As somebody who cruises for a dwelling, I all the time see passengers making the identical errors time and again. From flying the identical day as their cruise to carrying the flawed sneakers, there are rookie errors that must be prevented when cruising wherever on the planet.

I just lately 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 provides, however navigating the ins and outs of cruising Europe could be difficult for first time vacationers to the continent.

Throughout 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 or not cramming too many actions into someday or strolling round with a painful blister, I couldn’t assist however want these passengers might have learn the following tips earlier than their cruise started.

Listed below are the highest 12 errors it’s best to keep away from on a European cruise.

Reserving shore excursions in each port

Many cruisers, particularly these visiting Europe for the primary time, suppose they should guide an tour in each port. For many case situations, I counsel in opposition to doing this, and as a substitute having a mixture of excursions and self-exploration.

Shore excursions are handy when on a European cruise, as they will let you expertise every port’s prime locations, whether or not the Colosseum in Rome or Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. As a matter of truth, I’d argue that shore excursions are needed in ports the place town middle is way from the port. In case your itinerary visits Florence, for instance, it is going to take round 90 minutes to succeed in town middle from the place your ship docks in Livorno.

Though you could possibly attempt to go to Florence by yourself, touring to date with out an organized tour could enhance your danger of lacking the ship.

Associated: What happens if you miss your cruise ship?

So whereas excursions are nearly required in some ports, they aren’t needed in others. Some cities, comparable to 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 few tour group. With a little analysis forward of time, you’ll be able to expertise the vacation spot’s points of interest by yourself, which may prevent time, cash, and enhance flexibility whereas visiting.

Cramming an excessive amount of in someday

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 attempt to expertise as a lot as attainable throughout every port day. With only some hours in every port, I all the time see cruisers dashing round attempting to tick objects off a listing. As a rule, they don’t appear like they’re having enjoyable.

Typically much less is extra, particularly when planning a cruise ship port day. Strive to not rush from museum to cathedral to restaurant to memento store to museum to cathedral. As an alternative, choose one or two stuff you’d wish to see and spend ample time at every vacation spot.

Associated: 7 ways to have a great time in port without a cruise ship shore excursion

I discover that when I attempt to cram an excessive amount of into someday, I see “all the things” however on the similar time expertise nothing. Choosing one or two points of interest permits me to completely immerse myself within the vacation spot with out feeling too overwhelmed and exhausted.

In truth, my favourite moments when cruising Europe haven’t essentially been the port’s “highlights” however the small moments, comparable to folks watching in a park or strolling via picturesque, cobblestone streets and not using 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 time months.

On a Caribbean cruise you’ll be able to counteract a scorching, humid day by swimming within the seaside or pool. On a European cruise, although, you’re extra prone to spend your days strolling round cities and sightseeing somewhat than taking a dip within the ocean.

In the course of summer time, strolling round cruise ports in Europe can get extraordinarily heat. It’s attainable to see temperatures within the 90s which, beneath a beating solar, can rapidly make you are feeling depressing.

Associated: What is the best time to cruise the Mediterranean?

Holding temperatures in thoughts when planning your cruise is advisable. In case your schedule is versatile, think about cruising within the early or late season when temperatures are extra delicate. If you’re cruising through the summer time, you’ll want to 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, comparable to when eating in a restaurant or grabbing a drink, may assist make heat summer time days extra tolerable.

Flying within the day earlier than a European cruise

Most flights to Europe are red-eye flights, which means they depart North America within the night and arrive in Europe the next morning. Though we all the time counsel 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.

In case your cruise begins on Wednesday and also you fly to Europe Tuesday evening, you’ll arrive in Europe only a few hours earlier than your cruise begins. This doesn’t depart a lot, if any, wiggle room for airline delays and cancellations.

Associated: 7 tips for a great Mediterranean cruise

Plus, intensive journey time from airport to port could also be required in choose European cruise ports. In case your cruise embarks in Ravenna, Italy and also you fly into Venice, you’ll have to take a multi-hour practice or shuttle bus journey from the airport to the Ravenna cruise port.

Due to this fact, flying two days earlier than your cruise begins provides you a complete ~24 hours to spend in your embarkation metropolis earlier than your cruise begins. You should utilize this time to sightsee, recoup from jet lag, and kick off your trip early.

Solely reserving Western Mediterranean itineraries

Western Mediterranean itineraries are the most well-liked cruise itineraries in Europe. They go to a number of the continent’s most well-known cities—Rome, Florence, and Barcelona, amongst others—and provide a pleasant place to begin to exploring Europe.

No matter 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 rather more crowded than different locations and plenty of required prolonged distances to succeed in town middle from the port.

Associated: Western Mediterranean cruise guide

Most of those locations actually require a number of days to expertise town’s highlights—I personally discover (most of) them extra appropriate for a land-based trip.

When visiting Naples, for instance, it’s virtually inconceivable to go to town, Pompeii, and Amalfi coast in simply someday. The identical goes for a metropolis like Rome, the place you’ll be so rushed on a someday tour that it could possibly be extra nerve-racking than stress-free.

There’s nothing flawed with reserving a Western Mediterranean itinerary, and I undoubtedly loved my latest 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’re planning a Western Mediterranean cruise, I extremely advocate spending just a few days in your embarkation/disembarkation cities earlier than and/or after the cruise. This gives you further time to see and expertise stuff you merely can not 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 though there’s included meals onboard my cruise ship.

As scrumptious because the meals on a Royal Caribbean cruise could be, I nonetheless make it a degree to strive native delicacies whereas in port. In spite of everything, how might you cruise to Italy and never strive contemporary pasta or go to France with out consuming a crêpe?

