Soar With Syd

Cruises are worth the hype!

As someone in my 20s who feels a desperate need to travel, I sometimes struggle to find the money to do so. It sucks. Naturally, I’m always looking for the most affordable ways to get away for a while without going broke. One of the best options I’ve found is cruising.

I want to start by saying that I know cruising isn’t for everyone. It definitely has its downsides. But if you’re looking to vanish from your hometown responsibilities for a bit, cruising might be your best option.

Price

The best thing about cruising is how affordable it can be. There are so many different cruise lines to choose from, with a wide range of prices. The best time to look out for cruise deals is Black Friday.

I’ll use myself as an example. The closest cruise port to me is Boston. It’s within driving distance, which eliminates the need for a flight or a potential overnight hotel stay. Norwegian Cruise Line offers sailings from Boston to various destinations. I’m a sucker for a beautiful beach, so I’d choose Bermuda.

If I’m trying to find the cheapest possible option—and nine times out of ten, I am—I’ll book an inside stateroom. A word of warning: these rooms are small, have no windows, and you will definitely hit your elbow in the shower. That said, the odds of you spending time in your room for anything other than sleeping or changing outfits are pretty slim.

Food

The biggest selling point for me is that all of your food is included in the price. There’s usually a specialty restaurant or two you can pay extra for if you’re feeling particularly fancy, but otherwise, you’ve got endless buffet options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, a three-course seated dinner in a formal dining room, and usually some poolside snacks—all included.

And then there’s my favorite cruise feature: the ice cream machine. It’s an unwritten rule that every time you pass one, you have to grab an ice cream cone. Whether it’s with breakfast, as a midday treat, or a late-night snack, no one will think twice about you grabbing one (or two).

Entertainment 

Every cruise ship I’ve been on has had a never-ending lineup of entertainment. There’s always a theater where full-scale productions take place—ranging from pretty decent singers and dancers performing pop hits with a loose storyline, to full-blown Broadway-level shows. I’ve also seen variety acts and comedy performances that were surprisingly good.

The most happening spot on the ship is the pool deck. Of course, there’s a pool, but there’s also a steady stream of entertainment—from live music and game shows to dance parties. If you’re nosy like me, it’s also the perfect place for some top-tier people-watching.

Whether you’re looking to relax by the pool, get up and dance, or jump into a game show, there’s always something going on.

The People 

Cruise ships are some of the easiest places to meet new people. There’s a common stereotype that cruise-goers are mostly retired folks in Hawaiian shirts and floppy hats, indulging at the buffet and turning in by 9 p.m. And while plenty of passengers do fit that description—and they’re often the most entertaining people on board—that’s definitely not the whole picture.

The average cruise ship holds around 3,000 guests, ranging from little kids terrorizing the pool, to young adults making the most of their drink packages, to the aforementioned retirees. Everyone is looking for something different out of their cruise experience.

In my experience, the best place to find friends in your twenties is the nightclub. Even if clubbing isn’t really your thing, it’s a guaranteed place to find others in your age range—most of whom are also looking to meet new people.

When I was young enough to go to the ship’s teen club, I met one of my best friends. She was my age, from Canada, and just as uninterested in adult-supervised activities as I was. We spent most of the cruise hanging out together, and on the last day, we exchanged contact information. Ten years later, I now have a flight booked to Canada to be a bridesmaid in her wedding.

You never truly know the impact the people you meet on a cruise might have on your life.

Destinations

My dad explains cruising best: going on a cruise is like having a sample platter of destinations—it helps you figure out where you might want to come back to. Even though you only get a few hours at each stop, you still get a feel for the landscape and a taste of the exciting things each place has to offer.

Let me give a personal example. My friend and I were planning a trip to Greece. Since we only had ten days, we wanted to find a way to see as much as possible for as little as possible. I ended up finding a Royal Caribbean cruise that departed from Athens and stopped at several of the Greek islands. As an added bonus, the ship was also set to end in Italy, with stops in Croatia and Montenegro along the way.

Italy and Croatia were exciting enough, but Montenegro was a complete surprise—I had never even heard of it, let alone imagined myself visiting. We booked an excursion where a guide drove us around the Bay of Kotor in a tuk-tuk. Even before we met our guide, we had to pause just to take in the incredible scenery.

After the tour, we explored the old town near the cruise port. One of the most memorable things was the number of healthy-looking stray cats. Our guide explained that Montenegro values cats highly and credits them with helping end the plague by killing diseased rats. People regularly leave food out for strays, and if a cat is injured, vets will treat it free of charge. Between the stunning views, the generosity of the people, and the peaceful energy of the town, Montenegro shot straight to the top of our “Must Return” list.

My Best Advice 

Try to learn as much as you can about every stop you make. Ask questions. Learn how to say a basic “hello” or “thank you” in the local language. Read the signs. Visit historical landmarks—or at least Google them on your way to the beach. Try the local food. Order the house-made wine. Soak up everything you can before it’s time to get back on the boat.