Prejudices, myths and misconceptions about cruises

Overcrowded cruise ships, expensive beverages, subpar safety, and exorbitant prices? You've probably heard it all before, but now we're debunking all the myths about cruise vacations. It might be challenging to imagine what a cruise vacation can actually offer until you've experienced it yourself. Whether you're traveling alone, with family, or as a couple, cruise vacations are very popular among many because this particular type of vacation includes so many different experiences all in one package. If you're in charge of planning your vacation, it can take a lot of time and energy to book a hotel, arrange transportation, provide meals, plan activities, and ensure that everything fits together in terms of timing. When you choose to go on a cruise vacation, you get both accommodation, meals, and activities for the whole family, all while you sail out into the vast and exciting world. Despite the many advantages, there are still many people who hold various misconceptions about what a cruise vacation is like and who goes on such types of vacations. That's why we've decided once and for all to dispel all the myths and preempt any preconceptions.     Myth #1 - All shipping routes are the same False ✗ There are so many different sailing itineraries that you'd never finish if you tried them all. There are classic itineraries such as a trip around the Western Mediterranean, which is pretty much the same for all shipping companies, but also a multitude of routes that change from week to week. In addition, shipping companies also offer unique itineraries when ships need to change destination from summer to winter season. For example, you can sail from Copenhagen to Barcelona or perhaps from Genoa to Miami. Today, we offer hundreds of different routes with the shipping companies we work with, so there's definitely something for everyone - and the myth that all sailing routes are the same? Well, that's been well and truly debunked.   Myth #2 - Cruises are boring False ✗ The idea that cruises are boring is perhaps a traditional myth among younger audiences. However, most ships today have so many different activity options that it's impossible to get bored. Here's an overview of some of the activities available on many of the ships we offer tours on: Surfing simulator  Ice skating rink Skydiving simulator Go-cart track Climbing wall  Laser tag Tennis court Minigolf Fitness centre with team training Fairground rides (carousels, bumper cars and roller coasters) Water rides. Several swimming pools and jacuzzis Wellness centre (on some ships it's even included in the price) Massages Classes and courses (e.g. dance, food, make-up, hair or drinks) Theatre performances and shows Lawn for picnics or croquet Casino Library Of course, what you find fun and what you find boring is a matter of taste and quite individual. But one thing's for sure - there's no shortage of activities if you're on board a cruise ship. Check what's on offer on the ship before you book your holiday. The bigger and newer the ships, the more facilities and activities there tend to be. The above list is just a rough list. You can see exactly what activities are available on your holiday under the ship's info. Ps. If you're not already convinced, there's also the fact that you'll be visiting a wide range of exciting countries where you can go ashore and explore the local sights. Myth #3 - Drinks are way too expensive True ✓ and false ✗ On some cruise lines, drinks are included in the price, on others they are not. This is probably where most people go wrong if they haven't realised that drinks are not included in their trip. Drinks are more expensive to buy on board than if you buy a drinks package. That's why all cruise lines offer drink packages in different price ranges, depending on whether you want them with or without alcohol. These can be purchased before the cruise. Research and decide which drink package you want before you set off.   Myth #4 - It's always the same boring buffet food False ✗ Boring salad bar, heated food, lacklustre brunch? Think again. Most cruise ships today are equipped with a world-class kitchen. Depending on which cruise line you choose to travel with, you can enjoy culinary experiences ranging from Japanese to Brazilian cuisine. If you have special dietary needs, no problem. Many of the cruise lines we see today work with award-winning chefs and offer a wide range of allergy-friendly, gluten-free and vegetarian dishes, so everyone can eat on board. If you're looking for a more intimate experience, several ships even offer the option of a private dinner, so you can enjoy an evening alone. Bonus info: Most people think that the buffet is the only place to get a free breakfast, which is why they often go there. That's actually not the case. For breakfast and lunch, you can also order à la carte in one of the main restaurants at no extra cost - just like in the evening. Some cruise lines have room service included and you can order and have breakfast delivered to your own cabin and enjoy it with a view from your own balcony.   