7 First Time Cruise Mistakes That Cost Me $2,847 (Don't Do This!)

7 First Time Cruise Mistakes That Cost Me $2,847 (Don't Do This!) I lost $2,847 on my first cruise by making these 7 costly mistakes! If you're a first-time cruiser planning your first cruise vacation in 2025, this video will save you hundreds (maybe thousands) of dollars. Learn from my expensive cruise mistakes so you don't have to make them yourself. In this complete first time cruise guide, I break down the 7 biggest cruise mistakes that cost me serious money on my Caribbean cruise. From booking shore excursions through the cruise line to buying unnecessary drink packages, I'm sharing exactly what NOT to do on your first cruise. 🚢 WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS VIDEO: ✅ The #1 cruise mistake that cost me $847 alone ✅ How to save money on shore excursions (booking independently vs cruise line) ✅ Why drink packages aren't worth it for most first-time cruisers ✅ The cell phone mistake that leads to $1000+ bills ✅ Travel insurance mistakes every beginner makes ✅ Why flying in on embarkation day is a terrible idea ✅ How to avoid overspending on specialty restaurants 💰 TOTAL SAVINGS IF YOU AVOID THESE: $2,847+ ⏱️ VIDEO TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 - Introduction: How I Lost $2,847 on My First Cruise 0:45 - Mistake #1: Buying Drink Package Without Doing the Math (Saved $350) 3:15 - Mistake #2: Booking Shore Excursions Through Cruise Line (Saved $847) 5:45 - Mistake #3: Not Bringing Cash for Tips & Ports (Cost $150) 7:30 - Mistake #4: Specialty Dining Every Night (Saved $600) 9:20 - Mistake #5: Using Cell Phone Without Airplane Mode (Cost $800!) 11:40 - Mistake #6: Wrong Travel Insurance (Cost $200) 13:25 - Mistake #7: Flying In on Embarkation Day (Nearly Missed Ship!) 14:30 - Recap & Final Tips for First Time Cruisers 📍 CRUISE DESTINATIONS COVERED: This video includes tips for first time cruisers on Caribbean cruises, Mexican Riviera cruises, Bahamas cruises, and Mediterranean cruises. These mistakes apply to all cruise lines including Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, and Disney Cruise Line. 🎯 WHO THIS VIDEO IS FOR: - First time cruisers planning their first cruise - Budget-conscious travelers looking to save money on cruises - Families planning a cruise vacation - Solo travelers considering cruise travel - Anyone booking a cruise for 2025 or 2026 💡 CRUISE TIPS FOR BEGINNERS: Planning your first cruise can be overwhelming, but avoiding these common first time cruise mistakes will save you hundreds of dollars. Whether you're sailing on Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian, or any other cruise line, these cruise hacks work for everyone. The biggest lesson? Do your research before you cruise! Shore excursions booked independently can save you 50-70% compared to cruise line prices. Drink packages only make sense if you drink 5+ alcoholic beverages per day. And ALWAYS put your phone in airplane mode as soon as you board! 🌊 2025 CRUISE TRENDS: Solo cruising, expedition cruises, and sustainable cruising are the hottest trends for 2025. More first-time cruisers than ever are discovering cruise vacations, with 37.7 million passengers expected to cruise in 2025. Don't make the same expensive mistakes I did! 👍 FOUND THIS HELPFUL? Like this video if it helped you save money on your cruise vacation! Subscribe for weekly cruise tips, cruise reviews, cruise vlogs, and cruise planning advice. Drop a comment below with YOUR cruise questions and I'll answer them all! 🔔 SUBSCRIBE for more cruise tips: [Your Channel Link] DISCLAIMER: This video contains my personal experiences and opinions. Cruise line prices and policies may vary. Links may be affiliate links, meaning I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support the channel so I can create more helpful cruise content! #cruisetips #firsttimecruiser #cruisemistakes #savemoney #cruisehacks #caribbeancruise #royalcaribbean #carnivalcruise #norwegiancruise #cruisevacation #travelonabudget #cruiseplanning #shoreexcursions #cruiseadvice #2025cruise #budgettravel #traveltips #cruisedeals #firstcruise #cruisingfor beginners ``` TAGS first time cruise mistakes cruise tips for beginners first time cruiser cruise mistakes to avoid how to save money on a cruise cruise hacks first cruise tips cruise planning tips caribbean cruise tips royal caribbean tips SECONDARY TAGS shore excursions independent vs cruise line cruise drink package worth it first time cruise advice cruise cell phone mistake cruise travel insurance best cruise tips 2025 cruise money saving tips carnival cruise tips norwegian cruise tips budget cruise tips ``` TERTIARY TAGS cruise vacation planning beginner cruise guide cruise port tips cruise embarkation tips cruise packing tips family cruise tips solo cruise tips mediterranean cruise tips alaska cruise tips cruise deals 2025