People either love or hate cruises. A cruise is a different type of holiday experience compared to a vacation where you fly somewhere or take a road trip. On a cruise, the resort comes to you! I have been on four cruises now and love it. Russell, on the other hand, is hesitant to try it. To cruise or not to cruise, that is the question. For all of you that have not yet tried cruising, I wanted to share cruise pros and cons so that you can figure out if a cruise vacation is right for you!
Note: Cruise lines do vary and this is based on my experience on four cruises with Royal Caribbean. MSC cruises are another popular option. If you have young children, you might want to check out these pros and cons of a Disney Cruise.
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The main pool area on a cruise is the hub of activity on a day at sea
Cruising definitely has some benefits when compared to other types of travel. Here are some of the reasons why I love going on cruises.
Minimize Packing and Unpacking
Packing is one of my pet peeves. I always leave it to the last minute and get Russell to do it when I can. You only have to pack twice for a cruise: once to set off from home, and again when you disembark. You are not staying in a different hotel room each night, you have your cabin and it moves with you.
Anisa with a towel elephant made by the cruise ship staff.
See More Destinations
A cruise is like a road trip on the water. A seven-day cruise usually goes to three or four destinations. The last cruise I went on stopped in Nassau, St. Thomas, St. Martin. I prefer the chance to see multiple destinations rather than to stay in one place for the whole week.
Get Pampered
Based on my experience on cruises, you will get pampered. I’m not just talking about the spa on the ship. Most of the cruise staff work for tips so they want to make sure you are enjoying yourself. Pretty much anything I have asked for I have gotten.
Good Cruise Ship Food
I have been impressed by the quality of food that I have had on cruise ships. I think it is better than any all-inclusive resort that I have stayed in. Plus, the cruise ship food menu has plenty of options including meals for vegetarians and those with other dietary restrictions. In my experience, the dining room always does a great job with the presentation of the food too. Usually, the food service is all-you-can-eat. In addition to being able to go to the buffet, you can always ask for seconds or order room service.
Meet People
It is easy to meet people on cruises if you want to! I am still in touch with some friends I met on cruises 10 years ago. The activities on the ship are designed to be fun and social, so choose a few that look interesting to you and go! It’s easy to make friends at dinner if you get a good dinner table assignment. I usually request a large table so you get to meet more people. If you want to be really proactive you can join the cruise forums on Cruise Critic and meet fellow passengers before you cruise.
No Cash Needed
It’s nice that you don’t have to carry any money or credit cards around for incidentals like drinks. You just use your room key for that. You just have to be careful because a little money here and there can quickly add up.
Something for Everyone
Every day you receive the list of activities for the next day. If it’s your first cruise, I think you will be impressed with how many activities there are each day. I think everyone can find something! I also like that everyone in your group does not have to do the same activity.
A glimpse inside the atrium of a cruise ship.
In addition, to the scheduled activities, some ships have several pools, rock-climbing, miniature golf, bars, shopping, and even zip-lines. If you prefer, you can always just sleep in and relax by the pool.
Cruise Travel Cons
Yes, there are cons to cruising, nothing is perfect. Here are a few reasons not to go on a cruise.
Too Much Good Food
The downside to all the good food is, of course, the calories. It is hard to eat healthily with all the delicious options like a chocolate buffet! It is easy to gain weight on a cruise. My suggestion would be to try and fit in a little gym time each day before dinner.
Cruise ship gyms offer a wide range of exercise machines and weights. You can also take exercise classes, but these may cost extra. Most cruises do offer healthy menu items which are marked with a symbol on the menu. If you can convince yourself to order the healthy options at least some of the time, that will help too.
You also don’t have much opportunity to try the cuisine at the ports of call. For example, there are so many amazing restaurants in St. Martin, but at most you would get to try one!
Surf and Turf night!
Limited Time in a Destination
Most cruise itineraries only allow a day at each destination. Sometimes that means you only have 6-8 hours to explore a destination. Depending on where the boat docks, getting out of the dock area can also be time-consuming. It’s best to plan what you want to do at each port to make the most of your time. I look at it as a preview. I can see what I think of a destination and plan a trip back if I want to see more. You cannot expect to fully explore destinations on a cruise. For example, it’s just not possible to complete all the things to do in Nassau in one short visit.
Lack of Connectivity
Internet on a cruise is slow and expensive. When you are out at sea, you may or may not have cell service depending on your carrier. That can make it hard to stay connected, but if you are a vacation, maybe it’s a good idea to disconnect and just enjoy the experience.