Myth #5 - Cruise ships are not safe False ✗ Are cruise ships safe? It's a question that's often asked. Perhaps there's an old fear in people from the story of the Titanic, but don't worry - cruise ships are safe and there's no need to worry about major accidents or sinkings. The danger of sinking is statistically low, and past incidents have only served to increase the safety of cruising today. Another concern that has crept in during the Covid 19 pandemic is the risk of infection outbreaks and the fear of being trapped on the ship in the event of an accident. However, there is no need to worry here either. There are many hygiene measures in place on ships, such as using hand sanitiser, disinfecting common areas and thoroughly cleaning cabins. If you're worried about being "trapped" on a cruise ship like you were at the start of the coronavirus pandemic, you can rest assured that those scenarios won't happen again. Cruise lines have made agreements with the harbours they visit so that they are always able to get passengers ashore in the event of an outbreak. Plus, a cruise holiday is the perfect bubble in these times, as everyone is tested before boarding and during the journey. So, we would almost dare to say that cruise holidays are one of the safest forms of holiday in these times. Read more about the cruise lines' many safety measures here   Myth #6 - Cruises are only for older people False ✗ It's a fun myth that cruising is a retirement holiday. It's true that in many cases it's a very senior-friendly holiday, and that as a pensioner you can enjoy the many benefits that can be found on the ships. But did you know that cruises are also great for family holidays, couples holidays or if you're travelling with friends? On a cruise, there's plenty of fun and colour, relaxation, self-indulgence and much more! In the cruise world, there are ships to suit everyone - it's just a matter of choosing the ship that best suits your needs.   Myth #7 - Cruises are expensive It's all relative. Obviously, an all-inclusive holiday will cost more than if you choose a holiday where meals and activities are not included in the price. But everything is relative! Most cruises have become so competitively priced that today there's not much difference between traditional all-inclusive charter holidays and cruises. There are many ways to make it cheaper to choose cruising as a holiday option. For example, there are several cruise lines that allow children under 12 years old to sail for a very low price. There are also cases where there are volume discounts if you book your holiday together. At the end of the day, cruises are not necessarily more expensive than other all-inclusive holidays. In most cases, it will be the flight tickets that will be the deciding factor in whether the price is higher.   Myth #8 - Cruise ships are claustrophobic False ✗ When you hear that there's room for 8000 people on a ship, it's easy to think that it's crowded. That's not the case at all. The ships are huge. So big that it's hard to find your way around. Several of the shipping companies mark the carpets with the ship's sailing direction to help guests' sense of direction and make sure they don't get lost. Of course, it depends on the individual and when you feel overwhelmed and surrounded by too many people. However, most cruise ships today are so large that there's plenty of room for all guests, staff and more. On the big ships, there's plenty of space, air and light, and there's plenty of opportunity to take walks in an open environment. In fact, it's often only during the boarding process that you'll notice the crowds of people. What most people are referring to when they say that being on board a cruise ship can be claustrophobic is that you're out at sea and don't have the opportunity to get off before the ship docks again. However, with the size of ships today, there's minimal risk that you'll feel claustrophobic on board. If you do tend to feel claustrophobic, you may want to book an outside cabin, or even a cabin with a balcony where you can go outside and get some fresh air directly from your room - all to yourself. Myth #9 - Cruises only visit the most touristy ports True ✓ and false ✗ There are many different cruise ports around the world, and it's true that there will be a risk of running into the so-called 'tourist traps'. Some cruise ports can be packed with tourists, which can make it difficult to find unique experiences. The busiest, and therefore most touristy, harbours are usually in Mexico, Florida and the Caribbean islands. Whether you're sailing in high or low season also plays a role in how many tourists you'll encounter on your trip. That said, there are so many options when you're in harbour that it's always possible to find little gems where there are no tourists. Of course, there is also the option of choosing routes that visit smaller and unknown places where you won't feel like you're in the middle of a tourist trap.   