Let’s face it – even the best-planned cruise vacations can hit rough waters. Many seasoned cruisers have faced these mishaps and learned valuable lessons along the way.
Here’s your guide to avoiding the most common cruise disasters that can sink your vacation before it even starts.
10 Common Cruise Disasters
1. Missed the Ship (Literally)
Ever had that nightmare where you’re running down the pier watching your ship sail away? It happens more than you’d think!
The ship will not wait for you if you’re late returning from a port day or arriving for embarkation. Experienced cruisers treat ship time as sacred – if the all-aboard time is 4:30 pm, they’re back by 3:30 pm.
Prevention Tips:
- Fly in at least one day before your cruise departs
- Set multiple alarms on port days and watch for time zone changes
- Save the cruise lines emergency contact number in case of emergencies
- Consider booking ship-sponsored excursions which guarantee the ship will wait if they run late
2. Denied Boarding at the Cruise Terminal
Nothing kills the vacation buzz faster than being turned away at check-in because of documentation issues.
Every cruise season, couples and families get denied boarding because of passport validity issues. Many cruisers have no idea about the common requirement for passports to be valid for at least six months after their return date!
Prevention Tips:
- Double-check your cruise line’s documentation requirements for your specific itinerary
- Ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months after your return date
- Verify all names match exactly across your booking, ID, and passport
- Keep digital AND paper copies of all important documents
3. Luggage Lost or Sent to Wrong Cabin
Your cabin steward has hundreds of bags to deliver , and sometimes things go astray.
There’s been stories of cruisers having spend the first day of their vacation in the same clothes they traveled in because their luggage took a detour to the wrong deck. Not exactly the fresh start to a dream vacation!
Prevention Tips:
- Pack a day bag or carry-on bag with swimsuit, change of clothes, medications, and essentials
- Label your luggage clearly with your name and cabin number
- Take a photo of your bags before handing them over
- Consider bright, unique luggage tags that stand out in a sea of similar bags
4. Seasickness Surprise
The ship looks huge and stable at the dock, but once you hit open water, that’s when the fun (or misery) begins.
Your first cruise might be when you discover you get queasy on the high seas. Better to be prepared than spending your vacation in your cabin bathroom.
Prevention Tips:
- Book a midship cabin on a lower deck for minimal movement
- Bring motion sickness remedies like Bonine, Dramamine, or Sea-Bands
- Look at the horizon when feeling woozy
- Keep something in your stomach – an empty stomach can make nausea worse
Related: How to Prevent Seasickness on a Cruise: 19 Effective Remedies
5. Sunburn Disaster
Day one: happy cruiser. Day two: human lobster who can’t bear to have clothes touch their skin.
The tropical sun is much stronger than what most travelers are used to at home. Too many cruisers ruin their vacation with serious sunburns on the very first day, turning their dream getaway into a painful experience.
Prevention Tips:
- Pack reef-safe sunscreen with at least SPF 30
- Bring a hat and cover-ups
- Reapply sunscreen every two hours and after swimming
- Find shade during peak sun hours (10am-2pm)
6. Scammed in Port
Not all shore experiences are created equal, and unfortunately, some ports have scammers waiting for unsuspecting tourists.
From taxi drivers who take “scenic routes” to vendors selling fake goods at authentic prices, it pays to keep your wits about you.
Prevention Tips:
- Research common scams in your ports of call
- Agree on prices before getting into taxis
- Be skeptical of “too good to be true” deals
- Consider booking through reputable tour operators
- Don’t flash expensive jewelry or electronics
Related: 19 Tourist Scams that Cruisers Need to Watch Out For
7. Itinerary Changes and Port Cancellations
Weather happens, and sometimes cruise lines need to skip ports or change routes for safety reasons.
Many Caribbean cruises have been known to miss ports due to tropical storms or weather events. While disappointing, it’s reassuring that captains prioritize passenger safety over sticking to the original itinerary.
Prevention Tips:
- Purchase travel insurance that covers itinerary changes
- Stay flexible and understand changes are for safety
- Have a backup plan for must-do activities
- Consider cruising outside hurricane season if visiting storm-prone regions
- Download the cruise line app for real-time updates
8. Shocking Onboard Bill at Checkout
The cruise fare covers a lot, but those specialty restaurants, drinks (or drink package), spa treatments, and shore excursions add up faster than you can say “charge it to my room!”
Travelers often look shocked when they see their final bill on the last morning. Cruise cards make spending too easy when you’re not handing over actual cash, and those daily charges can add up quickly.
Prevention Tips:
- Set a daily budget and track your spending
- Review your account regularly through the cruise app or kiosk
- Consider pre-purchasing drink packages or excursions if you know you’ll use them
- Be clear on what’s included and what costs extra
- Watch out for automatic gratuities (they’re usually worth it, but know what you’re paying)
9. Overpacked and Underprepared
Cabin space is limited, and there’s nothing worse than tripping over unnecessary luggage while missing things you actually need.
It’s common to see cruisers with massive suitcases filled with fancy outfits while they’ve forgotten essentials like motion sickness remedies or power adapters. Cabin space is precious, and those oversized bags quickly become obstacles.
Prevention Tips:
- Make a cruise-specific packing list focusing on versatile items
- Research your ship’s dress code – many are more casual than you might expect
- Pack a small first-aid kit with common medications
- Remember cruise cabin outlets are limited – bring a small power strip
- Think about what you’ll actually do on your cruise, not what you might do
10. Wrong Cruise Vibe
Not all cruises are created equal. Some are floating retirement communities, others are party boats, and others are overrun with kids during school breaks.
Booking the wrong cruise for your personality is a recipe for disappointment. Some travelers have accidentally booked during spring break and spent a week surrounded by partying college students when they were hoping for peace and quiet!
Prevention Tips:
- Research cruise line demographics before booking
- Consider sailing dates – school breaks mean more families
- Look at cruise length – shorter cruises often attract younger crowds
- Read reviews from people similar to you
- Be honest about your vacation style – are you looking for tranquility or a good time?
The best cruise vacations start with smart planning. By avoiding these common disasters, you’ll be well on your way to smooth sailing. Bon voyage!
Related & Popular Posts:
- 75 Must-have Cruise Essentials from Amazon
- 17 Genius Ways to Pack Light for a Longer Cruise
- 12 Genius Cruise Ship Bathroom Hacks and Organization Tips
- 17 Cruise Ship Cabin Locations to Avoid
- 40+ Must-Have Dollar Store Cruise Items & Hacks
- 17 Rookie Mistakes First Time Cruisers Should Avoid
- 27 Cruise Packing Mistakes You Might be Making
- 13 Big Cruise Embarkation Day Mistakes Cruisers Must Avoid
Have you ever experienced any of these cruise disasters? Please let me know in the comments below.
Happy Cruising!
Ilana
If you’ve found this helpful, don’t keep it to yourself ;-)! Please share it on Facebook or save it for later on Pinterest (share buttons at the top of the post). Thank you
