Cruise ships are, in theory, one of the best options available when it comes to taking a relaxing vacation. After the moment you pay, you have everything done for you. It’s like being in an all-inclusive hotel that also happens to haul you around the globe to visit wonderful places.

However, people sometimes find that their expectations don’t always meet reality. From long lines to get on the boat to disappointing meals, a cruise ship can end up being a very bad experience. After all, it’s not as if you could simply leave as you would do in a regular hotel.

Expectation – Going On Board

So we have finished packing our suitcase and we’re ready to embark on this adventure. We can imagine ourselves boarding the cruise and taking an amazing picture to share on Social Media. This is sure to be a great vacation from beginning to end and we can’t wait!

The image people always show is of them in front of the large cruise ship. However, more often than not, this picture is taken when people are getting back on board after visiting some of the destinations. The initial boarding of the ship is much more complicated than packing your clothes and heading there.

Reality – The Long Boarding Process

The truth behind boarding the ship is a lot more similar to what we see on this picture. It’s a slow process where one has to endure a lengthy line. Furthermore, there are many steps we have to follow before we can get on the ship.

There is a process in which people have to declare they are not suffering any easily contagious diseases. Furthermore, the security check is quite exhaustive, and it includes much more than just checking for dangerous items. Even food and snacks are prohibited in most cruises. The good thing is that your nutrition is guaranteed.

Expectation – Recreating The Titanic Scene

This one is a very funny expectation, and more common than most people think! The blockbuster film Titanic might be at fault for this expectation shared by many fans of the movie. That moment in which Jack holds Rose as she spreads her arms wide is an amazing scene.

Interestingly, people have been trying to recreate it ever since. With more modern clothes and not quite the tragic setting, fans want to see what Rose felt at that exact moment. However, sometimes, reality just can’t hold up to fiction.

Reality – The Not So Exciting Recreation

Many things come together on the Titanic scene previously shown. It was the birth of a new—and forbidden—love between Jack and Rose. Also, it was among the other times in which things tended to be a lot more innocent. But alas, it’s not really the safest thing to do at all.

In fact, recreating the Titanic scene is impossible in a modern cruise. This is because it’s quite hazardous, and Rose could’ve fallen in the water and (Spoiler!) perished way before Jack. People even try to recreate it alone, which is not the best strategy at all. Still, it must be fun to try.

Expectation – The Relaxing Hot Tub

Most cruise ships often make a point of advertising the number of hot tubs available on the ship. This is because getting into a hot tub while sailing through the ocean sounds like a heavenly experience. It’s one of the most relaxing experiences one could have during a vacation.

In any picture they use as publicity for the ship, the hot tubs look almost empty. More often than not, only one person or maybe a couple are shown. People who exercise might get an added benefit as hot tubs do wonders for sore muscles. But does this picture have anything to do with reality?

Reality – The Crowded Hot Tub

The problem here is that unless you tried to break the bank by purchasing one of the most expensive packages, you will have to share hot tubs with the rest of the guests. This means that there tends to be, at the very least, one other person at any time in the hot tub.

More often than not, there can even be 5 to 6 people in there. Doesn’t sound so relaxing anymore, does it? However, most cruises offer very fancy packages in which you can have access to select hot tubs located in a different area of the ship.

Expectation – The Amazing Pool Area

We have all seen the amazing pictures showing the large pools available at the upper deck of the cruise. Furthermore, some cruises even have more than one pool, which should be sufficient for guests to use their long chairs and get a magnificent tan and downtime.

Families feel comfortable knowing there are also pools designed for the kids. This way everyone can have a lot of fun without parents having to chase the children around to make sure they’re safe. It sounds heavenly, if only it always worked like that during the trip.

Reality – The Busy Pool

People love pools, and with thousands of people on the ship, one or two pools is simply not enough. It will inevitably be overcrowded for the most part of the day. If you’re lucky, you might get to use it with a bit more freedom in the early morning or late at night.