Associated: Must-eat foods on a cruise to Italy

One of the widespread errors I see cruisers make, whether or not they notice it or not, is avoiding spending cash on meals in port. As an alternative of heading again to the ship for lunch, why not take pleasure in a meal at an out of doors restaurant? Not solely will you get to style native delicacies, however it is going to present ample folks watching alternatives and will let you take a breather on an in any other case busy port day.

Even for those who don’t have time for a full sit-down meal, hop in an area bakery or ice cream store for a snack. Attempting native meals can provide simply as a lot perception right into a port’s tradition as visiting monuments or museums, and it’s a complete lot tastier!

Carrying model new sneakers

I ought to actually observe my very own recommendation.

Right here at Royal Caribbean Weblog, I continually advise readers to by no means put on new sneakers in port, particularly in case your port days would require heavy strolling.

Simply 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 acquired to Europe to interrupt them in. Let’s simply say this was an enormous mistake, and I spent the subsequent 5 days with a large blister that negatively affected my time in port.

Associated: 22 unpleasant cruise ship problems you aren’t prepared for

In the event you’re planning a European cruise, you’ll want to break in any new sneakers earlier than the journey. Put on them to run errands, take your canine for a stroll, and even to work. Whereas blisters are usually not fulfilling no matter while you get one, it’s so much higher to recuperate from a blister at house somewhat than on a cruise.

Getting tender tickets too late

Relying in your cruise itinerary, you could have to make use of a young port to journey from ship to shore on a port day. One of the widespread errors I see cruisers making when visiting Europe is ready too lengthy to get tender tickets.

Sure ports in Europe, together with Mykonos, Santorini, and Kotor, are tender ports, which means you can not stroll immediately off the ship onto a pier. For these ports, you will need to gather a young ticket which you’ll use to board a smaller boat to convey you ashore.

Associated: What does tender mean on a cruise ship?

Royal Caribbean will present info on the place and when you’ll be able to gather tender tickets. I strongly advise getting a young ticket as quickly as you’ll be able to, even when it means ready in line for a couple of minutes earlier than tickets start being distributed.

The sooner you get a young ticket, the sooner your ticket’s quantity will likely be known as, which indicators if you find yourself allowed to disembark the ship. In the event you wait too lengthy to gather a ticket, you may end up ready onboard for just a few hours earlier than you’ll be able to disembark.

Being careless with belongings whereas in port

One of many worst conditions that may occur on a cruise is dropping your private belongings, whether or not a telephone, digital camera, pockets, or passport.

It’s straightforward to be distracted on a port day. You’re in a very new surroundings the place your senses are engaged with the sights, smells, and sounds of the vacation spot. However, it’s important to stay conscious of your environment always, together with the place you set valuables whereas sightseeing, or it’s possible you’ll lose your belongings.

Associated: Where to keep SeaPass card, phone, and cash when on a shore excursion?

I’m not harmless of constructing this error. Final yr, when on a cruise to Kotor, I by chance left a private belonging on our desk at lunch. Fortunately I spotted my mistake earlier than getting again onboard and the waiter acknowledged me and instantly handed me the belonging.

Fortuitously the state of affairs resolved itself with none points, but it surely simply might have gone worse if I didn’t notice I had left one thing or if another person had taken the merchandise earlier than the waiter cleaned our desk.

You need to by no means hold 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 open air—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 realizing, making me really feel safe when on busy public transportation or in vacationer areas.

Associated: 40 essential things to bring 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 day after day life at house. One of the widespread 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 are usually not practically as walkable as European cities. Because of this many Individuals and Canadians, particularly these dwelling within the suburbs and rural areas, are usually not accustomed to strolling lengthy distances daily.

Due to this, many guests to Europe discover themselves (and their toes) exhausted from strolling. To keep away from feeling exhausted, probably the greatest methods to organize for a European cruise is to extend your strolling time whereas at house.

In the event you don’t already, begin incorporating each day walks into your routine. If attainable, stroll just a few miles every day within the sneakers you propose to put on in your European cruise. Though you may really feel sore initially, it is going to make your time sightseeing in Europe extra fulfilling.

Taking out foreign money forward of time

First time cruisers to Europe could assume they need to take out European foreign money in the USA earlier than flying to Europe, however this isn’t needed. In truth, it’s nearly an antiquated apply.

Keep away from the trouble of determining the place to order euros from the USA and go to an ATM as soon as in Europe as a substitute. ATMs are broadly out there in all European ports, and it’s a lot simpler to take out money when you arrive.

Associated: How much cash should you bring on a cruise?

Plus, you in all probability don’t want a lot money, both. Most locations in port will take bank card funds, even family-owned companies. In truth, some locations, comparable to the UK, could have companies which might be fully cashless.

In the event you’re cruising to international locations utilizing the euro, I nonetheless advocate taking out round 100 euros. It’s attainable it’s possible you’ll 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 many worst errors I see folks making time and again when cruising Europe is disembarking the ship too late. Your expertise in port can fluctuate broadly for those who disembark at 8AM versus 11AM, so waking up early is totally price it.

I all the time be sure that to disembark the ship in port as quickly because the gangway opens. Throughout the morning hours, temperatures are extra nice and crowds are far fewer. Even in a busy cruise port like Mykonos, which is understood for big crowds, I’ve had areas of the city fully to myself.

Round 11AM you’ll start to note big crowds in lots of ports. Streets develop into crowded and onerous to stroll via, seashores replenish, and transportation from the port to town middle could require ready in line.

In the event you get up early and do your sightseeing within the morning, you’ll be able to take the afternoon to loosen up, 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.