Photos to Make You Reconsider Cruise Booking

Going on a cruise is one of the most fun activities that can be done in life. As the years pass, the level of fun continues to increase as cruise ship offerings continue to evolve. For this reason, many people choose to enjoy their vacation on the water, as opposed to doing more traditional activities. While there are numerous activities on cruises, choosing the right one is an important step. Check out these photos that are a testament to how expectations can be a far cry from reality.

Hot Tub Truth

One of the biggest attractions in cruises is the presence of a hot tub. Especially when you are on vacation, there aren’t many more relaxing things than spending some time in one of these. The level of peace you feel as the moderate heat relaxes away both mental and physical anguish is second to nothing. However, on cruises with numerous guests, things can get a little crowded in the little tub. This can turn relaxation into discomfort in a heartbeat.

The Bedroom You Imagine 

If you have never been on a cruise before, your imagination of the rooms aboard one may end up being far from the truth. Some cruises do indeed offer luxurious rooms; however, it isn’t wrong to say such an occurrence is the exception and not the rule. If you do get onto one of these cruise ships with great quality rooms, there’s no doubt that you may even feel as if you’re spending a night in an upper-echelon hotel.

The Room You Receive

The most likely scenario is that the room assigned to you is not the most spacious in the world. While the occurrence of this depends on the ship, the reason is understandable when you think about it. Most cruise ships have hundreds of guests aboard at any time. These guests all need a designated sleeping area, which means that there must be enough rooms to fit them all. Be sure to find out the size of the room prior to booking, as some can’t even accommodate a queen-sized bed.

The Bathroom You Imagine

As you are on a cruise ship, you cannot exactly expect a large walk-in bathroom. Even with your expectations for a small bathroom, however, there is probably an expectation of luxury on your part. Why wouldn’t you have that idea? Chances are that the portrayals of cruise ships you’ve seen have glamorous bathrooms with glass doors and marble countertops. Below is a pictorial representation of the kind of thing that you think of when you consider cruise ship restroom.

The Bathroom You Could Get

Unfortunately, even the restroom on a cruise ship can be a great disappointment based on your expectations. The picture below is of one of those cruise ship bathrooms that isn’t quite what you imagine. While it isn’t a dilapidated restroom by any mark, the allure of the previous bathroom simply isn’t present here. Don’t think that this is the case with every cruise though, as it really isn’t. All you need to do is remember to verify before you book.

The Romantic Touch You Imagine

There’s something about being out on the open water that seems almost to imply romance. Think about it though. Calm waters, cool air, and a serene environment all scream intimacy. Enjoying intimate moments during the sunset is a very attractive thought, correct? All of this makes you believe that a cruise is the perfect thing for you and your significant other. There are many activities you could choose from, but how many more of them seem to be designed around the concept of romance?

The Romantic Reality

This is the part where you stop feeling as if a cruise ship is the most romantic place of them all. You may find this hard to believe, considering the pictures that you have undoubtedly seen online until now. The truth is that the “alone together” vibe that you need with your partner to create intimate moments is hard to come by. The number of people that are typically on a cruise makes a romantic setting nearly impossible unless you’re in your room.

Your Perceived Beach Experience

One of the most enjoyable parts of a cruise is when the ship pulls up to a beach. There’s a natural enjoyment to be derived from beach activities, whether you can swim or not. By this logic, your natural response to seeing the beach is to get into your beachwear and hit the water or the sand. The best part is you’ve never been to many of these beaches, so not only do you have fun, but you also feel as if things are being kept fresh.

The True Beach Experience

The real cruise ship beach experience can be a far cry from the amazing beach day that you conceptualized. You’ve probably realized that the crowd on a cruise makes a lot of the difference between how you visualize some things and how they really work. This is another area in which that applies. Naturally, other people on your cruise want to enjoy the beach too, which is fine. The real problem occurs when another cruise ship pulls up, and its guests want a dip too.

The Captain You Imagine

Whether it’s because of cartoons and movies, or just your imagination, chances are that you have your own perception of the captain. Regardless of what that impression is though, for some reason, the ship captain is usually a big deal. Most people imagine the captain and his crew directing the ship with enthusiasm. There’s the big steering wheel, and the captain stands with his telescope steering at the open sea. No one can blame you for thinking that way based on the concept the media offers.

The Captain’s Reality

 Your imagination of the captain being a true ocean blood isn’t necessarily fabricated. The difference here is just a matter of process improvement and nothing more. In the old days, the captain and his crew did everything manually, which made for a more involved process. However, today there is a lot of technology in the mix, so they can even relax completely and allow the built-in autopilot to take over. Note, however, that most cruise ships still feature the telescope and large steering wheel.

