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Are Cruises Worth It?

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Cruises can be a great vacation idea, especially if you’re not overly interested in trip planning.

One of the most significant benefits of a cruise is that much of the work is done for you, including the itinerary, dining and entertainment options. That convenience can sometimes come with a big price tag, so it’s normal to wonder, “Are cruises worth it?”

Let’s look at the different aspects of cruising, what’s included on a cruise and how that compares against other vacations.

What’s included on a cruise

One of the best parts about a cruise is that it's all-inclusive, at least to a certain degree.

The true extent of what’s included will depend on your cruise line and any packages that you have, but in general, here’s what's included:

Meals, including fast food, sit-down restaurants and some room service.

Other live entertainment.

Pool access and pool towels.

Water, coffee and tea.

Housekeeping.

Port taxes.

» Learn more: Smart tips for getting the best deal on your next cruise

What’s not included on a cruise

The free options are likely more than enough to keep you entertained, but if you’re interested in more, the following items typically incur additional costs:

Specialty beverages. 

Specialty restaurants.

Spa treatments.

Gift shop purchases.

Excursions.

Some onboard events, such as wine tastings and cooking classes. 

Gratuities.

Some cruise lines allow you to bring a limited selection of alcohol onboard.

Pros and cons of a cruise

Is a cruise worth it? It can be, though you’ll want to weigh the pros and cons of your cruise before deciding to book. Here are a few benefits and drawbacks to most cruise vacations:

As you can see, many of the positives of booking a cruise come from convenience. A cruise allows you to pay a single company, after which you’ll be able to enjoy your vacation.

Even if you spend more, you’re still only dealing with a single business and one point of sale. It’s simple and takes far less effort than researching all of your destinations, finding which activities are available, booking accommodations and figuring out where to eat.

But along with the convenience comes a lack of flexibility. Sure, you may be glad to stop at whatever port the cruise line chooses, but what if you’d like to stay overnight? What if you’ve already been to the location and prefer to go elsewhere?

As a guest aboard a ship, you have little control over where you’re going and how long you’ll be there.

And because most cruises aren’t totally all-inclusive , you may spend more than you planned once you're onboard. If you want to enjoy a few alcoholic drinks, dine at a specialty restaurant or take a guided onshore excursion, the additional costs can add up quickly.

» Learn more: Cruises where you don’t need a passport

Comparing a cruise to other vacations

So what does it look like when you compare a cruise with other vacations? A trip has many different aspects, including flights, accommodation, meals, activities and more.

Here’s a look at a five-night Eastern Caribbean cruise from Carnival , which is typically a more budget-friendly cruise line.

It takes off in mid-July and makes three stops across five nights, including Turks and Caicos, the Bahamas and Carnival’s private island before returning home.

When adding in taxes, fees and port expenses, you’re looking at $2,184 for two guests — and that doesn’t include tips, Wi-Fi, port excursions or alcohol. However, you get all meals, an interior stateroom, stops in two different countries and plenty of entertainment.

In contrast, here’s a look at the Viva Wyndham Fortuna Beach in the Bahamas:

A five-night stay here would cost $1,785 for two adults, and this beachfront resort includes all meals and drinks, even alcohol. You’ll also have access to Wi-Fi, pools, live entertainment and other activities.

Although the resort price itself is less than the cruise, this doesn’t consider the price of flights to the Bahamas, which may cost more than you’d pay when heading to Miami for a cruise.

It also doesn’t include tipping or the cost of other excursions, similar to what you’d find on a ship.

Finally, by booking with a single resort, you’re locked into one destination, which may not work for you if you’re interested in visiting more than one country.

» Learn more: The best ways to book a cruise

If you’re interested in planning a cruise

So, are cruise ships worth it? They can be, but it’s a personal decision.

Cruises aren’t right for all types of travelers, especially those who value flexibility during their vacations. However, they can present good value to guests looking for convenience, especially since so much of the effort around planning a trip is eliminated.

Before you book a cruise, compare the price of your vacation against similar options — including accommodations, transportation and meals — to decide whether it's really worth it for you.

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How to get to Antarctica: The pros and cons of flying vs. cruising

Planning a trip to Antarctica ? The first thing you need to do is decide on how you want to get there.

The vast majority of people who travel to the White Continent reach it on a cruise vessel that departs from South America .

Such trips typically start with a two-day crossing of the notoriously rough Drake Passage — the waterway between South America and Antarctica — followed by five or six days of exploring the coast of the continent and then a return trip across the Drake.

For more cruise guides, tips and news, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

But there's a second, less common way to go.