Extra Charges Can Add Up
When you pay for a cruise, it does include food and a lot of activities, but not everything. Extras include drinks, spa treatments, specialty dining, internet, excursions, and gratuities.
Drinks on a cruise are not cheap. If you plan on drinking a lot, you should probably consider buying a drink package for your cruise. Royal Caribbean offers a package that includes drinks and wifi.
Personally, I think the specialty restaurants on cruises are not worth it because the food in the dining room is excellent, but some people do. Space on a cruise ship is limited, so they wouldn’t have the restaurants there if they weren’t popular! Sometimes you can find a deal when you book your cruise which includes one specialty meal.
I also try to avoid booking excursions through the cruise line because they are almost always overpriced. I usually try to explore on my own or book an excursion through a third party. If you book through a third party be sure to do your research!
I have also heard of people skipping the last dinner to avoid giving the staff tips. Please don’t do this. The staff works hard to make your cruise special and not paying cruise gratuities is just wrong.
While most activities and food are included in your cruise, the extras can add up too.
Small Cabins
Yes, the cabins on a cruise ship are small but I don’t think it’s a concern. Cruise ship accommodations are designed to maximize space. You will not be spending much time in your room. If you are able to afford it, I would recommend splurging for the balcony cabin. I loved having a little private outdoor space.
Cruise ships need to be more environmentally friendly.
Environmental Impact of Cruises
Large cruise ships can have the same amount of emissions as a thousand cars according to an undercover investigation by the UK’s Channel 4. New government regulations require cleaner burning fuels, but outside territorial waters, there are fewer regulations. Many cruise lines are investing thousands to millions of dollars upgrading fleets, saving money on fuel and energy costs over the long term. It’s nice to see more focus on the environment, but cruise lines still need to do better.
There is also a concern about overcrowding at some cruise ports. Yes, cruise passengers help the local economy, but in some cases, it is more than places can handle. As the popularity of cruises increases and more big ships are built, limits may need to be put in place that find a balance between tourism and overcrowding.
Norovirus Outbreaks
I can only imagine what a nightmare it would be to have a norovirus outbreak on your cruise vacation. Norovirus is not just a cruise ship virus, it can spread quickly whenever there are a lot of people in a small space. While I think the probability of an outbreak on your cruise is low, you should make sure that you are extra diligent about washing your hands. Most cruise ships also seem to have hand sanitizer stands everywhere.
Do Cruise Pros Outweigh the Cons?
You need to consider both the pros and cons of cruises before deciding if it is the right type of vacation for you. I do think the pros outweigh the cons. If you are thinking of booking a cruise, I recommend Royal Caribbean. You can see cruise options from more cruise lines on Cruise Direct and they have a best-price guarantee. Hopefully, I can convince Russell to do a cruise soon!
Have you gone on a cruise? What do you see as the pros and cons of cruising? If you haven’t been on a cruise, do you think it’s for you?
–Anisa
Expert Tips for Making the Most of Your Cruise:
- Try to fit in a little gym time before dinner to help offset all the calories.
- Watch out for extra charges, it is easy for those to add up quickly.
- Consider booking excursions through third parties.
- If budget allows, try to get a cruise cabin with a balcony.
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I remain unconvinced. If I get more decrepit I may have to take river cruises or quit traveling, but I have no interest in sharing my trips with thousands of fellow passengers. I did once take a Caribbean cruise, back in the late 70s when ships were smaller, and have no interest in taking another. On the other hand, I have done a couple of trips on working ships that also take passengers – Navimag along the Chilean coast (bare bones) and Hurtigruten along the Norwegian coast (very comfortable) and would do that again.
Cruising is not for everyone. The working ships sound like an interesting experience.
Great post but I am not sure either about cruising. I tour guide for the cruse ships. Most of the tours are three hours, and I am nor sure you can get a real taste of a country in such a short time. I try to entertain everyone and talk about my Denmark but there is so much to explore and three hours just doesn’t make much of a dent. I also spent most of last year doing the cruise ship tour. It seemed everywhere we went on holiday Croatia, Norway, Finland, there was a huge cruise ship sitting n the harbor. It means swarms of people, who are possibly not really adding a great deal to the economy as they have all their meals onboard. Mind you many in family love them!
Thanks. Yes I agree if you really want to explore a destination a cruise is not the right way to travel.
Your pros and cons are right on point. You’re so right, there is so much great food that I feel like I gain 10 pounds on every cruise. Maybe I should hit the gym on the ship once in a while. LOL!
Michelle – Glad to hear you agree. I feel like the gym is a must to avoid weight gain!
