If you’ve never been on a cruise, you probably belong to one of two groups: those who are interested but haven’t had the opportunity, and those who aren’t interested at all, often because of certain cruise stereotypes. If you find yourself in the latter group, pay attention.
If you’re concerned that you’ll feel anxious when out of sight of land or believe that a cruise may be too expensive for your budget, I’m dispelling the most frequent cruise misconceptions to help you decide if a cruise could be a suitable option for you.
Subscribe to TPG’s cruise newsletter for the latest cruise news, guides, and tips.
Voyages on cruise ships can give you a feeling of being confined at sea.
Unless you’re scheduled for a transoceanic trip, your travel plan will include several port stops at regular intervals. This gives you the opportunity to disembark and experience new locations at least every second or third day, if not more often.
Regarding sea days, the time spent traveling between destinations offers an abundance of activities on board, ensuring you won’t experience boredom. Additionally, contemporary ships are so massive and steady that you might not even feel the sea’s presence. For those concerned about getting enough fresh air, numerous outdoor areas, including pools, hot tubs, promenade decks, sports courts, and more, offer open-air enjoyment and relaxation.
Cruise ships are unclean and can cause illness.
Cruise ships employ entire crews whose sole responsibility is to maintain cleanliness in every area, from kitchens and cabins to public spaces. It is common to see these staff members sanitizing elevator buttons and cleaning handrails throughout the ship.
Cruise lines are required to follow stringent cleanliness standards established by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention under the Vessel Sanitation Program, which has been active since the 1970s. These standards cover aspects such as proper food storage and the cleanliness of galleys and public areas. Ships are often inspected without prior notice, and any score below 86 out of 100 is deemed failing.
When you hear about outbreaks of illnesses such as norovirus on cruise ships, it’s because, under the VSP, these vessels must report norovirus cases to U.S. authorities. Other places, such as schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and restaurants — which are the most frequent sites for gastrointestinal illness transmission — are not obligated to make such reports.
Cruise passengers frequently fall overboard.
This statement is false. Individuals do not accidentally “fall” off ships. Outdoor decks, public areas, and cabin balconies are equipped with railings that generally reach chest height for the average person. If someone goes overboard on a cruise ship, it is probable that they were either intoxicated, climbing in inappropriate areas, or a mix of both.
Daily Newsletter
Enhance your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter.
Subscribe to receive breaking news, comprehensive guides, and special offers from TPG’s experts, along with over 700,000 other readers.
Going on cruises can cause weight gain.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of any cruise is the cuisine. With numerous options available, you can typically find something to eat at any hour of the day. However, the mere availability of food doesn’t necessarily mean you should indulge in it.
If you monitor your diet at home and want to maintain this habit during your cruise, you can certainly enjoy healthy meals on the ship. Salads are available in nearly every restaurant and at the buffet. Additionally, grilled chicken, salmon, and other lean meats are easy to find.
If you follow a special diet—such as low-salt, gluten-free, vegetarian, or vegan—cruise lines can accommodate your requirements with prior notification.
The ship also features fitness centers that you can use at no extra cost. Alternatively, you can walk several laps around the promenade deck or jogging track, and opt to use the stairs instead of the elevators.
Cruise companies are unconcerned about environmental issues.
I would never claim that cruise lines are environmentally friendly, but they are making progress. Actually, all the major cruise lines have pledged to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Though this goal is still distant, contemporary megaships have already been equipped with smokestack scrubbers to filter out particulates from their exhaust. Additionally, the latest ships are designed to operate on more sustainable fuels, such as liquefied natural gas.
Meal portions and buffet plate sizes have been reduced to minimize food waste, and cruise lines have largely eliminated single-use plastics such as drinking straws and other disposable items. For instance, sugar packets have been replaced with refillable shakers, and cereal dispensers have been introduced instead of individual single-serve boxes.
Beneath deck, vessels are outfitted with advanced technology that enables precise monitoring of engine and fuel efficiency, as well as the natural decomposition of food waste. Additionally, ships organize, compact, and occasionally incinerate their recyclable materials. (The remaining recyclables are transported to port for processing.)
Ships generate their own drinking water for onboard requirements and treat both gray and black water to ensure it can be safely discharged back into the sea. Certain vessels also have the capability to operate on battery power or maintain their position using GPS technology instead of anchors, thus preventing harm to marine habitats.
Certain cruise lines have gone the extra mile to aid the regions they visit by cleaning up entire islands contaminated with harmful chemicals, replanting indigenous plants, and designating protected areas for coral regeneration. Additionally, some lines impose a carbon offset fee on passengers, which is then utilized to buy cloud forest land for conservation purposes.
You need to wear formal attire on a cruise.
In the early era of leisure cruises, scheduled formal nights were a highlight, with passengers eagerly dressing in their finest attire and ordering lobster in the main dining room.
While some contemporary cruise guests still take pleasure in the traditional experience, most cruise lines no longer strictly enforce a formal dress code.
On ships that offer this option, passengers can choose to eat at an alternative restaurant or the buffet instead of the main dining room to avoid dressing up. Generally, cruise dress codes are relaxed; swimwear and cover-ups are perfectly suitable during the day, and resort-casual attire is ideal for the evening.
Cruise ships host large, lively parties.
The liveliness of your cruise varies based on the vessel, the port of departure, and the duration of the trip. Choosing a brief voyage on a large ship departing from a city famous for its nightlife could result in a rowdy experience.
