For as long as there has been cruising there’s been cruise haters. You know these folks — they love to trash cruises. They think cruises are beneath them or something.
So what are these folks missing that millions of people love about cruises? I’ve got 11 of the best things about sailing that those cruise haters just don’t realize.
Cruising Offers Unmatched Value
Now I’ve got to start with what drew so many of us to cruising in the first place, and that’s the value that it offers. Let me preface that by saying cruise prices have definitely gone up in the past few years, it’s not your imagination.
But while you may not get the deals you did before, there’s no arguing that people hating on cruises don’t appreciate the value.
Consider if you wanted to go to a resort in Mexico. You can figure about $400 per person for a plane ticket to Cozumel. Then about $250 a night for a mid-priced hotel for a week. Then you add in meals, any entertainment you want, drinks, transportation. It’s no stretch to say that you could drop $4,000 to $5,000 on the entire trip for a couple traveling.
Meanwhile, prices for a mid-tier line like Royal Caribbean can take you to the Caribbean for a week with room, food, and entertainment for around $2,500. Yes, you will have to add more for onboard spending and things to do in port, but you can end up saving a considerable chunk over a land-based vacation.
There’s Something for Everyone on the Ship
I have a saying about Las Vegas, and it also applies to cruising. I’m not a big Vegas guy but if you can’t go there for a few days and find something fun, then that’s on you. It’s the same thing with cruising. If you sail and can’t find something you enjoy, then that’s your fault.
That’s because cruises simply have something for everyone. For some, it may just be hanging out on the balcony watching the waves roll past. For others it’s hitting the waterslides or singing in the piano bar or getting a tan by the pool.
Some people are big fans of the fine dining onboard while others just want to chow down on a burger. Some like to play in the casino while others want to go to the spa. And that’s to say nothing of the things you can do in ports of call.
A modern ship has seemingly no end to what’s available to do onboard. If you can’t find something you like doing, that’s not the cruise line’s fault.
A Vacation that’s Impossibly Easy to Plan
I don’t know about you, but when I take a trip somewhere I’ve never been before, I read all I can about what to do, where to stay, how to get there, and where to eat. It’s actually a fun part of preparing, but it can also be exhausting and leave you wondering if you’ve put together the best trip possible.
In comparison, a cruise basically does all of that for you. You don’t have to worry about planning an itinerary or making travel arrangements. You just book one cruise and your entire vacation is laid out for you. All you have to do is figure out what you want to do in each port (and cruise excursions can handle that too).
For people that want to actually relax and enjoy themselves instead of fretting over the details of their vacation, there really is no simpler way to travel. The ease if a big reason people love cruising that cruise haters may not understand.
You Don’t Have to Deal With Flying
If there are people out there that are cruise haters, I will say that I can maybe relate because I am an air travel hater.
To me, air travel has taken something absolutely amazing — the ability to travel thousands of miles in just a few hours — and taken every bit of enjoyment out of it. From showing up hours early to security lines, having to watch what you pack, being charged for bags, and then sitting in a tiny cramped seat and maybe getting some peanuts if you’re lucky, it’s all just terrible.
Given that I cruise for a living, I take a lot of flights over the course of the year for different cruises and frankly, it’s my least favorite part of the entire trip.
That’s why I don’t think cruise haters realize how nice it is that so many people have a cruise port within driving distance. Not only does that mean you can visit far-away places without having to pay for an airline ticket, but you can avoid having to deal with the hassle of flying altogether.
Entertainment Is a Huge Value and Included
If someone is anti-cruise, then I’d guess they haven’t seen the entertainment on a modern cruise ship. I’ll be straight with you and admit that some of those older ships have some pretty hokey singing and dancing numbers.
But newer ships have some insane shows. These can range from big productions of famous plays you’ve heard of on Broadway or the West End to stuff that is just jaw dropping. I wouldn’t quite put the high-flying shows on par with Las Vegas, but it’s not that far off.
Meanwhile, instead of dropping a couple of hundred dollars for tickets like you would on land, it’s all included for the price of your cruise fare.
I think you’d be hard pressed to find someone that says they hate cruising not be impressed by the shows onboard.
