5 Things That Have Changed Dramatically in Cruising in the Last 10 Years

As I started cruising as a child, that means I have been cruising for over two-thirds of my life!

I have seen plenty of changes in that time, particularly over the last ten years or so.

Some things have changed for the worse – on some lines, cost-cutting measures are clearly evident – but many things have changed for the better.

This is mostly thanks to new technological innovations that have saved time for passengers and cruise lines alike.

#1. Wi-Fi is much better now

Cruise Wi-Fi used to be slow, expensive, and unreliable. Before I started my business in cruising, I never bothered with the WiFi at all. I used the cruise as a chance to get away from the stresses and strains of everyday life!

Uploading photos, messaging and making video calls used to be very difficult.

Starlink internet has made a big difference across many fleets.

Now it is far more realistic to work remotely, upload, video call, and stay connected to the outside world.

Good internet is never guaranteed; it can vary, and if you are travelling in more remote areas of the world, you may still find it isn’t reliable.

I can work from a ship, as I work for myself, and I am a very relaxed boss! If the WiFi isn’t good enough to upload photos, I simply come back to it later.

If I were still in my former office job, I wouldn’t be able to do the same, as the WiFi isn’t reliable enough. I would probably get the sack pretty quickly!

WiFi packages are far more expensive on cruise ships, and there are many things to consider before buying one.

Find out all about that here:

Buying a Wi-Fi Package on a Cruise? 5 Things Many People Don’t Realise Until It’s Too Late

#2. Smoking is much more restricted

Ships have far tighter rules on smoking now.

Smoking used to be more common around cruise ships. Now, smoking is limited to specific designated areas.

I regularly notice smokers and smoking areas on the top decks of the ship.

As people in the world smoking has generally decreased, there are fewer smokers onboard, and rules about smoking have tightened.

At one time, it was perfectly acceptable for guests to smoke on their own private balconies; very few allow this now.

One place you may still find smokers inside the ship is in the casino.

Guests used to always be allowed to smoke in the casino, but smoking rules are often more limited than people expect.

For example, Carnival’s current wording says casino smoking is not allowed unless seated and playing in designated casino smoking areas

Smoking is not allowed at the casino bar or when the casino is closed

Understandably, cruise lines are keen to keep guests gambling, so many allow smoking – some even provide snacks and free drinks so you have no need to leave the casino at all!

I think as fewer and fewer people in the world smoke, people have become far more intolerant to the smell of smoke around the ship.

I have seen many complaints from cruisers about the smell of smoke coming from the casino area, and it was certainly an issue on my last Carnival cruise.

Have a look at that cruise below. It was a little disappointing, for lots of reasons.

#3. Cabins are often serviced less frequently

Twice-daily cabin service used to be standard on most mainstream cruises. This meant a morning clean and an evening turndown service.

Fresh towels were provided if necessary, and the beds were remade, and cabins tidied in the mornings.

In the evening, paperwork and the daily schedule were left in the cabin, beds were turned down, and curtains were closed.

Sometimes they even left chocolates on the pillow – I miss the chocolates from the evening turn-down service!

Many cruise lines moved most non-suite cabins to once-daily service after the Covid pandemic.

Guests now only get a morning service – and you might spot your cabin steward working elsewhere on the ship in the evenings.

Suites and higher cabin categories may still get a twice-daily service.

Although this doesn’t affect my cruise too much, it changes the overall “traditional cruise service” feeling onboard.

Some mainstream cruise lines, like Marella, Princess and Holland America, and luxury cruise lines, do continue this twice-daily room service tradition.

I love to come back to a cabin, made up, ready for bed – particularly if there is a surprise towel animal and chocolate waiting for me!

It is certainly not cruise-ruining, but noticeable that you are getting less service for your money now.

4. Muster drills are much easier

I remember being on my first cruises with Norwegian Cruise Line, lining up with my life jacket on the Promenade deck in the hot sun.

Having our cabin numbers checked off against a paper list, and trying to listen to the crew’s instructions.

I was only eleven when I took my first cruise – I just stood around, did as I was told – but couldn’t wait for it to be over so that I could get on with having some fun!

Thanks to the advances in technology, the introduction of cruise line apps – and partly due to the Covid pandemic, muster drills have changed beyond all recognition.

Old-style muster drills are less and less common. They meant everyone gathered together at a set time.

Muster stations could be lounges/theatres or outdoor decks.

Musters were often crowded and slow. There was a lot of waiting around for latecomers, or passengers who didn’t seem to think that muster rules applied to them!

Things changed (for the better, in my opinion) after the Covid pandemic, when meeting up in big crowds became something to be discouraged.

New digital / e-musters are usually the norm. Safety info can now be watched digitally on an app or on the cabin TV.

Guests now check in at the muster station to prove they know where it is situated, in case of emergency.

It is unusual to stand around in large groups, waiting for others to arrive, as you once did!

Norwegian Cruise Line did try to reintroduce the traditional muster drills after the pandemic, but soon returned to e-musters, as guests much preferred it.

New cruisers may not realise how quick and efficient the whole e-muster system is, compared to what went on before!

5. Cruising is much more app-based

Cruising has changed due to huge leaps in technology and apps.

Very little information is paper-based these days. Some cruise lines have done away with paper schedules and paper restaurant menus altogether.

By downloading the app on your phone (you don’t need to buy the WiFi to do this), you have a wealth of information at your fingertips.

I regularly use the cruise line app to:

• Check what is going on around the ship
• Book dining reservations and shows (where necessary)
• Book shore excursions
• Look at deck plans
• Report issues with my cabin – non-working toilets, air conditioning, etc!
• Check the opening times of venues and restaurants.
• Check my onboard account.

Ten years ago, you would have had to check the paper daily schedule to find out what was going on. Checking your onboard account might have meant going to reception to get a paper copy.

It is so much easier now to keep an eye on your spending and rectify any mistakes in your bill before the end of the cruise.

The one disadvantage is that it makes it harder to put your phone away, and have a phone-free holiday.

This doesn’t affect me at all, as i always have my phone with me, i constantly use it for work.

I fully understand everyone else isn’t in the same situation, and many like to get away from being constantly glued to their phone when they are on a cruise.

The benefits of being able to check online before you go to the cruise terminal, should not be underestimated!

Now you can log in online and add all your passport information, upload photos, enter your credit card details for onboard spends and print out your own boarding cards and luggage tags – all of which saves time at the terminal.

Ten years ago, the staff in the terminal would have to manually enter all your passport details, take your photo, ask for your credit card – all of which takes time, and this could lead to long queues.

I am very happy to use websites and apps; I do it every day. I appreciate that some older cruisers may struggle a little more with this, but for me, it’s perfect!

Before You Go

Find out about things cruise lines used to include for free, but no longer do here:

5 Things Cruise Lines Used To Include For Free But Don’t Anymore

Find out whether you can use 4G or 5G at sea, to save buying a WiFi package here:

Can You Use 4G/5G At Sea? The Answer Is Yes… Sometimes