A handful of tour companies operate so-called "fly-cruise" trips to Antarctica that use hardy airplanes to fly tourists directly to the continent — no sailing across the Drake required.

On such trips, travelers still explore the coast of Antarctica by cruise vessel. But they don't board the vessel that will take them exploring until after they land on the continent.

Related: What it's like flying to Antarctica on a chartered plane

As I saw during a test of one of the fly-cruise trips this winter, it's a very different experience from the traditional sail-across-the-Drake trip to Antarctica (one of which I also did this winter — yeah, I'm a little obsessed with polar regions).

So which is the better way to go?

The short answer: There is no short answer. There are pros and cons to both, and the type of Antarctica trip that is right for you may not be the same as the type of Antarctica trip that is right for your neighbor. It will depend on several factors including your tolerance for rough seas, the time you have to travel and your budget.

Here, a look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of the two major ways to get to Antarctica.

The all-cruise option

As noted above, most travelers to Antarctica reach the continent on a cruise vessel that departs from South America — usually from Ushuaia, Argentina, or Puntas Arenas, Chile. Both are located at the very southern tip of South America. There also are a few cruise vessels that sail to Antarctica from Australia and New Zealand, though this is less common.

In most cases, such vessels are expedition cruise ships — small, hardy vessels with their own landing craft that are specifically designed to travel to remote, hard-to-reach places.

Related: The 11 best new expedition ships that go to Antarctica

In many cases, the voyages are operated by small companies that are specifically known for expedition cruising, including Lindblad Expeditions , Hurtigruten Expeditions , Quark Expeditions and Oceanwide Expeditions. But quite a few more-traditional cruise lines — including Silversea Cruises , Viking and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises — also operate expedition ships specifically built for travel to Antarctica and other polar regions.

Advantages of an all-cruise trip

The biggest advantage of an all-cruise trip to Antarctica is also, for some, its biggest disadvantage (more on this in a moment): It gets you into the Drake Passage.

As mentioned above, the Drake can be notoriously rough. Indeed, it's known as one of the roughest waterways in the world. It's not uncommon to encounter waves of 10 or 15 feet during a Drake crossing and, as I've experienced myself, the waves can be much higher.

That may sound like nothing but a disadvantage. But to many travelers — including me — crossing to Antarctica in such seas is an integral part of the experience of a trip there. It's part of understanding the remarkable history of Antarctic exploration, for sure, as it offers a taste of what the great Antarctic explorers such as Ernest Shackleton and Roald Amundsen had to endure in their epic journeys to the continent a century ago. It's also part of understanding the true remoteness of Antarctica, as the journey covers such a massive stretch of ocean.

Related: These 8 books are must-reads before an Antarctica trip

Bird-loving travelers who cross the Drake Passage by ship have the opportunity to see such remarkable bird species as the giant albatross, which you normally won't find in Antarctica.

In addition, the two days of crossing the Drake Passage at the start of an all-cruise Antarctica trip gives the guides on such trips a chance to prepare you for what you're about to see. Typically on such trips, specialists in such topics as Antarctica wildlife, geology and history will hold introductory lectures during the crossing that will help you put things in context upon arrival.

If nothing else, the two days provide a much-needed period of transition for travelers who have just left the frantic, crowded, modern world and soon will be thrust into a land of utter emptiness and wonder.

For some, braving a possibly rough trip across the Drake Passage is also a rite of passage. If you've gotten to Antarctica by ship across the Drake Passage, you've earned it.

Disadvantage of an all-cruise trip

As noted above, the biggest disadvantage of an all-cruise trip to Antarctica is the very same thing that some see as its biggest advantage: It gets you into the Drake — not just once, but twice.

Some people, including me, love cruising in big waves. It can be thrilling to experience the power of the ocean in all its force. But even those of us who love big waves have our limits. For someone who is prone to seasickness even in relatively calm seas, a transit through the Drake Passage can be a downright miserable experience.

Related: Discovering the wild dreamscape of Antarctica

Note that contrary to what you may hear, the Drake Passage isn't always fraught. While waves up to 25 or even 35 feet high at times are not uncommon, it can also be almost perfectly calm, a phenomenon known as the Drake Lake.

I experienced these calm conditions myself during my outbound crossing to Antarctica on a Lindblad Expeditions trip in January. On the way back, in contrast, we hit nearly 20-foot-high seas.

