Two of the most disgusting things you will see all the time on Cruise Ships are not mentioned: (1) People putting their feet up on chairs and tables, including where you eat and drink (2) People using their hands in the buffet to take food , ignoring the provided utensils.

After mucho business traveling for 30+ years I’ve come to the conclusion that there are only three (3) things you must take on any road (cruise) trip: 1) Yourself, 2) a credit card, and 3) Immodium.

Matt, thanks! All are good tips. As a large senior male with some mobility issues who sails mostly the older Royal ships (primarily Radiance and Vision class) they of course do not have the flowriders, water slides, etc. to burn calories and I cannot use the stairs (except in a major emergency). They do have gyms and I spend time on the treadmills, in addition to walking the length of the ship several times during each day. Your mention of fiber is a good point, too. In fact, we bring Benefiber stick packs to add to our morning coffee every day to help with digestion. And one more tip in the spirit of the TMI items you mention. Even using just the shipboard TP, sometimes the toilet will not completely flush. Before trying multiple times or calling maintenance, push down on the toilet lid with one hand while pressing the flush button with the other. This appears to improve the required suction and has not failed me yet! Happy cruising!

Good tips! I like the tip to get some activity in to avoid weight gain. Also, I get annoyed by chair hogs also! I especially get annoyed when somebody gets a chair for every body in their party, including the kids - and the kids are in the pool and they don't need a chair to sit on. We have that problem at the local pool. In my opinion, the chairs need to be mainly for adults. If the kids come out for a break, they can sit on the edge of a chair with their parents for a few moments.

A cruise is one of the few times I indulge, but I take the stairs always. Don't take the elevator if you are physically able to take the stairs it helps keep the weight down. :)

Yes, always bring a laxitive. I pop one right before the first dinner to keep everything going. No matter where I go, air travel does this to me all too often. Also, pack an emergency dental kit. If a filling pops out on a cruise, you'll be in a lot of pain until you find a port. The doctor on board generally cannot help with any dental issues. While it's extremely rare, once that filling falls out you will have a lot of trouble (and pain) eating or drinking anything. The emergency kit is very easy to use and provides a temporary filling that lasts a few days - long enough to seek dental help at the next port.

I had an itinerary change when sadly someone jumped ship in the middle of the night. The ship circled back trying to save the person and searched for hours before coastguard got there and took over. The next morning I could not believe the rude passengers (who I can only hope was unaware of the situation) freaking out and requesting a full refund due to one port change.

Matt, you mentioned the toilet paper on the cruise ship good to note don’t just bring your own toilet paper and flush it because their system is very sensitive. You really need your own toilet paper are you Gotta make sure and throw it away in the trashcan every single time if you cause an issue in the plumbing and they find out it to you there’s a huge fine don’t be that person.

A big one that wasn't mentioned is choice of cabins and noise. I was on my first cruise to AK and booked a room under the Lido deck. I figured AK....nobody is gonna be using the Lido deck right? WRONG! I averaged about three hours of sleep a night and ended up getting very sick and sleep deprivation was a contributing factor. Choose your room location for both noise and sea sickness purposes carefully

Be aware of ship time vs.port time.

I would add, being loud in the halls after 11, letting cabin door slam shut, and smoking on your balcony- yes it’s forbidden but has happened every cruise lately 😢

Old lifeguard tip for sunburn. Take 2 plain aspirin to dull the burn. Not Tylenol or any other pain killer. Just plain old aspirin!

Tip for the chaffing problem… One word Spanx no matter if you are a big girl, a skinny, or any body type in between if you like wearing dresses around they are great to keep raw thighs from rubbing.

Lots of great advice in this video. Thanks, Matt!

Great video. Well done. Beautiful photos. Thank you

Well done! It's a great tool for newbies! Everything is right on!

I’ve been on Several Royal Caribbean Cruises and I Never had a problem 🤣🤣at all 👍🏾

Thanks for making this video

I’ve watched many, many, many cruise tips and experiences videos, but I found a few of your suggestions new to my ears, so thank you.

Awesome video! Thank!!

It's amazing how walking on the jogging track for 30 minutes a day really helped to keep the weight gain at bay for me. And trust me, I indulged. :)

Another good video,thank you❤

Thank-u for posting

😂😂😂... yeah but cruising is still so worth it. 🎉

Matt, this may be my favorite video you've done. Such good advice here. I also love that you don't disparage cruising while still being real. Well done. (And next time someone posts the fb question "what essentials should I bring?" I'll respond with "diarrhea drugs" instead of "magnetic hooks" 🤣🤣)

I took Dramamine with ginger on my last cruise because I'm prone to motion sickness. Found out that it also helps with vertigo when we hit port after 5 straight sea days and vertigo hit hard.

Thanks Matt!

I always go for the vegetables first on cruises, as well as on holidays in hotels in places like Mexico, Cuba etc. and I take the chance if we go to places like Greece, Spain I make sure if there is vegetables on the menu to have some, or just things like orange juice to help me go.

Heartburn meds and anti-dihedral meds are always in my medication bag. Also carry couch drops and vitamin C and DayQuil because of the air conditioning is different than mine at home. Great tips thanks for the videos Matt.

