Cruise ships are a great way to travel the world and see new sights. But there are a lot of misconceptions about them that turn many people off from cruising. While it’s impossible to go over all of them and convince every Internet user of the brilliance of these vessels, we can address some of the more common myths. Here are four of them, as well as four counterarguments that demonstrate that not everything is as it seems.
All cruise ships are basically just giant, floating parties
If you quiz the average person on what the vibe is on a cruise ship, they’ll probably say something like this. We’ll be frank with you: this can be the case on certain ships. But cruising is a huge industry, and that means that there are lots of options out there. If you want a quiet, more reserved experience, you can definitely find something suited for you. You just may want to avoid the biggest and most popular ships out there. In other words: don’t book with Royal Caribbean or a similar cruise line if you don’t want a Royal Caribbean-style vacation.
All cruise ships are crowded
Again, this is a myth that is not entirely made up. There are plenty of ships out there that are crowded with people. Some people love this type of communal energy; others do not. If you fall in the latter camp, just know that there are a lot of options for cruise ships that offer more space. River boats, luxury cruises, and limited capacity ships exist that help you dodge the feeling of constantly being surrounded by other travelers.
Every itinerary goes to a beach
Cruises go to beaches. That’s the whole point, right? Well, no. While sunny and warm islands are among the most popular cruise destinations, they are far from the only spots. In fact, a large portion of cruise itineraries have nothing to do with the typical sand-and-sun vacations you might be thinking of. If there’s water or a port nearby, there’s likely a cruise that goes there. That means that you can visit pretty much every biome (and every country) on Earth via a cruise ship. If you hate beaches, simply book a cruise that doesn’t stop at one. It really is that simple.
Cruises aren’t for my demographic
Many people who are against cruises believe that their demographic is not served by cruise lines. They think they’re either too old or too young. But the important thing to remember is that each company has a unique feel with a base of guests that reflects that. For instance, most luxury cruise lines tend to have guests that skew older and calmer while larger, more affordable ones generally serve younger travelers and families. Do your research before you book and you’re bound to find your crowd.
At the end of the day, your cruise experience is yours. You can really make it suited to your preferences and your needs by choosing the right company and itinerary.
