Cruises are a great way to visit different destinations while enjoying all the comforts, activities and entertainment of a floating resort. However, as much as we love cruising, not every experience on board lives up to the hype.
Everyone has different tastes, and what one person enjoys, another might find overrated or disappointing.
To get a better idea of what real cruisers think, we asked members of the Life Well Cruised community to share their thoughts on the most overrated cruise experiences.
Here are 13 cruise experiences that came up, along with some insights on why they might not meet your expectations.
1. Formal Night: Less Glamorous Than It Used to Be?
Many long time cruisers fondly remember when formal night was the highlight of the cruise. People would dress to the nines, and the whole evening felt special and elegant.
But these days, formal night isn’t quite as glamorous. The dress code has relaxed on most mainstream cruise lines, and some passengers miss the old-school elegance.
On the flip side, other cruisers find formal night to be more of a hassle than it’s worth. They’d rather skip the pressure of dressing up and just enjoy a casual night.
Whether you love dressing up or not, it’s good to adjust expectations. In practice, formal nights (often called elegant nights, chic evenings or dress your best) are really enjoyable. However you’re likely to find a wide variety cruise outfits, from cocktail dresses and suits, to nice jeans and elegant tops.
2. Shore Excursions: Rushed and Overpriced?
Shore excursions sound like the perfect way to explore new places, but some cruisers share that sometimes they can be a letdown.
Many cruise travelers share past experiences where cruise excursions felt rushed, with only a short amount of time spent at the actual attraction. Instead, much of the time is spent traveling to and from the site, or worse, at shopping stops you didn’t sign up for.
Whether to book an excursion with the cruise line, a third party tour provider or explore on your own is a continued dedate.
Related: 8 Reasons NOT to Stay on the Cruise Ship in Port
3. Specialty Dining: Not Always Worth the Extra Cost?
Specialty dining is often hyped as a premium experience, with fancier menus and higher-end service. While the food can be delicious, some cruisers say it’s not always worth the extra cost.
With the price of cruises increasing over the last couple of years, many feel the meals in the main dining room or buffet are good enough, and the difference in quality doesn’t justify the extra expense.
Instead of spending money on specialty dining, they suggest saving it for a nice meal at home. If you’re happy with the main dining options, you might want to skip this extra cost.
Related: 20 Cruise Specialty Dining Tips to Save Money
4. The Main Pool Area: Too Crowded to Relax?
One of the most common complaints we heard was about the main pool area. Many first-time cruisers expect a peaceful day by the pool, but the reality can be very different.
On many cruise ships, especially on warm sea days, the pool deck is packed with people. While the atmosphere is fun, during peak hours it’s anything but quiet.
Chair hogs, those who reserve chairs and don’t use them for hours, are another frustration. While most cruise lines have a policy that chairs can’t be left unattended for more than 30 minutes, in reality not every cruise ships enforces this.
If you’re looking for a relaxing pool day, you might need to search for quieter areas on the ship or visit the pool at off-peak times.
Related: 12 Smart Ways to Escape the Crowds on a Cruise Ship
5. Dancing Waiters: Not for Everyone?
Some cruise lines have a tradition of waiters dancing and singing in the main dining room. For some passengers, this is a fun and light-hearted part of the cruise experience.
But not everyone enjoys it.
Many frequent cruisers shared they could do without it. While it was fun on a first cruise, they may be over the novelty. Some feel the waiters don’t seem to enjoy it much either.
There’s no right or wrong, but many cruise passengers felt that this cruise experience is overrated.
Related: 27 Cruise Dining Tips for First Time Cruisers
6. Infinite Verandas: Not the Balcony You Expected?
A few years ago Celebrity Cruises introduced infinite verandas on their Edge Class cruise ships, but they’ve received mixed reviews from passengers. On Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, there are some infinite verandas as well.
Instead of a traditional outdoor balcony, these cabins feature a large window that opens to let in fresh air. While this gives you more space inside the cabin, many cruisers say they miss the feeling of sitting outside on a real balcony.
If having that true outdoor space is important to you, the infinite veranda might not meet your expectations.
Related: Did We Hate Our Celebrity Beyond Infinite Veranda Cabin? Honest Review
7. The Thermal Spa and Massages: Pricey and Pushy?
Many cruisers love the idea of relaxing in the thermal spa or treating themselves to a massage. However, according to many cruise travelers, these experiences can often feel overpriced.
The thermal spa, with its heated loungers and special showers, can be enjoyable, but some feel it’s not worth the extra cost.
When it comes to massages, cruisers mentioned the hard sell for products at the end, which can make the experience less relaxing. Prices are usually much higher than you’d pay at home, leaving some passengers wondering if it’s really worth it.
8. The Champagne Art Auction: Not for Everyone?
Champagne art auctions on cruises are often mentioned as way to enjoy a free glass of champagne, but beyond that, this won’t be for everyone.
As expected, cruisers share that the event often drags on too long for those not interested in buying artwork. Some cruisers do enjoy browsing the art, but many find the auction process tedious, especially if they’re just there for the bubbly.
While you might get a glass of sparkling wine, the overall experience can feel overrated if you’re not into art collecting.
That said, art auctions remain popular on cruise ships, with many cruisers appreciating the various art work they’ve purchased.
9. Mega Cruise Ships: Overwhelming for Some?
Mega cruise ships offer an incredible range of activities and features. However, some cruisers said they found these massive ships overwhelming.
With thousands of passengers on board, the ship can feel crowded, and lines for popular activities can be long.
While there’s a lot to do, many frequent cruisers prefer the more relaxed atmosphere of mid-size and smaller ships.
If you’re after a quieter, less crowded experience, mega ships might not be for you.
10. Sailaway Parties: Too Much Hype?
Sailaway parties are a popular cruise tradition, where passengers gather on deck to celebrate the ship leaving the port. However, there’s more than one way to enjoy this special time.
Some cruise ships have a big party for Sail Away, with passengers and crew dancing, special drinks and more. However, some cruisers share that they prefer to skip the Cupid Shuffle on the Lido deck.
Some cruisers prefer to use this time to settle into their cabin, explore the ship, or have a quiet drink at the bar. In fact, many people opt to enjoy Sail Away from their private balcony.
If you’re not a fan of big crowds and parties, you might find sailaway a bit overrated.
Related: 30 Do’s and Don’ts For Cruise Embarkation Day
11. Theme Parties: Fun or Forgettable?
Most cruises feature at least one theme party, like a 70s disco night or a white party. While some cruisers love getting dressed up and joining in, others feel these parties can be hit or miss.
Some parties don’t have enough participation, which can make the event feel underwhelming. Others don’t know to bring costumes and feel unprepared. If you’re looking forward to a theme party, it might not live up to the excitement you imagined.
12. Disembarkation Day: The Unavoidable Downer…
Disembarkation day is often the most dreaded part of the cruise. It’s the day you have to leave the ship, and the excitement of the vacation is over. One thing every cruiser can agree on, is that it’s their least favorite day of the cruise.
Getting up early to vacate the cabin, then feeling rushed to get off the cruise ship. Debarkation morning is a necessary part of cruising, but it’s a stressful end to an otherwise relaxing trip.
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Final Thoughts
Cruises are great vacations, but nothing is perfect. At the end of the day, everyone’s preferences are different. What one cruiser finds overrated, another might love.
What’s most important is to choose which activities and experiences to focus on during your next cruise, so you can make the most of your vacation!
What cruise experiences do you like best, and which are the most overrated? Please let me know in the comments below.
Happy Cruising!
Ilana
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