Therefore, a good strategy is to go for a ship with the largest pool possible. Sometimes, if all you want is to get a tan, there are upper half-decks where you can set your long chair. Just make sure to wear sunscreen as skincare, and sun protection is instrumental in any vacation.

Expectation – The Luxurious Bedroom

One of the premises of cruises is that it’s supposed to be a very luxurious vacation. Independently of what package you go for, you will be spending a considerable amount of money anyway. The most popular pictures shown on advertisements and their websites show very spacious cabins.

Some cabins even have balconies, where you can stare at the sea while you have your morning coffee for a blissful experience. This is especially good for people who might feel uncomfortable in close quarters. You’ll see why we say this in just a second.

Reality – The Claustrophobic Rooms

The reality is that lower cabins tend to be a lot smaller than what you would expect. Some of them don’t even have a window to look out into the world. This is because, with the great number of guests, not everyone can fit in the rooms with balconies.

Also, not everyone can afford the larger bedrooms. And even those who can have to pay considerable amounts to have the largest and most spacious options. If you hate closed spaces then the investment into a larger room might be worth it. The goal is for you to have an enjoyable time.

Expectation – The Fancy Bathroom

Having a nice bathroom can be a deal-breaker for a lot of people. This is because, although we won’t spend our entire vacation there, it’s one of the most private areas in the ship. It makes sense to want something where we’re sure we will feel comfortable.

Some bathrooms look very fancy when it comes to cruises. This one is a great example of a spacious bathroom, with a nice tub and double sinks that will make everything more comfortable. Someone can be putting makeup on while someone else is brushing their teeth. How practical, right?

Reality – The Bland Bathroom

Now, this one is going to depend on the ship you are boarding. Some do hold to the promise of a luxurious bathroom. However, many others offer instead a very bland one, with boring white-yellow tiles and a tiny shower. In some cases, there’s not even a curtain or door to separate things!

This can make things very uncomfortable very quickly. Furthermore, if you’re traveling with elderly people, you might end up worried about their well-being. This is because the bathroom is sometimes so tiny that there’s an increased risk of falling while maneuvering in it.

Expectation – The Wonderful Sea Animals

Some people are under the impression that they will be seeing dolphins swimming—and even whales—depending on the area of the cruise. For people who are into animal care, seeing these majestic animals in their natural environment is a great experience, one that’s difficult to match.

Also, kids can get very excited at the prospect of seeing these animals while on the cruise. While they’re too far to touch, it’s still an incredible experience. What a lot of people don’t take into consideration is that there’s no guarantee that these sea animals will show themselves.

Reality – The Flat Ocean

Truth be told, the spectacular view will more often than not be a flat ocean. This is majestic in and of itself. After all, there will be numerous times where there will be nothing to see but ocean whichever way we go. It’s a great way to disconnect from the world and feel relaxed.

Despite this, it might be slightly disappointing not getting to see the dolphins and other animals swimming alongside the ship. So don’t expect to see a full animal circle. As animal rights activists might point out, that’s not the natural behavior of the wonderful creatures of the sea.

Expectation – The Huge Casino

Some people love taking risks, and for them, gambling can be quite fun. While this could turn into a dangerous addiction, in a just amount it can be quite entertaining. The trick is to not get sucked in in the idea that maybe a bit more and you’ll have immense riches.

For those who enjoy this activity, almost every cruise has a casino available. Many people imagine a Las Vegas scenario but on the sea. This expectation is almost universally at odds with reality. After all, cruises are large, but a lot is going on.

Reality – A Tiny Casino

More often than not, guests realize their expectations of the casino were hugely inflated. This is all going to depend on which cruise you’re taking. Therefore, it’s important to do the proper research if this is something especially important to have a great trip and enjoy it as much as possible.

Smaller cruises or ships that don’t have the casino as one of their main amenities only offer a few slot machines for people’s entertainment. Meanwhile, other ships offer large casino areas, and slot machines are only a small part of it. Thanks to technology, the information is readily available on these cruises’ websites.