We will only cruise on an Oasis Class ship to prevent seasickness. Those ships are too big to sway back and forth. It feels like you’re not moving the entire time 👍🏼

awesome and common sense!!! tysm

Sweating: Babies wearing nappys (diapers) have wet skin in folds. Babies get nappy rash because of that. Adults get wet skin in sweaty folds of skin. Nappy rash soothers and preventers work just as well for adults as they do for babies! Be aware of ALL your skin folds. Armpits and crotch are obvious. Under breasts are also skin folds. If your beer belly has a skin fold under it, that also captures sweat. Hair makes a kind of not-skin-fold. The back of the neck is terrible. If your hair goes into a high ponytail or pigtails, do that. If you're lucky to have hair that does a chignon or bun, do it. If you have hair that goes into those beautiful, beautiful tight braids, do a set that leaves the back of your neck clear. And apply sunburn cream or wear a hat. Chafing: I get chafing under my breasts, and either wear sweat wicking bras, or sew sweat wicking fabric to the underside of the bras. Sunburn idea: Wear long sleeves, long pants, covered shoes (or socks), and a big hat. I know that spoils some ideas of fun, but for me, I find no sunburn trumps skimpy clothes. You can use light, flowy fabric if you want. You can wear bamboo or silk if you want. I go for flowy maxi-skirts and light, flowy jackets. No sunburn + looks great.

Make sure the sun screen is environmental safe for the oceans reefs. Also make sure the sun screen is fresh not last years

As somebody who has Ulcerative Colitis and have not been in a cruise since this diagnosis, I'm low key nervous for this cruise I got in July lol

terrific tips

Sunburn yes, we didn't do a good enough job applying last year on Oasis at Coco Cay because we got burnt pretty bad. Luckily the kids were spared the pain though.

Sorrento's Pizza = Heartburn, at least for me. I love the pizza, but I always take Alla-Seltzer on a cruise.

Great video Matt, one thing though. @6:16 the Western Wall in Jerusalem may be an excursion but probably not a busy port.

Good tips I returned on Sunday from a cruise on Oasis of the Seas the crew where on top of washing hands at the Windjammer. But, the parents putting small to grade school children in the sauna and the kids vomiting was disgusting

Me and my boyfriend are going on our first proper holiday together in July and he’s never done a cruise before (we’re doing anthem of the seas!) and when we booked it I was stressing about how we’re going to be back at least hour before departure, anyway I keep sending him your vids as they’re so insightful for first time cruisers and he was laughing when you said about getting back to the boat an hour before! I’d hate to say I told you so but… better than watching everything sail away without you 🤣

Stomach Formula by Lily of the Dessert is amazing for me and has drastically reduced the number of acid reflux episodes. Definitely taking the little travel size bottles with me during my Bermuda cruise in September ❤ and electrolyte powder packets definitely help me stay hydrated.and if youre drinking drinking try some tonics you can get at a local asian market. They come in mini bottles and work wonders. 😅

We board the Harmony of the Seas this Saturday 5/27. We can't wait!

Bing all your own meds, I paid 6 bucks for a roll of TUMS last cruise I was like WHAT?

Sea sickness was a real issue for me, but I am prone to motion sickness- roller coasters, simulators, etc. After trying every drug I could find, patches, sea bands, etc I finally discovered raw ginger root. A bucks worth from the grocery store and a single edge razor blade to make thin slices lasts me for over a 2 week cruise and makes it completely vanish. I start eating it the day before and then a slice or 2 every few hours and the trip is wonderful.

The lines to get off the ship at port the line was 3 decks long and every one cutting an crowding.its harder when you have disabilities but the staff worked with us if you have a disabilitie let the staff know.

Diarrhea, heartburn, bloating, chafing, hangovers and weight gain? Sounds like a pretty typical day. I’m going to feel right at home on the ship!

California Linda shares 😅😅😅 regarding never expect Cottonelle tissue on any cruise. It's true that toilet paper must be thinner due to the flushing system, and you can be charged for clogging a toilet in specific cases. In many foreign counties you always place used toilet tissue in the provided container. We enjoy your vlogs and thanks Matt for the hours you spend creating informative, non dramatic cruise content.

I constantly have heartburn and have Tums like it's candy. My cruise the beginning of this month was a whole week without heartburn.

I got a bad sunburn on my back and no one to put aloe on my back. I was worried about my nieces getting burnt and forgot to reapply the sunscreen.

On my last cruise, not RC, we got up to the Adults-only pool at 730am lots of open chairs and tables. There were a few saved chairs. I parked the group and got breakfast, we are light eaters, we were next to some saved chairs.. it was after 2pm when they finally came. Rude!

I was sooo bloated on my last cruise after eating at Izumi the second night

I get the constipation no matter the type of travel I do. I’ve been told it’s the bodies fight or flight response. I always drinks lots of water anyway but make sure I do more so especially if I’m somewhere sweating a lot (I’m hot when it’s above 68 so it’s often). Try to eat fiber and stay away from stuff you know contributes to the problem like cheese is a big no no for me even though I love it. Thanks for the tips. Love the channel

Chair hogs. On a cruise to Cuba a few years ago , the lounge chairs were all taken all day. I had to sit on the edge of the pool.