The Tour Experience 

The idea of going on various tours is one of the reasons people flock cruises. It is said that going on said tours is the best way to truly explore a country’s offerings. You don’t usually go on a cruise without a well thought out itinerary, and that holds true here. Even though you may think that you don’t ever want to leave the ship, when the possibilities that come with tours are presented to you, there’s no way you’re passing up the opportunities.

The Unseen Tour Experience Struggle

It’s very hard to ruin someone’s day when he/she is experiencing the marvels of various tour destinations. Whether it’s viewing some historical monuments or enjoying some of the most panoramic views, being at tour destinations is an incredible experience. Be that as it may, what most brochures don’t speak much about is the journey to the destination. It is usually a very long one that is accompanied by heat, sweat, weird descriptions about insignificant things you pass, and unnecessary boring speeches about the destinations.

How You Imagine Boarding

If you’re planning on being a part of a cruise, you’ve probably thought about sailing the seas, using the pool, enjoying some food, etc. What you may not have given much thought to is the process of boarding the ship. After all, you do have to get past that process before you’re free to enjoy the various activities that interest you. The pictures that many cruise companies use feed into your glowing imagination of an empty boardwalk and an easy entry path.

How Boarding Really Works

Remember how cruise ships are built to accommodate hundreds, if not thousands of people? Remember how all those people need to board the ship around the same time you do? This obviously means that the boarding process is not smooth sailing, as many of these pictures would lead you to believe. In fact, the experience is more on the unpleasant side as there is quite the line for you to wait in. Remember also that you’re doing this while carrying luggage in a hot and sweaty state.

How You Imagine the Pool

The pool is one of the biggest attractions on any cruise. In fact, there are some people who don’t use any of the other attractions but the pool. You may think that traveling on water reduces the attraction to the water on the ship, but that’s not the case. A pool can never truly lose its appeal, and even you probably look forward to jumping in for a cool and relaxing time. The picture below is enough for you to want to jump in and stay there.

The Pool Experience You Get

While the quality of the pool is not usually much different from what you imagine, the feelings you imagined are not the ones you are likely to feel. Instead of relaxation and peace, you may feel uncomfortable and uneasy. This is because everyone wants to use the pool as much as you. Sometimes, there isn’t even adequate space to move around because of the sheer number of patrons who are present. The picture below is an accurate depiction of your most likely pool experience.

How You Imagine the Weather

The weather is a big part of any cruise. When you’re thinking of booking a cruise, one of the things you undoubtedly consider is the weather around the time of your cruise. You may not be inclined to head out onto the sea during an active hurricane season, for example. When you check out cruise offerings, all the pictures you see help to influence a decision to purchase a ticket. Doesn’t everyone want to enjoy a cruise in warm sunny weather?

The Real Weather 

This should be a no-brainer, but somehow the glowing images cause people to forget how the weather works. There is no way to exercise control over it, so if rain is in the cards, there’s no stopping it. Just bear in mind that it is very likely for you to get rained on during your cruise. Considering many of the activities are outdoor, the rain can all but ruin what should be a good time. Have a look at the forecast before you make a booking.

The Employee Experience You Imagine 

A common misconception about many service-oriented jobs is that they are amazing. Hotel and cruise ship staff are probably at the forefront of the misconception. It’s hard to imagine that the job is anything but blissful because of the cheerful disposition that the employees display. Remember though that they must appear both overjoyed and invested in what they do as they need to create an amazing experience for their guests. So, the picture below illustrates more of a job requirement.

Real Employee Life

The thing about joy as a job requirement is that it is likely fabricated. This is not to imply that the employees are never happy. However, the way they behave and express themselves may lead you to believe that the job itself is desirable. A lot of the issue lies within the conditions under which they work. Even the small guest rooms are a huge step up from the elevator-sized, bunk bed ridden rooms that the workers have as accommodation space.

The Expected Musical Performances

Do you know what is a universal language that the world speaks? The language of music of course! Therefore, one of the things you probably look forward to the most is the performances. Some cruise ships companies pay well known and amazing talents to play for their guests. This results in the enjoyment of an almost concert-like vibe as you travel to your destinations. The picture below is an example of this as the cruise is being livened up by a performance by Rascal Flatts.

The Real Musical Entertainment

While there are some ships that go above and beyond in terms of entertaining their guests, this is not always the case. In fact, most of the cruises available do not employ professional acts. Some don’t arrange any performers at all. Instead, they opt for the use of a karaoke area where anyone can go to sing some tunes. While there’s nothing wrong with allowing the guests to have some fun in this way, there’s a certain level of appeal to professional acts.

