5 harsh realities of cruising that no one tells you

Cruises are one of the most popular vacations, often advertised as relaxing getaways for many kinds of travelers. With a variety of cruise lines and hundreds of cruise ships to choose from, there are endless possibilities for adventure. Families and solo travelers alike board cruise ships to set off on unforgettable adventures.

However, even seasoned cruisers will agree that not everything on a cruise is perfect. There are some aspects of cruising that might not work for everyone. If you’re a first-time cruiser and wondering whether cruising is right for you, consider these five harsh realities of setting sail on a cruise ship.

Limited time in port

Cruise ships operate on a strict schedule, with itineraries scheduled down to the hour. One of the best parts of cruising is getting to see multiple destinations without needing to unpack and repack your suitcase. The ultimate convenience is hard to beat with other vacations. But, you might be surprised to learn that you’ll only have hours in each port to explore. Most of the time, you can spend the entire day ashore from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Depending on the itinerary, you might have shorter days in port. This means your port time is even more limited. Not to mention, you shouldn’t venture too far from the port – if you’re late for all aboard time, you risk missing the ship entirely as it sails to the next port of call. 

Embarkation day is hectic 

If you’ve never boarded a cruise ship before, you might be surprised that embarkation day isn’t necessarily relaxing. 

First, you’ll show up at the terminal to check in for your cruise before boarding. This can mean battling hundreds of thousands of people checking in at the same time. Once onboard, your stateroom likely won’t be ready until later in the afternoon. You’ll be hauling around any bags you brought onboard to the buffet, which is probably jam-packed with lunchgoers. 

You might also need to run around and confirm your dining reservations if you have a particular night and time in mind. Peak dinner times fill up fast! 

Not to mention, you’ll need to complete your muster safety drill before the ship can depart. Some cruise lines have this as a digital process while others, like Disney Cruise Line, still require an assembly with hundreds of other guests.

Finally, you might want to unpack your suitcase once you get your luggage. If your cabin is cluttered, your small space will feel claustrophobic. For this reason, we always recommend unpacking. 

The last day of the cruise can be busy too

On the final day of your cruise, you’ll find relaxing in the afternoon and evening to be difficult. Before heading home, you’ll need to repack your suitcases and promptly place them outside your cabin door to be collected for the porters. If you’ve been on a longer cruise, this process can take a while. 

In addition, you’ll have any last-minute tasks to complete, such as filling out forms, handing out gratuities, and collecting your professional photos. Try to minimize how much you leave until the last-minute for this reason. 

Early mornings 

If you’re someone who wants to sleep for much of your cruise, you’ll want to consider booking an itinerary with multiple sea days. When your cruise ship docks in port, announcements start early in the morning with instructions for going ashore. These can start as early as 7 a.m., waking you up much earlier than you might want. 

Also, if you are hoping to maximize your time in each port, you’ll want to get up early anyway. This allows you to explore as much as possible while the ship is docked.

Sea days will provide you with undisputed sleep if you want to sleep into the early afternoon.

Unwanted noise and ruckus

Sailing on a massive cruise ship can be noisy, especially if you’ve never cruised before. After all, you are vacationing on an operating vessel! This means clanks, clunks, and creaks can be heard as the ship navigates the water. Rough seas can lead to even louder noises from the ship, particularly older ones.

This is why it’s important to choose a quiet stateroom. For instance, you won’t want to book a cabin near the anchor at the front of the ship. If your ship needs to anchor, the loud noise of the anchor dropping will have you falling out of bed.