Expectation – The Pristine Ship

Everyone has seen the amazing pictures showing the newest ships cruise companies have to offer. They are usually white, impeccable, and they look as if they finished building them yesterday. Truth be told, cruise ships are an invention that requires a lot of work to get them right.

Cruises are supposed to be like a hotel at sea. Just like what we would want at any boutique hotel, we expect it to look wonderful inside and outside. This is even more important with cruises, where the integrity of the boat will be what our lives depend on.

Reality – The Old Ships

Just like with a car, cruises largely depend on maintenance to be able to function. However, sometimes companies invest in the inner workings of the ship and forget about the appearance of it. This is a crucial mistake as they can create a terrible impact on any guest.

This is something difficult to anticipate. We don’t see the ship until we are about to get on it. Therefore, we would have to look up recent images uploaded by travelers to get a true idea of what it looks like. Looking at this image, we feel like getting traveler’s insurance before boarding that thing.

Expectation – Top Rated Concerts

There used to be a time wherein it was commonly said that the best artists performed on cruises. However, this might be a thing of the past. One of the things cruise ships boast about is the great number of entertainment options available to anyone on the ship.

Historically, numerous artists have participated in cruise tours, putting thousands of dollars in the bank. This is something to look forward to for any passenger as they might get to see their favorite artist perform during the vacation of their dreams. Is this true for all cases, though?

Reality – Lackluster Entertainment

As it happens with many things, it’s all going to depend on the cruise you are on. However, in the majority of cases, artists are not necessarily Grammy winners. That is if there are any concerts and presentations taking place at all. This makes it very important to do your research.

While some cruises invest in the very best artists, others simply leave it to the director of entertainment. Even the most luxurious cruises can fail at this. This is why it’s so important to find out what type of entertainment will be offered. This way you’ll know what you’re spending your cash on.

Expectation – The Five-Star Dinners

One of the things people love the most about cruises is the food. There is food available 24 hours a day every single day of the trip. Therefore, you won’t have to spend an additional penny unless you want to. Furthermore, there are luxurious dinners to look forward to.

Also, most cruises offer options for a special evening of dining on the upper deck, which could be an unforgettable experience. No one truly follows a diet on a cruise. However, there are supposed to be options for whatever regime guests might be following. How could this go wrong?

Reality – The Large Buffet

This is not as bad as it might sound. It’s not like there won’t be fancy dinners at all. There will be! However, most of the other meals are served buffet-style. This means that you’ll go through one of the large rooms, and you will have to decide among dozens of options.

While not as luxurious as fine dining, it’s still a great array of food. Truth be told, it’s difficult for food to be one of the big disappointments in a cruise. Plus, you won’t feel like you need to wear fancy clothes for a buffet!

Expectation – Meeting People Your Age

With so many people on the cruise, we often expect to meet people our age who we can have fun with. After all, it’s always great to meet new people, and very often you’ll make friends who share the same interests. At least that might be what a lot of people expect and hope for.

Activities in the cruise are often targeted to specific age groups. Young people usually go to the clubs, get some alcohol, and dance the night away. Meanwhile, older people might prefer to play card games, or go to one of the comedy shows some cruises offer.

Reality – There’s No Way To Know

In theory, there should be people of all ages on the cruise. However, the reality is that you won’t truly know until you're there. This means that there could be a lot of people your age, or there might be many people older or much younger than you.

This could be a problem for people who only feel comfortable with people from their generation. Also, if you're a young person surrounded by older people, you might feel that the general energy of the boat is a bit off. The same can happen to elderly people faced with an overwhelmingly younger crowd.

Expectation – Just Some Mild Seasickness

Cruise ship promoters are experts at downplaying how real seasickness can be for some people. They often talk about the stability of the cruise and how the fact that it’s so big makes sailing very easy for everyone. This might lead many people to underestimate seasickness.

