February 2026
www.nitravelnews.com
COMMON CRUISE MYTHS : DEBUNKED...
“Cruises Are Just Floating Hotels... “
BY CARA THOMPSON
cara@nitravelnews.com
MANY people assume that cruises are just ‘floating hotels’ simply just a room that they sleep in that transports them across the sea from one port to another. While they aren’t wrong, cruises do have dining experiences, rooms and luxury service that are similar to that of a resort or hotel, but this view really undersells and overlooks what a cruising holiday actually looks like. Cruises
now-a-days are
actually much more like self- sufficient cities at sea. They offer a wide range of activities, experiences and entertainment from broadway-style shows and live music to fully equipped gyms, spa facilities and treatments all available onboard. Cruises are actually very dynamic and offer travellers a multi-layered holiday experience. You get a blend of comfort with familiar surroundings on your ship, while still being able explore multiple new
destinations that you wouldn’t get to see if you were staying in one location in a hotel. The ship is both the journey and the destination, travelling through the sea with changes in scenery everyday giving passengers the opportunity to visit various destinations in one holiday. This comes with experiencing different cultures, entertainment and excursions without having to pack and repack, changing hotels or having to go through the logistics of airports every time you want to holiday somewhere. This is where cruises become much more
convenient
especially when travellers want to see various destinations. Another point to note is that hotels are fixed and immovable and guests generally have to leave their hotel accommodation to find entertainment, dining variety or excursions. On a cruise ship those elements are already embedded in
the experience, all included in one package. There are many similarities when it comes to cruises and hotels, but it is important to recognise the modern- day cruise is much more diverse than a stand-alone hotel. Consistent luxury, 24/7 dining, jam packed itineraries and all the amenities you need in one place.
“CRUISING ALWAYS REQUIRES A BALL GOWN OR TUXEDO.. “
“THEY’RE JUST TOO EXPENSIVE!...”
BY SARAH PICKERING
sarah@nitravelnews.com
THE repetitive cry for those putting off trying cruising for the first time - “it’s just too expensive!”. Let’s break that down. Cruising is not just your average
week-long sun-filled holiday. It’s not even your average all- inclusive week-long holiday. Any cruise automatically sits within an all-inclusive plus threshold due to the amount included within a cruise package. For example, take the lowest-valued cruise package; you’re guaranteed at least one all-you-can-eat restaurant included in the price, almost all evening entertainment is included in the price, endless use of water and sport facilities also included in the price. This is not to mention the array of destinations you can explore, for free, whilst on your week-long sailing. Think of it as a high-end resort with endless activities, food options, entertainment and in-house help. Cruising can sound expensive for many due to the higher price tag than a regular holiday but the value for money that comes with a cruise is very hard to compare with any other holiday option. Take your cheaper week-long holiday and add on your
average food, entertainment and transport spend; I guarantee it is the same, if not more, than the cost of an average cruise.
COMBATTING COMMON CRUISE MYTHS | 39
BY ERIN ENGLISH
erin@nitravelnews.com
A common misconception regarding cruising is that there is a mandatory dress code whilst on board. Many believe that evening dining requires donning a tuxedo, suit jacket or a cocktail dress to enjoy the culinary delights onboard. Of course, this might be the case aboard some luxury cruise-liners, but modern mainstream cruise companies often opt for a ‘smart casual’ evening attire. In recent years, the stigma of dressing down to
head to the onboard buffet, or onboard restaurants has been quashed. For the public dining areas onboard, passengers can remain wearing their shirts, slacks, sundresses, or whatever they find comfortable. However, a good point to note is that cruise-liners still advise against shorts, tank- tops,swimsuits and flip-flops in the evening. These items of clothing are fine throughout the day, but swim-wear and flip flops are best kept for making a splash on the pool decks! For speciality dining, a similar theme of ‘smart casual’ applies. Similar to a resort holiday, a majority of people enjoy spending their day in their resort-wear before returning to their room to get-ready for dinner. This routine doesn’t need to change on a cruise-ship! You can even keep up the much-loved tradition of enjoying a cocktail or soft drink whilst getting ready. On some cruise-liners, a formal evening can be
worked into your itinerary, especially on luxury- liners. On luxury-liners, and river-cruise itineraries, a dress code of cocktail attire tends to apply. However, on premium-liners, an elevated ‘smart casual’ approach also applies, with men being required to wear smart trousers, and dress shoes with either a capped shirt, or a polo shirt. While women are required to wear smart dresses, or smart trousers with a shirt or blouse. Long-gone are the days where cruising required
a tuxedo or ball-gown. In today’s society, cruising doesn’t require you to rethink your holiday wardrobe, more often than not, typical resort dress codes apply!
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64
