We call it Cruise Fever. It’s that unstoppable desire to be on a cruise and the 24/7 daydreaming of being back on a cruise once you’re back on land.
For many, once they start cruising, they are hooked. So, what makes this type of vacation so addicting?
A recent social media post asked this very question, and cruisers were quick to chime in with their reasons for wanting to be at sea so much with dozens of comments and opinions.
A cruise related subreddit asked “Why is cruising so addicting?”. The user who posted it was even thinking about booking another cruise just to hit loyalty status – classic sign of Cruise Fever.
Here are some of the most common answers cruisers gave for this amazing addiction:
Seriously Easy to Plan
Planning a big trip can be a headache. Flights, hotels, getting around, finding places to eat every single night – it’s a lot. Cruising, though? Much simpler.
As user LeonardoDecafrio put it, “I think one of the easiest vacations to plan. Like once you select your ship and route that’s 90% of your planning done.” Boom. Most of the big stuff is sorted from the get-go. You pick your ship and where it’s going, and a huge chunk of the work is already done for you.
A Real Break from Everything
Life is busy. We’ve all got schedules, to-do lists, and worries. Cruising offers a chance to actually escape all that. One commenter described this feeling: “To me it’s the getting away from it all. No time schedule, nothing to do, nothing to worry about.” Imagine waking up and the only decision is what kind of fun you want to have (or not have).
You can be as connected or as purposely out of touch as you want.
This was slightly easier when Wi-Fi packages weren’t so accessible and you actually had to completely unplug, but it’s still an amazing break.
Everything’s Right There (and You Only Unpack Once)
The hassle of packing and unpacking at every stop on a multi-city trip is exhausting just to think about. Cruising fixes that.
You get on board, unpack, and that’s it.
Your floating hotel takes you from place to place. Plus, not having to stress about where to eat for every single meal is a game-changer for many.
User No_Owl_7380 mentioned this ease, saying, “For me it’s the ease of it and not having to worry about accommodations and what to eat every day plus unpacking once.” It’s like an all-inclusive resort that moves.
Your Own Little Walkable City (That Travels)
A cruise ship is kind of like its own little town. You can walk to restaurants, cafes, pools, shows, and shops. It’s incredibly convenient and depending on the cruise line, mostly all paid for.
Another comment on the post pointed out the uniqueness of this: “I think part of it is that it’s the only time some of us ever get to live in a totally walkable community.”
And then, bam, you wake up in a whole new place or even a new country. It’s an amazing way to see different places while sleeping in the same bed each night.
The feeling of waking up, looking out the window and being in a totally new place from the day before it something I still get giddy about.
They Just Want You to Be Happy (and Fed and Entertained)
At the end of the day, a cruise ship’s main goal is pretty simple: make sure you have a good time. The staff are generally focused on making your trip enjoyable, and there are always options for food and fun.
It’s the service, the fact that someone else is handling the cooking and cleaning, and that the crew is there to make your vacation smooth. As user BrainDad-208 commented, it’s “ultimately satisfying when you get great service, something decent you didn’t have to cook or clean up, and then a show you don’t have to drive home from.”
That experience of having the details handled allows you to actually relax on your vacation. We’ve all been on vacations where it felt like we needed another week off just to recover, right? With most cruises, it’s different.
Bottom Line
So, while the idea of being “addicted” might make it seem like something for which we need therapy, the reasons behind why people love cruising and keep coming back are pretty clear.
It’s the mix of easy planning, genuine relaxation, all-in-one convenience, the unique onboard experience, and the feeling that the whole trip is designed for your enjoyment.
Cruise Fever was started for these reasons, and we hope to continue to inspire and offer helpful insights for all our readers.
Read more: Cruisers Give Top 10 Reasons Cruising is the Best Vacation