Cruise Tips

• Expecting fresh fish at dinner. Unless you see sailors trolling off the stern for today's catch, you can assume that most ships were provisioned at the home port. After a couple of days, you can expect that most perishable food came aboard frozen or ripening. This is where the more luxurious lines stand out, flying in fresh fish at port stops.

• Getting lax with sanitary precautions. Aboard ship, wash your hands frequently and always before eating, especially after touching the elevator buttons, door knobs or stairway handrails on the way to the dining room. Use the antibacterial liquids in machines scattered around the ship. With constant washing, cruise ship surfaces are cleaner than most public places. Your fellow passengers are not.

• Leaving the country without a passport or insurance. Even if the cruise line says you don't need a passport, get one just in case you need to return quickly to the United States or obtain help from the State Department outside the country. Don't forget to check your out-of-country medical coverage; you may want to buy short-term insurance. (I also carry medical evacuation insurance.)

• Underestimating the expenses. On the last evening of your cruise, you will get a bill for onboard expenses charged to your credit card. Basic sustenance is included in the cruise rate, but daily charges can be hefty on the large mass-marketed vessels. These ships don't nickel-and-dime you anymore; they hit you for 10s, 20s and 100s. You may pay as much for expenses as you do for the cruise, which is something to consider when you compare cruise rates. Amenities are more often included in the rate on the pricier ships. The big-ticket item for many vacationers is their beverage bill: cocktails and wine with dinner, of course, and also soft drinks and bottled water. Shore excursions can cost $100 or more. Ice cream parlors, digital arcades, Internet use, spa treatments and some exercise classes can carry extra fees. With few exceptions, your ship will automatically add to your bill a charge for staff tips, typically at $10 per day per person.

• Failing to ask specific questions about children's programs. If you're taking the children, ask about activities for their age groups on your vacation dates; some cruise lines offer children's programs only at specific times of year. Some ships are well prepared for children of all ages, with activities and pools in segregated areas; others have no designated zones and fewer trained employees. On some cruises (notably during school holidays), children are likely to be aboard in large numbers, especially on such family-friendly ships as Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Princess and Norwegian. If you don't want to be around the little darlings, book your cruise at another time. Ask your travel agent.

• Arranging your own shore excursion without sufficient research. Booking directly with tour operators at port stops can be cheaper and better than what cruise lines offer. But be careful if you decide to roam off the beaten track into a potentially dangerous adventure. Cruise passengers have been injured and have died on excursions on which safety measures were not followed. Make sure the outfitter has a good reputation and insurance (ask for proof) and that you make sure you have allowed plenty of time to get back to the ship. It may be worth the extra cost to let the cruise line handle the details, just for peace of mind.