@8:00 Hangovers... In high school I used to run a day surf camp for inlanders (you tourists) and although my friends and I thought it was funny to watch you struggle in 3 foot waves while learning to surf hungover, the company who paid us had a rule that we were to turn away anyone who was drunk or hungover. If you're dead set on water sports and need to rent gear, you may want to save that beer or booze till after because I have had to turn people away. I got paid by the hour so it was no problem for me.

Oh and yes port day if you have already been there and have nothing planned staying onboard and visiting the pool is a great relaxing day.

😱Mat! Life Happens even on a Royal Caribbean ship?!? Oh, Nooooo! 😂 Also Sunburning! Consider a wide-brimmed hat. They really work! But be respectful of others when in crowded lines.

First time cruisers should be mindful of wrinkled clothes because you can’t bring an iron. Use downy release on all your clothes on the first day or pay to have them ironed.

I EAT ALOT O A CRUISE... I USUALLY LOSE ABOUT 5 POUND. I DO ALOT OF WALKING !!!😅

Digestive issues can center around a new water source. I would never drink from the bathroom spigot. Water storage tanks can be a problem. Drink bottled water, including when brushing your teeth

To the chair hogs...... if I need a chair and you've been away from yours for an extended amount of time..... Im throwing your crap on the floor and taking your chair

I bought Nexium for $20 lol I also realized you walk a LOT more on a cruise ship than you think. I just got off Oasis and i had TWO APPETIZERS every night. I also walked the crap out of myself every day. Total cancelling out LOL

Well, since you went with problems in the bathroom. Here's another that a lot of new cruisers don't realize. The bathrooms are small. There isn't a lot of space in your room bathrooms. The showers are tight, and all the toilets are half the size of normal ones. And when you are as big as me (6 foot 5 and sadly overweight) it does make it a little difficult to do much in them.

The toilet paper is awful and so is the shampoo and body wash

So beautiful 👌🏻💯

Bring a portable bidet, then you don't need toilet paper.

Highly recommend body glide for chafing ..worked amazing in Disney for me and me family.. It looks like a deodorant stick

"Damn it, Jackie I can't control the weather!"

I bring a second deodorant stick with me on cruise ships and apply that one to my upper legs to counter chafing. It works well.

#8 all day 🤠

Fortunately, I did not have to worry about heartburn or other digestive problems on my April cruise on the Harmony this year, as the included food was so bad, I didn’t get the chance to overeat. I’ll be doing my future bookings on either Virgin or HAL. So long, Royal 👋

The captain’s message at 6 am when we are entering port 🤬🤬🤬

Only problem i have is weight gain. Usually round 10 pounds.. i eat like crazy

take 2 caps of apple cider vinegar with water every night before bed and thank me in the morning.

Hangovers are for the weak! 😂 Seriously though, if you are on a drinks package drinking far too much can happen all too easily.

How clean is the pool water

Outstanding list, except this is pretty much my daily life, except for the sea stuff. Alka-Seltzer! Settles your stomach and takes care of the dastardly hangover.

On my last cruise, a passenger missed the ship at our first port so he flew to the next port to catch up with the ship. Only to find out the port was closed due to rough seas. I don't know what happened after that.

This last cruise we had the worst after effects! Nausea and tiredness for days after returning home! Usually 2 days but this time 4-5!

Important fact: water resistant does NOT translate to waterproof. My wife and I applied water resistant sunscreen several times while in St. Maarten where we enjoyed the water at Maho Beach. She only got minor sunburns but since I was in the water more, I ended up with a severe burn that started to blister😢

Just did my first cruise last week 15th-20th really enjoyed the cruise but not the ports, costa Maya and Cozumel were terrible we did not do excursions just walked around

3 days until Allure of the Seas

I prefer key card instead of the wristbands. Thanks for the news and tips.

Matt you forgot to mention about prescription medication if u run out

Bring pepto bismol

Not the most pleasant topic, but any video with a @BigDawgRon AZ mention is well worth the watch! 😂

Sp many deck chairs that there wasn’t a problem. Windjammer table hogs different story. Should move their little tokens then watch unsuspecting eaters sit at the table and get yelled at. Now that’s entertainment. Also disembark day is total disaster.

🤬People refilling their water bottle directly from the dispenser ignoring the sign.

Oh boy

Every comment, every video, adds to my conviction to get out of yet another cruise on the USS Busybody, The doublewide of the sea.

😹😹😹

Most of these things you won't be prepared for if you only sit at home.

GO

Don’t you get Dukoral and an antibiotic to take with you? I always do. I also take immodium.

I eat street food all the time and never get sick

CHAIR HOGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I wrote a comment about kids pooping in the pool. They drained the pool multiple times. Pool is full of kids. Symphony of the Sea's. No response.

WANT

The title should be: First world problems while on vacation 😂

Chair hog here… Until Royal creates a place where we can store our stuff while we are in the pool all day, that chair is mine…

What about laundry, crime, and security: How is that taken care of?