With so many different options to choose for your next vacation, you might be considering whether a cruise is the right option for you. After all, no one wants to spend their hard-earned money on a vacation that isn’t the right fit for their budget or travel style.
Lounging on the beach at an all-inclusive resort isn't the same as a 7-night Caribbean cruise with different ports of call every day. For this reason, those who have never cruised are sometimes hesitant to take the leap and try their first cruise.
Some think cruise ships are claustrophobic with too many people and not enough activities. Others might be hesitant to actually sail on the open ocean, which can sometimes bring rough seas and unpleasant weather.
Even so, millions of passengers worldwide board cruise ships every single year for their choice of vacation. The cruise industry has been booming in the post-covid travel era with affordable fares available for many different kinds of travelers, such as couples, retirees, families, and millennials. According to Forbes, cruise travel is projected to grow 11% by 2028 with many passengers looking to travel on port-intensive, bucket-list itineraries.
So, what’s the allure of cruising? One curious traveler recently posed this question on the r/NoStupidQuestions thread on Reddit. The popular post was titled, “What's the appeal of cruise ship vacations?”
In the post, user @Gardenia_Ferns explained, “I've always found it a bit weird how many people I know are thrilled about cruise vacations. Personally, I just can't seem to grasp the allure.”
Continuing, the user explained how the thought of spending days on a cruise ship surrounded by water is baffling and sounds extremely boring. “I hope this is not a stupid question, but can someone explain what's so captivating about cruise trips? Maybe I am missing something,” asks the social media user.
The question prompted hundreds of replies from others with nearly 500 comments. Many cruise fans shared their honest opinion about why they love cruising, including some prior skeptics who have since changed their perspective. Here are some of the biggest reasons people prefer cruising over other vacation options while debuting some common misconceptions.
1. Ease of planning and minimal logistics
One of the biggest perks of choosing a cruise vacation is the ultimate convenience offered. Because your cruise fare includes dining, transportation, entertainment, accommodations, and activities, very little planning is involved. Also, each port of call will have shore excursions with reliable tours available through the cruise line, which simplifies planning logistics.
One of the top responses in the comment section stated, “The appeal is that it's super super easy and you pretty much don't need to plan anything. Similarly, another responder explained, “There’s no wrangling eight different food restrictions or travel requirements. No booking flights, cars, hotels, Airbnbs, Ubers, or tickets. Just pack, embark, relax, disembark.”
“My wife and I just got back from our first cruise. I enjoyed it; she loved it! The big allure was we didn’t have to plan anything, and we didn’t have to do anything at any specific time. It was so relaxing!” shared one first-time cruiser in the comment section.
Read more: Are cruises worth it? Here are the pros and cons of cruises
Those looking to explore certain destinations without all the planning also appreciate the ease of cruising. For instance, one responder shared, “I know nothing about Japan, so we did a cruise because I was too busy to plan the trip. We got to see about eight cities and even stopped in Busan, South Korea. It was the best vacation of my life—no stress, no hotel check-ins, no transportation planning.”
One commenter shared how cruising is an “idiot-proof” way to plan vacations, especially group trips, because there is minimal coordination involved. Because cruises operate on a set schedule, you can simply choose an itinerary and ship that fits your calendar and budget.
“We’ve done cruises with 15 people, and it’s so much easier than trying to coordinate meals, hotels, and activities,” explained one cruiser. “They provided food, entertainment, and transportation. We just had to show up” responded another user, while another stated, “We didn’t have to plan anything, and we didn’t have to do anything at any specific time.”
2. Diverse itineraries and multiple destinations
Along with convenience, one of the biggest perks of choosing a cruise is the ability to conveniently visit multiple destinations. Cruise itineraries vary with many sailings offering visits to diverse destinations.
For those who want to see as much as possible while traveling, a cruise is one of the best options for the time and money. One responder stated, “You wake up and explore a new city or country most mornings. It’s like staying in a fancy hotel with a range of dining options and entertainment for all ages.”
While many think of the Caribbean cruises, there are exciting itineraries offered around the world. You can visit every continent by cruise ship, with many off-the-beaten-path ports of call. Exploring a new region is also easier on a cruise ship, as you get to experience so much in a short amount of time.
“Every day, I woke up at a new European destination. I got to see a lot of places and never had to worry about booking hotels or transportation,” described one cruiser.
Similarly, you only need to unpack your suitcase once! Instead of lugging around your suitcase across hotels, airports, and train stations, you can get comfortably settled into your cruise cabin while still visiting multiple places.
One response stated, “The worst part of traveling is the traveling… dragging your luggage everywhere. On a cruise, you just check in, enjoy yourself, and wake up somewhere new every day.”
“I used to think I'd be bored on a cruise, and now I can't get enough of them. There is so much to do, if you want. You can also do nothing but let others cook and clean for you. Plus, you get to see multiple great places without having to unpack more than once,” explains another cruiser.
“A lot of people discovered cruising after COVID. It’s an affordable way to see a lot of ports in one vacation. You get free meals, free entertainment and someone to clean your room while you wake up in a new port almost daily.
3. Affordability and cost-effectiveness
Another popular response centered around the cost-effectiveness of cruising compared to other vacations. When planning a trip, costs add up quickly between booking hotels, flights, and transfers. Not to mention, food, activities, and entertainment are also additional costs.
One responder stated, “I think for most people, all they think about is being able to go to several different areas for one low cost. That makes it pretty appealing, even for me.”
