Don’t believe everything you’ve heard or read – we tell the truth about some of cruising’s most popular myths
If you’ve never cruised before, you may have heard things about what a cruise is like. Hopefully you’ve heard great things like 24 hour ice cream and amazing entertainment. But just as likely you’ve heard or read some bad stuff as well. Did you know that a person who has a negative experience is likely to tell 9-15 people and if it’s online that number can be much larger? That’s why we wanted to take some of the most common cruising myths and explain the truth.
Cruise ships are crowded
Cruise ships can hold as few as 100 passengers up to over 5,000. While some venues may become crowded, like pool parties and popular shows, it’s easy to find your own little corner to sit and read a book or enjoy some sunshine. If you are worried about being crowded, let us know and we will happily find you a ship with more space and fewer guests.
Cruising is boring
Cruise ships have an entire staff dedicated to making sure your cruise is anything but boring. From trivia to cooking classes, towel folding demonstrations to Broadway quality shows, the entertainment on a cruise ship is non stop. Most cruise ships have onboard casinos and shopping centers. Even better than that, if you can’t find something you know you’ll love, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to try something new. And, if all else fails, there are movies on the television in your stateroom.
Cruising is expensive
Did you know there are cruises for as little as $100 for 3 nights? We can find a cruise for any budget. Most cruise lines only require a deposit to and then allow you to make payments up until 90 days before your cruise. As an added bonus, when you book with Cruise Planners, we monitor the pricing on your booking and lower your price if a new promotion saves you money.
Cruising is for old people
Cruise ships are no longer all formal dinners and shuffleboard. While there are formal nights and you can learn shuffleboard, you can also skydive, surf at sea, ice skate, play laser tag and even race go karts. Kids clubs provide supervised activities for kids of all ages and the pools / slides and splash pads are sure to entertain even the pickiest teenager. However, if you are in the retirement set, looking for a quieter crowd, we can find a ship that fits your particular needs.
Seasickness / other sickness
If you are concerned with seasickness, there are ways to mitigate your risk. The smaller the ship, the more likely you are to feel movement. Sleeping in certain areas of the ship or in certain staterooms puts you at a higher risk of feeling the movement at night. Walking the wrong way past a bank of windows can mess with your equilibrium so by the second day, you’ll know which hallways to avoid. Finally, there are bands, patches and pills to help with it all.
Walk through any cruise ship and you will see dozens of people cleaning handrails, door knobs and tables. They will ask you to sanitize your hands before entering any dining venue and after returning from port. There is a full medical bay, with nurses, doctors and common necessities and all ships have stores with OTC meds and other natural remedies.
If you are looking for information about COVID-19, look at this blog post.
Cruise ships are confining
Again, there are many different types of cruise ships. Some are small, with intimate dining spaces and close quarters. These go to places like Antarctica or the Galapagos islands. Many cruise ships are huge floating hotels. With 14+ decks and multiple pools, card rooms, libraries, dining opportunities and entertainment. Stand on the deck as the land disappears and you will feel the open space of being out to sea. Choosing a stateroom with a window or balcony will help with any confinement feelings, and choosing an itinerary that minimizes sea days will allow you to only need to be on board at night, while you’re eating dinner, watching a show and sleeping.
Cruise ships are fattening
Its true, it seems like everywhere you turn on a cruise ship there’s food. Especially as specialty restaurants like Guy Fieri’s burgers and Johnny Rockets open up near pool decks and a cheeseburger is just a few steps away. Add to that all you can eat buffets and 24 hour ice cream and it’s easy to gain a pound a day. But, consider that you’ll also add in a lot more walking from place to place, both on the ship and in port. If you’re really worried, most ships have fitness clubs with weights and various machines and a running track.
Cruises are for lazy people
First of all, you’re on vacation, there’s nothing wrong with being a little lazy. However, if you’re the type of person who just wants to go, go, go, then cruises are for you too. With countless opportunities for coordinated activities, and lots of as you go activities, an active person can stay busy from dawn until dusk (which in Alaska is 20 hours!). And, if you choose to spend one day just laying in the sun by the pool, no one will judge you for that either.
