“Don’t You Get Bored Seeing the Same People?”

We get this question a lot.

Usually it’s delivered with raised eyebrows and a slightly concerned tone — as if a cruise ship is one long awkward dinner party you can’t escape.

The honest answer? Not at all.

Modern cruise ships are more like floating towns than floating rooms. Even on smaller ships, there are multiple lounges, restaurants, deck areas, walking routes, and quiet corners. You can meet someone on day one, have a great chat… and then never see them again for the rest of the cruise.

Of course, sometimes you do bump into the same people — especially if you gravitate toward the same morning coffee spot or evening lounge. But that tends to feel familiar rather than repetitive. Over a week or two, you naturally find your rhythm onboard. Certain spaces become “yours,” and the ship starts to feel comfortably navigable rather than small.

In fact, many people are surprised by the opposite: how easy it is to disappear into the scale of a ship if you want to. You can be social, or you can be quietly independent. Both are entirely normal ways to cruise.

It’s less like being stuck with the same crowd — and more like choosing which parts of a small town you visit each day.

“Do You Get Seasick?”

This is often one of the first worries people mention.

There’s an image in many people’s minds of dramatic waves and swaying corridors. In reality, modern cruise ships are remarkably stable — especially the larger ones.

In over 50 cruises, I’ve felt unwell once. Peter never has.

That doesn’t mean movement never exists. Certain routes and weather conditions can feel different, and everyone’s sensitivity varies. But for most cruises, movement is gentle and barely noticeable — more like a soft shift than a dramatic sway.

If seasickness is something you’re concerned about, we’ve written a detailed guide on what actually helps and when it’s worth preparing. Most first-time cruisers, though, are surprised by how stable modern ships feel.

Seasickness is one of the biggest pre-cruise fears — and one of the least common onboard experiences.

“Aren’t Cruise Ships Full of Germs?”

This question usually comes with a slightly concerned expression — and it’s understandable.

Cruise ships bring together thousands of people in one place, so hygiene has to be a priority. And from our experience, it genuinely is.

Hand-washing stations are positioned at buffet entrances. Crew members often stand nearby to encourage their use. Antibacterial gel is offered when embarking and returning from port. Surfaces are cleaned constantly, and cabin stewards refresh rooms daily.

It can actually feel more visibly controlled than many land-based holidays.

That doesn’t mean illnesses never occur — they can happen anywhere large numbers of people gather. But cruise lines are highly motivated to prevent outbreaks, and hygiene protocols are strict because the reputation of the ship depends on it.

Passenger behaviour matters too. Washing hands properly, using the stations provided, and staying sensible if unwell all make a difference.

In our experience, hygiene onboard feels deliberate and consistent — not neglected.

Like many cruise worries, the reality tends to be far less dramatic than the perception.

“Are Cruise Ships Full of Drunken Parties?”

For some people, this is the image that comes to mind immediately.

It’s true that certain cruise lines lean more toward a lively, celebratory atmosphere. Some itineraries attract younger crowds. Some sailings are known for being more energetic.

But even on ships with that reputation — and we’ve sailed a few — the picture is rarely one-dimensional.

Cruise ships are layered environments. The lively pool deck at 3pm can sit just a short walk from a quiet lounge, shaded promenade, or peaceful top deck with a book and a sea view. You quickly discover that the “vibe” depends as much on where you spend your time as which ship you’re on.

We enjoy a drink onboard — our logo probably gives that away — but it’s never been the focus of our cruises. A relaxed glass of wine at dinner or a cocktail at sunset feels very different from a full-day party scene.

Cruise lines also vary more than many first-time cruisers realise. Some brands naturally skew quieter, others more upbeat. Doing a little research into cruise lines before booking can make a huge difference to how the overall experience feels.

Cruising can be lively if you want it to be.

It can also be calm, measured, and quietly social.

Most ships offer space for both.

“Will I Feel Overwhelmed on a Big Ship?”

For some people, the size of modern cruise ships is the most intimidating part.

You see photos of multiple decks, long restaurant lists, and endless activity schedules — and it can look like a floating city.

In a way, it is.

But here’s what people don’t always realise: you don’t experience the whole city at once.

Cruise ships are designed in neighbourhoods. You move through them gradually. After the first day or two, you naturally settle into a rhythm. A favourite coffee spot. A preferred deck for sunset. A lounge that feels comfortable. The ship starts to feel familiar rather than enormous.

And something else happens too.

Even on large ships, you begin to recognise faces — and they begin to recognise you. A barista remembers your morning order. A waiter greets you by name. A crew member asks how your port day was. Those small interactions make a very big ship feel surprisingly personal.

You don’t need to attend every activity. You don’t need to understand the daily planner perfectly. You don’t need to try every restaurant.

Many first-time cruisers worry about “missing out.” In reality, most experienced cruisers deliberately skip things.

The key is to think of a big ship the way you’d think of a large hotel or resort. You choose the parts that suit your pace. The rest simply exists in the background.

Big doesn’t automatically mean overwhelming.

It usually just means you have options — and space to find your own version of the cruise.

“What a Typical Sea Day Actually Feels Like”

Sea days are often misunderstood.

People imagine either non-stop activity — or complete boredom.

In reality, most sea days settle somewhere comfortably in between.

Mornings tend to feel unhurried. Coffee on deck. A quiet walk around the promenade. Maybe a look at the daily programme — not to plan every minute, but to see what might appeal.

Some people head to the gym at 6am. Others sleep in. Both feel normal.

As the day unfolds, you’ll notice how much is available — and how little you’re required to do. Shops stay open throughout the day and evening. The casino hums quietly in the background (with the odd cheer when someone hits a jackpot). Spa appointments fill up with people taking the opportunity to pamper themselves. There are talks, cooking demonstrations, art classes, even the occasional towel-folding lesson if you’re curious enough.

Or none of it.

Late morning might mean a swim. Afternoon might mean a nap. You might learn something new — or simply sit with a book while the ocean slips past.

Lunch arrives without effort. There’s no packing, no rushing ashore, no timetable to beat.

Evenings feel similar. Some nights it’s theatre and dinner. Other nights it’s a quiet lounge and an early night. There’s no right way to spend a sea day.

And that’s the point.

Sea days aren’t about filling time.
They’re about enjoying the absence of pressure.

For many cruisers, they become the most unexpectedly relaxing part of the trip.

“You Don’t Have to Cruise Like Everyone Else”

One of the quietest lessons cruising teaches is this: there isn’t one correct way to do it.

Some people fill every hour.
Some people leave the ship in every port.
Some people stay up late.
Some are on deck at sunrise.

All of it is normal.

The version of cruising you see in advertisements — or on social media — is usually just one slice of the experience. It’s often the loudest slice.

But cruise ships are layered spaces. Within the same sailing, you’ll find energy and calm, activity and stillness, celebration and reflection.

You’re not behind if you skip something.
You’re not doing it wrong if you rest.
You’re not missing out if you choose quiet over busy.

And sometimes, “your way” doesn’t even match the person you’re travelling with.

One of you might be up early in the gym. The other might be lingering over coffee in a quiet lounge. One might love a deck walk at sunset; the other might prefer a book and an early night.

Cruising allows that kind of flexibility.

You can spend part of the day together and part of it separately — and still feel like you’ve shared the experience.

Life onboard isn’t about matching someone else’s schedule.

It’s about giving yourself permission to find the rhythm that feels right to you — even if that rhythm shifts from day to day.

And once you realise that, most of the common worries start to fall away.