Cruising has captivated travelers for decades as it offers a glimpse of open waters and exotic destinations. But before you get swept up in the romantic fantasy of long days at sea, cramped quarters, potential viral outbreaks, and relentless sensory overload are just a few things that could completely dash your seafaring expectations. So, read on to explore 15 truths about cruise life that’ll prepare you for your next adventure.
Cost Caution
While cruises are often touted as budget-friendly vacations, the onboard expenses can quickly sink your wallet. From pricey drinks, indulgent dining, Wi-Fi fees, and shore excursion costs, it’s easy for those “extras” to result in a spending spree. Budget-conscious cruisers must keep a keen eye on incidental charges to avoid wasting funds.
Space Constraints
Those spacious suite photos may need to be more accurate as standard cruise cabins are very compact, especially the interior rooms without windows. With just 185-250 square feet on average, these cozy quarters can feel cramped over a more extended voyage. Pack light and get comfortable in tight spaces, or splurge for a larger room if confinement concerns you.
Endless Indulgences
Cruising is every food lover’s dream, with lavish all-you-can-eat buffets, midnight chocolate fountains, and an endless parade of dishes available around the clock. While it’s tempting to indulge in all flavors, portion control and moderation are crucial unless you want to return home a few pounds heavier. Cruises make it easy to overindulge, so have a game plan for pacing yourself.
Family-Unfriendly Scenes
Protecting your wards from inappropriate activities must be a top priority if you’re a parent. And a cruise might make this more difficult. Drunk crowds, poolside PDA displays, and risqué entertainment geared toward adults may expose younger kids to sights and situations many parents would rather avoid. Family-friendly cruising requires carefully vetting each ship’s onboard atmosphere to ensure the safety of your kids.
Perpetual Togetherness
With thousands of passengers onboard, you’re never alone on a cruise. While ideal for social butterflies, this constant surrounding of strangers can feel exhausting for those craving seclusion. Seek out quiet spaces and alone time to avoid feeling smothered by the unceasing crowds and activity. Strategic quiet times help you reset and recharge your senses at intermittent breaks.
Perpetual Pitches
From art auctions and spa treatment sales to casino promotions and shopping trips, cruises earn revenue through relentless onboard sales pitches and offers. Be prepared to endure a series of revenue-generating presentations and solicitations throughout your journey. Just smile and wave if you want to avoid overspending.
Sanitization Scrutiny
While rare, norovirus outbreaks are the stuff of cruising nightmares. Cruise lines have stringent sanitization protocols, but with thousands sharing facilities, it only takes a few ill passengers to spark an outbreak. Pack sanitizers and stay vigilant to avoid getting violently sick at sea.
Smartphone Stress
Although the internet on a cruise ship has improved, it may not be as good as what you’re used to on land. Sometimes, the connection can still be slow or spotty, especially when the ship is far away from land.
Boredom Between Ports
Though days spent exploring exotic ports can be enriching, cruises also have long stretches at sea with nothing but open water in sight. Unless you’re content spending hours lounging by the pool or taking advantage of onboard activities, the lack of changing scenery and downtime can quickly turn dull and monotonous. Be prepared with books, movies, or hobbies to stave off boredom between high-energy days ashore.
Environmental Impacts
Cruise ships have worked to be more eco-friendly, but their sheer size still poses environmental hazards. From polluting emissions and waste issues to potential coral reef damage, mindful cruisers should weigh their environmental footprint before departing. The massive floating cities leave a wake of impact.
Subpar Dining Quality
Despite the abundance of food options, cruise cuisine often gets criticized for needing to be more cooked, bland, and disappointing from a quality standpoint. Mass-produced dishes are designed to appeal to the broadest audiences rather than wowing food experts with innovative preparations and fresh ingredients.
Unexpected Sleep Disruptions
If you’re a light sleeper, the constant buzz of a cruise might keep you begging for peace. Raucous music and loud parties raging into the night can make a solid night’s rest challenging. Due to the nature of a cruise, you may be perpetually exhausted by the endless commotion.
Sunburn Central
With so much time spent outdoors around the pool and on decks, sunburns are a widespread cruise complaint. Unless you’re militant about regularly applying sunscreen and finding shady spots, you can return from your vacation looking more like a lobster than refreshed.
Rough Sailing
While most voyages sail smoothly, unexpected storms can turn a cruise into a rocky, seasickness-inducing voyage. With no way to get off during severe weather events, passengers must bear through turbulent conditions until reaching calmer waters. Having a game plan to cope with motion sickness is wise.
Motion Meltdowns
Parents must prepare for occasional tantrums, meltdowns, or crankiness when cooping up with little ones for days on the high seas. While supervised kids’ programs help, inevitable fatigue and confined spaces can trigger outbursts. Have a plan to give kiddos quality one-on-one time away from the chaos.
