pay attention, and you’ll be good to go. Adhering to a safety drill and giving it a few minutes of your time can give you peace of mind.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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