7 Reasons You Should Never Take a Cruise
February 19, 2018You couldn’t pay me to go on a cruise. Literally!
I have actually been offered a sponsorship (by an unnamed brand) to go on a cruise with my family. I respectfully declined the offer. I have zero interest in taking a cruise. And I have many reasons for why I feel this way. Keep reading for my 7 reasons to never take a cruise.
7 Reasons You Should Never Take a Cruise
Disclaimer: Everyone’s experience is different, and if you are a regular cruise-taker and love your time on the open water, feel free to post a comment below sharing your thoughts. This post is just my personal opinion and should not be taken as anything more.
Before I go into the reasons on why I would never go on a cruise, let me first state the obvious. People love cruises because they are generally an all-expenses-paid vacation. For many, it can seem enticing fun to be on a big boat with others, exploring exotic destinations, and having plenty of good food to go around. However, not all that glitters is gold. Let’s get into some of the details now, shall we?
1. Excessive Food
How is excessive food a negative? Well, if you are trying to lead a healthy lifestyle, it is. Most cruises offer food throughout the day and night on buffet lines littered with hundreds of items. Many of these foods are high in fat, salt, sugar and calories. I’m committed to a healthy lifestyle (see this post and this post) so the food situation on cruises does not appeal to me – at all.
2. Food Poisoning
Food poisoning is one of those things that makes life completely miserable. The fever, pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea create a really dreadful experience. Food poisoning can occur through improper handling of food or through a virus (like the norovirus). According to the CDC, the vast majority of diarrhea outbreaks on cruises are caused by norovirus. Norovirus is highly contagious, especially if food is shared with an infected individual.
3. Getting Stuck
Getting stuck on a cruise ship is actually not that uncommon. From power outages to malfunctions in the air conditioning system, being stuck at sea does not sound like a fun time to me. In fact, in 2013, a popular cruise line lost electricity, engine power and air conditioning for a few days at sea. Without effective refrigeration and sewage disposal, the spread of infections (like E. coli or norovirus) can skyrocket. Ugh!
4. Bed Bugs
Did you know that bed bugs have become a serious problem on cruise ships? These bugs love to live right where people sleep and tend to settle in nooks throughout the room, including inside furniture. If a bed on a cruise ship is infected with bed bugs, it becomes all too easy to then infect your bed at home too. What a nightmare! Be sure to sanitize your luggage & belongings before leaving the cruise.
5. Qualified Medical Care
The ship’s medical center may not be staffed with qualified, licensed medical practitioners. In fact, the “doctor” in charge may not be licensed to practice medicine in the United States – or anywhere at all. There has been at least one case where the “doctor” was just a graduate of medical school from another country.
6. The Crowds
Cruise ships tend to attract the masses. If you love to be in a sea (pun intended) of hundreds of people all day, then you might love the crowded nature of cruise ships. I do not love packed crowds and so I would not appreciate the environment on cruise ships. Make sure you don’t pick a cabin near elevators or the stairways; otherwise, expect plenty of noise throughout the night. Also, be prepared for crazy long lines at the buffet lunch.
7. Motion Sickness
If you’ve ever experienced motion sickness, you know the misery. The nausea, headaches, vomiting, dizziness etc. can all be very unpleasant. Recent statistics indicate that about 1/3 of adults experience at least mild seasickness – and that’s in calm water. Throw in a storm & rocky waters and it’s a different ball game!
Now, I’d love to hear from you. Have you ever taken a cruise? Did you enjoy your experience?
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Sheesh, this makes cruises sound horrific. Now I don’t really want to… Even though I kind of do…
Motion sickness is my biggest issue for not taking one. Getting stuck would also be horrible! I would much rather fly to an island and spend time exploring instead of bouncing from port to port.
We went on a cruise about 10 years ago and weren’t impressed. I didn’t like all the crowds, waiting, the dining situations. Most of all I didn’t like feeling nickel-and-dimed when it came to excursions. Every time we wanted to do something, it was a whole process. I do think I would consider a cruise with my kids, but more likely we won’t.
