To Cruise Or Not To Cruise...

To cruise or not to cruise? If you are a cruise virgin then that may be the question you are asking. And if it is, you have come to the right place.

The world of cruising can feel quite intimidating to a first-time cruiser, and pulling the trigger on booking the trip can come with a lot of valid concerns. Will I feel claustrophobic in my cabin? Am I going to feel stressed being stuck on a ship with all of those people? Will I get sea sick? All of this went through my mind before my first voyage but I haven’t looked back since.

I’m not going to lie and say cruising is the perfect holiday for everyone. It doesn’t suit all. But the variety of options out there and all that a cruise offers is too much for anyone to dismiss. Knowing what to expect from your first cruise can really help to make sure everything is smooth sailing.

I cannot think of a more relaxing way to see so many different countries, towns and cities in one break. I had been able to visit so many amazing places and get such a rich cultural experience while being in full chill mode. Going to sleep at night and waking up the next day with a whole new place to explore can’t be matched. The flexibility of exploration can’t be beaten, with options of a lazy explore of the port town on your own two feet or booking onto a bucket-list excursion you are sure to have the holiday experience you are craving.

A New Port Every Day

The type of cruise you book will massively impact the type of break you might have and the types of things you will see. A Norway Fjord break will differ to a Mediterranean tour, which will of course differ again to a Caribbean jaunt. Make sure you think about what you are hoping for in your cruise break; be it nature, culture, sandy beaches or historical sites. You will be able to find any of these things if you look hard enough wherever you go but prioritising your vibe is important.

Cruises offer a value for money that I feel is vastly underrated. Don’t underestimate what is included in your quote. The vast majority of cruise quotes will include your room, food and a whole host of entertainment and experiences. From my experience most cruise ships will have something for everybody. Pools, kids clubs and games for families; plenty of trivia, game shows and discos for the grown-ups to let down their hair; and spa treatments, informative destination presentations and exercise classes for those looking for mindfulness and routine.

The food is always really great quality with options to please even the pickiest of eaters or snobbiest fine dining enthusiasts. Exploring the never-ending buffet, grabbing a pizza or burger from the poolside grill or chowing down on a three, or more, course meal in the main dining room are usually all included in your quote. Do be aware that drinks are most likely not included in the fare, unless you’ve found yourself a golden deal, so this is an extra expense to consider if you like a tipple by the pool or glass of bubbly with your evening show.

Value For Money

To address the sea-sickness concerns, I won’t sugar coat it. Yes, you might feel sick on your trip. This really depends on where exactly you are sailing and the weather conditions at the time; not something we can control. But the good news is you don’t have to feel queasy if you are prepared. Use sea-sickness bands or take some tablets if you feel some movement before it starts to affect you and you will more than likely not suffer any consequences. I have been on multiple cruises with a rough day or two, but this has never ruined the break or stopped me from getting my next sail-away in the diary.

The number of passengers on board can range anywhere from 1500 to 7600 people, not including crew members. Even small ships can sound busy and overwhelming but when put into context of how big each ship is the numbers definitely sound more reasonable. Most small ships are still over 250 metres long and 32 metres wide, over 10-12 decks. Bigger vessels can be over 350 metres long and 65 metres wide, over up to 20 decks. During a day at sea the passengers are spread across pools and sun decks, in restaurants and dining areas and at various activities at indoor areas of the ship. The cruise lines are very experienced in planning a wide range of activities to please all, hosted in different areas of the ship to make sure everyone isn’t in the same space at once. Think of it as a small town on the waves, everyone doing their own thing and having fun. Don’t expect to have the whole pool deck to yourself, but also don’t expect to be packed in like beans in a can.

Common Concerns

It is impossible to cover the wealth of information there is to cover to truly understand the cruise experience and to help you decide what type of cruise is right for you in this short post.

Do look out for more information in our other posts and if you are feeling curious to find out more, overwhelmed by your options or are ready to take the leap and book your first cruise then get in touch via our contact form. We love to match first-time, or tenth-timer, cruisers with their perfect itinerary, ship and vibe and are so excited to introduce you to the world of cruising!

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