The 'fly-cruise' option

Fly-cruise tours to Antarctica typically start with a two-hour flight from Punta Arenas, Chile, to a Chilean research base on Antarctica's King George Island, thus skipping a ship crossing of the Drake Passage. The Presidente Eduardo Frei Montalva base, as it's known, has a gravel runway that is just long enough to handle some relatively small, hardy jets.

After landing at King George Island, passengers on fly-cruise trips walk to a nearby bay for a Zodiac boat transfer to an awaiting expedition cruise vessel. From there, they are quickly off on a five- or six-night exploration of the nearby Antarctic Peninsula and its environs.

At the end of the exploration, they fly back to Punta Arenas from the same base on King George Island at which they arrived.

Related: This new luxury tour gets you to Antarctica faster than most

The number of tour companies offering such trips is much more limited. They include Silversea Cruises (which just began such trips in December), Antarctica 21 and Quark Expeditions.

Such fly-cruise trips are still relatively rare. About 90% of travelers to Antarctica still arrive at the continent by ship.

Advantages of a fly-cruise trip

There are two big advantages to a fly-cruise trip to Antarctica. First, you get to skip the Drake Passage. As I already suggested above, that can be a very big deal to someone who is prone to seasickness. For people who are particularly sensitive to motion, flying there really is the only viable option for a trip to Antarctica, unless you want to risk being miserable for up to four days (don't forget you'll have to cross the Drake twice on an all-cruise trip).

For the record, these post-flight sailings don't entirely remove the possibility of experiencing rough seas. After leaving King George Island, expedition ships must cross the 60-mile-wide Bransfield Strait to reach the Antarctic Peninsula — and the strait is a body of water that can be choppy, as I saw for myself on the first night of my fly-cruise trip this past winter with Silversea. We hit seas around 10 feet high in the strait, leaving many passengers feeling queasy or worse.

Related: I just spent the night in an 'igloo' in Antarctica — here's how you can, too

But the good news is that the Bransfield Strait crossing is relatively quick. We entered it in the evening and were through it by wake-up time the next day. Once at the Antarctic Peninsula, the seas are relatively calm.

The second big advantage of fly-cruise trips to Antarctica is that they are shorter than what is typical for an Antarctica trip — something that should appeal to would-be Antarctica visitors who are limited in the number of days they can get away from work.

Antarctica trips that include ship crossings of the Drake Passage usually are at least 10 nights in length, not including the time it takes to get to and from the southern tip of South America. By cutting out the days crossing the Drake Passage, fly-cruise tour operators are able to offer an equal amount of time exploring Antarctica on a trip lasting just eight nights, including two nights in a Punta Arenas hotel — one before the flight to Antarctica and one afterward.

Disadvantages of a fly-cruise trip

The big knock on fly-cruise sailings to Antarctica over the years has been that there is a risk that poor weather at the landing site at King George Island could cause flights to and from the island to be delayed. The landings on the rough airstrip at the Chilean base require that pilots have a visual sighting of the runway.

Some companies, such as Silversea, have taken this into account in their itinerary planning. To allow for delays caused by shifting weather, Silversea has built a wide "weather window" for the charter flights to and from Antarctica into its itinerary. Silversea's trips begin and end with a night at a hotel in Punta Arenas, with downtime there built into the itinerary that creates a significant amount of wiggle room for when the flights can occur.

Related: I just went kayaking in Antarctica -- it was the most calm I've felt all year

If the weather is right, the flights to Antarctica will take place the morning after passengers arrive in Punta Arenas. But they can also shift earlier or later if the weather isn't cooperating. The flights back to Punta Arenas from King George Island can be similarly adjusted.

In addition, Silversea has booked extra nights at the hotel it uses in Punta Arenas, at its expense, just in case the flights are significantly delayed and passengers have to spend an extra night in Punta Arenas either on the way in or the way out, though such an occurrence would be rare.

I saw this weather-window strategy in action myself during my fly-cruise trip to Antarctica this past winter. The day before we were supposed to fly back from King George Island, a large storm front moved in over it with low-lying clouds and fierce winds. The storm not only made it difficult for the charter planes that were supposed to take us back to Chile to land at the island, but also made it difficult to operate the Zodiac boats that would be shuttling us from the ship to shore.

As per the plan, we arrived back at the bay at King George Island early and waited for a clearing in the weather that would allow our flights home to take place. Such a window finally appeared in the late evening of the last day of the trip. We took off for Chile at around 11 p.m., about nine hours later than we would have if the weather had been ideal.

Another possible downside to the fly-cruise trips to Antarctica is that they are typically more expensive, on a per-day basis, than all-cruise trips.