While the cruises are glamorous, they sure do have disadvantages… Like less time at a destination. Loved your candid views
Ami – Yes, that is one of the downsides, but I still think cruising makes for a great vacation!
My husband and I are very pro cruise – he likes that he can’t be reached by work, he’s surrounded by water, it’s a great bargain and he only unpacks once which is a huge bonus because he travels for work. I just love seeing all the new places! Great post!
Jill – Glad to hear you guys love cruising too!
I am not going to tell this to my youngest son. His dream is to go on a Disney cruise, but my husband and I always thought it is fun for kids only. I didn’t expect the food to be so good. So maybe we have to reconsider?
Wendy – I can’t vouch for Disney cruises, but if you feel like that would be too kid-oriented maybe try another cruise line. Royal Caribbean has a lot of great activities for kids too.
Thanks for a thorough look at the pros and cons of cruising. This is always something that has baffled me a little bit, since it seems you spend most of the time on a ship, rather than out exploring. You make a good point that it’s a way to get a taste of several destinations and plan to come back to those that are promising. It would sure be nice to have lodging and meals taken care of for the duration, and not have to pack and unpack. And of course it sounds like a great way to relax! My main concern would be the environmental impact. I’m glad to hear some companies are working toward lessening the way cruising affects our oceans. #TheWeeklyPostcard
Cynthia – Yes there are pros and cons, but I do think overall cruises are great vacations. I think you would enjoy it!
I took my first cruise this past January! I really appreciated the ability to unpack just once and see multiple areas. And, our spa services were amazing! I would definitely look into the drink package on the next cruise, I think that can be a nice bonus. Like you mention it’s easy to go a little overboard with all the good food, but then again, if you take the stairs more than the elevator you can get a good workout (without the extra expense of the gym) to counteract the calories! 😉
Cynthia – Yes, stairs is a great tip. The gym on the cruises that I have been to are included, you just have to pay extra if you want to do a class.
One of my dreams is to go on a cruise. After reading this, I think the pros outweigh the cons, just like with many things. I feel braver to book one now, as I did feel a bit anxious about going on a cruise. And Royal Caribean it is. #theweeklypostcard
Glad to hear that! I am sure you will love it!
We just went on a cruise in April – my, hubby, and two kids age 6 and 9 – and we LOVED it! It was so great because there was stuff for everyone to do. we all had a blast. the kids loved the kids camp and we loved relaxing by the pool.
Harmony – So glad to hear you enjoyed it!
We typically don’t do cruises or anything else where we have to be on someone else’s schedule since we like to do our own thing. But, the one time we did take a cruise, I totally loved not having to plan anything and just relax and enjoy instead! Plus the whole all you can eat tasty food thing didn’t hurt. I can see the appeal!
Michelle – I do think cruises still allow you more flexibility than you might think, especially the ones that are freestyle cruises (Norwegian). Those you can even eat wherever and whenever you want.
I am not a great fan of cruise ships, but sometimes they are a great way to explore a new area. Food is always excellent on these cruises. Unfortunately, I always gain a few pounds on them. Thanks God, we never had any bad experiences while on a cruise.
Anda – I am glad you haven’t had any bad experiences either. And yes the food, it is so easy to gain weight.
We’ve been thinking of doing a cruise exactly because of all the Pro, but for now, we’d rather plan our trips and be able to spend more time at each place.
However, this is a great article with some really great points
Mina – If you want to spend more time in each place, then yes I agree cruising is not the best choice.
So many pros! We still haven’t been on a cruise and I’ve been hesitant about it, but maybe we should consider it as an option. Getting pampered can’t ever be bad!
Inge – You should try it! I think you would enjoy it.
I really love cruises. Something about not having to bother with details and go with the flow are right up my alley. Plus you get to see a few different places at the same time. Count me in. Thanks for sharing.
Victoria – Exactly! I hope you get to go on another cruise soon!
I enjoyed your informative post. When I was in my teens, I had accompanied my parents on a few cruises in the Caribbean. Though I had a great time, I remember that sometimes it was hard to match the photos with the islands. These days, I prefer to stay in one location and experience the culture through the local people.
Dorothy – Yes, cruises are great for families because there are so many activity options for everybody to choose from. I can understand that you prefer to just stay in one location now.
We recently discussed the prospect of taking a cruise on a cargo ship. It’s not as glamorous, but we like the idea of using the experience as a writer’s retreat while crossing to Europe. In that instance, the lack of wi-fi is a huge plus. We’re hoping to do it in a couple of years, so this was a great read on #TheWeeklyPostcard!
