Cruising is one of the most unique ways to travel, offering comfort, adventure, and incredible destinations—all while only unpacking once! But despite its popularity, there are still plenty of myths and misconceptions about cruise life that make some people hesitant to book their first voyage.
Working at sea for over fifteen years means I’ve heard them all! So, let’s separate fact from fiction and bust some common cruise ship myths.
Myth #1: "Cruises are only for old people."
Reality: Cruises cater to all ages and interests!
This is often entirely dependent on the cruise line you choose to sail with. While cruises used to have a reputation for being retirement-friendly, the industry has evolved massively in recent years. Many cruise lines now offer family-friendly experiences, targeted age range cruises, adventure-packed excursions, and even themed sailings. You’ll find music festivals at sea, wellness retreats, Pride sailings and food and wine focused cruises.
For younger travellers, I’d chose a line with larger vessels in their fleet, these have been built with family vacations in mind and there’s plenty to do—think rock climbing, zip-lining, surf simulators, live entertainment, cocktail bars, and even silent discos!
Myth #2: "I’ll feel trapped on board."
Reality: Modern cruise ships are floating resorts with endless activities.
With bright and airy seating areas, multiple restaurants, theatres, pools, gyms, games rooms, spas and spacious open decks with views for miles, you’re highly unlikely to feel trapped. And let’s not forget—on most itineraries, you’re exploring new destinations every day!
Whether it’s wandering through a charming European town, snorkelling in the Caribbean, or exploring ancient ruins, you’ll spend just as much time on land as you do at sea.
If you’re still worried about cabin fever or feeling cooped up opt for a balcony stateroom, or book a cruise with minimal sea days. River cruising is a great way to avoid the trapped feeling, you’ll be in port pretty much every day and most of the sailing is done overnight.
Myth #3: "Cruise food is just buffets and all-you-can-eat junk food."
Reality: The dining experience on a cruise is better than ever!
Hand on my heart, I can safely say the culinary experience is one of my favourite parts of a cruise vacation. Yes, there are buffets (and some people live for them!), but cruise ships now offer world-class dining with some menus even designed by Michelin-starred chefs. There's specialty restaurants featuring everything from sushi to steak, and the vegan and gluten-free options are extensive.
On luxury and premium cruise lines, food is an experience in itself and the chefs are the stars of the show - think wine pairings, cooking classes, and fresh, local ingredients from the destinations you visit.
Myth #4: "Cruises are unsafe."
Reality: Cruise ships follow strict global safety protocols.
Cruise lines must comply with international maritime safety standards, and all crew members undergo rigorous safety training before they get onboard a vessel. Once on board there is regular mandatory training that ensures we are always alert and ready for anything.
Our ongoing emergency response training includes fire drills, crowd control, first aid, spillage and pollution protocols, man overboard procedures and even region specific training such as safe haven drills for sailing in areas where there might be a risk of pirates! The industry takes safety very seriously.
Plus, modern ocean going cruise ships have advanced medical facilities and onboard doctors, ensuring that passengers are well cared for in any situation.
Myth #5: "I’ll get seasick."
Reality: Today’s cruise ships are designed to minimize motion.
Cruise ships are equipped with stabilisers to significantly reduce roll movement, and remember, the Captain and bridge team are highly experienced in knowing the best way to handle the ship so their passengers feel the least amount of movement.
I want to say that there are certain itineraries to avoid if seasickness is a concern, but truthfully, I have experienced movement on almost all itineraries I’ve sailed. The Bay of Biscay is notorious for being a rough stretch to cross, but I have crossed it at times when it’s been like sailing a mill pond!
So, what to do if you’re prone to motion sickness - book a midship cabin on a low to mid deck (this area experiences the least movement), an inside cabin tucked away in the centre of the ship will likely feel less pitch and roll and neither will you get the washing machine effect that a porthole can give in rough seas. Oh, and bring some seasickness remedies—just in case!
Myth #6: "Cruises are too expensive."
Reality: Cruising can be great value for money!
When you factor in accommodation, dining, entertainment, and transportation between destinations, cruises can be much cheaper than booking hotels and flights separately. Go ahead, try and add up everything you get in the cost of your cruise on an individual basis, I guarantee it will make you think again about the pricing of a cruise.
It all comes down to what you’re looking to spend. There are budget-friendly cruise lines, last-minute deals, and off-season discounts that make it possible to find a great cruise at an affordable price.
Early booking discounts are a great way to take advantage of the best prices, a lot of cruise lines give significant discounts if you book within a certain time frame after your cruise ends.
Pro tip: Look for cruises that include drinks, WiFi, and excursions in the fare to avoid extra costs.
Myth #7: "There’s nothing to do but sit by the pool."
Reality: There’s something for everyone!
These days cruise ships offer a huge range of activities including:
Broadway-style shows
Live music, comedy clubs, and dance performances
Cooking and wine-tasting classes
Crafts, art, singing and dancing classes
Fitness centres, yoga, and wellness retreats
Waterslides, skydiving simulators, and go-kart tracks
There’s always a ship shop onboard whether that be a small area that sells perfumes and handbags or a sprawling shopping street that sells everything from flip flops to fine jewellery.
Keep an eye on the ships daily publication which outlines the activity schedule for the day. This is often printed and delivered to your cabin each night or even more conveniently, found on the cruise line’s app. Make a note of the activities you want to do so you don’t miss out.
And if you do just want to relax by the pool with a cocktail? That’s perfectly fine too!
Myth #8: "Cruises don’t let you experience a destination properly."
Reality: Cruises offer fantastic shore excursions and local experiences.
While it’s true that port visits are time limited, lots of cruise itineraries will offer overnight stays in key ports, and a comprehensive excursion programme that will allow you to take a deep dive into the local culture.
In my opinion, an excursion is the best way to get the most out of the destination. Cruise lines take great pride in curating their excursion programme to complement the culture and themes of the region they’re sailing in. It also means that the ship waits for you if the bus gets stuck in traffic for example, a security you don’t have if you are exploring further afield independently.
If you do skip the organized tours and explore on your own, make sure you have at least a loose plan of what you want to see and where you’d like to go. The flexibility of independent exploring is great, but your hours will tick away before you know it while you’re standing next to the ship with the city map upside down!
Myth #9: "The pools are overcrowded, and I won’t find a sunbed."
Reality: There are plenty of spaces to relax.
Yes, on sea days the main pool deck can be busy, but most ships have multiple pools, sun decks, and even adults-only relaxation areas where you can escape the crowds.
If peace and quiet are important to you, consider a luxury or premium cruise line, which often has a higher guest-to-space ratio and fewer crowds.
Myth #10: "I have to dress formally every night."
Reality: Dress codes vary, and most cruises are more relaxed than you think!
While some luxury lines have formal nights, many modern cruise lines have "smart/resort casual" dress codes, meaning you don’t have to pack a tuxedo or evening gown unless you want to!
On a river cruise, the itinerary for the day is usually jam packed and you’re certainly not expected to be suited and booted for every meal, especially when you have limited time for lunch between excursions.
Now I love dressing up to the nines and going for a beautiful formal night dining experience – I mean how often do you get to do that at home. If that’s really not for you then, there are plenty of casual dining options where you can enjoy dinner in a sundress or polo shirt.
Final Thoughts
Cruising is one of the most flexible and enjoyable ways to travel, but misconceptions still keep some people from trying it. Hopefully, this post has busted a few myths and given you a better idea of what cruising is really like!
So, what do you think? Have any of these myths stopped you from booking a cruise? Let me know in the comments!
Jennifer
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