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Cruise Tips Hub

Kenny's Kruise Tips

Quick, helpful, good-vibes cruise tips from Kenny — built for first-timers, frequent cruisers, casino people, duck hunters, and anyone trying to make ship life easier.

Kenny Kruise

Navigator Port Quick Tips

Cruising on Navigator of the Seas? These quick tips are built around the ports Kenny and other Navigator cruisers actually visit. Tap a tip to see the details, why it matters, and how to make the most of each stop.

Los Angeles / San Pedro

Embarkation Day
Arrive Early, But Don't Stress

San Pedro boarding can feel busy, but getting there early, having documents ready, and knowing your check-in window makes the day smoother.

Ensenada

Port Day
Don't Overthink Ensenada

Ensenada can be a casual walk-around port, a food stop, or an easy stay-on-the-ship day depending on your vibe.

Catalina Island

Tender Port
Tender Port = Plan Ahead

Catalina usually means tender boats, so give yourself extra time getting off and back on the ship.

Cabo San Lucas

Tender Port
Cabo Is Beautiful, But Watch the Clock

Cabo is a tender port, so excursions, beach time, and getting back to the ship all need a little extra planning.

Mazatlán

Port Day
Know Your Plan Before You Wander

Mazatlán has a lot to explore, but it's better when you know your route, transportation plan, or excursion before leaving the port area.

Puerto Vallarta

Port Day
Beach, Food, or Explore — Pick Your Vibe

Puerto Vallarta can be a beach day, food day, shopping day, or excursion day, but choosing your priority ahead of time helps.

Sea Days on Navigator

Sea Day
Sea Days Are When Navigator Comes Alive

Use sea days for pool time, casino, shows, duck hunting, content, naps, and actually enjoying the ship.

Cruise Must Haves

Before you sail, there are a few small things that can make cruise life way easier. These are the kinds of cruise items people always end up wishing they packed — from cabin organization to pool deck essentials, duck hiding supplies, and little things that make ship life smoother.

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Cabin Organization

Magnetic Cabin Hooks

Great for hats, lanyards, bags, swimsuits, and keeping the cabin organized.

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Daily Essentials

Cruise Lanyard / SeaPass Card Holder

Easy way to keep your cruise card handy all day.

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Embarkation

Cruise Luggage Tag Holders

Keeps printed cruise luggage tags protected and attached to your bags.

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Cabin Tech

Non-Surge Cruise Power Adapter / USB Hub

Helps charge phones, watches, fans, and devices in cabins with limited outlets.

Always confirm your cruise line's power strip rules before packing.

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Packing

Packing Cubes

Makes packing, unpacking, and drawer organization much easier.

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Pool Deck

Towel Clips

Helpful for windy pool decks and balcony chairs.

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Excursions

Waterproof Phone Pouch

Great for pool days, beach excursions, and keeping your phone dry.

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Cabin Comfort

Motion Sensor Night Light

Helpful for dark cruise cabins and late-night bathroom trips.

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Cabin Organization

Small Laundry Bag or Pop-Up Hamper

Keeps dirty clothes separate during the sailing.

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Duck Crew

Rubber Ducks for Hiding

Perfect for cruise duck hiding, tagging, and spreading good vibes.

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Daily Essentials

Reusable Water Bottle

Helpful for staying hydrated around the ship and on excursions.

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Cabin Comfort

Small Travel Fan

Helpful for airflow in the cabin, especially for people who like sleeping with a fan.

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Top Kenny's Kruise Tips

Newest TipBudget
Easy

Free Breakfast in Your Room

Continental breakfast can often be delivered to your room. Check the menu in your stateroom, order the night before, and don't forget to tip the crew.

Embarkation
Easy

Board on day 1, hit the buffet on day 2

Embarkation lunch is a zoo. Grab a quick bite, then explore an empty ship while everyone fights for pizza.

First-time
Easy

Screenshot your boarding pass

Wi-Fi at the port is unreliable. Always have a screenshot — and a photo of your passport — saved to your phone.

Drink Package
Medium

Drink package math

Roughly: 5–6 cocktails OR 8–10 specialty coffees/sodas per day to break even. Cruise, weather, and your liver mileage may vary.

Casino
Pro

Casino hours after port days

Most ship casinos can't open until international waters. After short port days, that often means 8–10pm. Plan your bankroll accordingly.

