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Yes, you can afford to go on a cruise PLUS 4 other myths you shouldn’t believe

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A young woman on a cruise ship.
A young woman on a cruise ship.

Here are four cruises that won’t break the bank

From Bali to Croatia, Turkey to the Rhine – there are a range of cruise lines that actually specialise in millennial travel with some brilliant departures scheduled for later this year – take note, these are only applicable for travellers between the age of 18 and 39. 

1. Eight-day Croatia Sailing with Topdeck

Departing 9 August 2018

From R11 590 pp twin share*

This Adriatic adventure promises translucent water and days spent spread-eagled on the deck as you pass ancient towns and embrace the leisurely pace of your Croatian hosts. Your eight-day cruise will begin in Dubrovnik and stop in Korcula, Hvar and Split, among other seaside stops. It includes accommodation, breakfast and lunches, afternoon tea and a qualified captain and crew, among others.

READ MORE: Five hacks for owning solo travel in 2018

2. Eight-day Blue Lagoon with Topdeck

Departing 9 August 2018

From R8 890 pp twin share*

Turkey’s Turquoise Coast and the highlights of Tarzan Bay, Kas and St. Nicholas Island feature on this eight-day Blue Lagoon cruise. See the Byzantine ruins of fourth-century churches built on isolated islands, enjoy a drink at Kas square or snorkel in the stunningly clear waters keeping a keen eye out for the marine life that find sanctuary in quiet bays. Your accommodation, all breakfasts and dinners, and most lunches are included, as well as afternoon tea. All you need to do is kick back or spend your days snorkelling – the choice is yours. There’s even free on-board WiFi!

3. Seven-day Sailing Indonesia with Bali & Lombok

Departing 4 November 2018

From R18 290 pp twin share*

Think snorkelling excursions, kayaking tours, beachfront bars, yoga sessions and all the ‘slothing’ you could possibly endure, let alone justify as you board your catamaran cruise around the fabulous Gili Islands. Visit Lombok Island, Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan with your accommodation, all meals and snorkelling equipment included.

READ MORE: This woman got kicked off her flight because she mentioned period pains

4. Seven-night The Danube Flow with U by Uniworld

Departing 21 July 2018

From R29 990 pp twin share*

For a super spoil, take a journey down the Danube, slicing through the ancient villages and medieval cities that line this mighty European river. See Regensburg’s Old Town, Austria’s UNESCO-listed Wachau Valley and Hungary’s lively capital city. Included are seven nights’ accommodation and 14 meals on board, a welcome party, 12 included excursions and a local celebrity DJ party, not to mention the on-board beer mixology class.

If you're interested in any of these packages, click here for more info

Then, four cruising myths that need to be busted

With bionic bars, floor-to-ceiling LEGO walls and the world’s largest race track at sea, it’s clear that cruise lines want to attract a very different clientele than the perceived customer of old. 

Of course, there are cruise lines that specialise in an older market, says Divan Viljoen, Cruiseabout Marketing Campaign Manager. “But many of the international cruise lines are actually innovating to appeal to a younger market, and even families, with on-board activities that passengers of all ages can enjoy.”

Viljoen says this is just one of the stereotypes that cruise lines are working hard to counter. While cruising is growing in popularity in South Africa, there are many myths around cruising that travellers believe, which simply aren’t true. Among these is that you’ll be trapped on board without being able to stretch your sea legs. This couldn’t be further from the truth, explains Jane Davidson, Director Development Promotions, which represents several cruise lines in the South African market.

READ MORE: 10 spectacular 'secret' beaches in South Africa

“Those of us who have sailed will tell you it’s the best way to see several destinations on one trip, with the convenience of only ever having to unpack once. Think of it as experiencing the ‘tapas’ of a particular region. You get to experience a different destination every day, travelling in between at night so almost every morning is a new opportunity to discover the world.”

Viljoen and Davidson dispel some of the most common cruise myths for travellers considering embarking on their first cruise, but highlight that for every interest and need, there is a cruise line that’s the right fit. 

“There are so many destinations and ships in international waters, it’s important not to try and do it yourself and to ask a cruise specialist to find the right match for you,” explains Viljoen. 

“We often find that people who cruise once, cruise for life, especially if they’ve discovered the cruise line that appeals to them.” 

Myth 1: You’ll get seasick

Of course, this is always a possibility. But, if you are prone to motion sickness, you can counter this by wearing special patches on your skin or taking medication for seasickness.

Rule of thumb is to find a spot in the middle of the ship, outside and stare at the horizon.

READ MORE: You could vacay at these 8 spots that A-listers just can't get enough of

Myth 2: I’ll have to interact with people I don’t want to 

Good news is that today’s cruise ships have been designed to carry thousands of passengers without leaving guests feeling like they’re crammed in like a tin of sardines. There are several options of lounges, bars, restaurants and decks with different appeal so that passengers with different preferences can find their spot without congregating in one area. Flexible dining opportunities have also been introduced, so the concept of first and second seating has disappeared on some cruise lines, which means you no longer need to dine with people you don’t know and have a variety of restaurants and food outlets from which to choose, when you want to eat.

Myth 3: I’ll get bored

This one certainly couldn’t be further from the truth. With the sheer number of experiences and activities on board – from surfing simulators to photography lectures – you’ll wish you had more days at sea than days in the dock. Ships tend to sail from port to port overnight, so you’ll likely wake up in a different destination every day. If you choose to stay on board, you can indulge in the ship’s innovations on your terms and with every new cruise ship, there’s something new to enjoy, including open-air laser tag, aqua parks and even zip lines, among other on-board facilities.

READ MORE: 10 castles from around the world you can actually stay in

Myth 4: I can’t travel alone

Cruising is ideal for solo travellers. In fact, some cruise lines have introduced solo cabins for this specific reason, offering access to dedicated activities and spaces on-board so that you can meet fellow solo travellers. So, whether you want to cruise truly alone, or want to meet people with similar interests, cruising offers a safe travel alternative and a variety of solo-focused activities that will get you out of your cabin and enjoying the high seas.

Have you tried going on cruise ships? Tell us about your trip on Facebook or Twitter.

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