10 Common Cruise Myths Debunked
Cruise Myths and the Truth Behind Them
If you’ve never cruised before, it’s easy to get caught up in half-truths and misconceptions about what it actually entails – easy to think that it’s an expensive and restrictive way to travel for old people. However, the outdated idea that cruises are for the “newlywed or nearly dead” – as that rather blunt saying goes – couldn’t be further from the truth when it comes to modern-day cruising.
Today, heading off on a cruise holiday can be a fantastic adventure, a great way to see the world, and an accessible way to travel – whether you’re a young couple, a family unit, a group of friends, enjoying retirement, or even a solo traveller.
While you’re onboard a cruise ship, you can enjoy an array of world-class cuisine and excellent entertainment, with the freedom to eat and drink whatever and whenever you fancy it. You can keep to yourself if you want, spending your entire cruise holiday relaxing on a private balcony, or you can get stuck in with all the group activities and ship-wide events available. And, however you choose to enjoy your voyage, you can take in some serene sea views and stunning landscapes.
Then, throughout your cruise getaway, you’ll have the chance to explore fantastic destinations from around the world at your own leisure – soaking up as much of the local culture as you’re comfortable with. Whether you’re looking for a week of luxury, a month of adventure, a little bit of both, or anything in between, modern-day cruising can really be whatever you want it to be.
But, if you’re still not fully convinced, we’re here to debunk ten of the biggest – and most common – cruise myths out there right now and explain why so many of these misconceptions just aren't true when it comes to modern-day cruising.
Keep reading to find out more!
Myth #1 - Cruises are for Old People and Couples
It might feel like this is the case sometimes, but this myth really just isn’t true of modern-day cruising. So, if you're asking yourself – or the internet – are cruises for old people? The answer is no, cruising isn't just for old people. Like any form of travel, cruises really are for everyone to enjoy. Sure, you may find that longer voyages might attract an older demographic – and some cruise lines angle themselves towards that sort of clientele specifically – but there are cruises that cater to anyone and everyone that want to enjoy them.
And, the same can be said when it comes to the best cruises for couples; these are oftentimes also fantastic cruises for singles and solo cruisers to enjoy! Of course, you might find some events are angled towards couples and people with partners, but there's also often events organised specifically for anyone hoping to enjoy some solo cruises.
Most cruises are family friendly and – with dedicated kids clubs and entertainment for young people almost always on offer – make for a fantastic holiday with children. And, there are several cruise lines who angle themselves specifically at young people, with pools and parties aplenty. A lot of cruise ships also have cabins and dedicated spaces specifically for solo travellers, and larger vessels oftentimes have multi-room suites and interconnected cabins available – perfect for larger groups of guests.
If you identify with any part of the LGBTQ+ spectrum, you’ll find that there are cruise holidays specifically catering to LGBTQ+ guests – with some of the best cruise lines for LGBTQ+ travellers offering itineraries packed with exciting events and activities for you to enjoy. Not only this, but cruises are actually very accessible for anyone with mobility issues, hearing and sight problems, or autism. With more specifically autism-friendly cruises sailing each year, and the top accessible cruise lines going above and beyond to cater to those who need assistance, there really is something for everyone when it comes to cruising.
Myth #2 - You Have to Stick to the Cruise Ship’s Schedule
While you will find that a cruise ship schedule and cruise timetables are something you'll encounter – with an itinerary of each day's activities and entertainment potentially limiting what you can and can't enjoy while sailing – you’re in no way obliged to stick to that when you’re on your holiday. Of course, you can’t quite hop off a cruise ship whenever you feel like it, as there will be days you’re out in the middle of the ocean, but you’ll never find yourself forced to take part in any event – or even be forced to disembark when you stop at a port.
There will, though, be some cases where you may find your onboard options limited if you don’t get involved with what’s going on – for example, you will find your onboard dining options limited during formal nights, if you decide not to adhere to the elevated dress code.
However, beyond that, you should find that you’re able to pick and choose what you want to do and when you want to do it. With a variety of shore excursions available, often multiple entertainment venues on every ship, and always a fantastic selection of lounges and bars to relax in, you’ll have more than enough options and be able to cruise how you want.