Myth #10 - Not enough time in the harbour True ✓ and false ✗ Again, it's individual how much time you want to spend at different destinations. If you go on a cruise, you will often sail at night and be in harbour during the day. Depending on the day-to-day itinerary, you'll typically be in a new place when you wake up in the morning. Some may feel that this may not be enough time to explore on land - especially if you have a strong desire to see some sights that may be a little further away from the harbour. If that's the case, we recommend booking one of the cruise lines' own organised tours to ensure you make it back before the ship sails on. Alternatively, there are also cruise lines that offer overnight cruises in the city you're in. However, in our experience, most guests are happy with a short day in port, where they have time to stroll around the city, do some shopping and experience the local charm before moving on. Myth #11 - You have to wear formal clothes and everyone is a snob True ✓ and false ✗ It is true that there are dress codes on most cruise ships. It varies from cruise line to cruise lines what the dress code is - but in the vast majority of cases, it's NOT all dress and fancy dress. You're on holiday, so of course everything is casual. If you're looking for a good guide to what the different categories of dress codes entail, here's an overview: Casual - Casual clothing. Men: light-coloured trousers and a T-shirt. However, in most cases, shorts and sandals are not allowed in restaurants. Women: the same as men, or a regular skirt or dress. Elegant/sport casual - This is a little nicer than casual. Here, men are often seen wearing a suit jacket. However, a tie is not required. Women: Here again, trousers, skirts or dresses that are not too short or low-cut are allowed. Informal - Slightly nicer clothes. Men: Nice trousers with a suit jacket and preferably a tie. Women: Nice dress or skirt with a nice top. Formal - It's time to get your best clothes out. It will not be a fixed dress code that you have to wear this kind of clothing for the entire trip. Usually it will be for the captain's cocktail party, other events or similar events. Men wear tuxedos and women wear dresses. If you don't have such clothes in your wardrobe, don't worry. It can be rented on board. In recent years, cruising has become much more mainstream and therefore formal dress codes are less common. However, there are still some things that are not acceptable. For example, in most places you are not allowed to wear sandals and shorts during the evening meal. Myth #12 - Cruises are not for big families False ✗ It's true that it was once standard on cruise ships that most rooms were only suitable for two or four guests. But over time, most cruise lines have responded to the growing interest from families in travelling on a cruise together. As a result, family suites have been added to most large ships. On Royal Caribbean International's larger ships, you can find examples of suites that sleep up to eight people in two bedrooms. If you choose an Ultimate Family Suite, for example, you can expect an extremely child-friendly experience with a large two-storey suite with a slide from the first floor down, as well as plenty of entertainment in the suite, including air hockey, a small cinema and video games. However, all cruise lines also offer family cabins of the more standard (and affordable) kind, which can accommodate a family of 4 or 5. All cruise lines also offer several child-friendly services, such as free evening babysitting, so parents can enjoy a relaxing, child-free evening, safe in the knowledge that their children will be well looked after by trained staff. And many also have fun kids' clubs for different age groups. Myth #13 - You get seasick on cruises False ✗ The short answer is: No, you don't get seasick on a cruise. Most cruise ships are huge. The big cruise ships, which are around 15 stories tall and hold between 3000-5000 passengers, rock minimally - and most of the time not at all. There can even be violent storms and high seas, and even then you'll hardly notice you're travelling at sea. Read more about why you don't get seasick on a cruise here

The ultimate packing guide for your cruise

The ultimate cruise packing guide We've all been there - the journey is just around the corner, the suitcase is empty and the question arises... what should I bring? Do I remember everything? Do I need to bring anything special? It's essential to pack the right things before your cruise, and it's easy to get confused when it comes to filling your suitcase. But don't worry - we've put together a complete packing guide for you right here.   