Photo Credit: ncousla, Depositphotos
When thinking of cruising and cruise ships, there are often two contrasting images that come to mind: a ship full of seniors, or a ship full of drunken party animals. But I was pleasantly (and thankfully) surprised to be wrong!
The shipboard lifestyle is luxe (especially to someone whose travel usually involves a backpacker's budget), the buffets are amazing, and what better way to get to exotic locales than by splashing in the pool, watching theatre shows and visiting the spa? Sure beats twenty hours in a cramped seat on a plane, or on a local bus in which the locals are holding... I don't know... live chickens next to your face. Getting there is the hardest part of travel, but on a cruise ship it can be the absolute best.
I was lucky enough to board MSC Cruise Lines for a seven-night cruise from Venice, Italy (when I say I was lucky, I mean my friend and I used cash monies), with ports including Bari, Italy; Istanbul, Turkey; Dubrovnik, Croatia, and Katokolon, Greece.
Here is what I learned about cruising:
The shipboard lifestyle is luxe (especially to someone whose travel usually involves a backpacker's budget), the buffets are amazing, and what better way to get to exotic locales than by splashing in the pool, watching theatre shows and visiting the spa? Sure beats twenty hours in a cramped seat on a plane, or on a local bus in which the locals are holding... I don't know... live chickens next to your face. Getting there is the hardest part of travel, but on a cruise ship it can be the absolute best.
I was lucky enough to board MSC Cruise Lines for a seven-night cruise from Venice, Italy (when I say I was lucky, I mean my friend and I used cash monies), with ports including Bari, Italy; Istanbul, Turkey; Dubrovnik, Croatia, and Katokolon, Greece.
Here is what I learned about cruising:
You May Have to Hunt to Find People Speaking Your Language
Funnily enough, when boarding a cruise ship in Venice, the majority of cruisers were from European countries and didn't necessarily speak English. Go figure – Love Boat, you lied to me.
Though everyone is stuck with you in the same place at the same time, when there are over four thousand of said people, the language barrier can be a pretty big obstacle. Plus, like you, most cruisers will be there in a group and wanting to bond with them, not necessarily wanting to share small talk with strangers. It might be harder to make friends on board than you first thought, but never fear: at dinner you will be seated with people who speak-a your language. In my case, my travel mate and I were seated with three couples from Australia (or, how we pronounce it over here, "Straya"), something we could bond over.
Photo credit: MSC Cruise Lines
Shore Excursions are Expensive and Restrictive – It Can Be Cheaper And More Fun to Go it Alone
The shore excursions are pricey - very pricey, and often involve a two-hour bus ride each way before spending an hour or two on a quick tour of the destination before having to jump on the bus back to the ship. It just doesnt' seem worth it.
It can be cheaper and more worthwhile to do a little research ahead of time about what there is to see and do in the vicinity of the port, and spend the day closer to the cruise ship. You could also join up with your new-found friends, share a taxi into town and hit the sights that you want to see, without the hundreds – or thousands – of other cruisers! That way you have more time to take it at your own pace, see and do what you want, and avoid the high congestion of hundreds of stressed out, time-poor cruise ship excursioners.
It can be cheaper and more worthwhile to do a little research ahead of time about what there is to see and do in the vicinity of the port, and spend the day closer to the cruise ship. You could also join up with your new-found friends, share a taxi into town and hit the sights that you want to see, without the hundreds – or thousands – of other cruisers! That way you have more time to take it at your own pace, see and do what you want, and avoid the high congestion of hundreds of stressed out, time-poor cruise ship excursioners.
Laying (Your Towel) Out Poolside
While at sea, the 100% most popular activity is lying on deck by the pool. With a brisk sea breeze, the water can sometimes be a bit too cool to jump in (and the spas a bit too crowded), so everyone is tanning, reading, chatting and drinking on the sun loungers on deck.
Or at least their towels are draped over the sun loungers, anyway.
As far as the eye can see, from morning until night, every sun lounger has a towel draped over it, for the entire day, where a cruiser has placed it just in case they'll want to use the seat for a couple of minutes before the sun goes down. This means you might have to wander from end to end of the ship, deck after deck to find a place to sit down with your book or iPod and fancy (expensive) cocktail.
