Are you thinking about booking a cruise? This post takes a look at some of the pros and cons of a cruise holiday.
When choosing any holiday, you want to be sure that it’s the right fit for you and your family.
A cruise isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, however, there are a great number of people who love a cruise holiday and it’s easy to see the appeal: visit lots of different places on one trip, excellent dining facilities and everything paid for in advance.
However, there can be some drawbacks to a cruise such as unexpected seasickness and the overall expense compared to other types of holiday.
Book A Cruise Using Country Specific Websites
Planning a Multigenerational Family Holiday
Pros Of Going On A Cruise
1. You Get To See Several Places All In One Trip
One of the best things about choosing a cruise package for your holiday is that you can see several different places all one trip, without having to do any of the organising of getting from one place to the next.
Travelling on a cruise ship is also far more comfortable than travelling from place to place on a coach or a train making the trip far more relaxing and enjoyable overall.
2. There Is No Need To Pack And Unpack
If you like to visit lots of different places when you holiday, you might start to get fed up with packing and unpacking pretty quickly.
However, if you choose to cruise, there is no need!
Unpack just once and still get to see plenty of different locales on your vacation.
3. Fabulous Food & Drink
Cruises have a reputation for having the most fantastic food.
Most cruise lines allow you to choose different restaurants on board throughout your trip meaning you can try various cuisines without any hassle, the majority of which should be included in the price that you pay.
You may also be able to purchase an all-inclusive drinks package as part of your cruise.
4. No Luggage Limits
When it comes to cruising, there is no need to pack light, as most cruise liners allow you to bring two large pieces of luggage as well as one piece of smaller hand luggage.
This will of course vary between different companies but there is also less need to worry about the overall weight of your luggage.
5. Lots Included In The Price
When it comes to cruising, there are so many things that are included in the price, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to what to do each day.
There are also many family cruise deals, meaning whatever you want to do on board doesn’t come at a high price!
This ranges from live music and spectacular shows to daily exercise classes or yoga by the pool as well as family fun such as quiz nights, karaoke and mini golf.
6. Good Company For Solo Travellers
A cruise is a great choice for a solo traveller, as there are often other travellers who might be looking for company and to make friends with those who enjoy exploring new places.
Cruising is also a very safe choice for those travelling alone, and there are none of the logistics of getting from place to place to figure out on your own.
If you find the thought of going on a cruise alone overwhelming, a smaller cruise ship with a friendly atmosphere might be the best place to start.
7. Adult Only Options
Another benefit of choosing a cruise holiday is that there are lots of different options available, including adult-only for those who would rather not travel with children.
Cons Of Going On A Cruise
1. Seasickness
One of the unfortunate downsides of taking a cruise is that some people end up suffering from seasickness.
Seasickness can happen on any type of cruise, but the larger the ship, the less likely you are to be affected.
You can also take preventative measures such as packing seasickness medication and wearing wristbands that help with motion sickness.
2. Excursions Can Be Expensive
When it comes to the cost of your cruise, you’ll usually find that most things are included.
However, excursions while the ship is in port are often not included and can be very expensive. And if you’re docking at several different place then this is a cost that can soon add up.
You might need to prioritise the excursions that are most important to you or spread them out across your trip.
3. Cost of Wifi / Internet Connection
Most cruise ships have quite limited Wifi access and if you want more then you’ll have to pay for it.
Often this starts at around £20 or $30 per day.
While many people would agree being on a cruise is not the time to be glued to your phone, there are plenty of others who need to remain connected to loved ones or businesses at home.
4. Cruises Are Bad For The Environment
If you’re looking to make more eco-conscious choices when it comes to travel, booking a cruise might not be for you.
Cruise ships emit huge amounts of carbon dioxide, equivalent to 2.2 million cars over a year for the largest liners, according to Green Match.
They also dump waste, which can be harmful to sealife and other ecosystems.
5. Time In Port Can Be Limited
While a cruise is a great opportunity to see lots of different places, time in each port can be limited and you may feel there is not enough time to explore the location properly.
6. You Can End Up Feeling Stuck
On any normal type of holiday, it’s pretty easy to get up and leave if you really want to.
Taxi to the airport and grab the next flight home.
However, when you’re on a cruise ship in the middle of the ocean, this just isn’t possible and some people might end up feeling stuck and anxious because of this.
7. Additional Costs
While there is a lot included with a cruise, the things that are not included tend to be far more expensive than they would be usually.
For example, beauty treatments, hair salons and spa therapies can all cost a substantial amount, so this is something to be aware of.
It’s also worth considering the cost of travel to and from your cruise holiday and parking charges to leave your car at or near the port.
Cruise Pros And Cons: Conclusion
As you can see there are lots of positives to going on a cruise holiday, but there are some negatives too.
On the whole, most people find cruise holidays to be an enjoyable experience and many of the cons listed above have workarounds if you are prepared for them.
Just like with any holiday, do plenty of research before booking and you’ll be sure to have a good time!