I Thought I Wasn't a Cruise Person — Until I Took One
I Thought I Wasn't a Cruise Person — Until I Took One
And why the right cruise line makes all the difference
If you've ever said "I'm just not a cruise person" — I totally get it. I said the same thing for years. And then… I went on a cruise. And then another. And now, as a luxury travel advisor, I spend a surprising amount of time helping clients find the right cruise line for their travel style — because I’ve seen firsthand what happens when that match is right, and when it isn’t.
Here's what I've learned: most people who don't like cruises either haven't been on one or went on the wrong one.
The great cruise divide
Bring up cruising in any group of travelers and you'll see it immediately — the room splits. On one side: the enthusiasts who have fifteen cruises booked and will talk your ear off about embarkation day, their favorite cruise lines and destinations. On the other: the skeptics with a firm "absolutely not" and a look that suggests the conversation is over.
When I dig deeper with clients skeptical of cruising, I usually discover the same thing: their past cruise experience simply didn’t match the way they like to travel.
It almost always comes down to one of three scenarios:
- They’ve never actually been on a cruise: Many travelers have strong opinions about cruising without ever having stepped onboard — often based on outdated stereotypes or someone else’s experience.
- They went on a cruise that wasn’t aligned with their travel style: Maybe it was too big, too loud, too rushed, too budgetfocused, too familyoriented, or simply not the right vibe for what they enjoy.
- They chose an itinerary or ship that didn’t match their expectations: Sometimes the destination was right, but the pace wasn’t. Or the ship was beautiful, but the onboard experience didn’t feel like “them.”
These mismatches are incredibly common — and incredibly fixable.
Why I resisted cruising for so long
(My husband and I in front of Kylemore Abbey during a 2 week roadtrip through Ireland)
I'll be honest with you. For most of my life I considered myself a traveler — and I said that word with my nose firmly in the air!! When I travel, I go into a country and I really see that country. I immerse myself. I wander. I get lost on purpose. For weeks.
Cruising felt like the opposite of that. How could you truly experience a place when you only had a few hours before the ship pulled away? I dismissed it entirely — without ever actually trying it.
It wasn't until I finally stepped on board that I understood something important: cruising isn't a lesser form of travel. It's a different chapter of travel — and like any chapter, it comes to life when used in the right context, at the right time, with the right itinerary.
The real reason people have bad cruise experiences
When clients tell me they went on a cruise and hated it, I always ask the same questions:
- Which cruise line?
- What size ship?
- Where on the ship was your room?
- What were the destinations?
- Who were you with?
- Did you add on specialty dining if you are a foodie?
- What type of room did you book?
Nine times out of ten, the answers reveal the problem. They booked a massive party ship when they wanted a quiet escape. They chose an itinerary that rushed through six ports in seven days when what they really wanted was to linger. They picked a budget line and were frustrated by the nickel-and-diming, or they chose an all-inclusive line and felt like they overpaid for things they didn't use.
Choosing the right cruise line for your travel style is one of the most important decisions you'll make — just as important as the destination itself. A cruise line is not one-size-fits-all, and the range is enormous. From intimate sailing ships and yachts to floating cities with roller coasters on the top deck, the options are as varied as the travelers who book them.
Image Courtesy of Explora Journeys
The questions I ask every client before recommending a cruise
When I work with someone on finding the right cruise, there are a handful of questions that help me narrow things down quickly. Here are the ones that matter most:
- Is the itinerary or the onboard experience more important to you? Some travelers want to wake up somewhere new every day and see the ship as a comfortable way to get from place to place. Others want to sink into resort mode and barely leave the deck. Understanding what you truly want out of your experience changes everything.
- Who are you traveling with? Families with young children, couples on a honeymoon, a group of friends celebrating a milestone, solo travelers — each has a very different ideal cruise experience. The right ship for a 60th birthday group or a retirement cruise is almost never the right ship for a family of five.
- Do you want to maximize ports or maximize relaxation? Port-heavy itineraries offer a new destination every single day. Other itineraries build in more days at sea for rest and reset. Neither is better — but one is better for you.