Related: The ultimate Antarctica packing guide

At Silversea, which offers both types of Antarctica trips, eight-night fly-cruise itineraries start at $16,600 per person, including flights — more than $2,000 per day.

Fares for Silversea's traditional Antarctica sailings that involve a crossing of the Drake Passage start at $11,900 per person, about 40% less.

In both cases, the fares above are highly-inclusive "door-to-door" pricing that comes with private executive transfers between your home and departure airport, international flights to South America and regional flights, airport transfers in South America, pre-cruise hotel stays, all shore tours, drinks and gratuities. Silversea also offers less expensive "port-to-port" pricing that strips out the international portion of the flights and transfers.

Bottom line

There's no right answer to the question of how to get to Antarctica, whether by ship or plane. I know which way I lean. I prefer to go by ship, as I relish the experience of following in the footsteps of the great explorers in crossing the sometimes rough Drake Passage. But other travelers will be better off, for sure, going the fly-cruise route, whether because they are prone to seasickness even in moderate seas or just can't take all that many days off for travel.

Planning an Antarctica cruise expedition? Start with these stories:

• Dreaming of Antarctica: How to book the trip of a lifetime
• Skip the Drake Passage: What it's like flying to Antarctica on a chartered plane
• 7 tips for visiting Antarctica before it's too late
• The ultimate packing list for an Antarctica trip
• These 8 books are must reads before any Antarctica trip

Should I Cruise Or Fly To Europe?

I’m looking ahead to Christmas travel to Europe this year and seriously considering a ship over a plane.  

Little Augustine (who’s running circles around me and starting to put sentences together) has reached the age in which flying is no longer ideal. I’m thankful for the three superb trips we had to Europe together by air, but the fourth one last month did not go as well…at least that’s what my wife tells me. Benadryl made him more active, not less. We are hoping for “Terrific Twos” not “Terrible Twos” at my house, but it never hurts to prepare for the worst. The little rascal is restless and has a lot of trouble sitting still. He’s hardly unique in that respect. We can keep him quiet for a half hour, but a 10-hour flight is a totally different matter.  

I’ve never actually even stepped foot onto a cruise ship before. The thought of a cruise intrigues me, though I’m not sure where to start. I do understand that cruise lines vary in quality just like airlines do. I’m not looking for an Allegiant or Spirit Airlines-like experience. At the same time, I don’t need Singapore Suites or an Etihad Residence. No stops in Iceland or the Azores are necessary. I just want to get across the Atlantic as fast as I can.

Then again, if we have to depart from the East Coast, that means we’ll need two flights, not just one. Five hours from Los Angeles to New York or Baltimore, then the cruise, then another hour from England or Ireland to Germany. Maybe this is not a such a great idea after all…

For parents with young children, have you ever opted to take a boat over a plane to Europe? I’m hoping this is just a very short 1-2 year period in young Augustine’s life, but I’m not looking to practice my child discipline on a plane full of people at 40,000 feet.

Perhaps we should just stay home this Christmas…

About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

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25 comments.

When my son was between the ages of 1 – 5 I took him to Hong Kong each year from the US. Changing diapers in-flight, bottle feeding, toys and needing to keep him occupied over a 14 hour sleepless trip were all challenging, no doubt about it. That said, I did survive and I chalk up the experience to a life challenge accomplished. I’ve also taken him on a few cruises. While I think cruises are great, they are best experienced in warm weather when you can walk the decks and take advantage of all the outdoor activities. I liked island hopping and outdoor cinema nights by the pool. A Christmas crossing of the north Atlantic seems chilly. I’d take the flight and save the cruise experience for warmer weather.

As someone whose cruised…a lot… a trans atlantic cruise is a long cruise for a first timer. Very few leave from the west coast. Honestly pass….

The choice for a quick transatlantic cruise are really only Cunard on one of the Queens. Christmas time is usually more expensive for cruises because……kids are out of school. A cruise across the North Atlantic in December will not likely be a warm affair outside so the inside activities are where you are going to spend time. It looks like the only short crossing that time in December 2018 going Eastbound is The QM2 leaving on December 8th from NYC and arriving in Southhampton 7 days later for around $1,200 PP (not sure about kids) one way. keep in mind this includes food, room, etc. January 3rd is the next direct return for about the same money.

I would take a practice cruise out of SoCal down to Mexico to try out the idea of cruising first. It’s awesome fun but a North Atlantic crossing in December with 7 sea days is “serious” cruising.

If you go for the flight and it isn’t fun you’ll only have like 8 hrs of pain. If you cruise, and aren’t feeling by the third morning, that’s 4 more days stuck on the boat.

