17 Strategies for Navigating a Summer Cruise

Summer is peak cruising season—kids are out of school, and the warm weather makes office life feel unbearable. However, summer cruises come with challenges: the heat can be intense in popular destinations like the Caribbean and the Mediterranean, and ships may operate at over 100% capacity, with families packing multiple people into a single cabin.

If you're eager for a summer cruise but not so thrilled about the high temperatures and crowded ships, don’t worry. Here are our top strategies to help you stay cool and find some peace away from the crowds, making your cruise much more enjoyable.

Opt for Priority Boarding

Embarkation day can be chaotic, so it's best to plan ahead. Consider reserving a cabin or suite with added privileges like priority boarding. For instance, guests staying in Norwegian Cruise Line’s exclusive The Haven get a personal escort to guide them onboard. Similarly, Royal Caribbean's Royal Suite Class passengers enjoy expedited boarding privileges.

You don’t have to book an expensive suite to speed up your boarding process. Carnival Cruise Line’s Faster to the Fun package grants you priority check-in, faster security lines, early access to your stateroom, and quicker luggage delivery.

If your booking doesn’t come with early embarkation, consider arriving at the port either well before or later in the day to avoid the busiest crowds.

Bring items to help you stay cool

The Caribbean islands experience a warm, tropical climate throughout the year, with summer temperatures often soaring into the high 80s Fahrenheit. Similarly, the Mediterranean can see temperatures climb to 90 degrees or more, especially during the peak months of July and August.

The secret to staying comfortable in the heat lies in preparation. If your packing list doesn’t already include cooling items, be sure to add them. Cooling towels are compact and incredibly effective on scorching days. Simply soak the towel in water for a few minutes, wring it out, and place it on your body. The evaporation process will help draw heat away and keep you cool.

A water bottle fan is another must-have for hot weather. These portable misting fans provide a quick, refreshing burst of cool air whenever you need it. For extra relief, toss in a few ice cubes to keep your water chilled.

Opt for a balcony cabin

A balcony might occupy a small space on the ship, but it can feel like a private sanctuary. Instead of competing for a spot by the crowded pool, you can relax in solitude, soaking in the ocean breeze from your own little outdoor retreat.

Pack some entertainment to make the wait in lines more bearable

While lines are sometimes inevitable, they can be especially tough for kids. To keep them entertained, try games on your phone or tablet, or let them bring along books or a Kindle if they enjoy reading.

You can also get creative with simple games like "I Spy" or "20 Questions." When our kids were younger, we loved playing the alphabet game. You start by saying, "I went to the store, and I bought an apple," then the next person repeats it and adds something starting with the letter B. The game continues all the way to Z or until someone slips up.

Make the buffet experience more enjoyable

Cruise ship buffets can get crowded during peak meal times like breakfast, lunch, and dinner. To dodge the crowds, try eating at off-peak hours—either earlier or later than usual. And if you're boarding on embarkation day, avoid the buffet at lunchtime, as it's often packed with hungry passengers.

Cruise ships offer a wide variety of dining options, so you don't have to rely on the buffet. Consider enjoying a meal in the main dining room or at a casual dining venue on board. For a more refined experience, many ships offer specialty restaurants for an upscale meal in a quieter atmosphere, often for an additional fee.

Head outside during quieter times

To make the most of your time outdoors without the crowds or intense heat, plan your activities for early in the morning or later in the evening. You can snag a poolside chair early in the day and enjoy the calmer temperatures while the ship is still waking up. Or, take a refreshing swim around 5 or 6 p.m., when the sun is still warm but most guests are heading inside for dinner.

If you're heading to the beach, try to be one of the first to disembark. This way, you can make the most of the cooler morning hours and return to the ship before the heat peaks. You'll also find that disembarking early usually means shorter lines both for getting off the ship and reboarding before the afternoon rush. If you're okay with the heat or have indoor plans, you can wait until the initial disembarkation rush dies down and leave the ship later, avoiding long queues and crowded tenders.

During the hottest part of the day (typically between noon and 4 p.m.), take advantage of indoor entertainment like trivia, karaoke, or even ice skating on select Royal Caribbean ships to stay cool.

Take a break on land

When you're ready to leave the ship for a few hours, choose shore excursions that involve water or offer shade. You could spend the day at a beach resort, water park, or go snorkeling or scuba diving. For cooler adventures, if your itinerary includes stops in Belize or Bonaire, consider a cave tubing or cave snorkeling excursion to beat the heat.

If you'd like to avoid the sun for the day, consider exploring local art galleries or museums for a refreshing indoor experience. These types of cultural attractions can also offer a quiet escape from the typical beach crowds.

Stay hydrated

Spending time in the sun and heat can quickly dehydrate you, so it’s essential to drink plenty of water. This is especially important if you're enjoying alcohol during your cruise, as it can further contribute to dehydration.

Bottled water is easy to find on most cruise ships, though it’s typically not included unless you have a drink package or are on an all-inclusive cruise. We suggest bringing your own reusable water bottle, which you can refill at water stations across the ship. For extra hydration, you can also add electrolyte drink mixes to your water.