Cruises aren’t classy
For the passenger who prefers five star full service and luxury, there are always options. Almost every cruise has optional formal nights where black tie reigns and gowns are sparkling. For those who have an even more sophisticated palette, luxury cruises are the way to go. Whether by ocean or on rivers, there are luxury cruise lines to fit anyone’s idea of first class.
All staterooms are the same
From an inside stateroom on a lower deck to the deluxe suite with butler service and it’s own hot tub, there’s a stateroom for everyone. Depending on your likes and budget we can put you in a stateroom that will suit your needs. Many ships are increasing the number of balconies and refurbishing all of their staterooms with luxury linens, spa quality toiletries and additional services like concierge and in room wine service. Staterooms vary from line to line as well. Disney cruises have slightly larger staterooms since they know most of their guests will be families. Viking doesn’t allow children on board and so their staterooms are set up accordingly.
They don’t go anywhere good
Cruises are so much more than Alaska and the Caribbean. You can cruise to any continent anywhere in the world. There are cruises for 3 days all the way up to the 180 day cruise around the world. There are cruises to Antarctica, and the Norweigian Fjords that go past the arctic circle. And, don’t discount Alaska or the Caribbean. The Alaskan wilderness is on both sides of the ship as you sail up the Inside Passage, and the teal blue water of the Caribbean is a haven for snorkeling and scuba divers.
I won’t be able to relax
Spa services are available on every ship (for an extra fee) and spas on cruise ships are exceptional. Whether its a simple massage or a more extensive beauty treatment, there are many opportunities for relaxation and rejuvenation. Enjoy all the spa has to offer in saunas, spa pools, and treatment rooms. If you don’t care to indulge in the spa, consider a line with an adults only pool and lounge. Available on many ships, these areas are off limits to anyone under 18 and provide a respite from the kids and chaos of the main deck pools.
Ports are overrun
As cruising becomes more popular and more lines are adding to their fleets, many countries are taking advantage of their coast line and building ports for tourism. Some of these newer ports have little more to offer than shopping and many excursions, but because they are new, there are fewer people in port at the time. Many ports and lines have recognized the issue and are adding later stays and overnights in port so guests can see everything with fewer crowds. Cruise lines are adding their own private islands to some Caribbean itineraries where only their line arrives at a resort area. This is available on Princess, Disney, Royal Caribbean and many more. Also, when you book with Cruise Planners we can look at the ports on the days you’ll be there and let you know if it will be crowded and change your itinerary.
The food isn’t fresh
This is not your grandma’s cruise food! Current cruise lines pride themselves on hiring the best chefs and using the best ingredients. Celebrity chefs are designing restaurants on board cruise ships to provide more varied choices. Lines are using cuisine from the local ports to enhance their offerings and more lines are offering varied options for dining over the standard dining room.
There’s nothing to see
Every cruise has something unique to see. While cruising the southern Caribbean we have seen flying fish riding the bow wake. In Mexico we saw dolphins, in Alaska we saw whales, in Florida it was manatees right by the ship and we’ve even sailed close enough to see the lights of Cuba on the dark ocean. Stunning sunsets over the ocean and busy ports in many countries. And, when you’re out in the middle of the ocean with nothing but water to look at, turn around and see what the ship’s crew has in store for you.
There won’t be anything for me to do
Those who have cruised before will have their favorite activities like Bingo or trivia contests. Some cruise for the casinos and some for the sunshine. Many larger ships have movie theaters if you want to cool off or game rooms if your family loves a good round of Monopoly. There is usually a library and lots of little seating areas tucked away so you can enjoy a good book while the ocean slips by. A cruise is also an excellent opportunity to try something new, whether it’s something simple like folding towels into animals or more daring like a karaoke contest.
Most ports will have a shopping district, some local cuisine and a lot of people offering you tours. While we suggest sticking with the tours provided by trusted vendors like the cruise lines or our trusted vendors, you can take a chance with the folks on the pier or wander on your own.
