Cruises are one of those things that people either love or hate. Some, okay most, people get hooked from their very first trip, while others just cannot get excited about being trapped on a boat with a bunch of strangers. If you are trying to plan your next vacation and are thinking about springing for a cruise, you might be wondering, is a cruise worth it?
Cruises can be worth the money, but only if you are the type of person who enjoys what a cruise has to offer, and only if you find the right cruise.
Cruises can be a wonderful way to spend your vacation. If you know how to navigate the different package options, they can be an affordable way to enjoy multiple destinations, fine dining, top-notch entertainment, luxury shopping, and many other activities. However, whether a cruise is worth it for you depends a lot on your personality.
What Is a Cruise?
Cruises are vacations that are spent on a ship of some type. There are several types of cruises available, and cruise ships range in size from smaller, more intimate cruises to large adventure cruises. Additionally, passengers can choose from a variety of themed cruises such as river cruises, adult-only cruises, singles cruises, family cruises, holiday cruises, and much more.
The overall appeal of a cruise is more than just sunning yourself on a boat. However, passengers can choose from a wide range of activities. What is available will depend on the cruise line, but many ships feature bars, restaurants, shopping centers, shore excursions, and entertainment centers. Larger cruises will often have live entertainment, various shows, theaters, pools (with water slides), playrooms, and much more.
One of the things people like most about cruises is that everything (hotel, travel, restaurant, sightseeing, entertainment, shopping, nightlife, etc.) is included all in one place.
So are they worth It?
This is a hard question to answer because what may feel like an amazing experience for one person might not seem so great to another. This is especially true with a cruise because not everyone enjoys being on a large boat surrounded by the ocean.
Below we will look at some of the pros and cons of a cruise so that you can get a better feel for whether you might enjoy a cruise or not.
Advantages of a Cruise Vacation
When deciding if a cruise would be worth it for you, it is important to look at the advantages and disadvantages of a cruise vacation.
Cruises are worth it if you want a convenient vacation. Has the thought of booking multiple travel arrangements and then navigating those arrangements while trying to plan an agenda that keeps everyone in your family happy kept you from booking a vacation at all? You are not alone. Cruises are a desirable alternative to the typical vacation because they offer everything all in one place, making them an extremely easy vacation to plan.
Cruises are worth it if you want to see multiple places at once. There are over 2350 active cruise ports worldwide, meaning there are 2350 cruise destinations that you could visit. In fact, the ability to see multiple places is one of the biggest advantages of a cruise. Additionally, there are several shore excursions that you can sign up for, and a lot of them are handled and arranged by cruise staff, so all you have to worry about is enjoying yourself!
Cruises are worth it if you are looking for affordability. Some cruise lines are more expensive than others, and some are simply crazy expensive (we are looking at your luxury cruises!), but if you work with a travel agent, they can often find you an amazingly affordable cruise package that will include everything from food to sightseeing. For example, the current average price of a cruise is between $150 to $220 a day per person, which is about the average cost of just a hotel room for one night.
Cruises are worth it if you have a large family. Anyone who has a large family will agree that as the cost of things adds up, vacations can get expensive very quickly. Just the price of food, when you are feeding 5 to 7 people, can run you between $100 – $200 a day! Family cruises can help alleviate this financial strain by offering family packages that include everything—food, entertainment, drinks, activities, sightseeing, etc. Additionally, they often offer kid clubs and activities targeted at certain age groups, so there will be something to keep everyone entertained.
Cruises are worth it if you are looking for a romantic vacation. There is something magical about being out on the ocean, the sun shining, the breeze blowing your hair, while you and your partner enjoy a sunset dinner on the deck. If you are looking for an affordable way to spend time rekindling your romance, you might find a cruise to be the perfect vacation for you.
Cruises are worth it if you like to meet new people. There is no limit to who you will meet on a cruise. You might see your neighbor, or you might meet someone from the opposite side of the world. Plus, there is no shortage of social activities to choose from. Passengers can also enjoy many themed cruises, such as single cruises, that specifically organize social events for people to mingle and meet one another.
Cruises are worth it if you cannot decide between a relaxing vacation or one full of adventure. If you are your family/partner cannot agree on where you should go because one side wants to relax while the other side years for adventure, you might find a cruise to be the perfect compromise. Adventure buffs can explore various locations through shore excursions, while those who need some downtime can enjoy a drink by the pool.
Cruises are worth it if you are traveling alone. While some cruise lines cater to families, others cater more to single travelers. Additionally, a cruise is a safe way to visit various destinations while taking advantage of the safety and security of a larger group of people.
Disadvantages of a Cruise Vacation
Although they have many fantastic advantages, cruises also have some drawbacks, and those disadvantages might be a deal-breaker for you.
Cruises are not worth it if you get seasick. Although most cruise ships have stabilizers, there are many people who still experience seasickness while on a cruise. If you are the type of person who gets queasy on a boat, you probably will not have fun on a cruise.
Cruises are not worth it if you tend to avoid crowds. Unless you spend the entire trip in your cabin, you will have to face the crowds, and since some cruise ships can hold up to 3,000 passengers, these crowds can be large. If you are the type of person who does not like crowds or suffers from social anxiety, you might not enjoy a larger cruise. However, you might still enjoy a smaller river cruise or a more intimate couple’s cruise.
Cruises are not worth it if boats scare you. Do you have a phobia of water? Do you spend substantial amounts of time worrying that the boat you are on will sink? If so, a cruise would not be worth it for you. Even though most cruise ships are designed to feel like large hotels, some people just cannot get past the general anxiety of being on a boat.
Cruises are not worth it if you are prone to being late. If you are the type of person who has a tough time sticking to a schedule, you might want to avoid a cruise. Or, at the very least, avoid going on shore. Cruise ships have a tight schedule, and they will not wait for a passenger who does not make it back on board before they are set to leave.
Although you may be able to catch the ship at the next port, you will have to spend money to get yourself to that destination and will not have any of your belongings with you.
Cruises are not worth it if you dislike spending extra money on everyday things. One of the biggest downsides of a cruise is that they will often charge extra for stuff that you might have expected to be included. For example, even though we live in a world that depends on the internet to function, passengers will pay extra for the use of wi-fi.
Also, the food that is included in your package might be limited to only the cruise cafeteria, and you might pay extra to eat at the other various locations on board. Alcohol is another area that passengers often complain about being overcharged for, with some drink packages running upwards of $99 dollars a day per person!
Some other common disadvantages include:
- Theft (you can buy cruise insurance, but it is pricey)
- Bed Bugs
- Sickness
- No Phone Signal
- Expensive Shore Excursions
- Crime
- Food Poisoning
- Sun Burn
- Bad Service
- High Costs
Is A Cruise the Right Vacation for Me?
Ultimately, cruises are still one of the best vacation options for those who are looking for an affordable way to visit multiple locations while enjoying the various onboard amenities available to them. However, whether a cruise is worth it for you really depends on your personality and what you are looking for in a vacation.
If you enjoy being on the ocean, relaxing in the sun, exploring exotic locations, and can get past the crowds and sometimes overpriced amenities, then a cruise might be worth it for you.
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