We recently asked our social media followers a simple question: What’s a cruise tradition you do on every sailing without fail? And we received hundreds of comments from experienced cruisers! From embarkation day rituals to late-night routines, they shared all the little moments that make each voyage special.
Whether you’re a first-time cruiser looking for ideas or a veteran sailor nodding along in recognition, here are 20 cruise traditions that real cruisers swear by.
1. Eat Embarkation Day Lunch in the Main Dining Room
While most passengers rush to the buffet on embarkation day, savvy cruisers head to the main dining room for a quieter, more relaxed first meal. It’s a chance to enjoy a table service lunch without the crowds and the perfect way to start the cruise.
While not all cruise lines offer a sit-down lunch on cruise boarding day, if yours does we suggest you do the same. Even if the main dining room isn’t open, we still recommend skipping the buffet and opting for another casual eatery on your ship.
2. Grab a Drink Immediately Upon Boarding
The moment you step onto the ship, vacation mode activates—and nothing signals that transition quite like ordering your first drink. Whether it’s a frozen cocktail by the pool or a glass of champagne, that first sip is pure celebration. For some, maybe it’s even a specialty coffee from the onboard cafe.
Whatever your drink of choice, this tradition marks the official mental shift from everyday life to vacation time. And that’s why it’s one of the top things cruisers do as soon as they board their ship.
3. Attend the Sail Away Party
There’s something magical about watching the ship pull away from port while music plays and fellow passengers celebrate the start of the journey. Sail away parties have become a staple across cruise lines, and many in our community consider them essential. “It’s the official start of cruise time.”
Sail Away parties can take on different vibes depending on your cruise line. Mainstream cruise lines like Royal Caribbean or Carnival often feature lively dance parties with DJs, while luxury lines might offer champagne service on deck. Regardless of the style, the energy is infectious. It’s a collective excitement about the adventure ahead that never gets old, no matter how many times you’ve sailed.
4. Have a Bottle of Champagne on the Balcony
For many cruisers, popping a bottle of champagne on their balcony and toasting to the voyage ahead has become a cherished tradition. “We sit on our balcony the first night, champagne in hand, and just soak it all in,” a follower shared. This tradition is the perfect ending to all the embarkation day necessities—unpacking, exploring the ship, attending the muster drill, and getting oriented.
Some cruisers pack their own bottle (where allowed), while others pre-order champagne packages or purchase a bottle once onboard the ship.
5. Take Time to Explore the Ship on Embarkation Day
Before the crowds descend and the activities kick into high gear, embarkation day afternoon offers the perfect opportunity to wander the ship. Experienced cruisers use this time to scout out their favorite spots, check out the bars and restaurants, and get their bearings.
You may discover some hidden spaces, or perhaps the best sunset viewing location. Starting this tradition on day one means you’ll maximize every day that follows and be one step ahead of all the other guests onboard.
6. Get Matching Shirts
Whether it’s for a family reunion cruise, group sailing, or just a couple’s tradition, many cruisers design and wear matching shirts throughout their voyage. From funny sayings to nautical themes to custom family designs, coordinated outfits have become a cruise tradition. Not only is it fun, it makes for great photos.
Matching shirts can serve a practical purpose too—they make it easier to keep track of family members on crowded pool decks or during port days!
7. Have Lots of Soft Serve Ice Cream
Unlimited soft serve ice cream is one of cruising’s simple joys—and our readers take full advantage. Whether it’s a poolside cone every afternoon or a nightly post-dinner treat, the soft serve station gets serious attention. Many cruisers report having at least one every day, sometimes more.
There’s something liberating about unlimited ice cream. On vacation, you don’t even have to question whether it’s worth the calories or the cost!
8. Get Room Service Breakfast
While some passengers prefer the buffet or main dining room, many swear by the ritual of room service breakfast—especially on sea days or when they want a slower morning.
Room service breakfast offers something the buffet can’t: privacy and peace. You can enjoy coffee in your pajamas, linger over breakfast without feeling rushed, and start the day on your own schedule. If you’re staying in a balcony cabin, this becomes even more special. You can enjoy breakfast while watching the sunrise or observing the ship pull into port.
While many cruise lines now charge for hot breakfast, many still offer complimentary continental items via room service.
9. Watch a Sunrise or Sunset
Whether from a balcony, the top deck, or a quiet corner of the ship, catching the sunrise or sunset at sea is a moment many cruisers prioritize. It’s a time to disconnect and just be present.
At sea, without buildings or trees to obstruct the view, the sky seems bigger and the colors more vivid. Many cruisers plan their evening around sunset—finishing dinner in time to catch it with a cocktail in hand or while strolling the outer decks. Even on the same cruise, no two sunsets look alike. If you’re an early bird, sunrises are just as magical.
10. Start a Towel Animal Collection
On many cruise lines, cabin stewards create towel animals as part of daily service, and collecting photos of these creations has become a beloved tradition. Some cruisers even display them throughout the cruise, starting a towel animal collection around their stateroom.
What started as a simple hospitality touch has evolved into an anticipated part of each evening. Cruisers return to their cabins wondering what creation awaits—a monkey hanging from the ceiling, an elephant on the bed, or something even more elaborate.
11. Try Something New Every Day
Many experienced cruisers challenge themselves to break out of their comfort zone while sailing—whether it’s ordering an unfamiliar dish, trying a new activity, or trying something they’d normally skip. Trying something new every day keeps each cruise fresh.
This might mean ordering escargot when you’d typically stick to steak, attending the country music show when you prefer comedy, or trying the rock climbing wall despite a fear of heights. The “new thing” doesn’t have to be dramatic; sometimes it’s as simple as visiting a different bar or exploring a deck you’ve never spent time on.