How You Imagine Dining

Can you really discuss the idea of a cruise without discussing food? One of the first things that probably runs through your mind when you’re thinking of going on a cruise is the food that is served. While the food is usually good, the experience is probably what you think about the most. Cruise ships draw a lot of comparisons to hotels, and for numerous reasons, you may imagine a five-star dining experience. What could be better than that as you look at the beautiful ocean view?

The True Dining Experience

It’s important to reiterate that the food on cruise ships is usually good. However, the dining experience is where things are likely to defer from what you may have imagined. That is unless you can afford and choose to go on one of the more expensive cruise offerings available. Outside of that, chances are that your food is waiting in a buffet line, and no one is taking it to you. Of course, this makes for a more customized experience.

The Age Range You Imagine

When you are gearing up to go on a cruise, there are many things that seem to rush through your mind simultaneously. Some of these are very serious considerations, and others are just random thoughts. One thing that may cross your mind is the age-range. If you’re thinking of going on a cruise, then its likely a thing being done mostly by people your age, right? Probably you can’t wait to meet some of them to discuss your shared interests.

The Actual Age Range

Cruises don’t generally appeal to any demographic more than it does others. If that were the case, why have specialty cruises to control these factors? If you’re expecting a similar age group to your own, you’re better off jumping on one the said specialty cruises because normal ones are not for you. There are people from just about every age group that go on cruises, and the diversity adds to the mystique. Obviously, you have your impression, but you do have to consider the reality.

Your Personal Tender Experience

The tender is something else that you probably look forward to because of the way you imagine it. There are some instances in which the cruise ship that you’re on is so large that it cannot dock at a port. In this case, smaller boats that are attached to the ship are used to transport the passengers to and from shore. This is known as a tender. When you hear about smaller boats, you probably start to imagine the experience in your own little boat.

The Real Tender Experience

The boats used are not meant to be flashy, luxurious, and fast. They are meant to be a safe way of transportation that doubles as an emergency evacuation method. Therefore, they are large, sturdy boats that are meant to hold up to various conditions. The size means that you’re not alone on one. In fact, one of these boats holds up to 40 persons. This can make for an awkward staring session as you travel in silence with people you’ve never met.

The Way You Imagine Drinks

This is another one of those parallels that people tend to draw between cruise ships and hotels. Alcoholic drinks and fun go hand in hand for most adults. Therefore, it is no surprise that you are probably anxiously looking forward to the many drinks to explore aboard the cruise ship. Apart from the variety, the exotic level of drinks you expect adds to the anticipation. It’s not always your fault too, as many of the images you have in your head stem from the tempting pictures you see.

The Real Drink Experience

It’s not uncommon for people to find themselves smitten with disappointment when they finally get their hands on the drinks available. The first issue that jumps out at you is the immense lack of variety. Most cruises offer a normal selection of drinks that you can get just about anywhere. Additionally, the drink areas tend to get messy unbelievably quickly. Imagine a college frat party drink area. Is that really the kind of thing you want to see on a cruise you spent good money on?

You Probably Ignore Seasickness

 You are very much aware that seasickness exists, but how much attention do you give it? Both cruise company websites and media portrayals make it easy for you to just gloss over the fact seasickness is a very real problem. Even if you do think about it, maybe it doesn’t seem like much of an inconvenience to you. How bad could it be, right? You get sick for a moment, then you deal with it, then you go back to having fun, correct?

The Reality of Seasickness

You may never experience seasickness at all, which is what you want to happen. However, you should be aware of the possibilities if it does affect you. It’s not just a thing that comes in one moment and is gone in the next. You can find yourself with a spell of overwhelming nausea for what seems like an eternity. This is expected, considering that the stimulus doesn’t go anywhere. Remember also that others are on the cruise and things can go downhill very quickly when you have a mass of seasick people.

The Blissful Process of Meeting Women

This one is for the men out there that look forward to the ladies that they can meet during a cruise. After all, a ship isn’t the fastest thing in the world, and you may as well spend the time with someone you think is fun. Meeting a woman may be for commitment, flirting, or just fun. Whatever it may be, there’s no denying that an appealing woman is all it takes to make a cruise one to remember for many males.

Meeting Women Isn’t Easy

While the thought of meeting a great woman is a big draw for men, the process of doing so is quite a difficult one. This is primarily because of one factor that males tend to ignore, which is the presence of other males. If you find a lady attractive, chances are others find her attractive too, which means that there are other men who may also be considering approaching her. If you’re not assertive, you could be beaten to the punch easily.