Myth #3 – I’ll Feel Claustrophobic Stuck on a Cruise Ship
If you’re worrying about feeling claustrophobic during a cruise holiday, you’re far from alone; but, rest assured, you should have nothing to worry about – unless you suffer from a particularly severe case of claustrophobia.
You are going to be confined to the cruise ship when you’re sailing between ports, but that doesn’t mean you’ll be locked away in your cabin, and a lot of this travelling is done at night when you’re busy with other things – eating, drinking, enjoying some of the onboard entertainment, and sleeping.
Not only this, but the cabins and suites you’ll be staying in are often quite spacious and many come with access to a private balcony or veranda. So, you will find yourself with more than enough opportunities to step out into the open air – that is, if you don’t fancy a stroll around one of the upper decks. It will be easy to escape that feeling of being stuck inside while onboard.
Myth #4 – Getting On and Off the Cruise Ship will Take Forever
With some of the biggest cruise ships in the world hosting upwards of 5,000 guests at any one time, it’s easy to think that you’ll be stuck in a queue clutching all your suitcases when trying to embark or disembark – and no one wants that sort of stress when it comes to something as simple as getting on and off the ship. However, this is far from the reality of the situation; cruise lines take care to ensure that this process is as pain-free as possible for passengers.
When getting onto a cruise ship, you’ll often have the option to check your luggage beforehand – so, you can head on without it. Then, while you’re onboard enjoying everything on offer, your luggage will be delivered to your cabin or suite later that day. If you want to make sure you have an easy embarkation, keeping important documents to hand and packing the essentials in your hand luggage can make the process a little less painful.
Then, when it’s time to get off the ship, you’ll likely be given a time to disembark – so, you can avoid any length queues. Often, you’ll also have the option to leave your luggage outside your cabin the night before you disembark; this will then be taken off the ship and placed in an area where you can collect it ahead of leaving the port.
Myth #5 – Food and Drink will be Expensive Onboard
Like any other type of holiday, cruise ship food and drink can be as expensive as you want it to be during a cruise holiday. With most cruise lines, you will find that all of your meals will be included in your fare – within a limited selection of restaurants. So, you won’t need to worry about going hungry if you don’t want to spend much more than your initial cruise price. However, you will often find that there’s a wider selection of specialty restaurants and bars available that may not be included in your fare – meaning they’ll require additional charges.
If you opt for an all-inclusive cruise, though, you may find that these include specialty dining options and cruise drinks packages; it really does all depend on your fare and – in some cases – the cabin you choose. In any case, you’ll find a wide range of dining and drinking venues onboard, with some more expensive than others. It all just depends on what you’re after, and how much you’re willing to spend; you won’t need to bankrupt yourself if you don’t want to – cruise drinks can certainly add up if you're not careful!
Myth #6 – I’ll Have to Share my Table with Strangers and Eat at Set Times
We’re debunking two myths at once with this one, because you’re not going to need to share your table with strangers – or eat at specific set times – if you don’t want to. Sure, there might be some situations where you’re going to need to sit next to someone you don’t know while dining – for example, tables for two might be limited – but, most cruise lines offer open seating in the main dining venues. This should mean you have no trouble finding your own table, one to suit the size of your group.
If that’s not quite good enough, you’ll find that most of the specialty restaurants available on your cruise ship will have a booking system – meaning you can book your own table at a time of your choice. A lot of cruise lines also offer room service while onboard, so you don’t even need to leave your cabin to eat if you don’t want to. If you’re a solo cruiser, though, don’t let any of this put you off; there will be plenty of chances to meet and greet new people, be that in the dining venues or otherwise.
Myth #7 – Everyone will Just be Drunk all the Time
We know the term “booze cruise” didn’t just spring out of nothing, but this isn’t going to be the case – even on a cruise with a party vibe. Sure, there will be people drinking – and, inevitably, some of those people will get drunk and you'll encounter some drunk cruise ship passengers – but there will be a range of venues to enjoy if you want to avoid a particularly lively group. And, just like anywhere on land, bartenders aren’t going to serve anyone who’s clearly had enough. So, you shouldn't really run into any drunk people on cruise ships – being drunk on a cruise is harder than it sounds.