Book a cabana

Cruise ship cabanas, as well as those found at private islands and ports of call, offer a peaceful retreat with extra shade and privacy, elevating your cruise experience. Typically partially enclosed, these cabanas come with lounge furniture and special perks like fresh fruit skewers, bottled water, and dedicated bar service. Prices vary by cruise line and the type of cabana you select on board.

In addition to providing relief from the sun, cabanas offer a solution to the common problem of finding a lounge chair on a packed beach or pool deck. Some, such as the family cabanas at Disney's Castaway Cay or the overwater bungalows at Royal Caribbean's Coco Beach Club, even grant access to private, less crowded beaches. Many cabanas also have attendants who will bring food and drinks, allowing you to skip the lines at bars and restaurants.

Take regular sun breaks

Whether you're on the ship or ashore, be sure to take a break from the sun every one or two hours. Head indoors to cool off in an air-conditioned space, grab an ice cream, or find a shady spot outside. These sun breaks are also a great time to reapply your sunscreen.

Opt for small-group excursions

Many cruise lines offer excursions with groups of 25 or fewer, but even these smaller groups often end up visiting the same crowded tourist hotspots. To avoid the crowds, try booking private or small-group tours that take you to less-visited destinations. Look for experiences that offer VIP access, allowing you to skip the lines and enjoy more intimate, less-touristy attractions.

Alternatively, you can arrange independent shore excursions. These tend to be smaller, typically hosting 20 people or fewer, and often provide a more tailored experience. Booking directly with a local vendor may also save you money. The downside is that independent tours don't guarantee you'll make it back to the ship in time, unlike cruise-sponsored excursions which do.

Consider staying aboard during a port stop

If you're looking to escape the crowds on board, consider staying on the ship during your next port stop. You'll have the ship almost to yourself, enjoying a peaceful 'sea day.' The pool deck will be quiet, and you can breeze through the buffet without the usual long lines. If you’d like a taste of the port, head ashore later in the afternoon when most passengers return from their excursions. Just make sure to be back before the all-aboard time.

Book your activities in advance

Booking your activities ahead of time is a wise move for two reasons: you can skip the long lines for shows and dining, and you ensure you'll be able to do and see exactly what you want during your cruise. After booking your cruise, you can reserve your preferred excursions, dining times, and onboard activities either online or through the cruise line’s app.

If you're not staying in a suite, be ready to book your excursions and specialty dining as soon as they become available—sometimes even at midnight—since suite guests typically get early access to reservations.

Arrive early

If you weren't able to secure reservations for certain activities, arriving early is a great strategy. For shows, try to get there 15 to 30 minutes in advance to score a good spot.

Use the cruise line's app

If you missed out on making dining reservations, many cruise ship apps can help. They often offer features like easy dinner booking and real-time dining room wait times. For instance, the Carnival Hub app lets you check in when you're ready to eat, and even reserve spots for mainstage shows or activities like riding the Bolt roller coaster (on select ships).

Similarly, Holland America's Navigator app makes it easy to skip food lines by letting you order from anywhere on the ship, whether it's coffee, meals, or room service. You can also order pizza from New York Deli & Pizza and pick it up when it's ready.

Discover hidden quiet corners on board

On your first day, take time to explore the ship's secret hideaways. Many cruise ships have hidden decks or secluded areas. For example, on Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Wonder or Disney Magic, head to the back of Deck 7 to find a peaceful spot with beautiful aft views. Walk down the hallway and through a door to uncover a quiet perch with lounge chairs.

On certain Norwegian Cruise Line ships, such as Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway, look for the 'public sun deck,' a surprisingly private space with fewer crowds. On other ships like Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Joy, and Norwegian Bliss, you’ll find this sun deck on Deck 19.

For passengers aboard Carnival Cruise Line ships like Carnival Freedom, Carnival Panorama, or Carnival Sunrise, tranquil spots can be found at the forward ends of Decks 5, 6, 7, or 10. Go through the doors with porthole windows to discover hidden balconies. On Carnival Breeze, Carnival Dream, and Carnival Magic, you can enjoy the quieter Lanai area on Deck 5, which features lounge seating and cantilevered hot tubs.

Look for lounges and quiet spaces if you need a peaceful retreat. Card rooms and aft bars tend to be less busy than centrally located venues, offering a perfect spot to unwind.

Access a private sun deck

For a more serene experience, consider upgrading to a suite that grants you access to exclusive sun decks and suite-only dining areas. Celebrity's Retreat, Norwegian Cruise Line’s The Haven, and MSC Cruises' Yacht Club offer these peaceful, crowd-free spaces.

If you don’t have a suite, you can still purchase access to quieter, adults-only areas on many ships. Norwegian’s Vibe Beach Club, for instance, offers padded daybeds, chilled towels, a private bar, food and beverage service, and more. While the Vibe area doesn’t feature an exclusive pool, you’ll find infinity-style hot tubs on some ships.

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

In conclusion

A summer cruise should be an enjoyable escape, not a source of stress. By planning ahead and following these tips, you can ensure a more relaxed and refreshing experience at sea.