For the cost, many cruisers agree their money goes far with how much is included in the cruising experience. Of course, there are always opportunities to spend more onboard with add-ons like drink packages, internet access, shore excursions, and specialty dining. However, you don’t technically need to spend more money during your cruise unless you want to.
“The cruise was cheaper than staying at any of the places we visited individually. Flights alone would have cost as much as the entire cruise,” commented one cruiser. Another echoed this sentiment, stating, “They’re generally more cost-effective than other trips. You unpack once, and food, drinks, and activities are all included.”
Sharing a similar perspective, one responder said, “We did a cruise for our honeymoon so we didn't have to stress at all. It was cheaper than going to and staying at any of the places we visited.”
“The flights alone would have nearly cost that much, then we would have to deal with a place to stay, how to get anywhere and what we were going to eat. We looked at all inclusive resorts as well, but the cruise was just a better option,” continued the responder.
4. Vacation for everyone
Generally speaking, cruises often appeal to a wide range of travelers. With so much to do onboard cruise ships, there is usually a little something for everyone; however, it’s important to choose the right cruise line and ship for your travel style to ensure your travel needs can be met.
In particular, families often gravitate towards cruising because of the added convenience of childcare. One responder stated, “If you have kids, [cruise lines] offer free or cheap 'babysitting' services and programs.”
In agreement, another user explained, “It’s very safe for kids on board, and they can do their thing while adults do theirs. Plus, parents don’t have to cook or clean, which means everyone gets a real vacation.”
“My friend who loves cruising the most has young children. He cruises the same line, so the whole family is familiar with the childcare options, where they would have to research every destination individually to find something that would work for their family,” shared one responder in the comment section.
Those with mobility challenges are also drawn to cruising because of the added convenience of everything being in one location. With medical care onboard, older guests can relax knowing they can receive care if needed.
“I’ve hauled myself all over the world, but now, in my 50s with an autoimmune condition, cruising is the best way to travel. I can still see exotic locations without working so hard at it,” explained one cruiser.
“For those with mobility challenges, cruises are perfect. You’re on a giant floating resort where you can scooter or wheel yourself around to every thinkable amenity,” said another cruiser.
One responder agreed, writing, “It’s by far the easiest way for people with disabilities to travel. It’s also a great, fun, safe way for single people to travel. I’ve seen a lot of the world via cruise.”
Read more: 15 trends in cruising you should know about
5. Easy relaxation
Although cruise ships are packed with activities, it’s also extremely easy to relax while at sea. Without the pressure of planning your daily schedule, you can do as much or as little as you want. In this way, cruising is very relaxing for many travelers.
“They are amazing. Fun, relaxing, interesting, and something for every taste,” stated another commenter. One user chimed in, “There’s nowhere to rush to. You can lie on a chair, drink, eat, read, or sleep knowing there’s no productivity you’re missing.”
Similarly, one traveler added, “It’s an extremely relaxing and lazy kind of holiday. You don’t have to book multiple accommodations, or restaurant venues (although you can book specialty restaurants).”
Read more: Should I go on a cruise? 11 reasons to give it a try
“In a fast paced world, it's nice to get away from everything and just unwind. Seeing the waves go by, [listening] to music, [reading] a book, [and wandering] around the ship. If you think it's boring, you may not actually realize how much stress you're under,” mentioned one user.
Further, many commenters shared how they had their own preconceived notions about cruising until trying their first cruise. In fact, many found cruising to be more relaxing than they had anticipated.
“I never got [cruising] either [until] I did it. It's just relaxing. You have everything catered towards you and you can literally leave your problems ashore. Plus you usually get to see some port calls, but sea days are just as nice relaxing on the ship,” explained one cruiser.
In the same way, one commenter remarked, “I thought cruise ships were stupid until I did one. In a way, it's being completely catered to. Actual traveling is fun - [and while] traveling is great for exploration, it's not always great for relaxing. Cruise ships are great for both, but mostly for relaxing,” explained one cruiser in the comment section.
Bottom line: Is cruising right for you?
Although cruising might not be the best choice for everyone, many travelers prefer booking a cruise vacation above all else. With so many different cruise lines, itineraries, and ships to choose from, potential cruisers might be overwhelmed trying to plan their first cruise.
Moreover, those who have never cruised before might not understand the appeal of cruising. Some of the most popular reasons for cruising highlight the ultimate convenience of choosing a cruise vacation. Minimal planning and few logistics create an extremely relaxing environment, which is a great fit for those traveling in a group.
In addition, cruises are very family-friendly with included childcare, youth programming, and onboard activities catered to families. You can also find those with special needs or mobility issues choosing to cruise because of the convenience and accommodations available.
If you’re someone looking to visit multiple destinations in a cost-effective manner, cruising might be a good option for you. You only need to unpack your suitcase once, treating your cruise ship as a floating hotel. Instead of traveling between multiple cities, islands, or countries, you can relax onboard a cruise ship while enjoying delicious cuisine and stellar entertainment.
In the end, the decision to cruise or not comes down to personal preference. For those seeking a stress-free vacation with plenty of opportunities to relax and explore simultaneously, cruising could be a perfect choice.
As many Redditors suggested, the best way to truly understand the allure of cruising is to try it for yourself. Even if you don’t become a lifelong cruise fan, the unique perspective offered by cruising is worth experiencing at least once.
Allie Hubers
Allie Hubers has been cruising since she was a tiny toddler. What started as a yearly vacation with family quickly turned into a passion for travel, cruising and adventure. Allie's been on over 45 cruises all over the world. She even studied abroad on Semester at Sea, sailing the world on a ship while taking courses for college and visiting 4 continents.