It’s the Most Convent Way to Travel Country to Country (No Customs)
I mentioned not having to fly as there are ports within driving distance of tons of people. But another major convenience is the customs and immigration process.
If you’ve ever flown to a foreign country, you know the hassle of being herded off the plane, into huge immigration halls where you have to meet an agent and get your passport stamped. On a cruise, it’s much, much simpler.
There, the only time you meet with immigration is when you get back home and these days that’s typically just a kiosk that takes a photo and lets you on your way. It takes just a few minutes.
Meanwhile, you get to hop from country to country as you go on your cruise without having to worry about immigration in each port. It’s a way more convenient way to travel.
You Can Cruise With a Birth Certificate
One of the best things about cruising that a lot of people don’t realize is that it’s by far the easiest way to travel abroad when you don’t have a passport.
Now, I’ll go on the record and say if you’re taking a cruise, you should have a passport. It’s a much easier and safer way to travel should anything come up. But for those that don’t have one it’s amazing that you can still go on most cruises without.
Closed-loop cruises in the U.S. — meaning those that depart and return to the same port — typically allow passengers to sail with a birth certificate and a photo ID.
Given that the cost of a passport is more than $100 and can take months to get, that’s a big savings, especially if you are a family traveling together.
Even countries like Mexico allow you to cruise there without a passport, but if you flew you would need one.
Cruises Are Great for Kids
When it comes to the best things about cruising, one that applies to the mainstream lines is actually a bit of a double-edged sword. The big lines line Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian go out of their way to be family friendly. If you sail on these lines — especially during the summer — you’re going to find tons of kids onboard.
Now for those that hate cruises, kids running around everywhere can be exactly why. But if you’re a parent, there’s hardly any vacation that’s better.
On a cruise, there’s so much for kids to do from waterslides to mini golf, from roller coasters to skydiving simulators. There’s entertainment that’s kid-friendly and then there are so many food options that even the pickiest eaters can find something that they like.
But the biggest draw for parents is that childcare is included in the price of your trip. Cruise ships have kids clubs where you can drop the kids off and the staff will watch them. So parents can go enjoy their cruise while kids also have fun. It’s a win for everyone that you won’t get on regular vacations.
Million-Dollar Views for Pennies on the Dollar
On a cruise, every balcony has a view of the ocean. And since you are on the water, there are no buildings to obstruct your view. It’s a million-dollar view that’s available for drastically cheaper than most high-end hotels.
In fact, beyond just the views, there’s no other vacation that allows you to experience the ocean like a cruise does. Even if you were to go to a resort in The Bahamas or in Mexico that sits right on the water, it’s just not the same connection as actually being out in the middle of the ocean surrounded by the sea.
To be able to watch the sun rise and set over the ocean without a thing to block the view is something I’ll never get tired of.
You Vacation Can Match Any Budget
I talked earlier about the value of cruises. One variation of that is a big reason to love cruises that I don’t think some people realize. They can adapt to meet any budget.
If you want to live (and spend) like a king, you can do that. Some of the nicest rooms you’ve ever seen are available on a cruise ship and you can spend literally tens of thousands of dollars for these spots. Then add in spending on specialty restaurants gambling, spa services and the like and you can live like a high-roller on the ship.
But the complete opposite is true. Want to sail cheap? That’s absolutely possible as some cruises cost less than $100 per person, per day. And you don’t have to spend anything once you are on the ship if you don’t want to. Cruising can be among the least expensive vacations that you can find.
That flexibility means a vacation that matches anyone’s budget no matter how much you want to spend.
You Get Access to Private Islands (Without Spending a Fortune)
It’s a fantasy for any of us to own our own private island. And if you were to travel to one on your own, then expect to pay insane prices. For instance, the cheapest guest room I could find on Necker Island — Richard Branson’s private island — comes with a price tag of more than $6,000 per night. That’s if you can find availability.
But cruise lines give their passengers access to their own private destinations and without the huge price tag.
A spot like CocoCay from Royal or Great Stirrup Cay from NCL are completely for the use of cruise passengers. They are also tailor-made for cruisers with tons of things to do, amazing water, white beaches, food, pools, and more.
If these were independent private islands, people would pay hundreds — or even thousands — to visit. Cruise passengers get it included for the price of their fare.