Nonetheless, numerous ships, especially older, smaller, and more luxurious ones, offer serene card rooms, libraries, or lounges where you can find solitude outside your cabin. Additionally, certain ships feature adults-only pool areas that promote tranquility. Many vessels also organize low-key activities like afternoon tea or art classes.
Remember that the lengthier or pricier the journey, the less probable it is to encounter a party atmosphere. For instance, it’s uncommon to see anyone twerking in a nightclub at 1 a.m. on a luxury cruise, a river cruise, or an expedition voyage.
Overall, it’s simple to either steer clear of the floating frat party atmosphere or seek it out if that’s what you’re looking for.
Cruising is primarily for older individuals.
Many years ago, there was a saying that held some truth back then: Cruises are for the recently married and the elderly.
I still notice many joyful honeymooners on my cruises, but the typical age of passengers is now only 48 years old, a notable decrease from the previous demographic of 65 and older.
With onboard kids clubs providing more entertainment for children, families with young kids are increasingly choosing to cruise. Additionally, child-free adults, especially younger ones with less disposable income, have begun to recognize the great value that cruises can provide.
Moreover, with amazing features such as waterslides, surf simulators, bumper cars, virtual-reality game rooms, and even roller coasters, ships have attracted a new generation of passengers who, no matter their age, are more relaxed and open-minded than before.
You will experience seasickness on a cruise.
Even if you tend to experience motion sickness in cars or on smaller boats, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll get seasick on a cruise ship.
The large size of the vessel and the presence of stabilizers typically reduce the sensation of motion compared to other areas. If concerned, choose a cabin situated near the middle of the ship rather than at the extremes, and avoid booking on one of the highest decks where movement is more noticeable.
It never hurts to be prepared with ginger candies, Bonine or Dramamine, patches, or wristbands.
Cruise ships abandon passengers.
While this is possible, it is very rare. The only circumstance in which your cruise ship would depart without you is if you do not return by the specified all-aboard time, which is clearly communicated and frequently displayed at each port of call.
Synchronize your watch or phone with the ship’s time, and be aware of when you need to be back. If you’re exploring independently without a shore excursion organized by the ship, ensure you know the route back and allocate sufficient time to return.
Cruises cost too much.
Despite cruises being priced at some of their highest rates ever, they remain one of the most cost-effective travel options. With accommodations, transportation, meals, and entertainment all included in a single price, they offer exceptional value for budget-conscious travelers looking to explore multiple destinations on their trip.
Certainly, there are opulent cruises to far-off destinations that can cost tens of thousands of dollars, but there are also affordable cruise deals available — including trips that will cost less than $100 per person per night.
Additionally, you can save even further if you reside close enough to a port to drive, thereby eliminating the need to pay for airfare.
Cruises are all-inclusive
Not all cruises offer the same experience. A cruise being all-inclusive is a key factor in classifying it as a luxury option.
Popular cruise lines such as Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Holland America, and MSC Cruises are not considered luxury lines. Their cruise fares cover only the most basic amenities and do not include gratuities, Wi-Fi, or beverages beyond the simplest ones. Expect to incur additional costs for these services and more unless you have chosen a luxury cruise line.
Cruises do not constitute ‘genuine’ travel experiences.
Although cruise ships provide an abundance of activities to keep passengers entertained during sea days, their primary purpose is to transport you to the main attractions: the destinations.
You may have just a few hours at each port, but you can still savor the local cuisine, experience the culture, and enjoy the natural surroundings. Whether you choose a ship-organized or independent excursion, or decide to explore on your own, the degree of authenticity you experience depends on how you decide to spend your time.
Additionally, certain cruise lines provide multi-day pre- and post-cruise tours along with overnight stays in port. Some even feature unique after-hours experiences, such as evening tours of the Doge’s Palace in Venice or a private symphony performance at St. Paul’s Cathedral in Wellington, New Zealand, which are not available through other means.
Cruises are an excellent way to experience a destination you might consider visiting again for a longer period in the future.
Large cruise ships can be susceptible to capsizing.
We’ve all come across concerning TikToks and Instagram reels showing ships getting struck by rogue waves or appearing like bathtub toys as they bob around in turbulent waters.
Contemporary cruise liners are outfitted with advanced weather tracking technology, allowing the captain and bridge crew to maintain continuous communication with shoreside operations. This capability enables them to reroute the ship as needed to steer clear of hurricanes, other storms, and overall turbulent weather conditions.
Rogue waves are unpredictable and can occur. However, they’re extremely uncommon and shouldn’t be a primary concern.
Cruise ships lack a sufficient number of lifeboats.
After the Titanic sank in 1912, the international maritime community united to establish a set of safety regulations for cruise ships, known as the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS). These regulations mandate that all cruise ships must have a surplus of lifeboats or rafts sufficient to accommodate everyone on board.
Furthermore, every passenger is required to participate in a muster drill prior to the departure of the cruise to ensure they are informed about emergency procedures and designated locations. Life jackets are supplied for each individual, with specific designs and sizes available for children and pets.
Bottom line
Many of the typical stereotypes about cruises that you’ve encountered in popular culture or through non-specialized news reports are either false or no longer relevant. If these misconceptions have deterred you from booking a cruise, it might be worth reconsidering your stance.
Cruises may not appeal to everyone (and that’s perfectly fine), but don’t let some of the more absurd myths about cruises prevent you from embarking on one.
Have questions about cruises? TPG provides answers: