First Princess Cruise? 7 Costly Mistakes to Avoid Before You Sail
- Crafted Travel Company
- Jun 4
- 5 min read
Planning your first Princess cruise is exciting—but it can also feel a little overwhelming. Between choosing dining options, figuring out embarkation day, understanding Princess Plus and Premier packages, and deciding whether you really need that Medallion shipped to your house, there are a lot of decisions to make.
The good news? Most first-time cruisers have a fantastic vacation, even if they make a few mistakes along the way.
The better news? A little preparation can help you avoid some of the most common pitfalls that cost travelers time, money, and unnecessary frustration.
Here are seven mistakes I see first-time Princess cruisers make—and how you can avoid them.
Key Takeaways
Order your Medallion to be shipped home before your cruise — it speeds up boarding significantly.
Make dining reservations as soon as they open in the app, even for included venues.
Prepare embarkation-day documents and online check-in ahead of time to avoid unnecessary stress.
Cabin location (not just cabin type) affects motion, noise, and convenience.
Limit excursions to roughly one per port day to avoid vacation burnout.
Princess Plus vs. Premier depends entirely on your travel habits — neither is automatically right.
Download and learn the Princess app before boarding; it's your onboard command center.
1. Princess Cruise Mistake: Waiting to Order Your Medallion
One of the biggest mistakes actually happens before you ever step on the ship.
When Princess gives you the option to have your Medallion shipped to your home, take it.
Having your Medallion before embarkation day can significantly speed up the boarding process. In many ports, passengers who arrive with their Medallion already in hand can move through check-in much faster than those who need to pick one up at the terminal.
Just remember to pack it when you leave for your trip.
2. Waiting Too Long to Make Dining Reservations
Many first-time cruisers assume they'll figure out dining once they're onboard.
Sometimes that works.
Sometimes it doesn't.
If you're interested in specialty dining or popular dining times, reservations can fill up before embarkation day arrives. Even if you're planning to use the included dining rooms, having reservations can make your experience smoother and more predictable.
As soon as dining reservations become available in the Princess app, take a few minutes to reserve the times you think you'll want.
You can always adjust them later if needed.
3. Underestimating Embarkation Day
Embarkation day sets the tone for your entire vacation.
Showing up without the proper documents, forgetting important information, or misunderstanding arrival procedures can create unnecessary stress before your cruise even begins.
Before departure, make sure you:
Verify your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates
Check any visa requirements for your itinerary
Review port-specific embarkation instructions
Complete your online check-in through the Princess app
If your port uses arrival windows, follow the instructions provided by Princess. If it doesn't, arriving reasonably early often allows you to start enjoying your vacation sooner.
4. Choosing the Wrong Cabin Location
Most people focus on cabin category.
Fewer people think about cabin location.
The location of your cabin can have a huge impact on your overall experience.
For example:
Midship cabins often experience less motion
Cabins near elevators offer convenience but may have more foot traffic
Cabins beneath pool decks can experience additional noise
Aft cabins may offer beautiful views but sometimes experience vibration or exhaust odors
There isn't a universally "best" cabin location.
There's only the best location for your travel style and preferences.
5. Overbooking Excursions
This may be one of the most common mistakes first-time cruisers make.
When you're visiting exciting destinations, it's tempting to book every excursion possible and pack every day with activities.
The problem?
Many travelers return home feeling exhausted.
A cruise vacation should still feel like a vacation.
Instead of trying to maximize every minute, consider limiting yourself to one excursion per port day and leaving some room for spontaneity. Sometimes the most memorable experiences happen when you have the flexibility to explore on your own or simply enjoy the ship.
6. Assuming You Need (or Don't Need) a Package
The debate around Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages is endless.
The truth is that neither option is automatically right—or wrong.
The value depends entirely on how you travel.
Ask yourself:
Will you drink specialty coffees, soda, or alcohol?
Do you want Wi-Fi?
Are specialty dining experiences important to you?
Would you rather prepay gratuities?
For some travelers, the packages provide tremendous value.
For others, paying individually is cheaper.
The mistake isn't choosing one option over the other. The mistake is assuming there's only one correct answer.
7. Not Using the Princess App
The Princess app may be the most powerful tool available to passengers, yet many first-time cruisers barely use it.
When paired with the Medallion, the app allows you to:
Check in before your cruise
Make dining reservations
Book excursions
Schedule spa treatments
View daily activities
Order food and drinks almost anywhere onboard
Stay connected with travel companions
The app essentially becomes your cruise command center.
Download it as soon as you book and spend a little time getting familiar with its features before embarkation day.
The Bottom Line
None of these mistakes are cruise-ruining mistakes.
In fact, most first-time Princess cruisers have an amazing vacation regardless.
But avoiding these common pitfalls can save you money, reduce stress, and help you get even more enjoyment out of your cruise experience.
The goal isn't to plan the perfect cruise.
The goal is to enjoy your vacation.
And a little preparation goes a long way.
Frequently Asked Questions About First-Time Princess Cruise Mistakes
What's the biggest mistake first-time Princess cruisers make before boarding? Waiting to order the Medallion is one of the most common early mistakes. Having it shipped to your home before your cruise significantly speeds up boarding, since passengers without a Medallion in hand often face longer check-in times at the terminal.
Should I order my Princess Medallion before my cruise? Yes. When Princess offers to ship your Medallion to your home, take that option and pack it for your trip. It moves you through embarkation much faster than picking one up at the port.
How early should I make dining reservations on a Princess cruise? As soon as reservations open in the Princess app, even before your sail date. Specialty dining and popular dining times can fill up before embarkation day, and having reservations set in advance makes the whole experience more predictable.
What should I check before embarkation day on a Princess cruise? Verify your passport is valid at least six months beyond your travel dates, check visa requirements for your itinerary, review your port's embarkation instructions, and complete online check-in through the Princess app ahead of time.
Does cabin location matter on a Princess cruise? Yes, more than most first-timers expect. Midship cabins tend to have less motion, cabins under pool decks can be noisier, and aft cabins offer great views but sometimes come with extra vibration. There's no universal best location — only the best one for your travel style.
Should I book excursions in every port? Not necessarily. Overbooking excursions is one of the most common first-time cruiser mistakes and often leads to exhaustion rather than a better vacation. Limiting yourself to roughly one excursion per port day leaves room for spontaneity and rest.
Is Princess Plus or Premier the right choice for me? It depends entirely on your habits, not on which package is "better." If you'll regularly use specialty coffee, alcohol, Wi-Fi, or specialty dining, a package can save money. If you'll use those extras only occasionally, paying individually may be cheaper.
Should I download the Princess app before my cruise? Yes. The app works with your Medallion to handle check-in, dining reservations, excursion bookings, spa scheduling, daily activities, and onboard food and drink orders. Many first-time cruisers underuse it simply because they don't explore it before boarding.
If you'd like personalized help choosing the right cruise, cabin, itinerary, or onboard options, I'd love to help.
Whether you're planning your first Princess cruise or your tenth, having someone in your corner can make the process much easier.
Happy sailing!
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