Thinking about your next cruise? Before you hit that “book now” button, there are a few things you should know. Cruises aren’t always as perfect as they seem, and cruise lines do a great job of keeping certain realities under wraps.
After years of cruising and digging into the industry, I’ve uncovered some secrets they don’t want you to know.
I’ve put together a list of what I think are the most important ones. Hopefully, they’ll help you travel smarter and save some money!
1. No Port Is Guaranteed
Here’s the harsh truth: that dream stop in Santorini isn’t set in stone. Cruise lines can – and frequently do – skip scheduled ports without warning or compensation.
Weather conditions, port congestion, or mysterious “operational reasons” can lead to last-minute changes.
I’ve witnessed firsthand ships announcing “dangerous water conditions” as the reason for skipping a port, only to later discover the real reason: the port was already fully booked that day.
While some changes are genuinely safety-related, others might simply be cost-cutting measures in disguise. Always treat your itinerary as a “rough draft” rather than a guarantee.
To be fair, I’ve also experienced a situation where the ship didn’t dock in Santorini due to genuinely bad weather conditions. Unfortunately, the island is quite windy, and it’s not uncommon for it to be skipped from the itinerary.
PRO TIP: In case you’re wondering, there are no refunds if a port is skipped. It’s clearly stated in the terms and conditions of most cruise lines.
Hidden Costs That Can Seriously Increase Your Cruise Price
There are also hidden costs that some cruise lines try to keep under wraps.
One of the most well-known is gratuities, which are charged per passenger, per day, and are considered mandatory.
Another common and expensive extra is drink packages. There are many options, but even if you drink a lot, it’s often hard to get your money’s worth.
In addition, some packages exclude more expensive spirits, and an “extra” fee is charged if you want them.
In addition, be mindful of onboard activities—some are included in the price, while others, like arcades, escape rooms, cooking classes, or premium shows, may come with extra fees.
If you are in doubt about whether a service is included or not, just ask a member of staff for confirmation.
3. Ships Won’t Wait for Latecomers
“The ship will wait if you’re on our official excursion,” is the sales pitch you’ll hear when booking a cruise. But here’s the truth: even booking through the cruise line doesn’t guarantee the ship will wait long if you’re delayed.
I’ve seen passengers left behind after their official excursion bus broke down in Italy. While the cruise might help arrange transportation to the next port, you’re often on your own in remote locations.
That peaceful day exploring could turn into a nightmare of catching flights to the next port. My advice? Always build in a time buffer and stick to a strict schedule.
Of course, if you’re on an organized excursion, unexpected things can always happen—there’s no way to predict them. But honestly, they’re not that common!
4. Crimes Can Be Frequent
What cruise lines don’t openly advertise (and understandably so) is that ships aren’t always significantly safer than being on land.
With thousands of strangers packed together, limited security personnel, and international waters’ murky jurisdiction, crime does happen. Unfortunately, sexual assaults are the most reported crimes on cruises, followed by theft.
Luckily, in recent years, many cruise lines have been working hard to reduce the number of crimes, especially with improved security measures and an increasingly sophisticated CCTV system.
Cruise ships can also stop at less-than-safe ports. In that case, you may decide to stay on the ship. Before leaving, I recommend that you check the list of the most dangerous cruise ports in the world.
5. Medical Facilities Are Lacking
That “ship’s hospital” is nothing like your local medical center. Most cruise ships only offer basic care with generalist doctors who can handle minor illnesses.
So, in case you’re having a serious medical emergency, prepare for shocking bills. Your regular health insurance probably won’t cover treatment at sea.
Even more, a simple consultation can cost hundreds of dollars, and medication prices are incredibly high. Worse still, if you need evacuation, you’re looking at thousands of dollars (usually takes place with a helicopter).
Now you’re thinking: What’s the cruise line’s solution to all this? Well, they’ll happily sell you extra medical insurance, but read that fine print carefully.
Some time ago, I already explained to you why cruise travel insurance can save your vacation.
6. A Cruise’s Schedule Changes Can Wreck Your Plans
Those perfect port days you’ve planned months in advance might vanish faster than the midnight buffet. Cruise lines regularly modify schedules, sometimes just days before departure.
I’ve seen entire Caribbean itineraries switched to Mexican ports, European highlights dropped without explanation, and full-day port stops cut to half due to “organizational issues.”
If it happens to you, don’t stress too much. It can happen, and there’s nothing you can do to prevent it; just try to enjoy your vacation anyway!
7. Good Luck Trying to Cancel Your Cruise!
Try not to get sick before sailing because trying to cancel your cruise will make you regret that annoying cold.
Cruise lines usually do everything they can to keep your money. Cancellation policies are quite rigid, and they get stricter every year. Royal Caribbean, for example, demands 75 days’ notice for a full refund on longer cruises.
Carnival cruise lines, on the other hand, recently tightened their rules to require 56 days’ notice just to get half your money back.
These policies rarely bend unless you or a close family member has serious health problems.
In addition, check the 10 Travel Hacks Only Cruise Pros Know and the 10 Things I Wish I Knew as a Cruise Rookie.
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