What Misconceptions About Cruising Do Your Non-cruising Friends/Family Have?

[Two Wheels Only]

While planning a large friends/family reunion-type cruise, I found myself bombarded by misconceptions about cruising from the 2/3 that had never taken a cruise.

 

It was funny to me since some believed that they had to bring money (cash) to buy food, there weren't enough lifeboats in case of an emergency ("When that Carnival ship was stranded, why didn't they just take the lifeboats back to land?"), people would get seasick for the entire cruise, they had to dress up for dinner and would have to sit with a group of strangers every night, etc.

 

What types of misconceptions/questions do you get from non-cruisers?

[Aldeya]

"Cruising is for OLD people! I'll consider it when I"ll stop being active and ready for a boring vacation!"

 

I've heard it many times.

Edited November 15, 2016 by Aldeya

[bonvoyagie]

all of the above and not understanding "port stops" and excursions - the only purpose of port stops were for shopping :D - too expensive.

[optimusprime82]

Sadly, I have a pretty stupid co-worker that believed an iceberg collision could be possible in the Caribbean. Had to explain what happens to ice cubes in warm water for her to realize how dumb that thought was.

[TSUmom]

I hear many say they would not want to be stuck with nothing to do and might get bored. They obviously never really looked at what is offered.

 

I also have a friend that said she saw the movie titanic....I told her we were going to the Caribbean and if we run into an iceberg there we have a lot more to worry about...

[kerryincork]

Cruising is for old people. A lot of non cruisers think they will feel claustrophobic In the ship. And it is very rocky.

I think they think a cruise ship is like a car ferry or a cargo transport?

 

Sent from my SM-N910F using Forums mobile app

[grouchomarx]

Some people I've talked to think that going on a cruise basically guarantees getting Norovirus, and they think cruise ships are the only place you could contract Noro.

[ja2nowak]

My friends all love to post the videos of the really rocking cruise boats caught in storms. Even after I explain to them that it is super rare they don't believe me. Then there is the "what if I get sick" either from the water or from the movement crowd.

[AlanFromFL]

Used to believe that cruising was for "old" people...family members still believe that everyone gets seasick and/or norovirus, or that the ships routinely break down or capsize.

[Justaddvodka68]

That it's claustrophobic, that you're "captive." I feel like you're in a cool city with lots of options for meals, bars and entertainment and it's all in walking distance. Plus the ports!

 

I'm never in my room except to sleep, then very little tho. I'm out and about on the ship, in the thermal spa for relaxation, etc. I fall into bed after a night at the casino at 3am and am at the spa by 7:30. I never get tired on a cruise or hungover - and I drink!

[SquishTheWhale]

"It's like a floating prison" is the one I hear. Right.... a prison with a 24 buffet, broadway shows and water slides. If that's what prison is like then I'm off to commit me some crimes! :D

[blackwing]

"I can't believe you want to be stuck in a tiny little cabin for a week on a boat filled with old people. You're gonna get that Noro thing and I hope your pilot doesn't get drunk and crash like what happened to that boat in Italy. What happens if there's a big wave? Will you turn upside down like in the Poseidon Adventure?"

[Tutontow]

Without spending a lot of money for activities and drinks you will get bored. My sister cruised and hated it. They don't drink and the Lido deck was not for them.

[Eleteace]

Cruising is for old people!!!!

 

(I'm 22, it annoyed me so much I made my blog called http://www.cruisingisntjustforoldpeople.co.uk ha ha!!!)

 

People also think that cabins are really claustrophobic...

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Oakman58]

My brother-in-law refuses to go on a cruise because he’s afraid a rogue wave will hit the ship and capsize it as in the Poseiden Adventure. All I can say when he brings that up is WOW!

[perkydebrajean]

When I told my mom that my daughter and I were going on a cruise iut of NYC, her concern was about Somali pirates. I reassured her that they weren't going to be in the Port Canaveral and Bahamas area. The Concordia accident was a few months before our first cruise. My dad asked me if I still wanted to go. I told him "for years I had wanted to go on a cruise, so yes I was going".