Honestly? Don't worry about the towel reserving the sun lounger. Ignore it and sit down and relax for awhile. You'll probably be gone before they come back anyway.
Or at least their towels are draped over the sun loungers, anyway.
As far as the eye can see, from morning until night, every sun lounger has a towel draped over it, for the entire day, where a cruiser has placed it just in case they'll want to use the seat for a couple of minutes before the sun goes down. This means you might have to wander from end to end of the ship, deck after deck to find a place to sit down with your book or iPod and fancy (expensive) cocktail.
Honestly? Don't worry about the towel reserving the sun lounger. Ignore it and sit down and relax for awhile. You'll probably be gone before they come back anyway.
Yes, Indulge in the Buffet. But Learn From the Belly Ache Early
All-you-can-eat amazing buffet for breakfast and lunch, and even dinner if you want to? That's part of the indulgence of cruise life. Go for it. But expect to come out of the experience with a belly ache, like every other time you overindulge back home. Learn from the experience quickly and use some restraint so you can enjoy the rest of your cruise! Don't push your limits going back to the dessert bar for thirds, or else your whole cruising experience will be one of sluggishness, a sore stomach and an extra roll where you may not want one.
Seven-Course Formal Dinners Are No Joke
The buffet is epic, but your dining reservation is a bit more upmarket. As you check in, you will be assigned a specific restaurant on board, specific table, and specific dining time for dinner. We had the same, fabulous waiter every night all week long. Dinner is where you dress like the lady or gentleman you are (perhaps to the best of your abilities with what you brought) and sometimes even make an effort to dress to the evening's theme. It's uber fancy. You use cloth serviettes, drink from wine glasses, sit yourself up straight and attempt to hold delightful dinner conversation with strangers-come-friends. There may or may not be a live piano player, but, unlike the buffet's pizza and pasta offerings, there will be course after course of more high-end local cuisine.
Take the Opportunity to Go Wi-Fi-Free
If, like me, you're somewhat addicted to your smartphone and whatever wi-fi can give you, then cruising can be a really good excuse to detox from the internet. On-board wi-fi practically costs your first born child.
That said, if you have a local simcard or roaming activated on your phone, when the ship is in port (and you're outside on deck) you'll have a bit of wi-fi access to send emails home, make everybody jealous on social media and check the [insert your favourite sport] score. But when the ship is at sea? Forget about it. Live in the moment. But speaking of ports...
That said, if you have a local simcard or roaming activated on your phone, when the ship is in port (and you're outside on deck) you'll have a bit of wi-fi access to send emails home, make everybody jealous on social media and check the [insert your favourite sport] score. But when the ship is at sea? Forget about it. Live in the moment. But speaking of ports...
You Don't Need to Get Off the Ship Every Time it Ports - But It Can be Cheaper When Picking Up Supplies
Not feeling a destination that your ship has come in to port? You don't have to get off if you don't want to. This is your holiday, so if just feel like lying in bed that day, do it!
That said, often some of the essential amenities you may want or need, such as shampoo, bottled water, or chocolate (it's essential. What?) will very likely be cheaper in port-side towns than on board. So if you have the correct currency or a credit card, it can be worthwhile to dash off for an hour and pick up some supplies.
That said, often some of the essential amenities you may want or need, such as shampoo, bottled water, or chocolate (it's essential. What?) will very likely be cheaper in port-side towns than on board. So if you have the correct currency or a credit card, it can be worthwhile to dash off for an hour and pick up some supplies.
Announcements Take a Very Long Time
As guests are from a multitude of countries, speaking a multitude of languages, any announcement (be it over the loud speaker or at the beginning of a performance in the theatre) is repeated half a dozen (or more) times, each time in a new language. It's very impressive of the speaker to know all these languages, but also rather time-consuming. I'd hate to be in an emergency and only understand what was happening ten minutes into the announcement when they reached English.
So why Cruise?
Often, travellers come home exhausted feeling they need a holiday from their holiday. But if you're not planning on seeing every sight and exploring every nook and cranny of a destination, but are just interested in a taster plate experience, then cruising can be an excellent way of travelling without the effort, discomfort and lack of sleep usually involved. Enjoy the luxe life.
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