Disappointing photos show what it's really like to go on a cruise

Jun 1, 2026 - 13:05

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Disappointing photos show what it's really like to go on a cruise

A crowd of cruisers on the top deck of a ship — Business Insider's reporter took her first cruise on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I took my first cruise in 2022. It was a seven-day Caribbean voyage on a mega cruise ship.
I found the reality of cruising didn't match my expectations from social media and promotional ads.
I spent much of my time battling crowds, waiting in lines, and sitting on hot tour buses.

I sunbathed in a loud pool area when I was lucky enough to find a chair. I spent more time waiting in lines than I had anticipated. And I saw much of the Caribbean from behind other people's heads.

This was back in April 2022, when I was on my first cruise aboard Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas. The seven-day Caribbean voyage on a mega ship took me round-trip from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to port stops in Honduras, Mexico, and the cruise line's private island in the Bahamas.

I was hoping for a week of breathtaking views between relaxing afternoons by the pool and exciting port excursions. But my experience didn't quite meet my expectations.

The disappointment started the night before the cruise began.

The author in a budget hotel room — Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I flew to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the night before my cruise, since seasoned cruisers recommend arriving at your port city the day before your cruise in case of delays and cancellations. I stayed at a budget hotel near my departure port.

When I arrived at my port city's airport, I waited 45 minutes for a hotel shuttle to pick me up.

Hotel airport shuttle at night — Joey Hadden/Business Insider

This was the first of many crowded bus rides during my trip. Looking back, I wish I had called a cab — especially since the next morning, I piled into a hot bus with several other cruise guests on the way to the port.

There was a long line to get inside the cruise terminal, and I should have known by this point that I'd stand in many more lines during my cruise.

Long line to get into the cruise terminal — Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Once inside the cruise terminal, there was another lengthy line to get through security. While I waited, I chuckled to myself as I read signs that said, "Adventure begins here."

Once aboard the ship, I was excited to view the ocean as we sailed away, but I was blocked by tall, thick glass and couldn't find a place to stand.

Crowded area on the top deck of a cruise ship — Joey Hadden/Business Insider

My obstructed view of the ship leaving Fort Lauderdale was as frustrating as standing behind taller patrons at a concert.

The ship was so large that I got lost several times during my stay.

A composite image of a map of the ship and a long hallway — Joey Hadden/Business Insider

But I found the maps on each floor to be helpful.

As I explored the ship, I was surprised that even one as large as the Wonder of the Seas could feel overcrowded.

A crowded pool deck on a colorful cruise ship — Joey Hadden/Business Insider

While people seemed to enjoy themselves, many communal decks looked and felt like crowded malls.

With a whopping three large pools and several plunge and whirlpools on the outdoor decks, I was surprised to find that these spaces were crowded throughout the day. And even though there were rules against saving chairs with towels, I saw plenty of people doing it, so finding a spot to relax was stressful.

A Royal Caribbean representative told Business Insider that crew members might remove items from lounge chairs after 30 minutes. Still, they must also consider families and groups who may be in the pool or going to the restroom when enforcing rules like these, using their best judgment.

There were crowds and lines virtually everywhere I went.

Waterslide line on a cruise ship — Joey Hadden/Business Insider

From the cruise ship buffet to activities like waterslides and mini-golf, I felt like I spent more time waiting in line than enjoying the ship. For example, I waited in line for three hours to play a round of laser tag that lasted less than 20 minutes.

At port stops, I waited in lines to go through security every time I left and returned to the ship. This wait time was less annoying than the other lines because it made me feel safer.

The lines continued at each port, crowded with others excited to begin their tours.

Crowds at a port — Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I often had to battle through crowds just to find signs for my excursions and keep up with my tour guide.

It was exciting to explore new places at each stop, though some of this exploration was from the window of another hot bus.

inside tour bus — Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The Royal Caribbean rep told Business Insider that the cruise line worked with local tour operators for its excursions, so air conditioning standards varied.

And when I was finally doing the cool thing I booked, like walking across a suspension bridge amid the treetops, my view was blocked once more by everyone else who booked the tour, too.

People on a suspended bridge surrounded by trees — Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I hoped to capture an empty image of this majestic jungle bridge, but I couldn't do so without losing my tour crew.

According to a crew member I overheard, roughly 5,000 other people were aboard the ship, so I understand why the cruise felt so crowded.

Deck 15 on the world's largest cruise ship — Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The most enjoyable parts of my cruise were early morning walks on the top deck before other cruisers swarmed in. I left thinking that if I were to book a less crowded cruise next time, I might like it more.

So in 2023, I booked a Mediterranean cruise on a medium-sized ship. It was a seven-day adults-only cruise with Virgin Voyages, and I enjoyed it much more than my first week at sea.

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