by Les Zsoldos

Created on: May 08, 2007   Last Updated: May 14, 2007

Common mistakes that people make when taking a cruise are that they do not take advantage of all that the cruise has to offer, they do not do sufficient research before their cruise, they overpack and they overeat.

Most cruises offer a wide variety of activities and dining experiences. Some people, perhaps because they don't like to try new things or simply get into the routine of doing the things that they're familiar with, don't end up trying all the things that they should. It's unfortunate because they really limit themselves by doing so.

Other people make the common mistake of not doing sufficient research before a cruise. By not doing sufficient research, they may not really know what to expect or may have an image that doesn't conform to reality. Though Caribbean cruises are popular, many people seem to think that all of the Caribbean is the same. This is far from the case because places such as Barbados and Jamaica are quite different from Puerto Rico and the Netherlands Antilles. Many are surprised to find out how much certain parts of the Caribbean differ from one another.

A common mistake, but one that is not limited to cruises, is overpacking. What's the point of taking clothes that are never going to be worn? Almost as bad as overpacking is taking clothes for only one kind of weather. Even though the weather on cruises may usually be very good, it's wise to prepare for adverse weather conditions. The number one rule should really be to be flexible and prepare for all kinds of conditions so that there are no unpleasant surprises.

Another big mistake is overeating. It's understandable that many people overeat on cruises because there's lots of food and it's very tasty. Unfortunately, though, overeating can cause all kinds of stomach problems later on. One way to avoid overeating is simply to eat very slowly and have lots of conversation at the dining table. Another good tip is to drink lots of water or juice so that you don't feel so hungry.

Travellers make many mistakes when taking a cruise. Common ones, though, include not taking advantage of all that a cruise has to offer, overpacking and overeating. Another common mistake is not doing sufficient research prior to the cruise, the result being that reality becomes different from expectations.

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