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Top cruise myths, busted.
Curious about cruising? Let’s separate fact from fiction.
Are cruise ships crowded? Will I get bored? And what happens if the sea gets rough? If you’re thinking about booking your first cruise, chances are you’ve got a few questions about what life at sea is really like. That’s why we’re busting some of the biggest cruise myths out there, from how much space you’ll have onboard to what happens when the water gets choppy. And once you know what to expect, you might just find that seeing multiple destinations on one All Inclusive trip sounds right up your street.
Once you've got the facts, check out our latest cruise deals.
Once you've got the facts, check out our latest cruise deals.
Do cruises feel crowded?
Picture a cruise ship, and you might imagine thousands of people battling it out for a sun lounger or joining a mile-long queue for dinner. But that’s not the reality onboard a Marella cruise. Our mid-sized ships have plenty of places to eat, drink and relax, so finding a spot to call your own is easy. Plus, their size makes getting around feel more manageable, too. Different coloured carpets at the front, middle and back help you get your bearings, while maps and signs across the decks keep you on track. Take a wrong turn anyway? Our friendly crew can soon point you in the right direction.
Find out more about our Marella Cruises fleet.
Find out more about our Marella Cruises fleet.
Will I get bored on a cruise?
The short answer? You’ll probably have the opposite problem – deciding what to do first. Spend a day onboard by the pool, get creative in an arts & crafts session or try a gin & wine tasting. Then, get competitive in a pub quiz before rounding things off with live music from the resident bands or a West End-style show. And that choice carries through to mealtimes, too. Every ship has six restaurants included as standard, plus at least three speciality spots where you can pay a little extra to mix things up.
Then, just when you think you’ve got your onboard routine sorted, there’s a new destination to explore. We keep sea days to a minimum, so there’s plenty of time to get out and explore. And with over 100 destinations across the Caribbean, Canaries, North Africa and Eastern & Western Med on the map, there’s a lot to see once you step ashore. One day you could be wandering the streets of a new city, and the next you could be laying down your towel on a beach somewhere completely different.
Watch our guide to exploring ashore.
Then, just when you think you’ve got your onboard routine sorted, there’s a new destination to explore. We keep sea days to a minimum, so there’s plenty of time to get out and explore. And with over 100 destinations across the Caribbean, Canaries, North Africa and Eastern & Western Med on the map, there’s a lot to see once you step ashore. One day you could be wandering the streets of a new city, and the next you could be laying down your towel on a beach somewhere completely different.
Watch our guide to exploring ashore.
Is cruising really for older people?
Not at all. Couples on a romantic getaway, groups of friends making a trip of it and families bringing everyone along can all feel at home on a Marella cruise. And that’s because there’s plenty to keep everyone happy. On our family-friendly ships, little ones can get stuck into activities at the kids’ club, teens can make a beeline for The Hideout and its games consoles, while the grown-ups can join a dance class, browse the onboard shops or book themselves in for a treatment at the spa. Then, come evening, everyone can get back together over dinner or catch a show. It’s all about having the holiday you want – just on the same ship.
Learn more about our onboard experiences.
Learn more about our onboard experiences.
Do I have to follow a strict schedule?
There’s plenty of room to make each day your own on a Marella cruise. Take mealtimes, for example. There are no set dining times, and you won’t have to share a table with other guests. So, if dinner at seven turns into dinner at eight because you’re not quite ready to leave the pool, no problem.
That go-with-the-flow feeling continues when you’re in port. Join a shore excursion and let someone else do the planning or head off and see where the day takes you. Slow morning onboard? Go for it. Afternoon exploring a new town? Sounds good. You get all the perks of waking up somewhere new, with plenty of freedom to decide what you do when you get there.
That go-with-the-flow feeling continues when you’re in port. Join a shore excursion and let someone else do the planning or head off and see where the day takes you. Slow morning onboard? Go for it. Afternoon exploring a new town? Sounds good. You get all the perks of waking up somewhere new, with plenty of freedom to decide what you do when you get there.
What happens if I feel seasick?
Seasickness is usually much less of a worry than first-time cruisers expect. With Marella Cruises, you’ll fly straight to the region your cruise sets sail from, rather than spending the first few days crossing UK waters, where conditions can often be choppier. So, you can skip the long journey south – where you’d likely experience seasickness – and get straight into the holiday.
And if things do get a little wobbly along the way, there are plenty of ways to help you find your sea legs. Keep hydrated, get some fresh air and give yourself time to adjust. You can pick up seasickness tablets from reception on all our ships, or pack seasickness wristbands if you’d rather come prepared. Any queasiness is often short-lived, so you can get back to the important stuff – enjoying your holiday.
And if things do get a little wobbly along the way, there are plenty of ways to help you find your sea legs. Keep hydrated, get some fresh air and give yourself time to adjust. You can pick up seasickness tablets from reception on all our ships, or pack seasickness wristbands if you’d rather come prepared. Any queasiness is often short-lived, so you can get back to the important stuff – enjoying your holiday.
Feeling more clued up on cruising? Find out more about sailing with Marella Cruises for the first time.
Or, if you need more inspo, check out our guides to why you should choose an All Inclusive cruise, why Marella Cruises are number one for service and what to pack for your first cruise.
Pssst. Head to the Discover homepage for our latest articles.
Author: Conor Braniff
Last updated: 02.10.2026
Or, if you need more inspo, check out our guides to why you should choose an All Inclusive cruise, why Marella Cruises are number one for service and what to pack for your first cruise.
Pssst. Head to the Discover homepage for our latest articles.
Author: Conor Braniff
Last updated: 02.10.2026