5 Mistakes First Time Cruisers Make

Thinking about your first cruise? Don't make these mistakes!

1. Picking the wrong cruise

Endless conga lines and giggling kids on what you'd hoped would be a calm, tranquil vacation? Empty dance floor when you'd hoped for an all-night party? Avoid disappointment by picking the RIGHT cruise. Cruise line, time of year, and itinerary all make a huge difference. Check out our Cruise Guide.

2. Paying too much

Don't get ripped off. Just like on an airplane, the same spots are frequently sold at wildly different prices. If you're flexible on dates, aren't particular about having a specific cabin, and aren't wedded to booking your cruise through your sister-in-law the small-town travel agent, you can save a LOT of cash. Check out our guide on finding and buying a cruise.

3. Packing too much

When you're excited about a big trip, it's easy to pack everything and the kitchen sink. But remember: you've got to carry that stuff! And even if you've got an understanding spouse and a strong porter, closet space on a ship tends to be super-limited. To make sure you don't forget something crucial, make a list. Check it twice. Then leave that kitchen sink and third pair of sandals at home. Check out our cruise packing guide for a great start, or our guide to ultra-light packing to keep things super-streamlined.

4. Sunburn

The single worst, easiest way to ruin a great vacation in the sun is to let the sun get the better of you. Especially if you're coming from the frozen north, it's way too easy to forget how strong the Caribbean sun can be, or to miss a small but crucial spot. (Ouch!)

- Slather up. Lots of sunblock, and don't forget to re-apply after swimming. The new spray-on sunblocks make it easier to get everyone covered, since they're simple to apply and don't feel so "goopy". But if you're at all worried about missing a spot, cream sunblocks like neutrogena are great because you can feel them go on, but they don't feel greasy in the end.

- Cover up. Hats and sunglasses and long seeves are your friend!

- Heal up. If you do get a sunburn, be kind to yourself with LOTS of moisturizer and/or aloe, and don't re-expose whatever got burned until it stops being pink.

5. Heartburn

Eating is one of the great indulgences of cruising. And more often than not, as my (skinny) mom used to say, "it's WORTH getting fat on." But heartburn is no fun. A few key things to remember:

- Sample, don't overload. There will be more. Really. Especially the first time you hit the buffet, it's tempting to pile up a bunch of the first thing you see. The tastiest stuff is often toward the back. And it'll still be there if you have room for seconds.

- Don't eat within 2-3 hours before bed. Lying down with a full stomach can cause stomach contents to push upward and increase the chances of refluxed food. Yuck!

- Skip the "skinny jeans". Tight clothes and belts are just asking for trouble.