Definitely cruise since you’ve never done it.

We took our son on a week-long cruise last fall, when he was about 16 months old. There were some challenges; he never did get comfortable with the main dining room for example. But overall it was really enjoyable. I put together a “lessons learned” post on my blog a few months ago if you’re curious.

That being said – I don’t think a cruise to Europe is necessarily the best choice for a first-time cruiser, either for adults or kids. If you decide you hate it, you’re stuck with 4 days at sea with no escape. As a couple of others have mentioned, the weather won’t be great that time of year, so the outdoor decks probably won’t be a lot of fun (if they’re even open). If you’re intrigued by cruising, I suggest starting small, maybe with a 4-day cruise from LA down to Baja. If you and the crew love it, try something longer next time. If you hate it, well, it’s only a couple of days until you get back home.

It depends on the child and what stage they are at.

Daughter went through a terrible tantrum throwing phase where I opted to stay in Las Vegas one summer rather than fly first class to Europe on TWA (those were the days!). Her younger brother only had 1 difficult flight at age 14 months which was not his fault and by 18 months he loved flying, only complaining once when he woke up in Rome having slept from before take off in Athens. He wanted a take off roll!

It also helped that we tended to go business class on long flights or if in economy on Singapore Airlines.

Daughter quickly adjusted. At the age of 9, she unexpectedly had to fly as an UM from Bangkok to LAX. She had the time of her life!

As for the cruise idea (and I almost never fly transatlantic these days but cruise instead), it only works once or twice a year out of L.A., then it’s min. 4 weeks each way.

I say stay at home. Do Knott’s Merry Farm.

Matthew, Gary Bembridge has a very good site on cruises. https://www.tipsfortravellers.com/

Ok. I’ve got to get nitpicky. Matthew is talking about a transatlantic crossing, not a cruise. They are not the same thing.

I love transatlantic crossings. There is something so peacefully hypnotic about bundling up in a deck chair and staring out over the ocean. It’s a wonderful experience and I highly recommend it, even in winter. If you’re lucky, the ship will go through a squall and you’ll have the adrenaline rush of watching waves crashing over the bow.

Side note: My mother’s parents decided to spend their honeymoon–which was way back in 1913–traveling the American West. They sailed to America aboard the steamship Imperator. As a kid, I would relish listening to my grandfather tell his stories of that crossing aboard that magnificent ship.

Matthew, you should do the crossing. It would be something very special and different; it would be the stuff of wonderful bedtime stories for Augustine’s children.

Definitely cruise. There are enough activities away from the chill if the north Atlantic to keep you busy, or just longe in your cabin and be comfortable. It is exceedingly frustrating for passengers on a flight to be subjected to crying or unruly children, especially long flights. Take the cruise and be happy.

I love transatlantic crossings but I don’t have kids. If you have the time it is a wonderful way to relax. Get a mini-suite. I put up a tiny 2 ft tall Christmas tree in the cabin & we spent the holidays on board. Rarely do we give ourselves time to read, relax, enjoy what a ship has to offer. When I can I avoid 16 hour flights & hop on the Ruby Princess.

Cruise. With the small areas and long flights there has been problems all over. People also pay a lot of money for their trip and don’t want to be kicked in the back or hear crying for hours on end. Or stay home and enjoy some time there, nothing wrong with that.

First of all, if you have trouble with very active children, why not take them to such wonderful and natural places near the same pacific Coast as Los Angeles (Baja, Mexico, Alaska, Central America. ….) instead of Europe? Second, if they are so restless, I wonder if you will have a permanent headache with the innumerable risks on a cruise ship…. begging with the possibility to fall overboard to the motion sickness that drama mine could not stop. …

My wife’s side of the family lives in Germany. We are going to see family, not for tourism. That said, I love taking my family up the California Coast.

Stay home and tend to your kid. Fly only if you need to. Take my advice and listen!

We did Christmas in Cancun last year and it was wonderful (skipped going back to oz). I have a 2,5 and 7 yo. The latter two are simple to travel with (just did theee weeks with them in Australia (using alaska miles f and j 😉

The younger one is much trickier. Doesn’t want to use an iPad…

However, I take a lot of care in booking the right tone to fly. From Ord we always leave after 830/9. Youngest bed time is 7:730 so he has time to explore on the plane then goes to sleep.

The absolute KEY for us is traveling with his car seat. He’s locked in, feels comfortable and doesn’t squirm the whole Flight. They dim the lights and he gets his teddy and he’s off. When we arrive we have a car seat for the taxi to the hotel. We’ve done quite a few long hauls (and shorter flights eg Ord Salt Lake City (always fly in afternoon for shorter flights so he naps)) and had great success.

