Conde Nast Traveler readers know we're big fans of cruising, but there's no doubt that in the age of air travel it can seem like an under-the-radar way to explore. (That's part of why we love it, of course.) How far under the radar? According to a report released this month from Allianz Global Assistance, two-thirds of Americans have never been on a cruise. Curiously, that's about the same number who don't have a passport. Which made us wonder why.
For many, Allianz reports, it's a matter of perceived expense: Forty-seven percent of respondents cited prohibitive costs as the reason they stay landlocked. Another 22 percent noted "reputation" concerns stemming from recent highly publicized episodes like the Costa Concordia foundering and the Anthem of the Seas storm incident. The remainder shared concerns about seasickness (10 percent), anxiety about contracting an illness like norovirus or sustaining an injury from rough seas (8 percent), fear of shipwrecks (7 percent), and claustrophobia (6 percent).
Why all the fear, we wondered? Sure, some ships offer over-the-top experiences that come at a commensurately exuberant price (for the record, we think many of them are worth it). But it’s also common to find the most popular cruise routes in the Caribbean starting as low as $40 per night, per person. Depending on how much you’re willing to spend, more intimate ships in a cruise line’s fleet are where you can find the bargains. Compared to all-inclusive Caribbean resorts, cruise packages can actually offer competitive vacation rates. Twenty commercial cruise ports line the perimeter of the U.S., giving mainlanders more than a few sailing options. Once onboard, it's up to cruisers to resist those temptations that can add up — the parasailing excursions, lunches at the specialty sushi spot, exfoliating baths in the spa — though, again, we're not entirely sure why they'd want to. For us, splurging's part of the fun.
26 Cruising Myths Debunked
The truly reluctant should check out contrarian guides like the Anti-Cruise Guide to Cruising (pro tip no. 1: don't dine like it's your last day on earth) before making up their minds. There's a nearly infinite number of ways to make a seafaring trip, and with 2016 emerging trends like personalized perks, record-breaking ships, and more opportunities to save, the cruise industry has never been more poised to turn doubters into believers.