Also, it might be different for everyone. Therefore, friends who have gone on cruises might never mention this being a thing at all. However, those who are more prepared often ask for advice from their doctor as to what they can do to avoid this condition.

Reality – Severe Seasickness

Unfortunately, a lot of people are very sensitive to the movement of the ship. While a majority of people go through an adaptation period the first day, others can’t shake it off that easily. Therefore, a dreamed vacation can become a nightmare, which could ruin your trip.

One good thing is that there is medical staff on the ship. They are prepared for this eventuality, and they can provide the necessary treatment. That said, no one wants to be sick during their vacation. If you know you’re prone to seasickness, then you might want to consider another method of transportation.

Expectation – The Wonderful Destinations

Of course, one of the most appealing aspects of cruises is that you’ll get to visit multiple destinations during one trip. Going from country to country can be a very exciting experience, and depending on your itinerary, you’ll get to see wonderful beaches or even magnificent glaciers.

Some cruises go through different parts of the Caribbean, while others offer wonderful sights of the Greek islands. You’ll get to hop off there and spend some cash in delightful souvenirs or unique experiences such as scuba-diving or water skiing. What could go wrong?

Reality – The Hurried Visits

There are two important things to consider here. The first one is that sometimes, depending on the time of the year, what should be a heavenly beach is very lackluster. Grey waters and no waves whatsoever can make you feel very disappointed. This is why it’s important to check the seasons in your destinations.

Another thing about these visits is that you only have a very limited time in each place. However, you can circumvent this by setting your alarm watch as early as possible. If you are on the first boat from the cruise to land, then you will be able to visit for a bit longer.

Expectation – Fancy And Colorful Drinks

The publicity made by cruise lines usually shows tropical drinks with vibrant colors and exotic fruits. This makes it very enticing, and considering there’s no risk of a DUI, people often think they will be drinking for most of the night each night. These drinks shown here exude vacation energy like no other.

While cocktails are a great way to add some extra fun to your nights on the cruise, you will also have other options. In theory, you should have access to as many drinks as you want, right? Well, reality can be different when you consider the large number of people that are on this ship.

Reality – Messy And Expensive Drinks

One of the first things people should know is that alcohol doesn’t come included in the basic cruise package. In almost all cruises, guests will have to buy a drinks package, which can be done before boarding or once on the boat. Sometimes, people are unaware of this, which can be an expensive mistake.

Like everything for sale in the actual cruise, beverages tend to be overpriced. Therefore, it’s better to buy a drink package in advance. Furthermore, things can get messy very quickly. Bartenders have to provide drinks for many people at once, which can lead to sloppy drinks and dirty tables if waiters are not quick enough.

Expectation – Meeting Someone Special

Many people have a very romantic notion when it comes to cruises. Some people think they’re going to meet someone special who could be the love of their lives or maybe someone to connect with during the trip. There are even cruises destined for single people looking for a match.

Flirting is part of human nature, and it’s natural to be looking for a connection, especially on a ship with so many people. As long as no one is having an affair or something, there’s nothing wrong with it. However, guests who board cruises with the sole purpose of meeting someone might be disappointed.

Reality – A Needle In A Haystack

Once again, a great number of people plays against guest’ odds of meeting someone special. There are different reasons for this. One of them is the fact that there will be a lot of competition. If someone stands out from the crowd, chances are others have noticed as well.

Something else to consider is the fact that someone whom you might see today might be impossible to find another day because of the size of the ship. So if no phone number was exchanged after meeting, it might just happen that you’re never at the same place at the same time again.

Expectation – Must Be A Vacation For The Employees

Many people have the mistaken belief that working on a cruise must be like living on a permanent vacation. After all, it’s like embarking on a great adventure every week! Employees have access to great food, they probably can visit some of the destinations, and they always seem to be in a good mood.

People who know more than one language are often a great asset for cruises as they can communicate with more international guests. Considering the mix of different nationalities that can be found on a cruise, it sounds like a dream job. Furthermore, they must have a great salary. How true is all of this?

