PUT AWAY YOUR TECHNOLOGY

_ Consider using the safe in your stateroom for more than just your jewelry and lock away your phones during your cruise. According to a 2016 Baylor University study on how smartphone use impacts people’s love lives, looking at your device — instead of at your partner — while you’re spending time together can lead to lower relationship satisfaction and higher levels of depression. Minimizing your phone use will not only help you relax and stay in vacation mode, it will also allow you to better enjoy each other’s company.

On a similar note, commit to leaving your laptops at home. If you really need to check in with work or want to let family members know when you’re in port, you can use the ship’s community computers. Since you have to share them with other passengers, there’s less of a chance you’ll waste an hour of precious cruise time scrolling through Facebook once the task at hand is complete.