Oh a cargo ship would be interesting. I can see how it would be a good writer’s retreat.
Like you said, cruises are for some people but not necessarily for others. In my case, they are not my first vacation choice but I have been on several and have enjoyed them. On the contrary, my husband is dying to go in another one. So, as always, we try to balance our different tastes when planning a trip. I want to do one around the Mexican Riviera or Alaska. #TheWeeklyPostcard
Ruth – Glad that you guys are able to compromise. I think an Alaskan cruise would be amazing!
As you said, many people either love or hate cruises. I’ve only been on one, it was cool, but the ship had over 1500 people for a Quinceañera and therefore half of the ship was closed to regular cruise goers. I loved the places we went, but I hated that we were in port for 6 hours in one location and 8-10 in the other two and spent the rest of the time out at sea in a 1-week cruise. The traveler in me today would hate to rush through a town like that, and now I know some of the negative aspects of cruising but it still sounds so appealing being on the ocean. So for me, I’m torn in the middle haha #TheWeeklyPostcard!
Lolo – I’m sorry to hear that you had issues with parts of the ship being closed, that sounds frustrating. I agree it is hard to be rushed but I try to look at it like it is just a preview and if I like a destination, I will plan another trip to explore more.
Great information, I agree with all of your points! I’ve been on a few cruises myself, all through Princess, but I’ve heard Royal Caribbean is fantastic, too. I’ve definitely gained weight on every cruise haha but the food is so worth it! We also book excursions through a 3rd party, but you definitely have to be careful with it – if you book excursions through the cruise company, you are guaranteed to get back to the ship, but not so with 3rd party excursions. We once had a nightmare experience on one of the Caribbean islands, where we hired a guy to take us to the other side of the island, and he ended up abandoning us there. Thankfully a local was nice enough to drive us back and we didn’t miss the boat. But it’s true, the excursions are WAY overpriced through the cruiseline. Thanks for sharing!
Jessica – Yes, that must have been scary, so glad you found a local to help you.
Thanks for sharing this info with us. I never considered a cruise vacation and neither did my husband. We like to explore on our own, and the thought of having a given amount of time in one place makes me stressed. I like to give myself time to get lost and find my way in any destination. Being on water for too long would give me anxiety, no matter how nice the ship is. But quite a few of my friends and extended family members enjoy them. Now I undersand the why better :).
Emese – I can understand why you’ve never considered a cruise. I think you would enjoy it more than you would have thought.
Great points you addressed on cruising. I have only been on 3 cruises and they were all different. I do enjoying going off and finding my own path of traveling but there are times where its nice to have everything taken care of and to only unpack once. Thanks for sharing! #TheWeeklyPostcard
Stephanie – Yes only unpacking once is one of my favorite perks.
I haven’t been on a cruiseliner before but my parents and sister have, and you’re right, they had mentioned about the variety of food (good food!) from morning to night and plenty of activities to do on the ship. I guess the downside is not being able to spend more time exploring the destination, thus we should have a different objective/mindset when going on a cruise holiday, that is, to enjoy the cruise experience 🙂 Would love to go on a cruise one day – we have a number of cruises in South-East Asia. #TheWeeklyPostcard
Kat – Yes I hope you get to go on a cruise and Im sure one in Southeast Asia would be lovely
I’ve gone on a Mediterranean cruise once! I have mixed feelings about it: on the one side there are lots of pros, but on the other – time at every destination is so limited. And I´m one of these people afraid to be late lol so I check my phone every 5 min not to miss the boat. And at the end, I realized it makes me enjoy the destination less. The cruise I did started in Venice,Italy and went to Rhodes and Santorini via Dubrovnik! The good thing was that we got to see 3 countries in one week, which would be impossible otherwise! However, next year I went to Greece and the islands by myself – and liked it more. Nevertheless, I´m definitely planning a Caribbean and Norway Fjords cruise. And now with a baby -I realize we might go on cruises more often!
Anna – Yes cruising really has it positives and negatives. I can see how its a great way to travel with young kids!
All modes of travel have their positives and negatives. I have used cruises to get a taste of some cities in order to decide if I want to go back for a longer time. At other times, I have cruised to see things that are not easy any other way such as travelling through the Panama Canal or seeing glaciers in Alaska. I prefer smaller cruise ships and not the huge mega-ships that are destinations/cities unto themselves. 5000 passengers disembarking at a cruise port would be a nightmare. My next cruise is a repositioning so I can travel between countries without having to take a long haul flight.
Rhonda – Yes, I agree. That repositioning cruise sounds amazing. I still need to try one of the smaller cruise ships