Cruises for most are a retreat – a home away from home. However, for some what is meant to be a dreamy seascape might instead turn into the nightmare they didn’t expect.
Decide if a cruise is for you with our helpful guide.
Cabins are small
While you might not be in your cabin a lot while cruising, keeping in mind the square footage of a room before booking is a good idea – as cruise ships have notoriously small spaces if you’re not willing to fork out big bucks.
A small cabin may not be an issue for you and your partner or family, but if you’re looking for space to give you the luxury feel to your cabin, a standard cabin might not be the one for you.
Instead, opt for a pricier room if you’re OK with paying a little more. There are perks that come with spending more money as well, other than square footage.
Some cruise lines offer free non-alcoholic, priority boarding on and off the ship, onboard credit or even speciality dining.
Staff photographers are everywhere
It feels good to have your picture taken sometimes, especially on the glitz and glamour nights where you’re required to dress to the nines for the cruise’s special occasions.
However, if you choose to board a cruise be prepared for a paparazzi-like experience where you’re asked for pictures every time you disembark at each port, when you eat and when you participate in each activity.
These employee photographers are just one way a cruise will try to squeeze a few extra dollars out of you. Taking your own pictures on your own camera and politely declining anyone that pushes a camera in your face is the best way to prevent any unwilling spending.
Seasickness can take a toll on you
If you’ve never been on a cruise then perhaps you’ve never learnt the hard way of dealing with motion sickness, or better known as seasickness.
Seasickness occurs when what you ‘see’ conflicts with what your inner ear senses – this confuses the brain and results in dizziness, nausea and often an upset tummy.
There is no guarantee you will suffer from any symptoms of seasickness, but if you’re not willing to spend the exorbitant fee at a cruise shop, then you’re best to book in with your local GP a month in advance from your cruise.
All holiday experiences carry positive and negative aspects, but it’s better to know what to look out for when preparing for your next getaway.
Are you considering going on a cruise? Let us know in the comments below.
This article was written in partnership with Over60.