Exploring the World of Cruises: An Insightful Review for First-Timers

Embarking on a cruise is a distinct vacation experience, eliciting mixed feelings across the travel community. While some are fervent enthusiasts of this leisurely pursuit, others remain skeptical, and then there’s a contingent that’s never set foot on a cruise yet harbors preconceived notions. I confess, I belonged to the latter group for the longest time. As someone who thrives on active exploration, my travel history barely includes all-inclusive stays, making the concept of cruising somewhat alien.

Our foray into the world of cruising was somewhat accidental, born out of indecision about our next adventure. A serendipitous find – an enticing deal for a 5-day Caribbean cruise aboard Carnival – tempted us to reconsider our stance. This wasn’t just any trip; in our usual epic trip fashion, it was complemented by a week-long road trip through the picturesque Florida Keys and another week soaking in the vibrant culture of Tampa. Restlessness is our travel mantra, after all.

Cruise Preconceptions: Navigating the Waters of Uncertainty

Prior to our departure, we had a few apprehensions:

• Fear of motion sickness
• The dreaded prospect of falling ill
• Potential boredom
• The unease of a rigid schedule
• The thought of being shepherded en masse during embarking and disembarking
• Concerns over the authenticity of port visits

What the Real Cruise Experience Was Like

Opting for a balcony room to secure our oasis of tranquility, we embarked with an open mind. The process was smoother than anticipated, even with our unconventional luggage – inflatable paddle boards included. The first pleasant surprise was the seamless luggage service to our room, setting the tone for exceptional customer service throughout.

Soothing Seas: Dispelling the Myth of Motion Sickness

Motion sickness, our primary concern, proved unfounded. The stability within the ship’s confines was remarkable, enhancing our sleep quality, punctuated only by the early announcements. This cruise debunked our fears, offering serene nights and unexpected naps. We did bring a wristband, like this one, on the cruise. It was not needed on the cruise ship but it has proved useful on smaller boat trips for tours and snorkeling.

A Healthy Voyage: Overcoming Illness Concerns

The media often amplifies outbreaks on cruises, but our experience was untainted by illness. Frequenting the buffet without consequence, we found the diversity in dining options reassuring, underscoring the importance of not letting fear dictate your travel choices.

Dynamic Days: The Antidote to Boredom

Contrary to our fears of boredom because you’re stuck in one place, the ship was a hub of activity. With options ranging from pools and hot tubs to sports facilities and entertainment, our days were filled with leisure and discovery. We appreciated the adult only pool and hot tub. What is really cool about cruising is the ability to cater to so many different people. Our cruise had families, couples, groups of friends and bachelorette parties, and larger groups of family reunions. There really is something for everyone and the cruise did not sacrifice the adults to cater to families with kids or vice versa.

Exploring the Ports

On days in port, you can book an excursion, get a local guide, or just walk around. The last option can be a little touristy but we stumbled upon the Pirate Museum in the Bahamas and it was awesome! There was also one day on a private island which is basically a beautiful beach day. We had our own snorkel gear, wandered down the beach, did some swimming and snorkelling and then enjoyed a drink at the beach bar.

We were not bored, but we were only on the ship for 5 days with 3 ports. I am not sure how I would feel eating at the same restaurants and going to the same bars for 2 weeks but it might be ok.

Flexibility at Sea: Striking a Balance

The other side of the coin to boredom was the concern of being overly scheduled. We are active but we are not schedulers. We like to leave a lot of days open to decide what we feel like doing at the time. This was a bit of a challenge with the excursions because you are expected to book those in advance. We decided to do one excursion – snorkelling in Grand Turk and leave the other days free. Our concern of a packed schedule was unfounded. The cruise offered the flexibility to engage as much or as little as we desired, allowing us to enjoy both planned excursions and spontaneous explorations. This flexibility was a highlight, offering a balance between adventure and relaxation.

Freedom, Not Flocks: Dispelling the Herd Mentality

When I thought about a cruise, I pictured line-ups to get off the boat and line-ups to get back on. I thought everyone left and came back at the same time. This was a misconception. On port days when we did not have an excursion booked, we slept as long as we could (but there were a lot of announcements), then we got up, went down to the nice sit down restaurant that is usually very busy, enjoyed a nice breakfast, and wandered off the boat when we felt like it. There are people that don’t even leave the boat. I can see why because it’s almost empty. I had no idea this was a thing. Like the motion sickness, the concern about herding was not true. Getting off on the private island day took a little longer because we had to get on smaller boats to get to shore. I learned to pay attention to whether there is a dock.

Seeking Authenticity: The Port Experience

On our road trip across Canada, we were in Saint John, New Brunswick – Canada, which is a port town. We enjoyed wandering around the town, looking in the stores, and going to a local restaurant. The next day a cruise ship had docked and it was a completely different place. Suddenly there were vendors everywhere and all sorts of people selling things or tours. This experience was one of the reasons I never thought I’d go on a cruise. Know that when you disembark, you are not seeing the authentic place.

The Cruise is the Vacation

I once read someone say, when you are on a cruise, the cruise is the holiday and the ports are a bonus. I think this is the attitude to go in with. You can go and see the ports and do some excursions but embrace and enjoy your time on the ship.

The Verdict: Would I Cruise Again?

Reflecting on our cruise, the balance of relaxation, adventure, and impeccable service tilts my answer towards a resounding yes. The cruise offered a blend of restful nights, engaging activities, and culinary delights, all within the floating confines of exceptional hospitality. It redefined my travel preferences, showcasing the diverse possibilities cruising offers.

I hope this honest review will help you decide whether or not to give a cruise holiday a try. It is not for everyone but I found a lot of things I was worried about were not a concern. There are lots of options for cruise bookings. Expedia has a section dedicated to cruises and that is one of the sites I often use for trips, so I would start there.