“Cruises, uhmmm, is that about the ships ... and stuff?”
“Yes”, I replied, “Do you know anything about it? Have you ever been on cruise?”
“No”, he said “I saw those ships somewhere, but I never consider going on it”
“Why?” needless to say, in this moment I was very curious about his point of view.
“I don’t know” he said, “but I guess it’s not for me”
“Why not?”
“First, I cannot spend couple months traveling oceans.”

Well, how about that!?
Rick is, not only unfamiliar with cruise concept, he is totally clueless. He thinks that cruise takes couple months and it goes across the oceans to some galaxy far, far away. Obviously, his latest recollections about this topic come from Mark Twain’s novel “The Innocents Abroad”, which he has read back in high school.

As conversation goes by, Rick’s questions were coming one by one. I felt like teaching a baby to walk its first steps:

“I will get seasick on the ship.”
“No, Rick, you will not.”

“I cannot afford it.”
“Sure you can. If you check the prices, you will see that.”

“I’ll get bored”
“Only if you are a boring person”

By some information’s cruise industry market is not even close to its limits. There are still millions people in North America (not to mention World market), that have totally wrong perception of cruise vacation. Those mental barriers actually don’t have any support in reality.  That’s why I choose my friend Rick (ok, I admit, it’s not his real name) as a perfect example. Man works hard trough year, barely have few weeks for vacation time. He practice only traditional type of vacation with his family and doesn’t really think about alternative ways.

So, here we are, let’s discuss again those most common cruise myths and misconceptions:

• Seasickness – To be absolutely truthfully, yes it does happen sometimes, but it is so rarely that not even worth mention. Modern ships have latest technology equipment that prevents all undesired motions. State of the art, computer aided stabilization system ensure the smooth ride. Only especially rough sea, which sometimes happens on trans-ocean cruises, can cause a little discomfort. Still this can be easy prevented using “sea-bands”, little wristlets with a "nub" that is placed to make a pressure point on the underside of your wrist. This is very simple, “drug-free” solution. It can be found in any pharmacy store for about $7. Another solution is having medications such as Bonine or Dramamine. As with any medication, your physician or pharmacist is the best consultation when it comes to taking those remedies. But again, from my experience very small percent of passengers really need those. Most part of them are bought to have it “just in case”.
• “I know nothing about ships” – That’s OK; you don’t need to know anything specific anyway. Cruise ships are designed for guest’s pleasure not for Naval Academy candidates. Passengers are carefully guided and everything is politely explained. All answers are available on reception desk or in purser’s office. Do you know how to use fork and knife? That’s enough.
• “I’ll be bored”- This is my favorite. Casino, theater, movies, swimming pool, bars, spa, sauna, gym, internet café, volleyball, basketball, tennis, golf, water sports, shore excursions, shopping, restaurants, karaoke, discotheque, beauty salon, ice skating, rock climbing, aerobic, library, live music ..Etc. Are you telling that you are not interested in nothing of those? I don’t believe you.
• “Cabins are small and claustrophobic.” – Not really. Average cruise industry cabin on ship is 140 – 150 feet, tough on some older ships can be found cabin as small as 100 square feet. Point is that before booking the cruise you can find out all info about size, position and features about your cabin see is it suitable to you.
• “I have to dine only at assigned times and with assigned people that I might not like” – This is only case on older and smaller ships. New and bigger size ships offer more dining options such as alternative restaurants and open seating.
• “Ships are overcrowded.” – On big ships that accommodate more than 3000 people is possible to feel crowded. Possible but not necessary. Ships designers have recognized this issue and now it is possible to keep level of intimacy even on mega-liners. To do this, it’s good idea to research ships features before booking and ask for advice regarding private spaces. With endless amenities onboard, it is always possible to find quiet corner for reading or something like that. Another solution is to choose smaller, luxury cruises that are specialized to offer desired level of intimacy by its definition.
• “Cruising is for old people” – Tough there is certain percent of senior citizens still on most ships recent industry analysis shows that this is changed dramatically in last few years. In last decade younger crowd increased their presence significantly. According to this cruise lines offer new and exciting amenities on the ships to follow those trends. Who you think those rock-climbing walls, ice skating rinks, basketball courts are for? My grandparents sure don’t need them.
• “Ships are dangerous”- I don’t know where this come from? Over 11 millions people cruised last year and among them we can almost count on fingers those who suffered from some kind of accident. When it comes to safety personally I’d rather live on ship than most of the cities in U.S.

Barriers in our heads are the ones toughest to break. Why?

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