Hey there, JFC-ers!

And a belated happy 4th of July to all our US readers! With 2024 set to see record-breaking passenger numbers, I sincerely hope you all survived TSA and made it to your destination in time to see a firework or two!

This week, I'm diving into the great cruise debate. It's a controversial travel style, to say the least, and lots of you wrote in to share your opinions and experiences. Thanks so much for all your responses!

It's not too late to have your say, though—we'll be continuing the conversation next week, so just hit 'Reply' to get in touch. 

Happy travels and safe landings,

Last week, I asked you to weigh in on hitting the high seas. We, the good people of Jack’s Flight Club, are all enthusiastic travellers by nature, but nothing seems to divide us so much as our feelings about taking a cruise. What is it about cruising that can make you love or hate it?

Unsurprisingly, lots of you had something to say on the topic. It seems many among us are avid cruisers, while others have dipped their toes in once or twice. And then there are those of you who swear you’ll never step foot on one of those floating nightmares!

Between the comments on our Facebook discussion and the responses that dropped into my inbox, it quickly became clear that the very nature of a cruise itself is the controversial concept. 

Waking up in a new place each morning is the major selling point of a cruise for many travellers—why visit just one country in a week when you could visit five? As JFC-er Fiona says, “Definitely worth it, unpack once and see the world.”

It’s a sentiment echoed by most of our enthusiastic JFC cruisers, especially when it comes to certain kinds of destinations. I spoke to the handful of the JFC team who have actually partaken in a cruise or two, and it turns out they all have a pretty similar outlook. 

None would call themselves especially enthusiastic or die-hard cruise-goers, but they’ve all enjoyed the voyages they’ve been on, and believe cruises have their place—particularly when it saves the hassle (and extra costs) of working out logistics:

“I’d say somewhere like the Caribbean Islands, or even the Greek ones, are probably best suited to cruising. Because if it’s a toss up between a long ferry journey through the day, or just waking up there, then the latter wins for me! I also think it opens people up to the idea of ‘island hopping’ if they’re the kind of traveller who would normally land, transfer to their hotel, and just stay there.” - Hannah

“I think places which are more difficult to get to, such as the Nordic mountains and Fjords, are good for cruises, as it saves time finding your own way around.” - Ian

“I think otherwise inaccessible destinations are perfect for cruising. It is just not possible to see the remote temples along the Nile/Lake Nasser in Egypt without joining one! I have a cruise to Antarctica on my bucket list for the same reason.”  - Kristi

But this daily novelty in itself is also the off-putting element for lots of you. With such limited time in port—sometimes only 6–8 hours—means there’s only so much you can see and do there. 

On the one hand, you want to visit that really famous waterfall, see as much of the island as possible, or head straight to those famous ruins, so you join an organised tour. Maybe you even risk going with an independent company instead of one affiliated with your cruise. But still, you’re shepherded around and relinquish any autonomy. 

On the other, you decide to make the most of the place you dock instead of hopping straight on a coach. No tour; just you, your feet, and public transport. Then it turns out that the port is miles from civilisation, with limited buses that take forever. Or you walk off the dock to find yourself in a constructed town designed solely for ship passengers, with inflated prices and no sign of an authentic experience.

Rarely is it as easy as walking off the ship and experiencing a place the way you would if you arrived by air or even during a brief overland stop, as JFC-er Katie commented:

“I went to the Norwegian fjords on the Iona with P&O in April on my first (and likely last) cruise. I absolutely loved the ship experience and it was great to have all the different restaurants and bars and entertainment, however it’s not travel for me.

I didn’t see enough of Norway. I’m a solo traveller who explores and has travelled the world. I want adventure and culture and time to see the places I visit. I hardly spent any money in the local economy, either, as I knew I could go back on the ship and get what I needed. People saying you get to see different countries every day — that’s not a good thing to me, I want to immerse myself in the culture of the country I visit. That’s what travel should be about.”

And then there’s the effect that these brief seafaring encounters have on the residents and other visitors in places they dock. Detour reader Selena from Dublin covers so many of the issues pretty well:

“You asked for our thoughts on cruises, so here goes (you might regret it!): 

Say the word 'Cruise' and my first thought is sitting having a lovely relaxing dinner in Venice a number of years ago before going into a recital we happened on by chance, and suddenly our view of the sea was obliterated by a humongous cruise liner which was going by so near that the people on the deck could nearly step off and talk to us! 

…

There are problems on the [Caribbean] islands with trying to get people to tend farms and local industry as they think that there is more money to be got from offering tours, selling novelties or offering transport to these transient visitors. This creates a strain and imbalance in/of the local economy. Many of the ships load up with supplies at their port of departure, so they are not purchasing anything from the local communities either. The number of cruisers now circulating the seas means a huge rise in marine fuel pollution, not to talk of the sewage! 

The independent traveller, no matter whether they are a family, couple, or solo, will spend more on accommodation and food at their place of visit, often spreading it over a couple of days or more and often traveling around each country they visit so it is not focused all in one place. The variety of outlets for their 'spend' is also wider; supermarkets, hairdressers, restaurants, sports and recreation, theatre and 'leisure' facilities, shops and professional services, public transport and hired transport.

Because of the transient nature of cruises, the participants never have time to engage with the local population of where they visit and tend to focus on cities or capitals. Many of these in Europe have a similarity and other than the check-list of notable 'to-dos/sees' they melt into a blur for the cruise traveller! It may give a person a taste of a country, but really, if you want to visit a country or place - do it with conviction and purpose, not a blur of seaports and all-you-can-eat buffets on board ship!

It's no wonder that many places are now banning ships/cruise liners, or at least ones of a certain size, or requesting they follow some environmental conditions. I fear it's too little too late! They have really spoilt many destinations for the rest of us and created a certain resentment of tourists (all tarred with the same brush!) in those places.”

There are many important points to consider here, from the economic and the environmental impacts, to the lack of cultural value for the average cruise traveller, or the altered experience of the unwitting tourist in Venice, for example. Flight Finder Fran echoed Selena’s experience:

“I wouldn’t go on a big cruise again. I’ve been thinking a lot about the ethical and environmental implications, and I’ll never forget strolling around Venice and spotting a MASSIVE Costa peeking out from behind a bridge, ughhh!”

While the cruise industry globally supports over a million jobs and generates billions of dollars, some evidence suggests that the dependence on the industry in popular destinations like the Caribbean actually hinders economic development. As for the environment? Well, if you thought flying was bad, cruising is three times worse.

With all that said, ultimately, many of us still enjoy the ease of a cruise, the convenience of the amenities, and the very act of being at sea. But even if you find your perfect itinerary, resolve to spend as much time and money in local communities as possible, and offset your carbon footprint, grabbing a cheap deal and going for it won’t necessarily yield the results you hope for… 

Keep your eyes peeled for part 2 of the JFC Cruise Conundrum in next week’s Detour! 

First up, Detour reader Jason appears to have taken the 'Reader's Corner' header to heart:

The team here at JFC are always on the look-out for new travel inspiration and book recommendations, and this sounds right up our street! No doubt, we're not alone.

So, that got me (Katy) thinking: why don't we start...

📚 The Detour Book Club! 📚 

At the beginning of each month, we'll pick a new travel-related book based on recommendations from the Detour community. And this month, we'll read Revolutionary Ride.

Anyone who decides to join in, please get in touch to share your thoughts and opinions on this month's book! Or if you know a great travel story that you think other Detour readers would love to read, please let us know here.

Thanks for the inspiration, Jason!

Thanks, Sonia! These are some great tips to add to the collection. Any advice on local etiquette is always much appreciated.