11 Pros and Cons of a Cruise Vacation

We’ll be honest – there’s always the flipside of any coin (or method of travel), and cruise vacations are no exception. Of course, we believe that the benefits of cruising heavily outweigh the downfalls, but in the spirit of being impartial, we give you a list of some pros and cons of a cruise vacation. We hope this will help you decide what vacation is right for you, and we certainly hope it’s cruising!

Getting to Sample Cities

What better way to get the sampler of a region than to cruise through it? You get to visit different ports with quirks, amenities, and cultures while returning to your cozy ship at the end of the day.  Hate a particular port? Choose itineraries that don’t stop there. Do you love a port? Make sure to book future cruises that include a call there or – if you want to get a deeper feel for it – head there for your whole vacation.

Dozens of Itineraries

This point is being modest; of all the cruise itineraries in the world, there are probably at least a hundred or more. You aren’t limited to just one type of cruise. Go where you’d like to go. Want to go to Bermuda, Europe, Asia, Australia, Alaska, or the Caribbean? Then go. There’s an itinerary for everyone.

Unpack One Time

A cruise is like a road trip, but you don’t have to keep packing and unpacking. There’s something awesome about unpacking once for the whole trip and not repacking until it’s time to go home. Sit back, relax, and let the crew take you and your floating home away from home to the destinations.

Cruise lines are consistent with each other.

Most cruise lines out there have the same process and basic cruising concept. Entertainment, food, ports, and activities on the ship are fairly consistent. Why does this matter to you?

For one main reason: it’s easier to switch between lines if you find a different itinerary you like or want to try something new, and you’ll still know what to expect. The world is your oyster when it comes to cruise vacations. Chances are, if there is a place you want to go that touches a major river or ocean, a cruise line stops there.

Variety of Dining Options

You may be thinking, how does this compete with a land-based vacation? There are always more restaurants ashore.  

While true, how many choices could you have if you stayed at an all-inclusive resort? Or how much money would you spend trying a new cuisine each night at various restaurants in a city?

Nowadays, large cruise ships tend to have a lot of venues on their ships, many of which are complimentary, and several more that only require a small cover charge. Italian, Asian, Mexican, French, and even good old American comfort food – chances are there will be a large variety of cuisines available to you on your cruise.

Options to Pick Your Accommodation

There are lots of choices when it comes to choosing a stateroom on a cruise ship.  You can splurge for a suite, opt for balconies (and save some money if you choose an obstructed view!), or go with a window, porthole, or interior cabin.

If you already know how much a cruise will cost, you can always find a stateroom to fit your budget. Lots of ships also have cabins that grant special access to more intimate, private areas on the ship, such as the Family Harbor staterooms on Carnival Vista that include a shared family lounge, The Haven on Norwegian Cruise Line that has several exclusive areas, or spa cabins on several lines that grant extra privileges in the onboard spa.

Meeting New Friends

Since everyone on the ship is sharing that ship for the duration of the voyage, you have a great chance of making new friends. Whether it be the couple you’re sitting with for dinner, a family you click with by the pool, or a guest sitting near you at the bar, if you want to find friends on a cruise, you will almost always find them.

The best part is that you’ll be able to see them again throughout the cruise and maybe even stay in contact with them afterward. I know people who have gone on future cruises with people they met in past ones.

Onboard Experiences

The crew on your ship want to make your vacation the best it can be, and you’ll find a lot of special experiences during your cruise. Whether it’s chocolate-covered strawberries that you find in your room for your anniversary or even an amenity that the ship offers, such as a mixology class or epic waterslide, there are lots of ways a cruise vacation is different from any land-based ones, and that makes it extra special.

Cons of a Cruise

Slow Internet

Because cruise ships rely wholly on satellites for internet access, it tends to be much slower than the internet at home. We would argue that a great aspect of any vacation, especially a cruise, is a great time to unplug and enjoy spending time with your travel companions. However, the internet may be necessary if you need to stay in contact with someone back home or be available if anyone back at the office has a problem. Be patient with it, and don’t use it more than you must. After all, you’ve got a vacation to enjoy!

Pricey Drink Packages

This is only a con if a drink package isn’t worth it.  If it would be and you plan on drinking quite a bit, it can be quite a deal. When planning your cruise, see what beverage packages are offered and determine whether one would be worth it.  It won’t be worth it if you only drink a few cocktails or glasses of beer daily.  

If you plan on drinking three at lunch and five after dinner, you may want to consider it. Purchasing a package is based on personal preference, and each cruiser – and cruise line – will be different.  

Drinks are more expensive on a cruise ship, so remember.  It’s also important to consider that you probably won’t utilize it as much on port days and that if you buy a package, anyone of legal drinking age in your cabin must also purchase one.

Not Enough Time in Port

One downfall to being on a cruise instead of traveling on a cruise ship is that there isn’t much time in port. A ship will often only be at any port for 10 hours, meaning you probably won’t be able to squeeze too many activities into that time.

Or, if you’re just having a relaxing beach day, the last call to get back onto the ship will seem to come all too soon. One way around this is to find itineraries that include an overnight stay in a port, which is exciting because you can experience nightlife there, too.

Hidden Costs are Everywhere

Long as the days of paying a set price for your cruise and just throwing a couple of extra dollars down for drinks and at the casino. These days, cruise lines aim to get the money from your pocket to theirs.

Final Thoughts

A cruise vacation just never seems to last long enough, does it? We hope you’ve found some of our points here helpful and that they can aid you in deciding what vacation is right for you and give you some extra information about cruising that you may not have known before.