Below are the most searched-for cruise questions on the internet.
I originally put together this list for a YouTube video but if you’re looking for a quick answer to these questions you’re in the right place.
Are cruises…
Are cruises safe?
Yes! Cruise ships are safe.
The priority of all cruise lines is the safety of their guests and crew. You are far far far more likely to be involved in an accident relating to a car than a cruise ship.
“Muster Drills” are carried out before every cruise, and the ship’s crew are highly trained in what to do in case of emergency.
Find out more about Muster Drills onboard here:
Are cruises fun?
Of course, this depends on your definition of fun, but I’d always say yes.
Cruising gives you the ability to visit multiple places in a short period of time, all while enjoying great food and entertainment.
If your definition of fun includes travel, relaxation and food then you’ll love a cruise.
Are cruises worth it?
Yes! Compared to a land-based holiday, cruises often offer much better value for money.
If you were to take into account accommodation, transport, food, entertainment and try to replicate a cruise itinerary on land you would generally end up spending much more.
Not forgetting the fact that cruises are a LOT of fun, as mentioned above.
I took my first-time cruiser friends on a great value cruise costing only £54 /$69 per night.
Find out how we got on here:
Are cruises good?
This really depends on your definition of ‘good’.
If your definition of ‘good’ is waking up in a new place every day, eating as much as you want and calling a huge ship home then yep, cruises are good!
I really believe that there is a cruise line and cruise destination to suit everybody, You’ve just got to find it.
Are cruises expensive?
When you take into account value for money cruising often provides better value than staying on land.
I have managed to book cruises for less than £50 a night. In the UK £50, may get you a night in a budget hotel – but it wouldn’t include transport, food, entertainment etc!
Some cruises are expensive, yes, but cruising doesn’t have to be.
Are Cruises Good For Toddlers / Children?
Yes! Most cruise lines have kids clubs which range from babies right up to 18 years old.
The kids club for under 3’s will usually be more like a nursery than a club.
On a few cruise lines, you’re also able to take toys back to your cabin as long as you return them.
There are aqua parks, water slides, cinemas and lots of activities onboard to keep children happy.
Are Cruises Safe For Toddlers / Children?
Cruises are safe for children, I’d argue safer than a shopping centre on land or a park!
There is no part on a cruise ship where you could simply ‘fall off’.
There are barriers around all edges which are at least chest height on an adult.
A few people do “Fall off” cruise ships each year, however these are NEVER children. Always adults. I think that says a lot.
Are cruises All inclusive?
Generally speaking no.
Most ocean cruises will include food, entertainment and accommodation.
You’ll usually be expected to pay more for drinks, WiFi and excursions.
Some of the premium cruise lines like Viking include WiFi, some drinks and excursions but these have a higher cost.
I have a full post about this on our website, to learn more about what IS included in cruise fares, check out the post here:
Are Cruises All Inclusive? Your Guide to What is Included
Are Cruises Boring?
As long as you pick the right cruise line you will not be bored.
If you are somebody who wants to try waterslides, go-karts and zip lines but picks a line without any of these you may be disappointed and dare I say it… bored!
This is why it is REALLY important to do your research ahead of time.
If you’re quite happy sitting by the pool with a book or eating the day away you’ll never get bored.
On a cruise do you…
On a Cruise Do You Have To Pay For Food?
No, cruises always have some food included.
There is usually the option to pay more for ‘speciality’ dining options but you don’t ever HAVE to pay for food on a cruise.
Most cruises will have at a minimum the main dining room and a buffet which provides free food. Many cruise lines have more free options.
Find out about everything i ate onboard Celebrity Edge here – both included food and pay extra options:
Everything I Ate on my Celebrity Cruise (Photos and Menus) – Food Review
On a cruise do you need a passport?
Generally speaking yes.
The only exception to this rule, that I know of, is when a cruise begins and ends in the U.S, -then American citizens do not need a passport.