The Sightseeing Dream

When you go on a cruise, sightseeing is one of the things that you are looking forward to. Considering that humans live on land, there’s a natural draw to anything that is water-based. Not only are water activities fun, but they also represent a way to spend time that differs from what is the norm. Aquatic life is a big part of this, and what could make a cruise more interesting than seeing some of the aquatic lifeforms having fun as you pass by?

The True Sightseeing Experience 

What you experience where cruise sightseeing is concerned may disappoint you. It isn’t impossible to catch a quick glimpse of some of the majestic creatures of the ocean. However, doing so means getting lucky as it is a very unlikely occurrence. On a normal day, there isn’t much for you to see as the ship travels. When you look outside, chances are there are just the sky and the ocean for you to look at. You can get a few nice pictures, but it does get boring.

The Ship You Expect

Have a look at the picture below. Chances are that it doesn’t strike you as something new or majestic. It does have a luxurious look, but you’ve probably seen these kinds of ship pictures so many times that you’ve become desensitized to them. No one can blame you really, as these are the pictures you see in the media. These are also the kind of pictures used by cruise companies, which helps to cement the idea in your head where their ships are concerned.

Cruise Ship Reality

This is where your glowing admiration and impression of cruise ships come to a crashing halt. It is important to say that the picture below isn’t representative of all ships, as some of them are truly immaculate. However, the reality is that this isn’t always the case, and many ships look as if they’ve taken a serious beating. In many cases, they really have as they’ve been around for decades. So, if the ship looks a bit different from what you imagined, you shouldn’t be too surprised.

The Titanic Scene Dream

Some movies are known to really get the imagination, and one of the most notable at sea is Titanic. While the movie’s end was a bit tragic, many people hope to create the legendary romantic scene by the sunset. It really does look like the true definition of romance, and there’s nothing wrong with experiencing a bit of that. The setup is simple. Leonardo DiCaprio holds Kate Winslet as she spreads her arms in a flying position. Isn’t a cruise ship just the perfect place for this?

The Real Scene

The big screen is a production. It stands to reason, therefore, that things are made to look incredibly glamorous for the viewing public. Why do you think life seems so different from the bliss that you sometimes see in movies? Many people have tried to recreate the scene and have failed miserably. Some are simply alone, such as the poor woman in this photo, while others with a companion just fail to capture that same magic. Maybe a production crew could help.

The Casino Life You Imagine

Casinos also have an immense allure to those who are looking to head out to sea on a cruise. Why not be excited? Have you seen the way people have fun at these things on screen? The best part is you can get yourself a nice little payday. Who knows? You may even recover the cost of your cruise. There’s a lively environment, engaging games, a lot of drinks, and more. It’s like your own little Las Vegas on the friendly seas.

The Cruise Casino

Sorry to pop your gambling bubble, but the chances are that your cruise casino doesn’t compare to the idea you had in your head. Remember that these things require space. However, making them elaborate just isn’t feasible on some ships. This isn’t an absolute rule though, as some cruise ships have amazing casinos for your enjoyment. However, the confined space means that the ship you’re on may just opt for a few slot machines and nothing more. Try to have fun either way.

The Port Terminal You Imagine

Going through a port terminal is a pre-requisite to boarding a cruise ship. Imagine going through the bag check process in an airport terminal. Your confirmation and passport are usually checked at this point as well. The port terminal for a cruise ship serves a similar purpose. The expectations surrounding port terminals are based on this parallel. Airport terminals are aesthetic marvels with numerous gadgets and polished floors. Therefore, people automatically assume that port terminals should have the same feel.

The Port Terminal Experience

Unfortunately, the moment you enter a port terminal, you’re hit with the painful realization that this is nothing like you expected. The glamor that you were looking for is nowhere to be found. The comfortable chairs that make you not want to leave are nowhere to be found. The beautiful floors and overall incredible aesthetic are missing. Numerous people are processed, and there are usually long lines and huge crowds. Don’t be surprised if you can’t wait to be out of there.

How You Imagine the Activities 

Cruise ships need to give potential customers all the possible incentives to use the service. One of the more common bargaining chips is that of the activities that are offered. In fact, this is one of the biggest points of competition between various cruise companies. The idea is to generate anticipation and excitement by offering an exciting experience. One cruise even offers you the chance to do skydiving. With these activities, it’s no wonder that you probably have quite the impression in your head.

The Real Activity Experience

The good news here is that there usually isn’t any false advertising where the activities are concerned. The activities that are advertised are usually all there. However, there are two major considerations that the advertisements aren’t too keen on pointing out. First, the activities are rarely, if ever included in the cost of admission. Prepare to fork over some extra cash. Second, these activities are heavily sought after, so get ready to join a long line. Do you see why the advertisements leave these details out?

