We’ve heard it time and time again: a friend, a neighbor, or a relative talking badly about cruises, giving excuse after excuse of why they’ll never understand why you waste your money on a cruise vacation.
Here are the top 17 cruise lies I’ve heard:
1. They’re only for old people.
I personally have been cruising since I was a kid, and more and more college students and young families are discovering spring break cruises. Get the Titanic mindset out of your mind. It’s not 1912 anymore, and everyone on board is not super rich and 90.
2. Drinking costs too much.
I’m not sure where you’ve been drinking, but a beer in NYC costs me $7 a bottle. Depending on the brand, you can expect to pay around $5-$6 for beer and around $7 for a cocktail on a cruise ship. Frozen drinks are a bit more.
If you have a set budget, you could look into a pre-paid drink package. When all else fails, bring two bottles of wine (you’re allowed).
3. The ships are too confining.
When someone says this about cruising, I immediately wonder if they’ve only seen cruise ships in the movies. There aren’t any areas on ships these days that make you feel claustrophobic.
Nowadays, ships are moving away from building venues like a tight jigsaw puzzle and focusing more on space and the connection that they can give passengers to the sea.
4. They’re too formal.
As tradition would have it, most cruise lines are still doing formal or elegant nights, but by no means do you have to participate. It is only suggested attire.
You won’t be turned away if you stick to the right dress. And if you really don’t want to participate, you can always head to the buffet that night — the elegant dress code doesn’t apply at all there.
5. I’ll be bored.
For some reason, a lot of people still associate cruising with smoking cigars in a stuffy lounge or laying out on a deck chair all day. While those things can be nice, they are by no means the end of a cruise vacation.
Nowadays, more than ever, cruise ships are absolutely filled with activities and adrenaline-filled fun. There are water parks, movies, skydiving simulators, workshops and games, clubs for people of every age, and countless more opportunities for fun. Just check out our live blogs from Carnival Vista.
6. They’re too expensive.
Cruising is one of the cheapest vacations you can have if you love to see different parts of the world. Do your research, and you’re sure to find a cruise that will blow a land-based vacation out of the water.
Think about it — accommodations, food, and most activities on the ship are covered at one cost. How much would you spend for all of that separately on land? Plus, you only have to unpack once!
7. I’ll gain weight.
Yes, you definitely might, but there are ways to combat that. Some of our favorite and easiest tips are taking the stairs whenever possible, limiting frozen/syrupy drinks, and avoiding overly sweet/greasy foods for most of your meals except a few indulgences.
8. They’re too regimented.
They’re only regimented if you let them be. While you could have a day packed full of scheduled activities, they are optional. Some people lay by the pool all day, some pack everything in, but the best idea for most days is to have a good balance of both fun and relaxation probably.
Don’t feel like eating dinner at your designated seating time? Skip it that night and hit the buffet when you’re ready. It’s vacation — do it how you want!
9. I can’t stay connected.
In the past few years, most cruise lines have been moving toward better internet access for their guests. For most cruise lines, Wi-Fi will cost you, but it’s much cheaper and faster than five years ago.
If the internet isn’t a necessity for you, though, we strongly recommend you put away your phone and enjoy a disconnected vacation. You’ll be surprised what fun you’ll have!
10. I’ll get sick.
Cruise lines are required to report norovirus once it affects a certain percentage of passengers aboard a ship, and then the media makes a heyday out of it. But you know what? Norovirus is actually much more prevalent on land and probably happens in your area a lot more than you ever know about or realize.
Yes, sickness happens, but the best defense aboard a cruise is to load up on vitamin C, wash your hands often, and use common sense. If illness does take over, every ship has a medical center if you need it.
11. The food is bad.
I don’t know where this stereotype came from, but 99 percent of the time, it’s just not true. There’s such a variety of venues and dishes to try aboard most cruise ships, and some of it is the best you’ll find — even compared to restaurants on land.
12. It’s a booze cruise.
Shorter sailings are probably more “party cruise” type atmospheres than longer ones, but this party atmosphere is the exception, not the rule.
The truth is, there will always be people partying it up, and there will always be people there to relax and enjoy the activities and ports. Find your people, and have a blast. The ships are big enough for everyone.
13. Cruises are dangerous.
Cruise ship emergencies are extensively talked about in the media and across the internet for the pure fact that they’re a rarity and surprising. That right there should tell you that they’re an extremely safe method of travel.
Hundreds of thousands of people are on a cruise as we speak, and more than likely, they’ll return home safe and sound.
14. There are too many kids.
For every ship absolutely brimming with kids, there are adults-only lounges, decks, and bars. But if you still can’t stand the thought of kids running around and shouting at each other no matter where you are on the ship, try one of the cruise lines that specifically caters more to adults.
Chances are, you’ll find fewer kids on those sailings.
15. They’re too long.
People saying this don’t know much about cruising. Cruises can range from short three and four-night getaway sailings to voyages that last for months on end. Pick your poison, and have a wonderful trip.
16. Travel insurance is a ripoff.
Don’t believe in travel insurance? Just ask the 20-something-year-old couple that was flying from CT to FL for a cruise this past January. They didn’t want to waste money on travel insurance (it was $33 per person!).
Long story short, their flights got snowed in, and they were stuck driving 15 hours to Miami to catch their ship. Spend a few dollars to protect yourself!
17. Cruises are for lazy people.
Take that back! Some of the most action-packed, fun-filled days can be spent aboard a cruise ship… even on a sea day. As mentioned above, there are tons of activities for those who don’t want to sit in a lounger or eat at the buffet all day.
Cruising is neat because there is truly something for everyone; you just have to be willing to try new things and remember the most important thing: you’re on vacation — do whatever your heart desires.
What’s the best cruise lie you’ve heard? Leave a comment below!
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