Where are you going? Before you pack, there are some important things to consider - and the destination is, of course, one of them. If you're travelling to the Mediterranean in the summer, the Caribbean or other warm destinations, it's a good idea to pack light summer dresses, shorts, tops and swimwear for pool and beach days. You may also want to bring a pair of sandals or flip-flops, as well as a sun hat, sunglasses, beach bag, sun cream and aftersun. On the other hand, if you're travelling to cooler destinations, you should pack some warm clothes. Check a weather forecast to know exactly what you need. This could include warm jumpers, a winter jacket, windbreaker, rainwear, boots, scarf, hat and thick socks for destinations such as Greenland, Alaska, Canada or Norway. Be aware that even if you're travelling to a warm destination, you may want to bring a warm sweater, as it can sometimes be chilly on the ship due to air conditioning. What is there to do? There are plenty of activities on board a cruise ship and when you go ashore. - SportsFitness facilities are available on all ships and many also have running tracks, ball fields and the like. If you're planning to do sports on your trip, you should pack the right clothes - e.g. running shoes, tights, tracksuit bottoms, t-shirt, top, gloves, sports bra or other workout clothes. - City tripsIf you're going to visit cities where you might have to walk long distances, it's a good idea to bring closed shoes that are comfortable to walk in and that you can stand wearing even when it's very hot. You should also be aware that some sights (e.g. churches) require you to cover your knees and shoulders. - HikingThere are several destinations that are ideal for hiking. If you're planning a longer trip on foot, it's a good idea to pack hiking boots or good trainers that are suitable for long walks. Also consider the type of terrain you'll be walking on. - Ziplines, ropes courses, climbing walls, etc.Some special activities on the ship, such as ziplines, climbing walls and high ropes courses require special clothing. If you want to try these, it's a good idea to bring at least one pair of closed shoes, a pair of long trousers and a t-shirt that covers your shoulders. What is the dress code?The shipping companies have dress codes that you should know when packing. During the day, the dress code is casual and you can dress however you like. The same applies, of course, when you go ashore. In the evening, the dress code is informal or smart casual, but it's recommended that you dress up in restaurants. You should be aware that there are certain items of clothing that are not allowed in the restaurants, including swimwear, flip-flops, tank tops and ripped jeans. You can read more about the specific dress codes under each shipping company. Most cruises have Formal Nights, Gala Nights or similar, where it is customary to dress up. On these nights, you can wear a suit or cocktail dress, or other nice clothes, but it is not a requirement. Themed eveningsIt is very common for one or more themed evenings to be organised during a cruise. These can vary from sailing to sailing and will be listed in the programme. These can be theme nights such as White Night, Elegant Night, 70's Night, Italian Night, etc. On the day of travel Travelling days can be really boring, so it's good to be prepared by packing a good travel bag. For example, you can pack a good book, magazine, card game, sudoku or anything else to pass the time. If you are travelling on a long flight or similar, you can pack earplugs, a sleeping mask, compression socks and a neck pillow. Always remember important travel documents such as passport, boarding pass and cruise ticket. Clothes for the first hours on board - when you arrive at the terminal, drop off your suitcase. It will be dropped off later in front of your cabin. However, it may take a few hours before you get it, so if you want to go straight to the pool after boarding, for example, you should pack a small bag with clothes/swimwear and other essentials for the first few hours on board. You may also often find that your cabin is not ready right away. Other things Powerbank - It's smart to bring a powerbank so you can charge your phone without having to run back to your cabin. You will most likely use your phone a lot, as you will often need it to view menus, drink menus, plan activities on the ship, etc. Chargers (for power bank, phone, camera etc.) - Remember to bring a charger for all your devices. There are usually European sockets and USB inputs in the cabin that can be used with standard Danish plugs and cables. If not, adapters can be borrowed/rented at the reception. Medicine - Remember to bring any medication you may need. Toiletries - Deodorant, cream, facial cleanser, perfume, make-up and the like. Shampoo and conditioner are already in the cabin, but it's usually a kind of 2-in-1 solution (in some cases 3-in-1 with shampoo, conditioner and shower gel, yikes!) So if you were born with a particularly demanding head of hair, you'll thank yourself for bringing your own products. Bag - Please bring a shoulder bag, rucksack or beach bag for when you go ashore. Makeup, deodorant, perfume, cream, facial cleanser and the like. Glasses/contact lenses You do NOT need to bring - Towels - Hairdryer- Food or drinks We've created a checklist for you right here to make packing extra easy. Now you're ready to pack your suitcase!    See packing list

Can you go on a cruise with a 3-year-old?

