There are often a lot of mistaken beliefs about this type of holiday, so we’re here to tell you the truth about cruising and debunk nine common cruising myths.

This article separates fact from fiction, busting cruise misconceptions that may be holding you back from booking your dream trip, as well as providing clear cruise information to help you plan. From cruise safety facts to the truth about onboard activities, these cruise planning tips will help you go sailing with confidence!

Cruising is expensive

While the upfront cost of a cruise can seem higher than other holiday options, once you break it down you realise just what good value it can be. The price includes everything you need for your holiday, including food, drinks, activities, entertainment and travel. Paying one price can also help you budget, as you know that the majority of expenditure is already taken care of.

There’s often the option to add drinks packages and pre-book certain restaurants, which means that you don’t have to budget for these expenses either. And sometimes opting for a suite can be the best value option, depending on what you think you may spend onboard, which we talk more about in this article on suites.

As with most purchases, shopping around, taking advantage of promotions, using Cruise Collective offers and being careful about when you sail can all help make your money go further on a cruise. If you’d like more tips on getting the most for your money, we’ve written a handy guide about finding the best cruise deals.

Cruising is boring

Think that sea days mean you’ll be confined to your cabin with nothing to do? This is definitely not the case. The truth about onboard activities is that there’s so much to do, you won’t have time to feel bored. In fact, you may struggle to fit everything in!

Activities vary from cruise line to cruise line, but usually include leisure facilities such as a pool, spa and gym, plus the chance to take part in sports such as quoits, deck tennis and yoga. If you want something more relaxed, join in with art and craft activities, music lessons or cookery classes.

Cruises are sometimes themed, with famous people and experts on board who deliver lectures. A cruise can also give you the chance to learn more about the places and environment you’re visiting, and join in with citizen science projects such as monitoring wildlife numbers.

Post dinner you won’t be bored, either, with entertainment ranging from plays and musicals to quizzes and films. And if you fancy a flutter, many ships have onboard casinos.

Cruising is too busy

Worrying about feeling hemmed in onboard? This is a common cruise misconception, but the reality is very different. Cruise ships are designed to cater for large numbers of passengers, so there’s no need to stress about a lack of space.

Smaller ships carry fewer passengers and have a more intimate atmosphere, so if you’re not a fan of large crowds then opting for smaller cruise lines is a good idea.

Larger ships will naturally have more people on board, but you’ll always find a quieter area to relax in, such as lounges, libraries and the promenade. And, of course, you’ll have your own cabin, which is guaranteed to be a space that’s solely yours, and provide peace and quiet if the rest of the ship is feeling a bit busy.

Cruising isn’t suitable for families

When dispelling cruise myths, another one that often comes up is that cruising isn’t a good choice for a family holiday, but this couldn’t be further from the truth.

Cruising is an excellent option for a family holiday. Ships cater for all ages, so they’re perfect for multigenerational holidays where everyone has different needs. And a cruise gives children the chance to see multiple places, expanding their horizons and showing them different world cultures.

On board there are loads of activities to keep everyone in the family happy. You’ll often find specific kids clubs or activities, so you can relax and do your own thing safe in the knowledge that your children are having fun with their peers. Some cruise lines also offer babysitting in the evening, giving you the chance to have a later dinner and enjoy some more grown-up entertainment while the kids are tucked up safely in bed.

Got a picky eater? With so many different food options on board, you can make mealtimes fun for the whole family. And multiple restaurants let children (and you!) try lots of different cuisines – you never know, you might just find your new favourite!

Cruising isn’t safe

Exploding more cruise myths, let’s look at safety. You might be concerned that taking a cruise will mean you’re putting yourself in danger, but the cruise vacation reality is very different. There hasn’t been a serious cruise incident for over a decade. Ships are subject to strict international law and rules, and must pass rigorous health, environmental and safety inspections each year.

A pernicious myth is that cruise ships don’t have enough lifeboats for everyone on board – this is simply not the case. Under the Safety of Life at Sea standards (SOLAS) that all cruise lines operate under, each ship is required to have lifeboats for each person on board, and to hold muster drills at the start of a cruise so passengers know exactly what to do in the (rare) chance of an emergency.

As with any other holiday, there are some simple rules you should abide by when on board to make sure you have a safe voyage. These include not drinking too much, supervising children, not going into restricted areas, and listening to any announcements and information from the crew. Follow these cruise safety facts and you’re sure to have a trip that’s uneventful for all the right reasons!

Cruising makes you feel seasick 

Worrying about feeling seasick may make you think twice about booking a cruise, but the cruise vacation reality is that cruise ships generally don’t cause seasickness – their in-built stabilisers reduce the motion of the waves. Even if you do feel the ship moving a little, after a couple of days you’ll get your sea legs and stop noticing it.

If you’re still concerned about motion sickness while cruising, opt for a cabin in the middle of the ship where there’s the least movement. Having a balcony where you can get fresh air and see the horizon is also a good idea.

Cruising means you have to get dressed up

In the early days of travel at sea, yes, you were expected to don your best dress or dinner jacket once the sun had set. But this simply isn’t the case with modern cruising.

While no cruise line insists you wear tuxedos and cocktail dresses every evening, some cruise lines do have a smarter dress code for the evenings, particularly if eating in certain restaurants. Regent Seven Seas Cruises, for example, asks guests to wear ‘elegant casual’ for dinner (collared shirts, trousers, a skirt or dress). But others are fine with more casual attire, particularly on expedition-based cruises such as Hurtigruten. And if you really do want to dress up, there are plenty of cruise lines, including Fred. Olsen and Ama Waterways, that will have at least one evening with a more formal dress code so you can show off your fabulous frock or suave suit.

Not sure which cruise line is the best for you? Click here to find out which cruise line fits your personality! 

Cruising isn’t suitable for solo travellers

If you’re planning a journey by yourself, you might think that cruising isn’t a good option. Looking at solo cruise travel realities, there are plenty of reasons why this type of holiday is absolutely perfect.

Being on board gives you plenty of opportunities to meet like-minded travellers. Cruise lines often facilitate solo meet-ups to help you make the most of your trip, such as drinks parties or special activities. The price of a cruise for a solo traveller isn’t an obstacle either: many cruise lines remove the single supplement on selected cruises.

Want more information on cruising solo? We’ve put together a handy guide about the best cruises for solo travellers. 

Cruises are all the same

With so many cruise lines to choose from, and with speciality and themed cruises available included in many lines’ offerings, you can find a cruise to suit no matter where you want to visit and what your interests are.

From island hopping in the Caribbean to sailing down European rivers, wildlife spotting to chasing the Northern Lights, sampling different cuisines to learning about Antarctica, cruises offer a wealth of global experiences to enjoy.

Hopefully this guide has debunked cruise misconceptions you might have had and given you some useful cruise travel insights. If you’d like to learn more about cruises, sign up as a member of Cruise Collective for free to enjoy priority deals, curated travel offers and insider knowledge.