Cruise Adverts Can’t Show You What a Cruise is Really Like – Here’s Why

I often see cruise ads on television or YouTube, but what they are advertising doesn’t seem to bear much resemblance to the cruising I know and love!

Often, they focus on high-octane excitement, waterslides, go karts, flashy entertainment, and perfect beach destinations.

You’ll see perfect-looking couples staring out over completely empty decks to the sea beyond...

This doesn’t resonate with me at all, and I think it must be confusing for those who are unsure about cruising anyway.

Some of the best parts of cruising for me are slow, easy and relaxing, which makes them difficult to advertise.

Why Cruise Ads Focus On The Wrong Stuff

Cruise ads often highlight things like waterslides, go-karts, zip lines, and people partying late into the night.

While these exist on some ships, they are usually small parts of the overall cruise and not what most people remember or care about long-term.

You are shown luxurious balcony cabins and suites onboard. They never show the reality, many people stay in the cheapest inside cabins with no windows or outside space.

The cruise companies don’t choose to show busy deck space, or a heaving buffet full of people – that isn’t the sort of impression they want to give!

If you are sharing a cruise ship with five thousand other guests, you are unlikely to see decks empty unless you get up before everyone else – and who wants to do that when they are on holiday?

I am unlikely to be partying late into the night – it is my cruise, I do what I want – and I don’t usually want to stay up late!

A Waterslide Lasts Five Minutes. The Cruise Lasts Far Longer…

Waterslides, go-karts, and similar attractions are examples of why ads can be misleading as to what a cruise is like.

Lots of ships don’t have any of these features, you need to choose your cruise and cruise line with care.

Even if these attractions are available, they might be fun for a while, but they are not why people book cruise after cruise.

Focusing on these gimmicks gives the wrong impression of what cruising feels like.

Have a look at some of the exciting activities I tried on Norwegian Breakaway below – but remember, a lot of ships don’t have these sorts of attractions at all….

The Best Parts Of Cruising Can’t Be Filmed Properly

Standing on the decks, watching the sunsets in the evenings, watching the horizon, or feeling the ship move gently over the waves are hard to capture on camera.

Cruising is as much about atmosphere as it is about activities – atmosphere doesn’t translate well into ads.

Waking Up Somewhere New Is Hard To Explain In An Ad

It feels amazing to wake up in a new place virtually every day, without packing, travelling, or checking into a new hotel.

Cruise ads often skip this entirely, even though it’s one of the biggest reasons people fall in love with cruising.

You can visit multiple countries or ports in the space of a week, and it almost feels like the destinations come to you.

You open your curtains, and the new destination is there – just waiting to be explored!

Cruising Is About Pace, Not Adrenaline

Although adverts pack in all these wonderful activities and destinations – all in a short 30-second advert – cruising for me is about relaxing and taking it easy.

I love quiet sea days, relaxed mornings, sunset views, and unstructured time to do as little or as much as I want.

Of course, that doesn’t look exciting in an ad, so they don’t show it. But it’s what makes cruising enjoyable for me.

Why Cruise Ads Aim For The Wrong Audience

Many cruise ads are designed to grab attention quickly rather than reflect the reality of going on a cruise.

They often target people scrolling past and focus on what grabs people’s attention. Often, these aren’t people who are seriously considering booking a cruise holiday anyway.

What Actually Makes People Love Cruising

I love to cruise, as do my family and friends. I’m surrounded by “cruising people” because of the line of business I am in!

Here are some of the things people actually say they love about cruising (and very few people ever mention go-karting or waterslides!):

• Waking up in a new place every day.
• Wonderful, unlimited food included.
• Unpacking only once.
• Exciting theatre shows
• Music and entertainment all around the ship to enjoy.
• A great way to disconnect from the stresses and strains of everyday life.

These things are barely touched upon in the cruise ads.

Have a look at the wonderful food available on Norwegian Prima here. There were so many options to choose from:

Why People Are Often Surprised After Their First Cruise

Many first-time cruisers go onboard expecting the ad version and are surprised by how calm, relaxed, and enjoyable it actually feels.

Others might expect waterslides and ropes courses, only to find they have booked themselves on a traditional cruise ship, where one swimming pool is the only outdoor entertainment!

This shows how important it is to do your research and book a cruise that actually suits you.

Why Cruising Makes More Sense Once You’ve Lived It

Cruising is hard to sell visually because for me, it’s about how it feels rather than what it looks like.

This is why cruise ads miss the mark for me. You can only really know what a cruise is all about once you experience it yourself.

Do your research, watch my videos, and find a cruise line and ship that will suit you – then take the plunge and book it! I don’t think you will regret it…

Before You Go:

Find out what it is like to stay in the cheapest cabins onboard a cruise ship here:

Booking the Cheapest Cruise Cabin: 7 Things Many People Don’t Realise Until They’re Onboard

People who haven’t cruised seem to worry that they might go overboard! That is virtually impossible to do. Find out more about that here:

Is It Possible to ‘Fall’ Off a Cruise Ship? (Real Pictures of Safety Barriers)