Having said this it is strongly advised to have one in case you for any reason have to leave the ship and fly home from another country.
I have a full post about this subject, for more information about cruises that don’t require passports and what ID is acceptable click here:
Do You Need a Passport To Cruise?
On a cruise do you pay per person?
Yes, the cruise fare shown is for one person. Usually, this fare is based on two people sharing a cabin.
Single occupancy rates mean that it is often much more expensive to cruise alone than with another person.
Find out more about cruising as a single person here:
Cruising For Solos (Solo Cabins, Cruise Fares and Onboard Events)
On a Cruise Do You Have to Pay to Go Ashore?
No. On a cruise, you are free to come and go as you wish.
When the ship is docked you can get off and back on the ship as many times as you would like. There is no charge for this.
There are charges for ‘excursions’ which are organised trips. These can either be booked through the cruise line or directly with another tour operator.
On a cruise do you have Wi-Fi?
You are able to buy WiFi on cruises however it is not usually included in the cruise fare.
Cruise Wifi is usually either bought by the MB or for a certain duration of time.
A lot of cruisers simply use 4G/WiFi when docked in port and don’t purchase WiFi on the ship.
You don’t have to buy the ship’s Wi-Fi to use the cruise line App whilst onboard.
Find out more about that here:
You Don’t Need to Pay For Wi-Fi To Use a Cruise Line App – Here’s Why
Are cruise ship cabins…
Are cruise ship cabins soundproof?
No, not really.
I’ve been lucky enough never to have any bad neighbours, but I’ve often been able to hear other guests sneeze/cough etc!
You’re more likely to hear noise from people walking down the corridor than the other cabins around you
Find out more about noises you are likely to hear whilst in your cabin below:
Are Cruise Ship Cabins Soundproof? (Thin Walls, Balconies and Travelling Sound).
Are Cruise Ship cabins Air-conditioned?
Yep! Cruise ship cabins have air conditioning and heating.
Each room has its own temperature control and the temperature usually goes pretty low. Often the air conditioning will not work if the balcony door is open – which makes sense.
I tried a controversial “Infinite Verandah” cabin on Celebrity Edge. It had a large window that lowered electronically, instead of the traditional doors out onto the balcony area.
One disadvantage we found was that every time we wanted to open this window, even a little bit, all the air conditioning switched off, making the room quite hot.
Find out more about that unusual cabin here:
Are Cruise Ship Cabins Claustrophobic?
This, of course, varies for each person.
I do not find cruise ship cabins claustrophobic at all.
There are many different cruise ship cabins available and I would always recommend that cruisers who fear they may be claustrophobic book a balcony cabin – the extra outside space can really help with this.
I often cruise in inside cabins and have never felt claustrophobic.
Check out the video below and you can make up your own mind about whether you will feel claustrophobic. T
Are Cruise Ship Cabins Noisy?
This really depends on the location of the cabin.
Cabins located under a buffet or lounge may be louder than cabins which are located between other cabins.
Having said that, I wouldn’t ever describe cruise ship cabins as ‘noisy’, you may hear some noises from time to time but it certainly isn’t consistently noisy.
I recently took my family on a cruise on P&O’s Arvia. The balcony cabin we were assigned had some disadvantages, and my parent’s cabin was the noisiest they had ever stayed in.
Find out more about that here:
We Stayed in 3 Different Balcony Cabins (P&O’s Arvia and Iona) – Comparison
Cruise ships are…
Okay – none of these are actually questions…
According to Google cruise ships are:
Dangerous, Gross, Disgusting, Bad, Ugly, Dirty, Bring, Too Big, Not Safe and Terrible – Wow!
Before You Go
Find out how to book the best cabin for your budget here:
Find out whether it is best to book your cruise directly with the cruise line, or with a travel agent here:
Free Insiders Cruise Line Guide
Ever wondered how the mainstream cruise lines compare? Cruise lines won’t tell you this, but I will.
This FREE guide shows you everything you need to know to find your perfect cruise line.