5 Excuses You Can Use To Avoid Cruising…And Miss Out On a Dream Vacation

By Gerry Waller

Being a creature of habit, it wasn’t until 2003 my wife and I took our first cruise. But waiting so long or not cruising at all is not unusual. In fact, you may find this hard to believe but a vast majority of folks in the United States have never taken a cruise, or took one many years ago and haven’t cruised since. Their reasons for avoiding this vacation option fall into several areas of misconception: past experience; motion sickness; age of passengers (too many senior citizens or too many kids); too expensive; too boring; too structured; too crowded.

This article highlights each one in an effort to help those who have not taken a cruise to recognize they are missing out on what could very possibly be one of their best vacation options.

Past Experience

“I went on a cruise with my parents 15 years ago and couldn’t wait to get off because nobody my age was on the ship.”

“We chose a cruise vacation to relax but the ship had too many kids running around.”

“Our cruise ship needed a make-over and the food was not as good as I expected.”

These statements point to expectations that were not met with the cruise vacation. One relates to the expectations at the time the cruise had been taken. Another is the passenger demographic that the particular cruise line and/or itinerary was targeting. The other is the type and age of the ship. Each can be easily solved and a cruise vacation should not be crossed off your list of options because of a one-time issue.

A lot has changed with cruising over the last decade or so, and more so over the last several years. There are cruise ships and itineraries that are structured to the specific needs of various types of passengers. Whether the variety and quality of food top your priority list or total relaxation defines your ideal vacation, professional travel advisors can help identify those priorities and needs to create your perfect cruise itinerary.

I find it interesting to hear travelers mention a single problem that causes them to no longer consider a cruise vacation and yet they do not apply the same standard to land-based vacations.

Motion Sickness

It is understandable that people who suffer from any type of motion sickness will want to avoid anything that will cause the problem. However, not taking a cruise vacation for fear of getting seasick should be reconsidered, especially with today’s ships.

Like many things, motion sickness tends to affect each person differently. And while motion sickness cannot be entirely prevented, those who want to cruise but are concerned with getting seasick should look for larger ships sailing in relatively calm climates. Another option, often overlooked, is river cruising. Unlike traditional ocean cruising, the river cruise ships navigate smaller bodies of water that are more “tame.’ Know too, that the combination of ship sizes and stabilizers, as well as the ability to navigate around rough waters usually results in a very stable cruise experience.

Motion sickness medications can also be considered as a remedy for your cruise vacation. Be sure to check with your doctor before taking a cruise. Dramamine, Meclizine, Scopolamine patches, and even acupressure wristbands are available options to discuss with your doctor. Some people get relief by simply sipping on ginger ale or chewing a piece of gum. A slow walk around the deck or standing at the center of the ship to take in a few deep breaths can also help.

Be sure to discuss concerns of motion sickness with your travel advisor. He or she can search for an outside cabin located in the middle of a ship. This can often provide smoother sailing. And here’s another tip: Consider an itinerary that has more port stops than days at sea.

Age of Passengers

The days when cruising was primarily for “older” passengers has since sailed away. Today, cruise lines cater to a wide range of passenger ages and multi-generational families. Your desired cruise will depend on your preferences and knowing your priorities. Your professional travel adviser can help you determine the best ships for the age of passengers you are cruising with. Be sure to review the activities and entertainment offered by the cruise ship, as well as the time of year for the cruise. The ships that have kids programs, rock climbing walls, ice rinks, water sports, and other similar activities are catering to families. However, those same ships may have itineraries scheduled when kids are in school and could be ideal for older passengers.

The chart below offers a general guideline for average age of passengers on several popular cruise lines. It is important to know that the passenger ages will vary somewhat by sailing but will usually follow the list below.

