TOP 10 Reasons to go Cruising in your 30s

I have been on more than 10 cruises since I turned thirty – which clearly gives away my passion for ocean trekking. Years back it would have never occurred to me to spend my vacation on a cruise ship. I had many prejudices against mass tourism and shared the belief that this is much more suitable for retired people in their 60s. It comes to no surprise that most people respond with disbelief when they hear that I am a big advocate for cruising – in particular, those who know me as an independent backpacker.

So today, I want to share my top 10 reasons to go cruising in your 30s. Hopefully, after reading this, you get to look at cruising from a different perspective and find your way on board a ship while you are still young and full of energy! While there is nothing wrong with cruising in your retirement, you probably agree that it will be a very different experience due to limited mobility and agility. So let’s look into the reasons why ocean trekking may be the perfect venture for you now:

Great value for money – all within your budget

I used to think that one needs to spend a fortune to go on a cruise. The reality is that cruises are such good value for money and highly affordable. And let’s face it – it’s one of the best ways to stay within a given budget. Once you pay for your cruise, you have not only covered your means of transportation, but also all of your delicious meals and accommodation. The only other expenses you need to budget for are your onshore adventures. Be aware that booking your onshore excursions with the cruise line can be very expensive. Instead, I highly recommend booking independent shore excursions in advance over the internet. Alternatively, you may opt for a last minute tour from a local operator scouting for customers on the dock. Another way to save you big dollars is to hire a local taxi driver or simply get your own car. This way you get to explore your destination at your own pace.

Visit remote places that would be otherwise inaccessible

Cruising gave me the opportunity to see stunning places such as Bora Bora, Tonga or the Alaskan Glacier Bay. These gems would have otherwise not been accessible to me and would have required heaps of resources in terms of time, money and energy. It is so much easier to hop on a cruise ship and enjoy the ride. And even if you don’t appreciate the life on board, simply regard the cruise ship as your means of transport that takes you to amazing places. No one is going to make you participate in any entertainment. There is always the option to simply do your own thing, e.g. read your books, as I did.

Deeply relax and unwind – you are taken care of

While my nature is to embark on challenging adventures, I welcome the rare opportunity to deeply relax and unwind. Especially on sea days, I really dive into the space of ‘nothing to do, nowhere to go’ – which can be challenging at other times. Especially, when backpacking on my own, I constantly have to plan ahead, organising my accommodation, transport, etc. In contrast, when I am lying in my beach chair, overlooking the ocean, there really is no other place I would rather be. I welcome the slow pace at which the ship travels. Unlike travelling by air, my body gets a chance to adjust and acclimatise to different time zones and temperatures. No risk of experiencing jet lag.

Get educated and broaden your horizon

I strongly believe in the saying ‘Never stop learning and growing’. I, therefore, welcome the lectures that are on offer covering topics such as photography, navigation, geology, history, art and culture of the places visited, etc. Some of the guest speakers on board are truly inspiring, sharing their personal stories and experiences. My all-time favourite was the encounter with Michael Modzelewski who spent 2 years on an isolated island in Alaska learning how to survive under harsh conditions. He is such an inspiring person who really left an impression on the audience.

Showtime and non-stop entertainment

While I am someone who is really good at entertaining myself, I welcome the occasional night of witty comedy, masterful acrobatics and dance. Plus, of course, I appreciate the live music on board that ranges from classical opera, acoustic guitar to popular sing-along songs. If you are looking for entertainment, all you to do is look into the daily program to find a whole range of events and activities such as ice carving, Bingo, Trivia, Karaoke, Dancing Classes, etc. Plus, there are many classes on offer at the gym if you are looking for ways to burn off any extra calories. Should none of these happenings appeals to you, simply head to the spa and get pampered with a deep tissue massage. The sauna or steam bath will certainly help you unwind.

