Going on a luxury cruise holiday is a refreshing way to elevate your travel experience. Compared to the waiting lines and bustling airports associated with conventional air travel, luxury cruise ships have long been likened to five-star hotels — at sea. While it may seem like a totally exclusive niche for the ultra-rich, demand, and interest in the luxury means of travel have been on a steady incline in recent years.

According to data from travel advisors Virtuoso, the luxury cruise market saw a 14% increase in sales in 2024. The luxury travel network also highlights a slew of new major luxury players entering the industry, including Four Seasons and its plans for a Four Seasons Yachts lines, as well as two 180-guest vessels at the Fincantieri shipyard. Meanwhile, newer luxury cruise companies and providers like The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection and Explora Journeys continue to expand their offerings to keep up with traditional brands like Regent, Viking, and Windstar. The findings from Virtuoso also highlight that yacht cruising is becoming an increasingly popular niche within the luxury space, with sales up 52% compared to numbers from 2023.

If you’re one of the many travelers looking to try out luxury cruise holidays, you’re in for a completely new world of travel experience. Still, there are some things to remember when going on your first luxury cruise trip. Below, we’ll be sharing some of the things you definitely shouldn’t do on a luxury cruise:

Don’t ignore shore excursions

It’s easy to think that a luxury cruise trip should be all about your time on the vessel. However, a luxury cruise holiday is also about immersing yourself in local communities and getting an authentic taste of local cuisine. Most luxury cruise providers offer shore excursions as part of their package, which offers complementary experiences to the actual luxury cruise itinerary.

Explora Journeys’ luxury cruises include destinations from the Mediterranean & Western Europe to the Caribbean & Central America. Beyond providing tailored itineraries around these destinations, Explora also offers destination-specific experiences. For example, the luxury cruise line’s Mediterranean itineraries include shore excursions at the lively streets of Málaga, Spain, where you can enjoy scenic views from Castillo de Gibralfaro and indulge in gastronomic experiences like jamón slicing. As you can see, while enjoying onboard buffets and meals is certainly part of the luxury cruise experience, shore excursions also provide an extra layer of immersion for travelers.

Don’t disregard package inclusions

Aside from shore excursions, booking a luxury cruise trip also means you’re in for an all-inclusive package. For the most part, this means that you’re provided with a worry-free luxury travel experience, as you typically won’t have to worry about additional or surprise expenses once you’re officially onboard. While luxury cruises come at a high initial cost, this is because they typically include various aspects of travel, from onboard food, drinks, and accommodations to entertainment and other onboard activities.

For example, Regent recently announced its prestigious Reunion Cruise, which will showcase the luxury cruise line’s all-inclusive package offerings, including unlimited shore excursions, culinary delights from specialty restaurants and al fresco dining venues, as well as onboard world-class entertainment, unlimited WiFi, and free valet laundry service for a hassle-free travel experience. For those willing to pay more, the Ultimate All-Inclusive Fares include roundtrip flights with the flexibility to choose your preferred air class, transfers between the airport and ship, and an exclusive private executive chauffeur service. Luxury cruises are meant to provide five-star service and experiences, so you should make the most of them to get your luxury vacation’s worth.

Don’t forget basic etiquette

Finally, while a luxury cruise trip means you’ll be treated like a VIP throughout your oceanic vacation, that doesn’t mean you’re the only one embarking on the journey. It’s important to show and practice respect for your fellow VIP travelers when aboard a luxury cruise ship. After all, these are the people you’ll be spending a lot of time with aside from the luxury cruise staff, and you want to ensure everyone feels comfortable at all times.

In a previous post, we highlighted key things you shouldn’t do when on a private balcony on your luxury cruise trip. This includes no smoking, as luxury cruise ships have designated smoking areas. You’ll also want to avoid playing loud music or being extra noisy on the balcony, as your neighbors are only a room away. Keeping basic etiquette in mind is also more than just about being courteous to your fellow luxury travelers, as being mindful of those around you is also essential for upholding onboard safety. For example, you shouldn’t be throwing things off your cruise ship balcony, as it may hit someone else onboard and damage the environment.