Why Cruises Are the Most Underrated Way to Travel?

I need to say this loud and clear: cruises are SO underrated. I love them so much, and honestly, I think they might just be the best way to travel.

Think about it : it's like a massive resort that floats, and every single morning you wake up somewhere new.

One day you're having breakfast looking at the ocean, the next day you open your curtains and you're docked in a completely different country.

No packing and unpacking, no airport stress every day, no figuring out new hotels constantly.

You just... wake up somewhere new. It's magical.

If you've never cruised before, let me break down everything you need to know.

1- Cruise Lines – Which One Should You Pick?

There are a bunch of cruise lines out there, but the most popular ones are:

• Norwegian Cruise Line

• Royal Caribbean

• MSC Cruises (this is the one I sailed with!)

• Virgin Voyages

• Princess Cruises

  
  

If you're traveling with kids, this matters a lot. Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and MSC are the most kid-friendly , lots of activities, kids clubs, water parks, the whole deal.

Princess and Virgin lean more toward an adult-focused experience, so keep that in mind depending on who you're traveling with.

2- It's Not Just the Cruise Line — It's the Ship

Here's something a lot of people don't realize: within the same cruise line, every ship is different. Like, completely different experiences.

For example, in MSC, the MSC World America is one of their most popular (and pricier) ships. And if you want the ultimate luxury experience, Icons of the Seas by Royal Caribbean is hands-down one of the most beautiful ships in the world right now but it comes with a much bigger price tag too.

So before you book, actually look up the specific ship. Search it on Instagram, check the cruise line's website, and see what it actually looks like inside. Because ships differ in so many ways:

• Some have insane water parks

• Some have roller coasters onboard (yes, really!)

• Some have glass bridges suspended high above the ship

• Some are more about luxury and relaxation, others are built for thrill and entertainment

  
  

Pick the ship based on the experience you actually want, not just the cruise line name.

3- How Much Does a Cruise Actually Cost?

This is where people get surprised :

cruises can start as low as $400 CAD per person for 7 days. That's incredible value for a week of travel, food, and entertainment.

But — and this is important — that price does not include gratuities.

Gratuities are mandatory. You either pay them upfront when booking through an agent, or the cruise line deducts them automatically during your trip. For example, on MSC, a 7-day cruise charges around $112 USD per person in gratuities. Every cruise line is a little different, but they're all similar in structure.

4- What's Actually Free vs What You'll Pay Extra For?

This is the part that catches a lot of families off guard, so pay attention here.

Free: Water, coffee, and orange juice are included for everyone.

Not free: Sodas, smoothies, piña coladas, hot chocolate, and any specialty drinks. For those, you need to buy a drink package.

Drink packages come in alcoholic and non-alcoholic options, and here's the catch — everyone in the cabin has to buy it. 

You can't have just one person order the package while everyone else in the room uses it too. It's per person, no exceptions.

Drink packages typically run $22 to $50 USD per person, per day, depending on the cruise line. It adds up fast for a family.

A tip from experience: if you or your kids only drink one specific thing (like just Coke, for example), a lot of people bring their own drinks onboard instead of buying the full package — as long as the cruise line allows it. Definitely worth checking their policy before you go, it can save you a lot of money.

Wifi is also not included. On MSC, internet for the full 7-day cruise costs around $250 CAD per device.

5-Conclusion

All these add-ons — gratuities, drink packages, wifi — can add up significantly, especially for a family of 4. It's not that cruises are expensive, it's that the extras can surprise you if you don't plan ahead.

Knowing this stuff beforehand means no surprises and a much better budget.

But even with all the add-ons considered, I still believe cruises are one of the best ways to travel. Waking up in a new place every single day, without the stress of flights and hotel transfers?

Nothing beats that feeling.

If you have any questions, drop them in the comments! And stay tuned — I'll be writing a full blog about our actual experience on the MSC Seascape cruise we did last month. 🚢