I’m sailing away, setting for a course on the virgin seas…
A cruise on the open seas with nothing but ocean views and endless buffets ahead, sounds pretty amazing, right?
But before you start imagining yourself lounging on deck chairs with a colourful drink in hand, there’s actually quite a bit to consider when choosing your floating vacation house.
Cruising isn’t just about hopping on the biggest ship you can find and hoping for the best.
There’s actually quite a bit that goes into picking the right cruise for you, and trust me, doing a little homework upfront can save you from ending up on a floating regret.
Types of Cruise
Not all cruises are created equal, and you need to see which one applies to what you’re looking for best.
Are you looking for a party ship where the drinks never stop flowing and the music pumps until 3 AM?
Or maybe you want something more chill where you can actually hear yourself think by the pool?
Ocean Cruises
Probably first thing you think of when you think “cruise”.
These are the ones with rock climbing walls, multiple restaurants, and enough activities to keep you busy for weeks.
Examples: Royal Caribbean, Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises
River Cruises
These are smaller ships, older crowds typically, and more focused on sightseeing than partying.
They tend to stick to inland waterways and go for nature, culture, and heritage through the heart of destinations.
Examples: Aqua Expeditions, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, Royal Kuching Cruise
Luxury Cruises
This is where the real money goes. With butler service, caviar, and price tags that’ll make your wallet weep.
But hey, if you’ve got it, why not spend it on floating five-star treatment?
Examples: Heritage Line, Silversea, StarDream Cruises
Family Cruises
Think water slides, kids’ clubs, character meet-and-greets, and family-friendly entertainment.
Perfect if you want a vacation where everyone in the family is actually happy.
Example: Disney Cruises
Consider Your Budget
Here’s where things get tricky.
That “starting at RM2,000” price you saw? That’s probably just the beginning. Cruises love their add-ons like a teenager loves TikTok.
Your base fare covers your room, most food, and basic entertainment.
But then there are gratuities, drinks packages, Wi-Fi, excursions at ports, specialty restaurants, spa treatments, photos, and about a million other ways to spend money once you’re trapped on that ship. Everything has fine print, watch out for hidden surcharges.
A good rule of thumb is to budget at least 50% more than your cruise fare for all the extras.
So, if your cruise costs RM3,000, plan for around RM4,500 total. Better to overestimate and come home with leftover money than to be counting ringgit by Day 3.
Pro tip: Sadly, the days of tons of discounted last minute bookings is a thing of the past. Make sure you get your spot early, cruises work different to airlines.
Ports and Destination
The ports can make or break your cruise experience.
Singapore lets you hit Gardens by the Bay in a few hours, Hong Kong gives you incredible city views and dim sum. Ports like Langkawi and Phuket offer beautiful beaches right off the ship.
Research each port beforehand.
Check how far you are from attractions, what’s walkable from the pier, and whether you need to book excursions or can explore independently.
Every cruise guest’s worst fear is getting left behind by the ship – I’m sure you’ve seen those videos of tourists running back.
Look at how long you’ll be in each port too.
Some stops are just long enough to take a selfie and buy a magnet, while others give you a full day to actually explore. If there’s a destination you’re really excited about, make sure you have enough time there to make it worthwhile.
Pro tip: Download offline maps before you sail. Ship Wi-Fi is expensive and often terrible, so having maps that work without internet will save your sanity (and data).
Look Up the Amenities
Modern cruise ships are basically floating cities with everything from rock climbing walls to ice skating rinks.
But here’s the thing, you probably won’t use half of it. So don’t get distracted by the flashiest features.
Think about what you actually enjoy.
If you hate crowds, that massive water park might be more stress than fun.
If you’re not into formal dining, maybe skip the cruise with five (expensive) specialty restaurants and focus on one with great casual options.
Some amenities are worth paying attention to though: reliable Wi-Fi if you need to stay connected, good gym facilities if you work out regularly, and quality shows if you like entertainment.
The fancy spa stuff usually costs extra, but the basic pools and fitness centres are typically included.
Also check if your ship has specialty restaurants worth booking.
Some are amazing with an experience like no other, others are just regular food with fancy plating and triple the price, yikes!
Read the Reviews
Cruise reviews are everywhere, but you need to read them strategically.
Someone complaining about “too many kids” on a Disney cruise isn’t giving useful information – that’s literally the point of Disney cruises.
If multiple people mention the same problem (like broken elevators or poor food quality), pay attention. But ignore isolated complaints about things like weather or seasickness – that’s not the cruise line’s fault.
Pay attention to reviews about things that matter to you.
If food is important, focus on dining reviews. If you’re traveling with kids, look for family-specific feedback.
And remember that some negative reviews might actually sound positive to you. One person’s “too quiet and boring” might be exactly what you’re looking for.
Remember to sort reviews by “Most Recent”. Ships get refurbished, crews change, and what was true two years ago might not be relevant now. You want to make sure you get the most up to date word for your experience.
Red Flags! Red Flags!
Some warning signs that should make you reconsider your cruise choice: Ships with consistently terrible reviews about cleanliness or food safety, itineraries that seem too good to be true, cruise lines with recent major incidents or ongoing legal problems. The last thing you want on your vacation is your ship to end up on the news.
Avoid booking through sketchy third-party sites that can’t provide clear terms and conditions.
Stick with reputable travel agents or book directly with the cruise line.
And if someone’s pressuring you to book “right now” with no time to research, that’s a massive red flag.
Also be wary of brand new ships on their first few sailings .
There are usually kinks to work out, and you don’t want to be the guinea pig paying full price for a half-functioning experience.
All Aboard!
The key to a great cruise is managing your expectations and choosing one that matches what you actually want from a vacation.
Hence, do your homework, be realistic about costs, and remember that in this case, the journey really is the destination.
The best cruise is the one that matches what you actually want from a vacation, not necessarily the biggest or most expensive one.
So, figure out if you want adventure, relaxation, family fun, or non-stop partying – then find the ship that delivers exactly that. Bon voyage!