Best waterfront views 24/7 including sunrise and sunset

I am a huge lover of the ocean and enjoy being surrounded by the deep blue sea. It gives me a real impression of the vast amounts of water that our blue planet is made of. I do my best to not miss a single sunset when cruising as I love to see the sun disappear into the water (and again watch it rise the next morning). That’s the big advantage when you are in the middle of the ocean – no obstacle gets in the way to hide the rays of the sun (other than clouds). To me, it is such a peaceful moment when the sky lights up in shades of gold, pink and purple – drawing the most beautiful paintings into the sky. While such natural beauty presents endless photo opportunities – I believe that such moments are best enjoyed in the moment. Pictures never really capture the full magic of such events.

Deep sleep in a wombat like hole

Sharing a dorm with numerous people can present a real challenge for someone like me. I wake up instantly when someone enters or leaves the room, turns on the light, etc. When on a cruise ship, I fall into a very deep and relaxing sleep and often don’t wake till 10 hours later. I guess my system really likes the rocking movement of the ship along with the distant sounds of the roaring engines. Particularly the inside windowless cabins, perfectly compare to bear caves. They provide you with the perfect environment to hibernate and fully reset your system. It’s like returning into your mother’s womb where you are safe and warm. Just remember to put your ‘Don’t Disturb” sign onto your door to prevent your cabin steward from accidentally disturbing your sleep. From my experience, I can say that staying in the middle of the ship felt most stable and comfortable.

Meet new people and make friends

On every cruise, I have met lovely people from different walks of life. Always curious to find out about what drives people to embark on a cruise and what their particular experiences are like. Breakfast, lunch and in particularly dinner always present great opportunities to start a conversation with people at your table. After all, a lot of time is spent socialising and eating in a communal dining setting. The average age of the passengers may vary depending on the cruise you are on. If you are looking for people of your own age, opt for cruise lines such as Aida, Carnival and P&O. They specifically target younger passengers, families and singles. It will also depend on the time of the year that you are travelling as well as the destination.

A perfect destination for family holidays

I would have not expected to go on a family holiday any time soon again after I left home at age 18 years. Yet, moving from Germany to Australia changed my mind. These days, I absolutely love spending quality time with my beloved ones. With the exception of my Dad, neither my Mom nor my brother is keen to go camping or motivated to go on a road trip. Packing and unpacking on a daily basis present a nightmare to my Mom while my brother expects certain standards to be met. We found the solution that suits all of us. Hopping on a cruise ship allows all of us to enjoy a very relaxed family holiday. We get to see many places without the hassle of organising transport and accommodation while travelling in comfort and style. Cruising also gives parents with smaller children or teens an opportunity to unwind. Kids love hanging out in the kids’ corner or teen club where they quickly make new friends.

Find your own routine and choose the paths less travelled

Now you may still picture cruise ships as overpopulated floating hotels that spit out their passengers in large guided groups. The good news is that you can give the mass entertainment a miss at any time. Instead, just do your own thing while on board the ship and onshore. Most of the cruise ships offer an adult only space where it’s peaceful and quiet with little to no entertainment. This is my preferred spot on the ship where I spend most of my time reading and writing. Similarly, when getting off the ship, there are plenty of opportunities to escape the crowds and explore the destination at your own pace. Keep in mind that the majority of guests stroll around the port and then return to the ship for lunch. When cruising around Vanuatu, my Brother and I spent the afternoon at one of the most stunning beaches – all by ourselves. You will easily get away from the crowds as long as you are prepared to (literally) go the extra mile. The majority of people opts for the beach right next to where the tender boats drop them.

High-quality food in abundance

Imagine yourself sitting at a dinner table. The waiter hands you the menu and you start ordering whatever you feel like. No need to worry about how much this 5-star menu is going to cost you. This is the reality on a cruise, as most of the time all of your meals are included. The only exceptions are the speciality restaurants that charge extra for e.g. lobster. On most cruise ships food is available 24/7. If you feel hungry at 2 am in the morning, simply head to the pizza restaurant. A great opportunity to join other night owls, or call room service. However, chances are that you won’t feel hungry as you had just had an opulent 7-course menu for dinner. In general, the quality of food on the ships is simply outstanding which at times makes it challenging to keep in shape and not to over-indulge in fine foods. While on a Princess Cruise I learnt that all of their food is made from scratch on board of the ship, including the butter, bread, etc. – a real treat for your taste-buds.