There is an article about cruise ships that keeps popping across my Facebook feed. It’s been around for about a year, and it just won’t go away.
It’s this one: Disappointing Photos Show What Cruise Ships Actually Look Like in Real Life. Have you seen it?
The article is such a Debbie Downer for cruise vacations. It makes it seems like almost every aspect of a cruise sucks.
I’m actually on a cruise right now, my 8th cruise since we’ve had kids. And I can tell you, it doesn’t suck. Here is a more accurate depiction of reality.
Boarding
The Business Insider article I mentioned above makes it seem like boarding a cruise ship is never fun. You have to stand in line and go through a metal detector under fluorescent lights. You’re not out on a dock in the water.
That’s only partially true. Yes, when you initially board a cruise ship, you will be boarding from an inside terminal. And yes, you will have to go through a screening process, just like at the airport.
However, some of the cruise ship terminals are quite nice. In my experience, the lines for screening have been minimal.
If you’re cruising on Disney Cruise Line, you can get character photos while you wait. There is even an outdoor platform where you can get a closer look at the ship.
And it’s not just DCL with the snazzy cruise terminals. Royal Caribbean opened a new terminal in Miami last year. Check it out:
When you dock at an island, most islands do have the long, outdoor docks people envision on a cruise ship.
Pool Areas
Yes, cruise ship pools are small and can be very crowded like the photo in the article. But, you don’t have to avoid them altogether.
As I mentioned in my post How to Avoid Crowds on Disney Cruise Line, it is possible to enjoy the pools without the crowds. On sea days, go early when the pool deck opens and finish by 10:00 a.m. Skip a port to enjoy an empty pool, or skip a night show and enjoy a movie under the stars on the pool deck.
Staterooms
The article makes it seem like cruise lines are using a bait and switch trick on cruisers with stateroom cabins. Unless you book a cruise without reading anything, there is no way you should be surprised by the size or appearance of your stateroom.
Cruise lines list the square footage of each cabin category and feature photos. In addition, it’s almost a guarantee that a previous cruise guest has a YouTube video of your cabin category or even your exact cabin. I watched several YouTube videos of Oceanview cabins for Anthem of the Seas to make sure the cabins would work for us.
In my experience, free stateroom upgrades on cruises are very rare. So book the lowest level category you are comfortable with and don’t count on an upgrade.
Ports
The Business Insider article laments that some ports are not very scenic, and you may not have a long time in each port. Again, this “issue” can be solved before booking a cruise with just a minor amount of research.
Ask your travel agent to recommend the right cruise for you based on your interests. Most cruise ports in the Caribbean are very scenic, but some offer better scuba diving, better beaches or more adventurous excursions.
Before you book a cruise, check the day-by-day itinerary of the cruise. It will tell you exactly what time the ship docks and what time the ship leaves each port so that you won’t be surprised with how little or how much you can accomplish at that stop.
Cafeteria Buffets
The last point of the article I want to refute is the food on board. Rather than a “fancy dinner under the stars”, cruise ships restaurants “feel more like a cafeteria.” That’s not exactly true.
What is true is that most cruise ships don’t have formal dining outside on decks like in the photo. Sure, a few restaurants might have limited seating outside, but they don’t take up entire outside decks.
However, most cruise ships have plenty of restaurants, including fast-food options, formal dining rooms, specialty restaurants, buffets and room service. I’m not a huge fan of buffet food anywhere, and if you feel the same, you can absolutely avoid the “cafeteria” on board. There are so many options!
Bottom Line
The Business Insider article about the realities on a cruise ship is misleading. Sure, staterooms can be small and pools can be crowded. But if you do a little research before your cruise, you can better avoid the crowds and pick a cruise and stateroom that fits your needs.
If you have cruised before, did anything surprise you in a good or bad way?
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Author: Nancy
Nancy lives near Dallas, Texas, with her husband and three kids. Her favorite vacations include the beach, cruising and everything Disney.
Just like every type of travel there are pros and cons. Personally cruising is the only way to go.
At each port, the ship will post an all aboard time for passengers as well as the ship departure time. The ship departure time is usually 30 minutes past all-aboard. Passengers should be on board by the all-aboard time rather than the ship departure. The ship may close the gangway after the all-aboard.
Sort of like closing the jetway but the plane is still at the gate.
@afam-dfw We saw a few runners while the ship was past departure time on our cruise to Bermuda last week!
very true all around – some people like buffets (Like my kids) and embarkation is always a little nuts, but you have to think of it like a hotel where all 4000 guests are checking in on the same day, at the same time. puts it in perspective and makes you realize its not actually that bad. And you are right (shameless plug) use an agent to help you navigate which ship is the best fit for you and your family!
@Momma To Go “A hotel where all 4000 guests are checking in on the same day”….that’s a good way to think of it!