I have never been on a cruise but I know many people who love them. My brother and my sister-in-law went on one for their honeymoon almost 20 years ago and didn’t care for it. I feel everyone has their own opinions and reasons why they might like or not like it. I can appreciate your thoughts and feelings on the subject of why you wouldn’t want to take one.
I have never taken a cruise, but I think I would take my chances.
I’m sorry you aren’t a fan of cruises! I have never been on one but I want to go one day! I am one of those people who wants to experience everything at least once!
this sounds terrible. I never tried going on a cruise. But I think not all the cruise will like this. My sister enjoyed it and her kids,
I am with you on this for sure. I would have to be out of mind to take a cruise because it goes against everything I feel strongly about. lol
I have never been on a cruise. They always look crowded to me. I have a fear of being surrounded by water and not being able to see land. I could not imagine getting stuck on the boat.
Yeah, I had some friends who just took their first cruise. They hated it. They’re used to traveling freely and it wasn’t for them.
I honestly think it depends on what kind of traveler you are. I personally don’t prefer them but I know many people who love them.
Wow, really? We’ve never been on a cruise, but if given an opportunity to experience being on a cruise, I think I’ll grab it just for the experience. 🙂
It would be nice to do your research on the cruise ship that you’re planning to go to and check out the reviews as well. I think cruise ships could be fun depending on the itinerary.
I’ve always wanted to go on a cruise however, I’ll pass on the bed bugs and food poisoning!
My husband and I took a cruise 30+ years ago, and it was excellent. I get motion sickness, but for whatever reason, it did not happen to me on this cruise. You are right about the fatty foods. However, there are lot of healthy foods/fruits. I never thought about bedbugs, are very pleased we did not experience any. You brought up some excellent throught provoking points. Now that I am older, and see all the things that occurs on cruise ships, I must say, I am to afraid to take a cruise now. This is only because of fearing the ship might sink, or something horrible like that. I often say when I hear family, friends, or others talk about what employees put in food, especially if they are upset about you complaining. I say to myself, “I am out to eat, (whatever I am out for) I will not complain, I will not think if that person washed their hands after using the restroom.” . I feel if we think if something is clean or not, we will not ever go outside our homes. Never go on vacations, for fear tge hotel might have bedbugs, and the list goes on and on. Please people don’t attack me, I am just saying… Thank you for this post. I think it help us all to think before taking on any adventure, be it, by sea, land or air.
We are about to take our 8th cruise with our teen kids this spring, and I can’t wait! We always have such a fun time! Always on Royal Caribbean, always to the Caribbean. We first went when they were in elementary school & kindergarten. There’s always “kid time/activities” and “adult time/activities”! Cruising is one of the most fun things we do as a family, and we’ve have met wonderful friends and have seen great sights and had fantastic experiences on the islands. We have never encountered any of the bad issues that you listed. Even on the most crowded cruises we’ve taken, there’s still plenty of room and so many things to do. It can be as exciting or as relaxing as you want it to be. I realize that cruising isn’t for everyone, but perhaps your post would have been better titled “7 reasons I won’t take a cruise” instead of “7 reasons you shouldn’t take a cruise”.
Fair enough… Glad you enjoy your time on cruises! And thanks for visiting!
I couldn’t agree more with the above comment. I have gone on a few cruises and never had an issue you have listed. There are PLENTY of healthy options. We never experienced lines or even huge crowds. Bed bugs are everywhere there are travelers . You’d be surprised how many hotels actually get them. The noise however isn’t so bad by the elevators. The noise is bad if you’re under the stage or above the mechanical equipment. If you’re going to write articles like this you should really know what you’re talking about first.
There is a way to disagree with someone respectfully. We are all entitled to our own opinions. My article is based on observations from friends and facts from the news. I’m glad you enjoy your time on cruises.