Carnival Cruise Line: 0 - 45 years of age
Royal Caribbean Cruise Line: 25 - 55 years of age
Crystal Cruise Line: 55+ years of age
Celebrity Cruise Line: 35 - 64 years of age
Norwegian Cruise Line: 27 - 56 years of age
Holland America Cruises: 30 - 60 years of age
Princess Cruise Line: 35 to 65 years of age 

Expense

The idea that cruising is expensive is a common misconception. In fact, the opposite is true. Cruising is a tremendous “value.” When compared to various types of land-based vacations, cruises tend to have greater value in most cases. It provides travelers the ability to pay for most of their vacation upfront because they know what will and will not be included. In most cases, cruise fares will include the cabin accommodations, shipboard meals (except those in specialty restaurants), entertainment, and you are given the option to pay for beverage packages, excursions and gratuities upfront.

Boredom

What is there to do on days I’m at sea? Some people worry there will be very little to do on a cruise to keep them entertained and active. Another misconception I can easily debunk. In fact, many activities you can imagine doing at a land vacation resort can be done on a cruise ship, and probably much more. The real question should be, “How am I going to find time to do all this?

The following activities, events and excursions are available on many cruise ships:
Daily and nightly entertainment (e.g. musical performances, comedy improv, movies)
Theme nights
Pool games
Basketball and volleyball tournaments
Mini golf
Shuffleboard
Bowling
Ice skating
Rock climbing
Onboard surfing (on select cruise ships)
Kids’ programs
Dance classes
Lectures
Card playing
Reading
Casino gambling (using your own money of course)
Bingo (usually an extra cost)
How-to classes (you can learn napkin-folding or the ever-popular towel characters)
Flower-arranging
Art auctions
Trivia
Cooking demonstration (always delicious)
Wine-tasting (usually an extra cost depending on the cruise line)
Local port shopping, cultural tours, and beaches
Or, one of my personal favorite things to do…nothing! You can relax any way you wish!

Too Structured

If you’re not worried about being bored, then you’re probably worried that there will be too much structure on a cruise. Truth is, you can fit any cruise to your style and preferences. If your desired vacation is to simply take it easy and do little or nothing, you can choose to do just that. On the other hand, if you want to see everything each port has to offer, excursions are available. That is the beauty of cruising; you are in charge of the type and amount of your activities. The ship will provide a list of daily activities and events and it is your choice to participate in as few or as many as you want.

Too Crowded

This one always confuses me because the same people that are concerned about overcrowding on a cruise ship are the same ones that will vacation at mega-resorts in Vegas, Mexico or the Caribbean. There is hardly anything that can be done to alleviate the crowds encountered during check-in and around the pools, regardless if it’s on a cruise or at a resort. However, in my opinion, cruise ships seem to feel far less crowded than large land-based resorts. Cruise ships, even the newer mega-ships, have the staff and ability to effectively manage a large number of people while also offering a wide variety of venues and activities throughout the cruise. Consider again your professional travel advisor. He or she can help you select the ideal cruise ship and itinerary if the number of passengers on the ship is a big concern.

Take The Cruise

Ultimately, it’s easy to find reasons to avoid a cruise vacation but then you’ll miss out on one of the greatest vacation options available today. Do not let myths and misconceptions about cruising keep you from its experience and enjoyment. Where else can you learn to fold a towel to look like a swan while your other half is rock climbing? What other venue offers so many things to do before meeting at the promenade lounge for a cocktail and then heading to your choice of dining options?

Working with a professional travel advisor and being open about any concerns you may have about cruising allows for perfect planning. We want to know what you like and what you don’t so we can offer you the best cruise options to create that dream vacation.

So, go ahead, jump “onboard” and give cruising a chance. Don’t let this vacation option pass you by. It’s one of the best and most cost effective vacations you can experience. And chances are, once you cruise, you’ll be hooked for life. I am!

Bon Voyage!

*****

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Gerry Waller

Gerry combines his years of travel experience and passion for dream vacations to help clients get the most out of theirs. He provides thoughtfulness, patience, and careful attention to details in planning and accomplishing every client’s needs and desires for new and exciting vacation opportunities. Whether it is a luxurious cruise, relaxing resort and spa, or an adventurous escape from day-to-day lives, Gerry goes above and beyond to help turn vacation dreams into dream vacations.