At Cruzely, there’s no doubt that we are “pro cruise.” To us, there is no better value in vacationing. And with the ability to combine a resort-style stay while also visiting multiple destinations — and getting to enjoy the sea — cruises offer something that you simply can’t get anywhere else.
But we are also not blind to the fact that cruising — while extremely popular — isn’t for everyone. Unique aspects of taking a cruise mean there are very good reasons why some people simply won’t like to sail. That’s ok.
If you’re on the fence about taking a cruise, then we’d consider some of the hang-ups below as possible deal breakers based on our years of sailing. If they are things that concern you, then another type of travel may be a better fit.
You Suffer Badly From Motion Sickness
We are on the record as saying that seasickness on a cruise isn’t something that you should worry about in general. The size and technology of cruise ships make them surprisingly smooth. Yes, you can feel occasional bumps, but if you’re expecting to feel a steady rocking back and forth while at sea, that’s almost never the case.
Given that, most people won’t have any issue with motion. Those that do feel some slight discomfort can use over-the-counter remedies to stay feeling good.
But there are some people that are extremely sensitive to motion. If that’s the case with you, then no, a cruise won’t be ideal. While it’s uncommon to feel wild swings back and forth, there are definitely times that you can feel you are on the ocean. If you get sick on an airplane or riding in a car, then it’s likely that even a smooth cruise ship may cause issues.
You Can’t Stand Crowds for Even a Short Time
To us, it’s always surprising that the largest ships can carry so many passengers, yet you can still find plenty of space. The largest cruise ships can carry more than 7,000 passengers at once yet you can always find spaces around the ship that are largely empty if you need a break from the hustle and bustle of the ship.
That said, there is no arguing that crowds are going to be a part of any cruise you take. While you can do plenty to avoid them, you can’t avoid them completely. For instance, if you head to lunch in the buffet, it’s going to be packed. Theaters will be busy at showtime and ports of call (especially those with multiple ships in port) will have lots of people.
Some people have anxiety about crowds. If you’re someone that absolutely can’t be around crowds, then no, a cruise won’t be a fit as there will be some times at least where crowds are unavoidable.
You Enjoy Having Plenty of Elbow Room
Cruise ships are pretty amazing in that while the ships are massive, there’s literally a small city onboard. There are cabins for thousands of passengers, restaurants, theaters, casino, shops, lounges, pools, and so much more.
While you have an entire resort at sea, there is always a space limit onboard. After all, everything has to fit within the footprint of the ship.
Similar as with crowds, that means you’ll also have to deal with some space considerations. Most areas like theaters and restaurants are plenty large so it’s not an issue at all. But your cabin will be smaller than a typical hotel room. The pools on cruise ships are also smaller than you might imagine given the size of the ship. With pools being at the top of the ship and the weight of the water, they can’t be too large.
There’s no argument that a typical land-based resort will give you more space to spread out and have elbow room compared to even the largest cruise ships.
You Want to Get the Local Flavor (Caribbean Ports)
One amazing thing about cruises is that you can visit places that are difficult to travel to any other way. Alaska, in particular, is stunning and largely inaccessible unless you want to take multiple flights.
However, if you are headed on a classic Caribbean cruise, then be prepared for ports that can feel very Americanized. The good news is that some shore excursions can provide you with the chance to get out of the port and explore some of the more authentic areas. The areas near ports — and many excursions — are definitely put on for cruise tourists instead of a “real” destination.
Now, that doesn’t mean they can’t still be fun to visit. But if you’re anticipating a cultural visit in the Caribbean, it’s likely not going to be the case.
You Want Absolutely Zero Schedule
To us, one of the most impressive parts of a cruise is how you can make it your own. Some people think of cruises are rigidly scheduled, but the truth is that you can largely do what you want to do when you want to do it.
That said, there’s no arguing that a cruise does provide more of a scheduled vacation than traditional travel. For instance, when in ports of call you are free to go do whatever you want, but you are on the ship’s schedule. You can’t depart until the ship starts letting people off. And you have to be back before the “all aboard” time or risk being left in port.
Shows start on schedule. Dinner times may be assigned in the dining room (though in reality you can eat when you want). Your check-in time at the start of the cruise is provided to you. While your hour-by-hour isn’t scheduled, you definitely still want to bring a watch with you on your vacation.