Also our mantra has been always “the worse the Flight, the less jet lag we encounter”. Keep kids up during the day after the flight and they often sleep trough the next night.

Mind you, everyone has advice re kids and it usually horses for courses.

With so many unprofessional experiences on a flight by the stewardess / flight attendants, I defeiniyrly would cruise over flying to Europe!! I love cruising, and kids have a great time too! It’s laid back, peaceful and a very nice experience! Great accommodations and entertainment.

Nowadays, even in first class you don’t get top notch service brigade flight attendants forget th they are in the service business! By all means… take the transatlantic 🙂

I spent 14 hours on the worst flight ever sitting in front of a mom and her 2 small children. They yelled and cried, stuck their feet between the seats and all while mom slept! We complained and were told “kids will be kids”. I am a mom and have been a foster mom for troubled children……so I have had many children in my life. Parents simply need to have things to keep their children busy and be responsible!

I just decided to keep travels domestic until my kids were above 5. Saves me the hassle and reduces their anxiety and pain of needing to sit still for a long time.

Definitely fly. Cruise is winter won’t be fun. If necessary, take two flights LA-NYC/BOS, then NYC-Germany if indeed the 11 or 12 hrs are too long for Augustine. A stop of maybe a day in the East Coast could make it more bearable.

I have heard that Benadryl can have that reverse effect on children – especially when flying. That said, I would still go by air and just try to break the trip up a little bit and book flights during bed times (although time adjusting from the West Coast might be a bit more difficult.) We have never cruised before but I do find the thought of crossing the Atlantic to be quite charming, especially around the holidays. I can’t help but think about sailing to Europe like Hemingway and the Fitzgeralds…

100% Benadryl can have the opposite affect. Our daughter did 10hrs overnight to London wide awake egad! Always do a test run at home

As others have noted the North Atlantic in winter time can be rather ugly. You really are gambling with weather. A cruise ship in heavy weather (even one of the Queens) isn’t going to be a fun ride period.

I have 4.5 year old twins and there is no doubt that 2 was the toughest age to fly. They were far too active to sit still on a long flight and not yet at the point where they could be entertained by an iPad full of movies or other items for very long. I remember one flight from BOS to DEN for a family reunion when my son was 18 months where we spent an hour just walking up and down the aisle because he simply had to move around. My wife swore after that trip we were done flying for while.

That being said people take long flights all the time with kids of all ages. Doing a long transatlantic flight with a 2 year old is likely to register a big zero on the fun meter. But it’s several hours of pain to be able to join with family for Christmas which to me would be worth it.

The key I think to minimizing the pain would be getting a suite with a door. You. Close the door and he’s trapped but he has a space that he can move around in without you having to watch his every move. Best of luck and I look forward to the trip report no matter what you do!

After a trip with small children (flying) where everything went wrong, we pretty much quit traveling at Christmas time. I would not recommend a cruise for small children, either, as they are mostly about sitting and eating, with breaks for planned activities. Now, that sounds great to me, but not with small children. I think you would get serious cabin fever. (Once they get older, a cruise can be great to get together with an extended family and let the tweens run around on their own much of the day, meeting up for family meals together.) So if I needed to travel at Christmas with small children, I would definitely fly. By the way, Virgin Atlantic used to have special kids activity boxes and meals. Don’t know if they still do.

A north Atlantic crossing in winter having never made the journey before with a two year old?

Well good luck but maybe think about the tightest seats on Norwegian as a prefereable option.

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Still feel the ship rocking days after cruise is over

By PBC29 , August 24, 2009 in Ask a Cruise Question

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I was wondering if this has happened to anyone else.

I was on a ship for 7 days had only one hours worth of feeling sick the entire time the 2nd day. We got off the ship on a saturday morning drove to the airport 20 minutes away got on the plane after a 5 hour wait. We were home by 10pm I was fine nothing wrong but woke up the next day and felt like I was back on the ship with the motion of the rocking ship. This lasted 3 days then I was fine again. My travel partners felt the same way but they felt it on only the original day we were off the ship and flying home.

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Toto2Kansas

It used to happen to me also. It was so bad once I thought I had the flu. I don't get seasick but used to suffer after returning home. The time it got so bad I actually went to the doctor, thought I had caught something. He told me to take seasick meds for a few days after returning home, worked like a charm. ;)

Thankfully, it doesn't happen any more, but it really can be bothersome to many!