12. Get Late-Night Pizza
Nothing hits quite like pizza after an evening in the casino or after a night of drinking and dancing. Late-night pizza has become something that cruisers actually plan their evenings around. It’s the kind of comfort food that tastes better because you’re on vacation and eating it at midnight without a care in the world.
Some cruise lines serve pizza 24/7, while others have specific late-night hours. But for many, it’s become a cruise tradition to grab a few slices before heading to bed.
13. Enjoy an Evening in the Hot Tub
After dinner, some cruisers enjoy heading to the hot tubs to soak under the stars with the ocean breeze and nighttime sky as the backdrop. On cooler evenings or during Alaska sailings, the contrast between the warm tub and cold air is particularly satisfying.
Most ships have multiple hot tub locations, and the ones near the main pool are typically crowded more crowded. Savvy cruisers seek out the adult-only hot tubs, the ones tucked on higher decks, or those in less-trafficked areas of the ship. These spots offer the same warm water with a more peaceful vibe.
14. Collect Specific Items From Each Cruise
Magnets, shot glasses, ornaments, keychains, t-shirts—many cruisers collect the same souvenir from every sailing to create a growing display of their travels. We buy a Christmas ornament from every cruise ship and every port of call.
This collection grows with each cruise, becoming a conversation starter at home and a tangible reminder of adventures past. Many cruisers also note the date on each item to help remember specific voyages.
This cruise tradition also provides a focused shopping strategy in port. Instead of wandering aimlessly through souvenir shops, you know exactly what you’re looking for.
15. Skip One Port to Stay on the Ship
While it might seem counterintuitive, staying aboard while the ship is in port has become an increasingly popular cruise tradition. With fewer passengers onboard, you get the pool, bars, spa, and other amenities practically to yourself.
This strategy works particularly well on longer cruises or when visiting ports you’ve been to multiple times. When most passengers go ashore for the day, pool chairs are plentiful, the spa is quiet, and crew members have more time for conversation. You can finally try that popular attraction or enjoy the main pool without the crowds. It’s also a budget-friendly day, since you’re not spending money on excursions.
16. Dress Up for Formal Night
Even as dress codes have relaxed, many cruisers still embrace formal night as a chance to dress up, take photos, and enjoy an elegant evening at sea.
While many dislike formal night, others feel it represents a throwback to old-school cruise elegance. It’s an opportunity to dress up in ways that daily life rarely allows. The tradition extends beyond just clothing—many cruisers make formal night special by ordering champagne, dining at a specialty restaurant, or having a “date night”.
17. Complete a Bar Crawl
Some cruisers, us included, make it their mission to visit every bar on the ship, trying signature cocktails from each drink menu. It’s part adventure, part research!
The bar crawl tradition helps you discover hidden gems you might otherwise miss. That quiet wine bar on Deck 5, the whiskey bar tucked behind the steakhouse, or the sports bar that makes surprisingly good craft cocktails. Modern mega-ships features dozens of bars and lounges, so the hardest part might be fitting them all into a week-long cruise.
18. Hide and Find Cruise Ducks
The cruise duck trend has exploded, with passengers hiding small rubber ducks around the ship for others to find. Participating—whether hiding or hunting—has become a treasured tradition for families and adults alike. While we think this cruise tradition is rather annoying, many cruisers report hiding ducks on every cruise and that finding them is just as fun.
Cruise ducks typically come decorated with tags indicating which ship and sailing they’re from, along with instructions to re-hide or keep them. Some cruisers even join Facebook groups dedicated to cruise ducks, sharing photos of their discoveries and creative hiding spots.
19. Decorate Your Cabin Door
Personalizing your cabin door with magnets, signs, or decorations has become increasingly popular, especially for group cruises and special occasions. It makes finding your room easier and adds personality to the hallway. Door decorations range from simple name magnets to elaborate seasonal displays. Decorations for birthdays, anniversaries, or reunions are common too.
Just be sure to use magnetic decorations rather than anything adhesive, as tape and sticky materials can damage door finishes. Also, be sure to check if your cruise line allows door decorations before packing them.
20. Book Your Next Cruise While Onboard
For many cruise enthusiasts, the best way to end one cruise is by booking the next one. Taking advantage of onboard booking benefits and returning home with another vacation already planned has become the ultimate tradition.
Booking onboard typically comes with perks like reduced deposits or onboard credit for the future cruise. But beyond the financial benefits, there’s something psychologically satisfying about always having a cruise booked. It softens the blow of returning to real life and gives you something to look forward to.
Creating Your Own Cruise Traditions
These rituals—whether you do all 20 or just a handful—are what transform cruising from a vacation into a lifestyle. They give you something to look forward to before the cruise and something to reminisce about after.
First-time cruisers might wonder why these routines are such a big deal, but give it a cruise or two and you’ll find yourself developing your own must-dos.
The beauty of cruise traditions is that there are no rules. Your ritual might be something we’ve listed here, or it could be entirely unique to you. Some cruisers always visit the library on sea days. Others never miss a trivia session, while others prioritize trying each specialty restaurant.
Your traditions might evolve too. What starts as a one-time experience can become a must-do ritual. That reservation you made at the Italian restaurant on a whim might become your formal night tradition. Who knows.
Comments
Are any of these cruise traditions part of your routine when you sail? Do you have any other rituals that you do on every voyage? Drop us an anchor below to share your favorite things to do on a cruise.
The post Cruise Traditions: Do You Do These 20 Things on Every Sailing Too? appeared first on EatSleepCruise.com.