As a travel consultant, I often hear from clients asking what it's like to go on a cruise with small children aged 1-4 years. Is it doable? Is it fun for them? And can they be in the pool? Naturally, many questions arise about the smallest passengers in the family. This spring, I myself was on board Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas in the Caribbean with my boyfriend, Frederik, and my 3-year-old son, Emil. In this post, I will therefore share my experiences of travelling with a 3-year-old with you - all the way from Copenhagen Airport to the ship in the amazing Caribbean Sea.     First stop: The airport   With a Caribbean cruise, there's no escaping the fact that the journey starts at the airport, where a long flight to Miami awaits before boarding the cruise ship. To avoid more travel stress than necessary, it's always a good idea to arrive well in advance when travelling overseas. I recommend 3 hours so as not to rush around the airport with a small child, and there can be long queues during peak seasons.   If you are travelling with a stroller or pram that needs to be checked in, you should also be aware that these must be checked in at "oversized baggage", which is located in a different place in airports than where you check in your suitcases. Travelling with a stroller is free and no airlines charge extra for this.   On the other hand, buying food and snacks at the airport can be expensive, so I always pack a good, big bag for the plane filled with toys, iPad, various snacks, a change of clothes and nappies so that we are best prepared for the long flight with a toddler. When it comes to kids, you can actually bring all the food you want. You can even bring a water bottle with water in it. Often, you just need to take it out of your bag when you go through security at the airport.     On long flights, such as to Miami, there will of course be a few meals served on board the aircraft. So remember to book a children's menu via the airline's website before departure, otherwise your child will be served an adult menu that is less child-friendly.   Arriving to the cruise ship in Miami   After a successful flight, we landed in Miami, where we had planned a few days before our cruise. We had rented a car through Budget and made sure to book one with both air conditioning and a car seat to make it easier to get out and explore. Many hotels offer baby cots, but it is not always possible to book these from home. So ask at reception, and they are always happy to bring up a bed if it's not already in the room.     Check-in on the ship After our days in Miami, we were more than ready to board Harmony of the Seas, one of the world's largest cruise ships. I was very excited to show it off to both Emil and my boyfriend Frederik, because there are endless cool activities to do on the ship - for both children and adults. So if you're taking children on a cruise, Royal Caribbean is definitely one of the cruise lines where you can be sure that your children will have fun! When we checked in on the ship, Emil was immediately given a wristband with a barcode and the number of the muster station we belonged to in case of an emergency. If the barcode is scanned, the staff can see where the child belongs with the cabin number, which is wonderfully reassuring in case the child gets separated from their parents on the big ship. Choosing a cabin I had chosen to book a cabin with a balcony facing the Boardwalk, which is the outdoor promenade at one end of the ship. Here I had deliberately chosen to book a cabin at the far end where the Aqua Theatre is located for the simple reason that if Emil got tired and wanted to sleep early, we could still sit out on the balcony and watch the Aqua show from there. At the same time, there is generally a lot of life on the Boardwalk both during the day and in the evening, and Emil thought it was great fun to watch people either riding the carousel, playing or climbing, floating across the Boardwalk in the zip line or if the waiters from Johnny Rockets were putting on a show. The balcony is high and I generally felt very safe having Emil out there. I would never leave him out there alone, but even if he climbed up on a chair and stood looking out, he wouldn't be able to fall over as it was still a good distance away. The balconies are about 1.14 metres high. From the moment you arrive, you can request a cot in the cabin if needed, and it will be ready for you when you arrive. If you don't need a cot, you can get a sofa bed - however, we found that Emil was a bit too small to sleep on his own, so he laid between us in the bed, and that worked out great. Entertainment and shows As mentioned above, the activities and entertainment on Royal Caribbean's large cruise ships are almost endless, and although it takes a bit of adjusting with a toddler, it's possible to experience the ship's various shows. Instead of going to the late shows at 10pm, we chose to go to them in the afternoon, which is a really nice option to have when travelling with children. We got to see the Grease musical, the Aqua show and the ice skating show. We often chose to sit in the back for the shows, so we could quickly slip out again if Emil suddenly didn't want to sit there