The only time that I notice it is in the middle of the night, the first night back, when I get up to "make a call"!;)

Five cruises, also some time doing commercial fishing in Alaska (not as tough as it sounds), and I've never felt seasick or tipsy. However, I once did an overnight train trip, and for the next few days walked around with sea legs!

Absolutely...but I love it! :D

I'm with you! :D

I've never been seasick, even in 50' seas on a couple of occasions, but it's normal (for me anyway) to feel the motion of the ship for a day or 2 after getting off.

I am not subject to motion sickness and the sea legs do disappear after a few hrs ashore but know that it is not uncommon for the sensation to take days to go away for some people.

cruisequeenUK

I usually suffer for 3-4 days after I get back on dry land, it's all part of my cruising experience as I know that once the feeling has gone my cruise is well and truely over :(

You are experiencing a condition called "mal de d'embarquement syndrome" which is real and is caused by the same things that normally cause "sea sickness". Lots of people suffer this. It can last for a while - up to a week, some say.

This can also happen after a particularly long flight or from spending hours riding in a car.

Not serious....but a little off-putting, for sure.

Yes, & it's totally normal ... irritating but normal. I've been on 3 cruises & experienced it w/ each. After my 1st cruise I had it for about 2 weeks but by the 3rd cruise I had it for under a week. It bothered me most in my spinning class! I felt like I was on a ship in bad weather! Ugh! Also felt it when sitting down at the kitchen table.

In my experience it gets longer after each cruise. My first cruise, it only lasted the day we disembarked. After our last cruise, it was off and on for about 3 months.

I don't get sea sick - in fact I love the rocking of the ship. I am normally a klutz - I can trip over nothing. But on the ship, I have no problem walking straight on a rocking ship. Hubby claims that my equilibrium is normally messed up so that when the ship rocks, my equilibrium is normal. :D

Don't always just write it off as something minor. When it lasts a long time, the possibility of an inner ear infection exists.

cruzanisfun

I have been on one cruise (so far). I didn't get seasick, but everything felt like it was moving for WELL over a week after I got home. It was especially bad when I first laid down in bed at night or when I was in the shower or just doing my hair or whatever in the bathroom. I think that's because I felt the movement the most in bed and in the bathroom on the ship. It was kind of disconcerting and very annoying but definitely not enough to keep me from more cruises! Plus, I was on a high after the cruise for the whole time things felt like they were moving! It was kind of great!

Yep...had it myself the same thing

the rocking in the loungeroom and the waking up in the middle of the night thinking Im still in my cabin :) !!

lasts about 2 to 3 days

silentbob007

The only cure I've found is cruising more ... I don't feel rocking anymore when I get off of a ship. ;)

Yup! Too bad it only lasts 2 or 3 days. I feel like I'm still cruising. Makes the transition to normal life a little more fun.

Krazy Kruizers

Never got or had that feeling.

Been to Manhattan twice, after a QE2 transatlantic and the QM2 after a Caribbean trip, and I am convinced it is on the move!

We have cruised a lot (probably spent about 2 years on cruise ships) and my wife often has that problem after cruises. The problem gets worse when we have been on long cruises (such as 21 days+) that have lots of sea days.

Corvette Girl

I don't get a rocking feeling, but something really weird. I'll be walking and then it feels like the floor suddenly drops an inch or two. It happens a couple of times for about 4 days. I just smile and remember a good time.

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Watch: This Insane, Gigantic Airplane Concept Is Like a Flying 5-Star Resort With Room for 5,000 Guests

The sky cruise would use clean nuclear energy to stay afloat for several years., tori latham, tori latham's most recent stories.

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What would a cruise liner look like if it could fly? A bonkers airplane concept is here to show you.

Meet the Sky Cruise, a gigantic flying resort that was conceived by Tony Holmsten about 11 years ago and was recently animated by Hashem Al-Ghaili. The aircraft is equal parts spaceship and ocean liner, and it comes with just about every amenity you could imagine. Its ginormous size can accommodate more than 5,000 guests, who would arrive on board via commercial or private plane (that’s right—jumbo jets would land on top of the Sky Cruise).

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As for what you would get to enjoy once checked in, the views are quite obviously the biggest selling point. An elevated deck would provide a 360-degree vantage point for seeing everything from the stars to aurora borealis. From there, an elevator would take you down to the main entertainment deck, which looks like a cruise ship on steroids. You’d have access to shopping malls, sports centers, swimming pools, restaurants, bars, playgrounds, theaters and cinemas.