Reality – Hard Work In Uncomfortable Circumstances

The lodging facilities for the employees are designed to maximize space as much as possible. Employees’ rooms are much smaller than the smallest of guest cabins. Also, there is hard work every day, and employees rarely get to spend quality time in the cruise’s destinations.

Another thing to consider is the scheduling of the entire thing. Employees might spend weeks at a time at sea. This means they are far from their families, which must be very hard if they are parents to small children. Overall, it’s not as glamorous and fantastic as most people think it is.

Expectation – Unique And Exciting Souvenirs

Souvenirs are part of any vacation. When going on a cruise, you can pick up small items from each of the destinations you’ve visited. Also, some people even try to find something to add to their home décor. Exotic and artistic pieces could be a great conversation topic when having guests over.

People often expect to have wonderful and unique pieces when they visit the cruise’s destinations. While this might be the reality in many cases, this is not always going to be the case. Travelers should beware of tourist traps, generic souvenirs, and absurdly inflated prices.

Reality – Boring And Overpriced Souvenirs

Considering the short time you will have at your destinations, you might find that you can only go to the souvenir shops closest to the pier. What happens then is that the offered items are far from one of a kind. More often than not, they are generic t-shirts and magnets.

This can be very disappointing. Especially considering that many of these items tend to be very overpriced. Therefore, it might be best to do some research beforehand on how close the nearest town is, and if you will have to go by car to search for the unique item you have in mind.

Expectation – The Sunny Weather

Once again, seasonality plays a big role in the success of a cruise. Most cruises offer itineraries during times in which the weather is supposed to be great. No publicity pictures from cruise lines will show a rainy day on a cruise. That sounds like the worst experience ever!

Therefore, whenever people think of a cruise they tend to imagine sunny days and fresh nights. Everyone wants to enjoy the pool, and relax on the long chairs while doing some sunbathing. It sounds dreamy, and it’s the vacation guests feel they deserve, and rightly so.

Reality – The Unpredictable Weather

There are some things a credit card can’t buy. While guests can purchase the fanciest suites, the most spacious bathrooms, and the most complete beverage packages, no one can buy the weather. Nature won’t care that this is a life-long dream, if it’s going to rain, it will rain.

Even research on the seasons of your destination might not be enough. Nature can be very unpredictable, and there might be unexpected rain, which will literally dampen your trip. Fortunately, most cruises are prepared for this and offer other indoor activities while the bad weather passes.

Expectation - Meeting Like-Minded People

Some cruises have themes. Amongst them, you can find music-themed cruises, culinary cruises, and cruises dedicated to comic books, movies, tv shows, and everything pop-culture related.

Those always seem to be a fun way to interact with people with similar interests, while enjoying all the luxuries cruises usually offer.

Expectation - It Can Get Lonely

But even at those places, with similar people around, you can find yourself alone on an empty deck, dressed as an alien. This isn't necessarily bad. These cruise ships get crowded and intense, and anybody can use a minute or two for themselves. Right?

Expectation – Blissful Beaches

Who isn’t looking forward to spending some quality time at the beach? Some cruises even have private islands, where their guests can enjoy the pristine waters and white sand to their heart’s content. Most people imagine a place to relax in a peaceful environment.

It sounds wonderful, doesn’t it? As long as everyone knows how to swim, it promises to be an incredible experience. Lounging at the beach with a great drink and enjoying the view of the wonderful ship that has proved to be worth the investment. Is reality the same?

Reality – Beautiful But Crowded Beaches

This is going to partially depend on the cruise you are taking. Landing at a private beach increases the chances of getting that relaxing time we talked about before. Despite this, if all the other guests come down it’s going to get very crowded very fast.

A great alternative is finding nearby beaches. This way, instead of sharing the space with so many people, you can get in a taxi and head there. Make sure to allow for sufficient time to come and go as you don’t want to be rushing on your way back and get involved in an accident.