Who Cruises Are Great For

Cruising is usually a win if you:

• Like having things planned out for you
  You want meals, entertainment, and most logistics handled so you can just show up and enjoy.

• Enjoy a mix of relaxation and activity
  You like the idea of sea days to recharge, plus port days to explore, without packing and unpacking.

• Hate airport-hopping
  Being able to see multiple destinations but only unpack once sounds ideal.

• Travel with a group or extended family
  Cruises work well when people want different things: kids at the splash pad, teens at the club, adults at the bar or spa, everyone meets at dinner.

• Want good value per day
  When you factor in lodging, food, entertainment, and some activities, cruises can be a strong value compared to land vacations.

If you read that list and thought, “Yes, that’s us,” cruising is worth a serious look.

Who Cruises Are Not Great For

Cruising might not be your thing if you:

• Want total flexibility every day
  If you like waking up and deciding your day on the fly, ship schedules and port times may feel restrictive.

• Hate crowds and shared spaces
  You’re always around other people: at the pool, buffet, theatre, elevators. You can avoid the worst of it, but you can’t avoid it entirely.

• Need total control of your food environment
  There are plenty of options, but if you have very specific dietary needs or are a super picky eater, you may get frustrated.

• Prefer deep, slow travel in one place
  Port days are short. You get a “taste” of each destination, not a full deep-dive.

• Already know you get severely motion sick
  Modern ships help a lot, but if you’re extremely sensitive and the idea of being at sea stresses you out, this may not be the vacation where you want to experiment.

Better to be honest now than stuck on a ship for a week wishing you’d booked something else.

Sea Days vs. Port Days: What Cruise Life Is Actually Like

Sea Days

These are your “floating resort” days. Typical options:

• Pool time, waterslides, hot tubs

• Shows, trivia, game shows, karaoke, live music

• Casinos (on most lines), bars, lounges

• Spas, gyms, classes, sometimes adult-only areas

• Kids’ clubs and teen spaces

If you like the idea of not going anywhere and still having plenty to do (or not do), you’ll enjoy sea days.

Port Days

These are your “destination” days. Usually:

• You dock in the morning

• You have a set window to explore (often 6–8 hours)

• You can book excursions through the cruise line or do your own thing

Port days are great for:

• Beaches and water activities

• City tours, history, culture

• Adventure (ziplining, ATVs, snorkeling, etc.)

If you want full days in one destination, you might feel rushed. If you like sampling multiple places in one trip, it’s perfect.

Seasickness & Motion: The Ugly Truth (And What Helps)

Let’s not pretend this isn’t a concern.

• Modern ships are huge and stabilized. Most of the time, you feel more of a gentle sway than dramatic motion.

• It depends on the itinerary and time of year. Some routes are smoother than others.

• There are real tools that work:

  • Over-the-counter meds

  • Patches

  • Sea bands

  • Choosing a mid-ship, lower-deck cabin

If you:

• Occasionally feel motion sick in cars or small boats → you’re usually fine with some prep.

• Get severely motion sick and even elevators mess with you → we need to think carefully about whether a cruise (or which type) is worth it.

When I plan your cruise, we talk about this upfront so I can recommend the right ship, cabin location, and timing.

Kids, Ages, and Family Dynamics

Not every age/stage experiences a cruise the same way.

Great Ages for Cruises

• School-age kids (6–12)
  Old enough for kids’ clubs, water slides, simple independence, and character meet-and-greets (on some lines).

• Teens
  Teen clubs, sports courts, late-night snacks, and Wi-Fi make this an easy win if the line is teen-friendly.

• Multi-generational trips
  Grandparents can enjoy shows, quiet lounges, and nicer dining while kids burn energy elsewhere.

Trickier Situations

• Very little ones (under 3)
  Some lines have nurseries, some don’t. Pool rules for non-potty-trained kids are strict. You can still cruise; you just need realistic expectations.

• Families who never agree on anything
  Cruise ships give everyone options, but if your family fights over everything, a confined environment might magnify that.

When we talk, I’ll be blunt about whether a particular ship/itinerary fits your kids’ ages and personalities.

Cruise Lines in Plain Language

No fluff, just quick snapshots. (These are general vibes, not rigid rules.)

• Royal Caribbean
  Big, bold, lots of activities. Great for families, groups, and people who like energy, shows, and “stuff to do” all day.

• Disney Cruise Line
  Top-tier service, theming, and kids’ programming. Best if you love Disney and are okay paying more for that experience.

• Carnival
  Lively, often more budget-friendly. Good if you want a fun, casual vibe and aren’t chasing luxury.

• Norwegian (NCL)
  “Freestyle” cruising—more flexible dining, a mix of families and adults, lots of entertainment.

• Celebrity / Princess
  Generally more relaxed, more adult-leaning, great for couples, friends, and older families who care about food and service.

When we plan, I match your actual personality and budget to a line and ship instead of just chasing the biggest slide or the newest buzzword.

Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Cruise

If you’re trying to figure out whether this is your kind of vacation, start here:

• Do I like the idea of unpacking once and seeing multiple places?

• Am I okay with set schedules for meals, shows, and port times?

• Can I handle being around a lot of people in shared spaces?

• Would my group benefit from lots of built-in options in one place?

• Do I want structure and “done-for-me” planning rather than DIY everything?

If most of those answers are yes, a cruise is probably a strong fit.

If most are no, we might look at an all-inclusive resort or a land-based itinerary instead.

If a Cruise Sounds Like a Fit, Here’s How to Start

If this page has you thinking, “Yeah, I think cruising could work for us,” the next step is simple.

Ready to See If a Cruise Is Right for You?

Tell me a little about your travel dates, who’s going, and what kind of vacation you’re hoping for. I’ll come back with honest recommendations on whether a cruise makes sense, which lines and ships fit you best, and a quote that matches your budget.