A rendering of the Sky Cruise  YouTube

While all of this makes for a pretty incredible-sounding experience, there’s one aspect of the Sky Cruise that might trump all the others. The aircraft is designed to use nuclear energy, which means it would be able to stay afloat—without landing—for several years. Twenty electric engines would be powered by nuclear energy, with a small nuclear reactor on board using highly controlled fusion reaction to provide unlimited energy.

If this all sounds appealing but air travel gives you the heebie-jeebies, not to worry: The craft would use artificial intelligence to avoid air turbulence. (Now, if they could only implement that on commercial airliners.) There’s also a full medical facility on board.

Right now, the Sky Cruise is concept straight out of a sci-fi flick. But who knows, maybe one day we’ll all be floating through the sky together, admiring the view and swimming laps thousands of miles above the ground.

Tori Latham is a digital staff writer at Robb Report. She was previously a copy editor at The Atlantic, and has written for publications including The Cut and The Hollywood Reporter. When not…

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Answered: Should I Fly or Drive to Cruise Port?

Looking to book a cruise? The cruise landscape is drastically different than it was just a couple of decades ago. While it used to be taking a cruise meant a trip to Florida for most people, growth in the popularity of sailing means you can now catch a cruise anywhere from New York City to Seattle and nearly every major port city in between.

Of course, with cruise ports being so much closer for many people, it’s given literally millions of passengers the option to drive to the cruise port instead of fly.

And for many people, the question of driving or flying is a no-brainer. If you’re a cruise passenger living in Houston, it’s only a 45-minute drive to board in Galveston and make your way to the Caribbean.

But many others don’t have such a simple decision.

For those living more than a few hours drive from a cruise port, it’s reasonable to wonder if you’re better off catching a flight (and all the hassles and costs that come along with it) or load up the family car and take a road trip to your cruise.

If you’ve run up against this dilemma, we have some things to weigh in deciding whether to drive or fly to the cruise port.

Reasons to Fly to the Cruise Port

It’s much quicker The decision on flying to your cruise really comes down to the time you save versus driving. While it might take half a day to fly cross-country, it would take multiple days to drive the same distance. And keep in mind that any driving you do is multiplied by two because you still have to drive back home. That why we usually put a lid of six hours on our decision to fly or drive. If it’s more than a six-hour drive each way, then we’ll look into flights.

It (can be) much cheaper There’s no doubt that flying is much more efficient in getting you to the port. In return, it’s usually more expensive than driving. However, if your trip is going to take at least two days of driving, then flying can be much cheaper when you factor in all your meals and lodging during your trip. You’ll have to do the calculation for your specific trip as the cost will change with the price of airfare. But don’t think you only need to factor in the price of gas in your comparison.

No worrying about parking If you drive to the cruise port, then you have to also figure out what to do with your car while on your trip. There is always parking at the cruise ports, but it can be pricey — as much as $20 per day at some cruise ports . If you fly, you don’t have to worry about the hassle and expense of parking. It’s something you definitely need to factor into your decision.

Reasons to Drive to the Cruise Port

It’s less of a hassle Get in the car and go. No 4 a.m. wakeups to get to the airport on time. No security pat-downs. No delays or cancelled flights. And no getting dragged out of your seat due to overbooking. Driving a car to the port is so much easier than dealing with flying these days. You can stop when and where you want to and a car seat is a whole lot more comfy than flying coach.

Pack what you want Are you an overpacker? Do you want to pack more than 3 ounces of shampoo? If you drive, then you can pack as much as you want without having to deal with baggage fees from the airline or limits on liquids from the TSA at the airport. Definitely factor the savings on baggage fees into your calculation of the cost of flying versus driving.

It’s usually cheaper Yes flying can be cheaper in some cases, especially if driving long distances. But most of the time it’s going to be less expensive to drive, especially if traveling with a family. Buying four airline tickets to anywhere is going to be expensive. Even after factoring in parking for your cruise, you’ll typically come out ahead when driving to the port.

Our Preference

If it’s feasible, we elect to drive to the port instead of flying — 10 times out of 10. Between packing and being on your own schedule, driving is much less of a hassle than flying to the port. The equation starts to change when the driving distance creeps to be more than 6-8 hours each way. At this point the time savings of flying starts to be greater than the ease and convenience of taking a car.

One other thing to think about is if you want to spend any extra time in your port city. If you’d like to get there early or stay a day later and explore, then having wheels to get around (and keep your bags while you are out and about) is invaluable.

Popular: 39 Useful Things to Pack (17 You Wouldn't Think Of)

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