anymore, and so we didn't disturb other guests. Children's clubs On board the ship there are also children's clubs for the smallest passengers. In the Mini Club, children must be clean to join, and unfortunately Emil is not yet clean. Instead, he was welcomed in the Baby Club, which employs carers to look after the children. Here, however, parents must drop off their children and are not allowed to join in. Leaving the children in these clubs is generally very American, where the parents, for example, lie by the pool, go ashore or something else entirely. Personally, I would never go ashore without Emil, but we tried to take him to the Baby Club one day to see if he wanted to play with other kids, but he didn't want to be there without mum and dad, so we left. Other fun facilities include a free-to-use carousel on the Boardwalk, a surfboard climbing wall that Emil had a lot of fun on with other kids, and there's mini golf - which Emil was still a little too young to try. Pools for the little ones When it comes to swimming in the ship's pools, there is a fun Splash Zone with water slides for the little ones, where swim nappies are allowed. So little ones can splash around even if they're not yet clean. Please note, however, that swimming with a nappy is not allowed in the large pools. Always food at your fingertips When it comes to food, there are plenty of options on board a ship as large as Harmony of the Seas. There is a large buffet available around 18 hours a day, so we could easily pick up some snacks for Emil more or less around the clock if he felt like eating. In addition, there is an "ice cream station" where we could pick up soft ice cream for free for a few hours during the afternoon. In the evening, we ate in the ship's main restaurant, which offers children's menus where you can choose a starter, main course and dessert for your child. It's also possible to get highchairs for the kids if they need them. In addition, we tried two speciality restaurants, which cost extra. These are a little more intimate and perhaps a little fancier than the regular restaurants that are included in the price of the cruise. However, the staff are very friendly and fond of children, so you don't feel in the way or inconvenienced, as you sometimes can when it's that time of night and the little ones are hungry and tired. The perfect day at CocoCay Royal Caribbean is one of the many cruise lines that has its own island in the Caribbean, CocoCay, and this was one of the destinations for our trip. What a day and what an island! The ship docks early in the morning and then it's off to the island. Food, drinks and staff from the ship move onto the island, and it's all inclusive. This means that if you have a drinks package on board the ship, you will also have it on CocoCay. In addition, a large buffet is set up where you are free to go and grab food throughout the day. We chose to get off the ship as some of the first to be sure to get a good spot on the island. However, this turned out not to be necessary as we were the only ship docked that day. A maximum of two ships can dock at a time, but we had the island to ourselves - and it was noticeable because it wasn't crowded at all, which was great! We decided to moor in the bay, where we had a great view of the ship. It was low tide here, so Emil could easily run down and dip his feet or play in the water while we lay on the sun loungers right next to the water. Many of the other families with children had chosen the same solution, so there were more children for Emil to play in the sand with. Get around the island easily Speaking of sand, CocoCay is full of sand, and with your own "city" stroller, it can be a bit of a hassle to manoeuvre around. But on the island, there are strollers with special wheels for travelling in sand that you can borrow. It was really brilliant and made it much easier for us to get around and see the whole island. So, a clear recommendation from here: Make sure you get your hands on one of these when you come to the island! One of the highlights for Emil was when we went to Splash-zone to try the water slides, which are reserved for smaller children. Emil was thrilled and wanted to go again and again! For older kids, there's an area called Thrill Island with wilder slides. Here, however, you have to pay for access. So you can go on a cruise with a 3-year-old? Yes indeed! All three of us had a fantastic holiday and although it's a long trip to go all the way to the Caribbean with a toddler, everything worked out really well. Cruise holidays with toddlers are perfect and we never felt unsafe as parents. At the same time, there were so many activities that even the little ones could enjoy when travelling with one of the more child-friendly cruise lines. The staff are always kind to small children and are generally very patient, so we never felt like we were being inconvenienced. So if you're thinking of going on a cruise with the little ones in the family, all I can say is: Do it! Cruising is for the whole family, and if you put some thought and preparation into your holiday (just as you would when travelling with young children on other types of holidays), the odds are that you'll have a fantastic holiday experience!