Like many industries the cruise business can be cyclical. Research shows 85% of Americans have never taken a cruise, according to some cruise industry demographics. This might get the industry to build many more ships to meet expected demand. They might not realize some people don’t want to cruise! Fortunately, many people who try cruising get hooked! Many sail several times a year. You might know someone who is considering a cruise. Is it the right vacation? Is it right for you?
- Do they like to see one place or several places? Some people like to explore a city over a period of several days. They want to experience life in a local community. Others want to see someplace, but don’t think that city would hold their interest for a full week.
Cruising is ideal if: You want to visit a different city every couple of days. It is great if the ship stays overnight in port, allowing you to spend parts of two days in the same place.
- How do they feel about driving on vacation? Some people like road trips. Using a hotel as a hub they drive in a different direction every day, returning home each night. It’s the hub and spoke strategy. Others have a hotel reservation for night #1 and decide each day in which direction they feel like driving. They find someplace to stay each night. They might spend a few nights or head out the next day. Others are very concerned about drinking and driving. They love good food and fine wine, but don’t want to drive after dinner.
Cruising is ideal if: you don’t consider driving a passion or an important component of your vacation. You want to be able to have that extra glass of wine or two, not worrying about driving back to your lodgings. You are already there.
- Unpack once or always be on the move? Some people are great at living out of a suitcase. They don’t unpack everything, putting things into hotel room drawers. They have perfected business travel. Others like to unpack once, feeling they have arrived and consider their room home for the next several days.
Cruising is ideal if: you want to unpack once and feel settled in. You only look at your luggage again the night before you disembark.
- All-inclusive vacation or pay as you go? Some people view vacations in components. They know they will be paying for airfare, hotel rooms, various meals, theater tickets and bar bills. They are fine with that. There will be days they live it up and others they spend quietly. The costs even out. Others like the concept of the all-inclusive resort. Your meals, drinks and entertainment are covered by the price you paid when booking the trip.
Cruising is ideal if: you want to have a good idea what the total cost of the vacation will be before it begins. There will be extras, but they will be options you choose.
- Do they like plenty of people or solitude? Some people think a stranger is a future friend they haven’t met yet. Others work in jobs where they have constant customer contact. They want peace and quiet.
Cruising is ideal if: you want to be in a friendly atmosphere where people are in a good mood because they are on vacation. A ship is a floating resort. If you seek solitude, you can find it onboard, but it is easier for the solo traveler to take a solo vacation on land.
- Who does the cooking? Some people are foodies who like finding fresh local ingredients and trying their hand at preparing local dishes. They might “rent a villa” and do their own cooking. Others seek out Michelin starred restaurants. Some people consider food as fuel. Many people cook at home and want to leave that aspect of their lives behind.
Cruising is ideal if: you want digning options, but do not want to be involved in the food preparation yourself. Let someone else do the work.
- Explore on your own or have a guide? Some people love exploring. They research every destination. They know the sites you must see and the hidden gems. They can read a map and are fine exploring on their own or leading a group of their friends. Others want to see what is on offer, yet are happy to pay someone else to do their work. All they need to do is show up.
Cruising is ideal if: You are happy booking a shore excursion, a mini tour that shows you the sights. You might be an explorer, but your expeditions can only last a couple of hours because you need to be back onboard before the ship sails.
- Find your own entertainment or get it all in one place. Some people want to visit local music clubs in a city. They want to do a pub crawl. They want to happen upon a little lounge with great music. They want to visit the famous opera house , the theater or attend a live concert performed by a celebrity. Others are fine with having somewhere to go if they want to be entertained. They are not too picky.
Cruising is ideal if: you want your entertainment within walking distance onboard after dinner. You don’t want to worry about crowds or getting a taxi back to your hotel.
- Do you like cities or resorts? Some people like exploring cities filled with landmarks. There are 170+ museums in New York City. Other people prefer a resort. They want sun, sand, bars and restaurants. They don’t really need much more.
Cruising is ideal if: you are Ok with culture in small doses. This happens during shore excursions or onboard lectures. The rest of the time you are enjoying your floating resort.
- How are you with languages? Some people have the gift of languages. They can pick up enough words to get by. Many countries have adopted English, teaching it as everyone’s second language in schools. Other countries prefer you speak their language. Tourists find the only English spoken is when someone is trying to sell you something.
Cruising is ideal if: you prefer an environment where everyone around you speaks English and any shore excursions you book will have guides who speak English.
- Do you like dressing up? Everyday life has become more casual. Think about how people used to dress when flying and they dress today. Going out for dinner used to be a dress-up occasion. Some people find there are fewer and fewer reasons to dress up. They miss that. Others are fine with wearing casual clothing all the time.
Cruising is ideal if: you research the personality of your ship and cruise line before booking your vacation. Some lines are dressy. Others are more casual. Put another way, if you prefer dressing up, there are cruise lines catering to your segment of the market.
Cruising might not be for everyone, but there is a cruise line for almost everyone. You need to know what you are looking for in the ideal vacation.
Editor’s Notes:
If you’d like to get a quote and book a cruise see Browse Cruise Ships and Cruise Lines
CruiseCompete and its member travel advisors provide many curated cruise and land deals, offers and amenities on over 50 cruise lines with over 500 cruise ships sailing all around the world.
Also see Shore Excursions – Ports, Day & Weekend Trips
Cover photo credit Princess Cruises
