I've Done 5 Contracts: 6 Things First-Time Cruisers Forget That Cost Them A Fortune

I’ve worked onboard for 5 contracts. I see the same thing every sailing.

First-time cruisers walk on happy, then on Day 2 they’re standing at Guest Services shocked at their bill.

I can’t tell you this onboard, but I can tell you here. This is what I see guests forget every single week — and what to pack before you board.

1. Lanyards - I Watch People Lose Their Sail Card Every Day

Your Sail & Sign card is everything. Your room key, your wallet, your ID to get back on the ship.

I encounter quite a number of people every cruise who need a replacement at Guest Services because they lost their card. They’re holding it sweaty in their hand, trying not to lose it.

Onboard we sell lanyards for $11.99. I tell my brothers: buy a retractable cruise lanyard with waterproof pouch before you come. The retractable one is best — you can tap at the bar and unlock your door without taking it off your neck. Please wear it.

2. Extra Phone Charger & Long Charging Cable - The Most Forgotten Item

This is the #1 thing people forget to pack, and we see it every embarkation day.

Your cabin has ONE outlet, and it's behind the desk, not next to your bed. If you bring one short cable, you and your partner will fight over it all cruise. The gift shop sells a single USB cable for $25 and a cheap power brick for $30.

What I'll tell my friends to pack:

• Cruise-approved power strip (no surge protector) with USB-C and USB-A ports - $12 on Amazon. This gives you 3 extra outlets and lets you charge phones, watches, and cameras at once.
• A 6ft or 10ft extra long charging cable - so you can use your phone in bed. Bring one for iPhone and one for Android if you have mixed devices.

Security will confiscate any power strip with surge protection. Make sure it says "cruise approved, no surge".

3. Light Medication - The Infirmary Is NOT Free

This is the most important one. Guests think the ship doctor is like a hotel front desk. It’s not. It’s a private clinic.

I see this daily: headache, seasickness, and sunburn.

• Headache? The infirmary charges for a consult.
• Seasick? Bonine on the ship is $15 for a few tablets.
• Sunburn? $18 for a tiny aloe bottle in the shop.

Pack this small crew med kit:

4. Drink Package - Do The Math Before You Board

Consider the Drink packages . If you drink 5-6 cocktails, beers, specialty coffees or soft drinks a day, buy it online before you board. It’s cheaper online. If you only drink 1-2 a day, don’t buy it.

My tip to save money: Bring a big 30oz insulated tumbler like this Stanley dupe. Lido has free water, iced tea, lemonade, and drip coffee 24/7. Smart guests fill it all day and never spend extra.

5. Photos - The Memories Are Priceless, The Prints Add Up

Our onboard photographers do a fantastic job capturing those moments you can't get yourself - formal night, gangway shots, family portraits with the ship in the background.

Just so you know the pricing before you board, photo prints start at A$34.99 for portraits, A$24.99 for cruise collectibles and A$19.99 for funshots at the time of this post. Packages and deals are available - it's worth speaking to the photographers onboard on Day 1 about bundle options.

What many guests do is mix both. Let the pros get your formal night portrait, and bring your own gear for the rest of the trip.

Pack a selfie stick with Bluetooth remote and a small flexible tripod for your phone. They're perfect for port days, balcony sunsets, and casual family shots. Selfie sticks are great in ports and on open decks, just keep them clear of the pool area.

6. Excursion Gear - Don't Rent What You Can Own

This is where I feel bad for guests. At Moreton Island / Tangalooma, Grand Turk, Cozumel — you can snorkel right off the beach for free. If you forget your snorkeling gear then you'll have to buy it at whatever price it's available for.

From what I see, bring your own and save per port:

• Your own snorkel set - dry top with bag - I see these on Amazon for $30. Onboard it's $45 to rent once.
• Water shoes - The Wrecks and rocky beaches cut feet. Gift shop sells for $30, Amazon $16.99.
• 10L dry bag - Every week someone cries because their phone got wet on a kayak. Put your Sail Card, phone, and cash in this.
• 5-pack of ponchos - If you sail during rainy season, it will rain. We sell ponchos for $12 each. These are $2 each on Amazon and fit in your pocket.

My Final Checklist - What I Tell My Family To Order Tonight

If you were my family boarding tomorrow, I would tell you to order this:

• 1. Lanyard: Retractable 3-pack
• 2. Power & Charging: Cruise-approved power strip + extra long cable + extra brick
• 3. Med Kit: Bonine / Sea-Band + Tylenol + sunscreen + aloe
• 4. Port Gear: Snorkel set + Water shoes + Dry bag + Ponchos
• 5. Photos: Selfie stick + tripod

Total is under $100 on Amazon. Onboard you would pay $300+ for the same things. Save your money for the fun stuff — parasailing, helicopter, Sea-Doo.