Packing
Easy

Pack a power strip (USB only)

Outlets are limited and surge-protected strips get confiscated. A USB-only or cruise-approved strip is gold.

Wi-Fi & App
Easy

Use the ship app for everything

Daily planner, deck maps, dining reservations, chat with your travel party — usually free even without Wi-Fi.

Cabin Hacks
Medium

Tip the room steward early

A friendly hello and an extra $20 on day one means extra towel animals, ice every night, and small miracles all week.

Solo
Easy

Solo? Eat at the bar

The main dining room can be lonely solo. Specialty restaurants and the casino bar are where you make friends fast.

Group
Easy

Group cruises: matching shirts win

Sounds cheesy, works wonders. Crew remembers you, the group sticks together, and the photos are gold.

Disembarkation
Pro

Disembark with carry-on only

Skip the luggage tags, walk off at 7am, beat the lines and the breakfast crowd.

Loyalty
Medium

Always book the next cruise onboard

Onboard booking discounts, reduced deposits, and free perks usually beat anything you'll find later.

Port Day
Easy

Free port day = free day

You don't HAVE to do an excursion. A beach day, a long lunch, and the empty pool back onboard is a perfect day.

Budget
Easy

Refillable water bottle = real savings

Bottled water adds up fast. Bring a refillable bottle and use the buffet drink stations.

Budget
Medium

Pre-book excursions independently

Independent tour operators in port often charge half what the ship charges for the same experience.

First-time
Easy

Bring a lanyard with a clear pocket

Your cruise card is your room key, your wallet, and your ID. A lanyard means you'll never lose it.

First-time
Easy

Muster drill — just do it early

On most ships you can check in at your muster station any time on day one. Knock it out before sail-away.

Packing
Easy

Pack a day bag for embarkation

Your checked luggage may not arrive until dinner. Pack a swimsuit, sunscreen, and meds in a carry-on.

Packing
Easy

Roll, don't fold

Cabin closets and drawers are tiny. Rolling clothes saves space and reduces wrinkles.

Dining
Easy

Order two entrees — it's free

Main dining room? You can order multiple appetizers, entrees, or desserts at no extra charge.

Dining
Medium

Specialty dining is cheapest on day 1

Embarkation day deals on specialty restaurants are usually the best price of the cruise.

Dining
Easy

Buffet pro move: walk the whole line first

Do a full lap before you grab a plate. You'll skip the regret of filling up on average pizza.

Casino
Easy

Free drinks while you play

Active play at a slot or table usually earns you complimentary drinks from the cocktail server.

Casino
Medium

Set a daily loss limit

Decide your nightly bankroll BEFORE you sit down. When it's gone, you're done — no ATM runs.

Wi-Fi & App
Medium

One Wi-Fi plan, multiple devices

Most ship plans let you swap which device is online. Log out on the phone, log in on the laptop.

Wi-Fi & App
Easy

Download everything before you sail

Shows, music, maps, books — pre-download on land so you're not burning ship Wi-Fi on Netflix.

Port Day
Medium

Know your 'all aboard' time, not departure time

All-aboard is usually 30 minutes before the ship leaves. Miss it and you're watching it sail without you.

Port Day
Easy

Stay onboard for an empty ship

Skipping port? Pools, hot tubs, and gym are practically private while everyone else is ashore.

Theme Nights
Easy

Pack one outfit per theme night

White Night, 70s Night, Formal Night — check the daily planner before you cruise and pack accordingly.

Theme Nights
Easy

Glow sticks beat fancy outfits

On 70s/80s/glow nights, a $5 pack of glow sticks gets more compliments than a $50 outfit.

Cabin Hacks
Easy

Over-the-door shoe organizer = bathroom storage

Cabin bathrooms have zero counter space. A hanging organizer fixes that instantly.

Cabin Hacks
Easy

Ask for an egg crate mattress topper

Cabin beds vary wildly. A free egg crate from your steward turns a hard bed into a cloud.

Planning
Medium

Book early for the best cabin location

Mid-ship, mid-deck cabins are the smoothest ride and they sell out first.

Planning
Pro

Watch for price drops after booking

Cruise prices change. If your cabin category drops in price, you can often get the difference back.