17 tips for surviving a summer cruise

Summer is a popular season for cruising, with kids out of school and warm weather making long days in the office unbearable. But summer cruises have two significant downsides: It's the hottest time of year in popular cruise destinations like the Caribbean and the Mediterranean, and ships can be crowded with greater than 100% occupancy, given the multitude of families booked three or four to a cabin.

If you’re a fan of summer sailings to sunny destinations but aren’t too fond of the heat and crowds, take heart. Here are our top tips for beating the heat and avoiding the crowds so you can survive and better enjoy your summer cruise.

Pay for priority boarding

Getting on the ship can be hectic, so plan ahead for embarkation day. Consider booking a cabin or suite that comes with privileged access and perks (like priority boarding). For example, guests staying in a cabin in Norwegian Cruise Line’s The Haven enjoy a personal escort who brings them on board the ship during embarkation. Royal Caribbean’s Royal Suite class guests also get priority boarding.

You don't have to splurge on a suite to get on board faster. Carnival Cruise Line's Faster to the Fun package gives you access to priority check-in and security lines at embarkation, as well as early room access and priority luggage delivery.

If your booking doesn’t include early embarkation, arrive at the port either early or later to avoid the rush.

Pack 'cooling' items

Islands in the Caribbean enjoy a hot, tropical climate year-round, with summer temperatures reaching the high 80s Fahrenheit. Summer temperatures in the Mediterranean can reach 90 degrees or higher, especially in July and August.

The key to beating the heat is in the planning. If your packing list doesn’t include products to cool you down, add them post haste. Cooling towels won’t take up much luggage space and can be a real lifesaver on hot days. These types of towels are water-activated and use evaporation to draw water away from your body. You just soak the towel in water for a couple of minutes, wring it out and place it where you need to cool off.

A water bottle fan is another hot weather essential. These handheld misting fans provide a refreshing spritz when you need it. Up the chill level by dropping a few ice cubes into the bottle to keep your water cold.

Book a balcony cabin

It might be a small patch of cruise ship real estate, but a balcony can be worth its weight in gold for some quiet time. Instead of fighting for a lounge chair among the pool deck crowds, you can enjoy the ocean breeze all by yourself on your private veranda.

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Bring activities to keep boredom at bay when waiting in lines

Sometimes lines are unavoidable. While it might be easy to deal with them as adults, waiting is often harder for kids. Games on your smartphone or tablet can be a good distraction, or have your kids bring books or a Kindle if they're readers.

You can also play simple games, such as "I Spy" or "20 Questions." When our kids were younger, the alphabet game was one of our favorite games. You start off by saying, “I went to the store, and I bought an apple" (or something that starts with the letter A). The next person repeats your phrase and adds another item that starts with the letter B. You continue until you get to the letter Z or someone messes up.

Do the buffet differently

Cruise ship buffet areas are often buzzing during traditional meal times for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Consider shifting your meal times earlier or later to avoid the swarm of people. Also, skip the buffet for lunch on embarkation day, as it tends to be overcrowded.

One of the fantastic things about cruise ships is the bounty of dining options available. Avoid the buffet and enjoy a meal in the main dining room or one of the ship's fast-casual dining venues. Added-fee specialty restaurants can provide a more upscale dining experience in a tranquil environment.

Go outside early or late

Plan your outdoor time for the morning or later in the day to avoid heat and crowds. Hit the pool early to secure a lounger before more people show up, and get your sunbathing on while the temperature is manageable. Likewise, take a dip around 5 or 6 p.m. when the summer sun is still shining but your shipmates are all getting ready for dinner.

If you're going to the beach, aim to be one of the first off the ship to take full advantage of the morning hours and come back to the ship early to avoid the hottest part of the day. You might find that lines to get off and back on the ship are shorter if you debark early and come back before the all-aboard rush. Alternatively, if you don't mind the heat or have indoor activities planned, wait for the initial disembarkation rush to pass and leave the ship later to avoid lines at the gangway and crowded tenders.

During peak heat hours (from around noon to 4 p.m.), enjoy indoor activities like onboard trivia games, karaoke or even ice skating (on select Royal Caribbean ships).

Cool off on shore

When it’s time to leave the ship for a few hours, seek out water-based shore excursions or activities with shade. Spend the day at a beach resort or water park, or take a snorkeling or scuba diving excursion. If your itinerary includes a stop in either Belize or Bonaire, you can cool down with a cave tubing or cave snorkeling excursion.

Want to stay out of the sun for the day? Head to local art galleries and museums for a cooler day in port. Indoor diversions like these can also be a way to avoid droves of beach-loving crowds.

Hydrate often

When you’re spending lots of time in the sun and heat, drinking extra water is important. This is especially true if you’re drinking alcohol on your cruise. Increasing your water intake can help prevent dehydration, which is a common side effect of alcohol consumption.

Bottled water is readily available on cruise ships (though not included unless you purchased a drink package or are sailing with an all-inclusive cruise line). We recommend bringing a reusable water bottle that you can fill up at water stations throughout the ship. To balance your fluid retention, you can add electrolyte drink mixes to your water.