I’ll only see the ports
While it’s true that ocean liners can only show you the port cities, there are excursions that will take you further inland if you want to see more. River cruises offer a unique perspective on countries and you will see more countryside. If you really want to explore somewhere, find a port with an overnight stay and plan an excursion farther inland. Just remember, if you are on your own or with a tour not sold by a trusted vendor, you are responsible for getting back to the ship on time or getting yourself home.
If you really want to explore, consider a cruise tour, a 4-7 day land tour at the beginning or end of your cruise that allows you to explore further. These are especially popular in Europe and Alaska.
I have to plan everything
That’s what a travel advisor is for! Yes, there are dozens of cruise lines out there offering thousands of itineraries, and you could spend weeks researching them all, looking for deals, and booking only to find that what you booked isn’t the right fit for your family. OR you could call us, tell us who you are and what you’re looking for and let us do the rest. Easy as that.
Cruises are dangerous
Stories of terrible accidents on cruise ships are disturbing. And, just like any mode of travel, accidents happen. Planes, trains and cars crash. People fall out of windows and drink too much and make poor decisions. The odds of perishing on a cruise ship are about 1 in 6.25 million. So long as you wash your hands, pay attention to your surroundings and control your alcohol intake, you will be safe on a cruise ship.
As for ship-wide incidents, yes, they happen. Unfortunately, if your car breaks down on the freeway it inconveniences you and maybe causes some extra traffic. If your cruise ship breaks down, 4,000 people are trapped in the middle of the ocean. The good news is that most cruise lines generously compensate people who go through these incidents with future cruise credits, additional services and other perks.
Illness like norovirus can spread through a ship. Tight quarters and shared locales can cause outbreaks on ships that we don’t see elsewhere. Although, if you’ve ever been in an elementary classroom in cold season, you’ve probably been exposed to much worse.
Everybody’s drunk
That can happen, but booking with a travel advisor allows us to steer you away from the itineraries that tend to be those cruises. If you have a problem on board, report it and the line will handle it immediately. Also, most cruise lines offer a “Friends of Bill W” meeting daily if you would like to participate.
You can’t learn anything on a cruise
As more lines try to appeal to broader audiences, they are adding in more activities. Many of these activities include learning opportunities, like cooking classes, dancing lessons, and towel folding demonstrations. On shore there are many excursion opportunities for foodies, adventure seekers, explorers and history buffs. Explore ruins in Mexico, tour the wetlands of Belize, visit ancient temples in China and see the fjords of Scandinavia.
There will be kids everywhere
Again, the advantage of using a travel advisor is our knowledge about cruise lines and travel. If you are looking for an itinerary with minimal kids, we can put you on one when most kids are in school, or a line that doesn’t cater to families as much. If you are looking for no kids, we have those too, and you can sail in peace knowing no one’s going to push all of the elevator buttons.
There won’t be any other kids
The other half of this coin is families who don’t want their kids to be the only ones. First, let me say it’s not always a bad thing. We went on a cruise and there were only seven kids on board (it was the Panama Canal on Princess during the school year). My kids had a blast with the run of the kids club. But, usually they like making new friends and we choose cruises that are kid friendly and have a lot of activities for all ages.
I have to eat with people I don’t know / I won’t get to know anyone because I have to eat with my family
The days of a mandatory ten strangers to a table are over. You can now choose to sit with other people and make new friends or you can choose to stay with your family. And, if you choose to, you can skip the dining room altogether and just eat pizza everyday.
I can’t cruise alone
There are opportunities for singles to cruise. If you want to stay in a suite or balcony, you will pay an additional charge for being a single (sometimes as much as double fare). However, with more and more people cruising independently and many families requiring a room for a tagalong grandma or college kid, many lines are adding single studio rooms for solo travelers. These are small rooms with a shared lounge area specifically for them. There are also singles mixers on board and chances to meet other people.
Contact us to learn the advantages of booking with our Adventure Specialists!
Photo copyright Carnival Cruise Lines