If you want to make sure you’re avoiding this sort of atmosphere altogether, though, it may be worth thinking about the type of cruise you’re going to want to go on – and the cruise line you might want to sail with. Shorter weekend cruises with city stops tend to attract a more party-focused crowd, while some cruise lines are careful to angle themselves more towards calmer cruises and serene sailings.
Here’s some examples of cruise lines and the type of cruises they offer:
- Virgin Voyages - exclusive adults-only getaways for those that love to party, let their hair down and are looking for a unique cruising experience.
- Royal Caribbean - for a wide selection of amenities, both family-friendly activities and a selection that’s exclusively for adults.
- Cunard - for more traditional cruising with theatre shows, a selection of bars and dining options.
Myth #8 – I’ll Feel Seasick Sailing for so Long
In addition to the numerous measures you can take to combat seasickness before you even step foot on a cruise ship – like anti-sickness tablets or acupressure bracelets – cruise ships really aren’t going to rock too much, unless you’re in particularly rough waters. This means that you shouldn't feel seasick on a cruise or suffer from seasickness on cruise ships while sailing. You can also check out more of the best seasickness remedies right here, if you want to know more about the best way to prevent seasickness during a cruise. Most modern cruise ships feature stabilisers that are very good at keeping any voyage smooth sailing – quite literally!
If you’re particularly prone to seasickness, though, you may want to think about booking a cabin in the middle of a deck – which is where a ship will feel most balanced. Having access to an outdoor space or some sort of window will help too, as will avoiding voyages that go through rough waters – like transatlantic cruises in the winter, as looking at the horizon can help combat sea sickness.
Myth #9 – It’s Going to be Overcrowded
While there’s going to be some times onboard when it’s busier – for example, when a show ends and everyone leaves the venue – you shouldn’t find yourself anywhere that’s particularly overcrowded throughout your getaway.
Larger, modern cruise ships can host upwards of 5,000 passengers at any one time, in some cases, but they’re specifically designed with that in mind; so, foot traffic will flow freely and you shouldn’t find yourself stuck in any crowds too often.
And, while it’s easy to forget this, the more passengers a cruise ship can host at any one time, the larger it’s going to be. Bigger cruise ships will have more restaurants with larger dining areas, entertainment venues with higher capacities, and there will be more deck space around the pool for sun loungers and seating.
If you want to make sure you’re avoiding large crowds, though, there are cruise lines that specialise in smaller sailings – some of the best river cruises available are on smaller ships, for example. If you’re unsure, it’s always worth checking out people’s reviews of their cruises on the same ship, the deck plan, and all the facilities available.
Myth #10 – Cruise Holidays are Always so Expensive
The myth that cruise holidays are so expensive that they’re largely unaffordable is one rooted in reality, but an outdated generalisation that doesn’t reflect the wide range of cruises available today.
Like almost anything that costs any kind of money, there are both expensive options and affordable options; longer cruises with luxury cruise lines are just going to cost more than shorter cruises with budget-friendly brands. Checking out the current crop of last-minute cruises can be a great way of getting some of the best cruise deals available at any time, provided you don’t mind heading on holiday sooner rather than later, as even the most expensive cruise lines sometimes slash prices to fill any empty cabins and suites ahead of a voyage.
And, if you want to get granular about the value of a cruise holiday, you’ll find that quite a lot of them are fantastic value for money when you think about what you’re actually paying for – the travel, your food, and your accommodation – and the range of complimentary activities and entertainment available onboard.
With spectacular stage shows to enjoy, swimming pools aplenty, and more, you may find a cruise holiday to a destination you’ve got your eye on is actually much better value than simply flying there and having to pay for all of these individually.
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Or, if you just want to learn more about the cruise industry and cruising, you can find some of our blog posts on hot topics below.