How You Imagine the Spa

When you think of a spa experience, what comes to mind? Relaxation is probably the overarching concept that you think of. This is the reason that a spa trip goes hand in hand with a cruise. Cruises are meant to be relaxing, and they are typically used by people on vacation. A spa provides a level of pampering that is perfect for the release of any pent-up stress you may have. Why not jump into the jacuzzi or have a quick massage?

The Real Spa Experience

While every cruise ship with a spa portrays it as a top-class one, many of these spas are not that fancy. As the ship leaves the port, the spa is usually in good condition. However, as the voyage carries on, things start to go downhill. There is typically a maintenance team on board to help, but there’s only so much that such a team can do. While it’s not always the case, the stones and the sauna can’t stand up to the hot air, steam, and water for the whole trip.

Souvenirs You Want

The experience you get when going on a cruise is usually a unique one. You don’t go on a cruise as often as you have fast food, do you? Typically, when you go on these occasional experiences, you want to have something to preserve the memories. This feeling is increased tenfold when you’re in an unfamiliar environment. During your cruise, you are likely to get off the ship at a couple of places, which means that you may want to grab a couple of souvenirs.

What You Really Find

While there are numerous souvenir shops, the chances are that they are not the marvels that you were looking forward to. It seems as if these shop owners have a stereotype based on their impression of what tourists should like. They don’t usually get this right, so prepare for your souvenir to be some boring shirt. Worst of all is the fact that all these stores look as if they sprung from the same blueprints. You may as well just buy from the first one you see.

The Crowd You Expect

When you’re going on a cruise, you probably imagine the kind of crowd you expect to see while you’re there. What are some of the characteristics that you expect to find in the crowd on a cruise? Whatever that may be, it’s probably likely that you imagine that you and these people have a lot in common. If not, it should be a bunch of couples or retired pensioners, right? They deserve to have some quiet time just like you do.

The Real Crowd

Earlier, the age range variety you should expect was discussed. However, what the cruise ship advertisements don’t allude to is the fact that families tend to be the biggest patrons of their services. Now you may be thinking that’s not so bad. However, these aren’t just any families. They have young children in almost all cases. So, guess who the entertainment is made to appeal to? Have you ever seen a Chuck E Cheese advertisement? Prepare to experience that at sea where you can’t just head home.

Meeting a Pirate

Let your imagination run wild for a moment. Imagine meeting a great pirate with the same kind of aura as Jack Sparrow and being invited to tour the seas and fight great battles. Of course, you probably aren’t trained for that stuff, but with such a crew, you could be brought up to speed in no time. Maybe you could even get to wear the captain’s hat and meet the parrot that sits on his shoulder. What an amazing adventure to think of!

The Pirates of Today

There are two things about the way you imagine pirates that make the real encounter much more disappointing. First, your only reference point is what you see in the movies. The production makes it seem so surreal that it feels impossible even. Second, you probably told yourself that there’s no way they exist. Well, news flash! They do exist, but they’re nothing like the ones in the movies. There’s no big ship, and they are probably out looking for a fancy ship to pillage.

Destination Heaven

Look at this picture. It tells a thousand words, doesn’t it? Of course, you expect your sea travel to be a good time; however, the destinations are probably some of the things that you anticipate the most as you book your cruise. People have very powerful imaginations, and areas like these are what you see in your mind’s eye whenever you stop to think about the said destinations. That fantasy you put together is very blissful, but it isn’t always the reality that you get.

The Destination Reality

It’s time to throw those imaginative destinations right out the window because you may be highly disappointed when you see the real thing. Of course, this isn’t the reality for every cruise you go on, but you do have to consider the possibility anyways. As you can see in this picture, the ship is about to dock itself near this “attraction.” How’s your anticipation now? Just be vigilant and make sure that you verify what the destinations are for your cruise.

Staying Connected

Today’s world is more interconnected than it has ever been. Of course, that means that the internet is now required to get a lot of things done. Whether you’re just staying in contact with your social circle or attending to business, you need internet connectivity. Isn’t it great that cruise ships have wireless internet networks that allow you to easily connect your phones or laptops? It means that you can complete all the tasks you have that require the internet even though you’re at sea.

The Real Wi-Fi Experience

So, do you remember how a cruise ship is usually at sea? Do you also remember how internet connectivity is based on the ability to communicate with the towers set up by internet service providers? Can you guess how well that works in some areas of the sea? If you thought “not great,” then you’re completely correct. Onboard Wi-Fi can be fine, but it can get bad. If you don’t have much to do, then you’re good, but if you have important stuff to get to, then you may be out of luck.