Millennial Mythbuster

Millennial Mythbuster

Easing common cruise qualms of tomorrow’s travelers.

By Mike Faust

Hi, I’m Mike, and I’m a millennial. I’m also a world traveler and a proud cruiser. For many people, especially those of my generation, cruising isn’t that “cool.” For many, the thought of cruising conjures images of tiny staterooms, skeet shooting, and passengers dressed up in suits and gowns just for dinner. For many millennials, this is our nightmare vacation scenario — a world stuck in the past. Luckily, this image is far from the reality of modern-day cruising.

Being born into the cruise world, I had an early start and never questioned the cruise experience as many millennials do. So, for those who doubt a cruise can truly be a good fit for us younger folk, I’m here to tell you that your worries and fears of cruising are wrong.

Cruises are boring.
If cruises are boring, then I’m not sure what I’ve been sailing on for the past 19 years. A cruise, like anything in life, is what you make of it. And with the ships rolling out to sea nowadays, it’d be difficult to not find something on board that you’d enjoy. From mini golf, to rock-climbing walls, Broadway-style shows, celebrity chef restaurants, waterslides, private islands, bumper cars, and even surfing and sky diving (ok, both simulators) — there’s an ocean of options when it comes to curing boredom.

I don’t want to hang with my family.
For the younger millennials who still live at home, a good ole-fashioned family vacation is probably the last thing you’d want. You spend all of your time at home with your annoying brother and your bossy parents, so why would you want to trap yourself on a ship with them for a week? Good news: Cruising offers you the freedom you’re looking for. Aboard a cruise ship, you can spend as much or as little time with your family as you’d prefer. While your parents are shopping on shore, drop by the young adults club and make some new friends. Parents turning in early for the evening? Take a stroll through the casino and try your luck (you need to be 18 or 21, depending on where you’re sailing). It’s your cruise. Make of it what you want. The great thing about cruising is that you have the freedom to be as independent as you want. Aside from sharing a sleeping space at night, you could avoid your family for the entire cruise!

Is there even WiFi at sea?
Don’t worry. You won’t have to be without your iPhone for that week at sea. Almost every cruise ship, save for maybe the smallest expedition ships sailing off the grid, offer the ability to stay connected at sea. With some ships even offering free WiFi, you’ll still be able to tweet, message, snap, insta, and kik all of your friends back on shore. I mean what….

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^{Photo: Norwegian Cruise Line}