Cruisin’ for a Bruisin’: The Downsides of Cruising

My mom and I are contemplating taking a cruise this fall (to Mexico, Costa Rica, and Panama), and it’s got me thinking about some of the things I don’t like about cruising. Don’t get me  wrong, I’m a fan (as I explain in this post) — but nothing’s perfect. Here are some of the drawbacks as I see them:

1. The limited time in ports. If you’re out exploring, you always have to keep an eye on the time. Forget to watch your watch, and you’ll miss your sailing — and have to hoof it home (or, you know, buy a plane ticket, but that didn’t sound nearly as good).

2. The seasickness. Some people are hit harder than others by the waves of the ocean. I, for one, feel every undulation of the ship, although it doesn’t make me sick per se — but it is a strange sensation. This can be a killjoy for sure, though, for those who are most affected.

3. The cramped quarters. Some ships and some price points will get you more room than others, but overall, space is at a premium. Just try turning around in the shower.

4. The tempting food. I’ve had my fair share of good-for-you cuisine on a cruise, like salmon, greens, and vegetable soup. But let’s not forget nightly dessert, ice cream by the pool, midnight pizza, and cocktails packed with calories. When it’s all there on display — and free! — it’s tough to resist.

5. The hard sell. Cruises are, by and large, a pretty inexpensive way to get around. But they have you captive and want you to buy stuff, of course. When I go in for a fitness assessment, I don’t want to be told the ONLY way I can get to my ideal body fat percentage is by going on one specific (expensive) detox program and drinking seaweed. That’s just not true — and it’s a bit insulting.

Like I said, I think cruises are a fun supplement to other traveling, and I hope to do another before the year’s end. If you’ve been, do you have a favorite cruise line or destination?