- How important is the room to you? For some travelers, the cabin is just a place to sleep — a clean, comfortable home base and nothing more. For others, a balcony is non-negotiable, or a suite with extra space is what makes the trip feel special. There's no wrong answer, but it's worth considering before you speak with your travel advisor.
- Is cabin location important to you? Cabin location can affect your experience more than most travelers realize — how much motion you’ll feel, how quiet your room is, and how convenient it is to get around. Some prefer the stability of midship, others love the privacy of forward, and some want those beautiful aft wake views. The right location can completely change how your cruise feels.
- Do you prefer a simple fee structure or all-inclusive? Some cruise lines offer a lower entry fare and give you the flexibility to add only the experiences that matter to you. Others bundle everything — drinks, specialty dining, gratuities, excursions — into one price. Your travel style will determine which is the best fit, and your travel advisor can help you weigh the pros and cons.
- Are you drawn to a smaller, more intimate ship? Smaller ships mean fewer crowds, more personalized service, and access to ports that larger vessels simply can't reach. But they also mean fewer entertainment options. Some travelers love the trade-off — others don't. Knowing your preferences helps narrow the field quickly.
- Ocean cruise or river cruise? These are genuinely different experiences. River cruising is slower, more immersive, more cultural — you dock in the heart of cities and towns rather than at a cruise port miles away. It tends to attract a different type of traveler, and it absolutely deserves its own consideration. There are also smallship and yachtstyle ocean lines that blend the best of both worlds. Your ideal pace will guide the right choice, and your travel advisor can help you narrow down your options.
These questions are just a starting point. The more I understand how someone travels and what genuinely brings them joy, the easier it is to match them to the right experience — and avoid the kind of mismatch that leads to “I went on a cruise once and hated it.”
Is Cruising Right for You? What I Tell FirstTime Travelers Who Aren’t Sure
If you’re on the fence about cruising, here’s how I help travelers figure out whether it’s the right style of trip for them.
Cruising might be right for you if:
- You want to experience multiple destinations without constantly packing and unpacking
- You appreciate thoughtful service and consistently strong dining
- You prefer a seamless, well-orchestrated travel experience
- You enjoy a balance of exploration and downtime
- You’re traveling as a couple, family, or multi-generational group—and want something that works for everyone
- You like returning “home” each night to a comfortable space
If you’re nodding along, cruising may be a better fit than you think.
How to Choose the Right Cruise (A Simple Way to Think About It)
At the heart of everything is this: The right cruise comes down to alignment — your travel style, the ship, and the itinerary.
Here’s the framework I use with clients:
- If you want energy, variety, and endless options — a larger ship may be the right fit.
- If you want something quieter, more refined, and more personal — look toward smaller ships or luxury lines.
- If your focus is the destination — prioritize the itinerary first, then choose the ship that supports it.
- If your focus is the onboard experience — choose the ship first, then let the destinations follow.
And most importantly:
Be honest about how you like to travel. Not how you think you should travel. Not what someone else loved. But what actually feels good to you.
When those pieces align, cruising doesn’t feel like a compromise. It feels effortless.
My husband, sister and I in front of our ship for a 9 country Baltic Cruise
What I discovered when I finally gave it a chance
After years of politely, and not so politely, declining cruise invitations, I finally booked a cruise. And somewhere between unpacking once, waking up in a new country, between effortless, unforgettable meals and sunset views from the deck shared with friends and family—yet still with space for quiet moments of my own—I realized something.
Cruising, when thoughtfully chosen—the right itinerary, the right company, the right ship, the right options—is genuinely wonderful. It doesn't replace the kind of travel where you disappear into a city for two weeks and figure it out as you go. But it doesn't have to. It's its own chapter.
And if you've been avoiding it the way I did, I'd gently encourage you to consider whether you've been avoiding cruising itself — or just the wrong version of it.
Ready to Explore Your Cruise Chapter?
If you’re curious what type of cruise would fit your travel style, I’d love to help you find it. Click the Inquire button to schedule your Discovery Call.
Every traveler is different, and there is a cruise out there for far more people than you'd expect — including, as it turns out, me.