Rent a cabana

Cruise ship cabanas and cabanas at cruise line private islands and ports of call provide extra shade and privacy and can level up your cruise experience. Cabanas are typically partially enclosed and often feature lounge furniture and special amenities like chilled fruit skewers, bottled water and designated bar service. Prices vary by cruise line and can range in price on the ship depending on the type of cabana you rent.

Beyond providing respite from the sun, cabanas can solve the problem of securing a lounger on a crowded beach or pool deck. Some cabanas, like the family cabanas on Disney's Castaway Cay or the overwater bungalows at Royal Caribbean's Coco Beach Club, give access to a private beach away from the hordes of other cruisers. Some cabanas come with attendants who will bring you food and drinks, so you can skip the long lines at bars and restaurants.

Take sun breaks

Whether you're on the ship or off, make sure to get out of the sun every one or two hours. Cool off in an air-conditioned indoor space, grab an ice cream cone or find a shady spot outside. (Sun breaks are also a good time to reapply your sunscreen.)

Schedule small-group excursions

While many cruise lines offer tours limited to 25 people or less, your "small group" excursion will likely be one of many visiting popular (and crowded) attractions. Consider booking small-group or private tours that take you to less-visited attractions. Seek out tours that provide VIP-type access that lets you skip the lines or provide a more private experience away from tourist crowds.

Another option is to book an independent shore excursion. You’ll enjoy a smaller group (typically 20 people or fewer) and more personalized service. You might even save money booking directly with the vendor. One downside is that cruise ship excursions guarantee your return to the ship before departure — independent tour companies might not.

Stay on the ship on a port day

If you’re tired of fighting the crowds on board, stay on the ship during the next port of call. You can enjoy your own personal “sea day” on a practically empty ship. Lounge chairs will be plentiful by the pool, and the lunch line at the buffet won't be as long. If you want to spend an hour or two in port, plan to disembark midafternoon when your shipmates start returning from tours. Just remember to be back before the all-aboard time.

Make reservations

Booking your cruise activities in advance is smart for two reasons. First, it means you can avoid waiting in lines for shows and dining. Also, booking excursions, activities and meals before you board ensures that you eat, do and see what you want during your cruise. Once you’ve booked your cruise, you can select and book your preferred dining and activities either online or through the cruise line’s mobile app.

Suite guests often get first dibs on reservations, so if you don't have priority, you might want to book excursions and specialty restaurants the instant they go on sale — even if that means staying up until midnight.

Arrive early

If you didn’t secure reservations for some or all of the activities you hoped to do during your cruise, arrive early to get a good seat. We recommend getting there 15 to 30 minutes before the show.

Use the cruise ship app

Additionally, if you didn't confirm reservations for dining, many cruise ship apps will come in handy, as they often include an easy dinner reservation option. For example, the Carnival Hub app provides dining room wait times and lets you check in when you’re ready to eat. It also lets you reserve mainstage shows and book activities like a ride on the Bolt roller coaster (on select ships).

Similarly, Holland America’s Navigator app lets you skip food lines altogether and order coffee, food or room service from anywhere on the ship through the app. You can even use the app to order pizza from New York Deli & Pizza and simply pick it up when it’s ready.

Find 'hidden' quiet spots

On your first day, seek out the ship's secret decks or hideaways. You can find one on most cruise lines. If you’re sailing on Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Wonder or Disney Magic, head to the back of Deck 7 for a little solitude and aft views. At the end of the hallway, go through the door, and you’ll see a somewhat hidden perch with lounge chairs.

If you're on certain Norwegian Cruise Line ships, look for the "public sun deck," which might look surprisingly private with few crowds. On Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway, you'll find the sun deck on Deck 17. On Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Joy and Norwegian Bliss, it's on Deck 19.

Passengers on a Carnival Cruise Line sailing aboard Carnival Freedom, Carnival Panorama or Carnival Sunrise will find a tranquil spot on the forwardmost end of Deck 5, 6, 7 or 10. Go through the doors (with porthole windows) to find hidden forward balconies. Carnival Breeze, Carnival Dream and Carnival Magic are home to a lesser-known lower deck area called the Lanai (Deck 5). It features lounge seating and hot tubs that are cantilevered off the ship.

Additionally, seek out lounges and other spaces without activities if you need a quiet place to kick back. Card rooms and bars in the aft area of the cruise ship are typically less crowded than centrally located venues.

Get access to a private sun deck

Enjoy fewer crowds by splurging for a suite that gives access to exclusive suites-only restaurants and sun decks. You can find these areas within Celebrity's Retreat, Norwegian Cruise Line’s The Haven or the MSC Cruises' Yacht Club.

Additionally, nonsuite passengers can pay for access to less crowded adults-only spaces on many ships. For example, Norwegian's Vibe Beach Club will get you amenities like padded clamshell-style daybeds, chilled towels, a dedicated bar, food and beverage service, and other perks. You won't have an exclusive pool in the Vibe area, but some ships feature infinity-style hot tubs.

Passengers on an Oceania Cruises sailing can purchase a pass to the ship's Spa Terrace, an open-air deck that features plunge pools and hot tubs. Spa Terrace passes also come with access to the thermal suite, which includes a sauna, scented showers and a steam room.

Bottom line

Summer cruising should be relaxing rather than stressful. If you plan ahead and use these tips, you can have a cooler and calmer cruise.

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