 

My husband took years to convince. He was one of those that was afraid he'd be bored and would also tell me that had he wanted to go in a ship then he would have joined the Navy instead of the Air Force. We're going on our third cruise in the course of 4 years, so guess he changed his mind!

 

Sent from my SM-G930P using Forums mobile app

[LadyShiva]

The latest was that their 2 year old will somehow manage to fling himself off the boat. Could NOT budge them from that irrational fear, no matter what was said or shown to them. Only drunk adults manage to go over balcony railings, but their miracle monkey will somehow manage to unlock the high bolt, slide open a heavy door, and make it over that railing.

 

I can already see we are going to hear MANY stories of what an overachiever they have! :rolleyes:

[smurf1635]

The #1 comment I hear is "another cruise? You must be rich". Can't convince people cruising can be affordable and a great value.

 

Sent from my SM-G930V using Forums mobile app

[aztekpm]

My absolute favorite, is be careful and don't fall over. Blah, blah, so many people fall off the ships, it's in the news all the time ... of course, we know different, it's not all the time, but can't seem to convince them you're not going over accidentally!

 

Also get the, how boring, aren't you bored, etc. this from an aunt and uncle who go to the same little hotel on the beach in Florida every year for a month (both under 60) and stay at the hotel, go shopping, grocery shopping and sit by the pool every day, they don't even use the beach ... ummm, okay, you're right, that's not boring at all!

[JimAOk1945]

"What another cruise!?! You must be rich!" I hear this a lot! No, we are not rich.

 

People who say this are surprised to learn the price depends on stateroom category, stateroom location, and how the price fluctuates depending on the time of year (book during the off-season, avoid major holidays, etc.)

Edited November 16, 2016 by JimAOk1945

[hdowney]

Yup I have had comments like 'you must be rich' or 'it's well for some'. Like it costs a damn fortune to cruise. It really doesn't, it costs what you want it to cost. (mind these same people said the same about my recent land based vacation to Paris, some of these were co-workers, with the must be rich comment - eh no, can you not see me working every ounce of overtime there is to put money towards this holiday!!!).

 

Also heard the 'for old people' one, and the 'boring' comments.

 

Then there are people who only seem to hear the 'horror stories'/disasters/accidents and assume that this happens all the time and cruising is inherently dangerous - I remind them that they are more likely to be hit by a car crossing the road, so don't forget to wear clean pants!!!!!

 

I find it most hilarious though when people say it must be boring, same old crap food day in day out etc, and then they go on about the fantastic holiday they have booked at an all-inclusive resort that basically serves up the same crap every day!!!!!

 

You stick to your holiday, and I'll go enjoy mine. I am not sure I'd want you to come along anyway!

[Vacationlover2]

Sadly, I have a pretty stupid co-worker that believed an iceberg collision could be possible in the Caribbean. Had to explain what happens to ice cubes in warm water for her to realize how dumb that thought was.

 

I think your co-worker is Olaf from Frozen!

[the wandering two]

I find it most hilarious though when people say it must be boring, same old crap food day in day out etc, and then they go on about the fantastic holiday they have booked at an all-inclusive resort that basically serves up the same crap every day!!!!!

 

You stick to your holiday, and I'll go enjoy mine. I am not sure I'd want you to come along anyway!

 

I'm with you on this one. Sister in law swears she will never book a cruise, she & hubby spent a week on a Greek island & other than going into the local village for a meal one evening, never left the hotel, "but you would be trapped on a cruise ship! "

 

Mark

[mugtech]

My friends all love to post the videos of the really rocking cruise boats caught in storms. Even after I explain to them that it is super rare they don't believe me. Then there is the "what if I get sick" either from the water or from the movement crowd.

 

We hear a lot of this plus"but I can't swim"

[AdGuyMG]

A woman I know said she would never go on a cruise because she's "read and sees a lot on TV about the Bermuda Triangle"