Do cruises require a lot of walking?

Since you most likely will be doing a lot of walking and standing in line, comfortable shoes are key. Dress casually, and don't be surprised to see tropical wear on Caribbean cruises or even groups in matching T-shirts. Also make sure you check the weather beforehand.



Cruising can require a surprising amount of walking, especially as modern ships have grown to become "floating cities." A typical Oasis-class ship can be over 1,000 feet long; a round-trip walk from your cabin at the aft (back) to the theater at the bow (front) can easily be a quarter-mile journey. For an active guest, it is not uncommon to clock 10,000 to 15,000 steps a day just navigating the decks and visiting the various dining and entertainment venues. Furthermore, many shore excursions—particularly in historic European cities or during nature hikes—involve significant walking on uneven terrain or cobblestones. For those with limited mobility, cruise lines like MSC and Royal Caribbean offer accessible cabins with wider doors and ramps, and they provide elevators at every major hub. However, guests are encouraged to bring their own manual or electric wheelchairs if they require constant support, as onboard wheelchairs are typically reserved for emergencies and embarkation/disembarkation. If your itinerary involves "tendering" (using small boats to reach land), you must also be mobile enough to step on and off the boat safely.

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It is slight enough you may not even notice it most of the time. Larger ships tend to have less movement overall, and the closer to the center of gravity, the less movement is felt. Rooms on higher decks and towards either the front or back will feel more motion than a room lower down near the center of the ship.

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A 7-day cruise will typically have one or two sea days when the ship is at sea sailing between two distant ports. During port days there are shore excursions you can take to visit places or do activities like museums, shopping, beach, outdoor sports or even you can go on your own.

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How easy is it to fall overboard on a cruise ship? It's not easy at all. All ships have safety barriers that are regulated by U.S. Coast Guard standards and prevent a guest from falling off, according to Carnival spokesperson Matt Lupoli.

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After a cruise, most people regain their land legs in a day or two. But for a rare few, the sensation of persistent motion lingers for weeks.

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The average speed of a modern cruise ship is roughly 20 knots (23 miles per hour), with maximum speeds reaching about 30 knots (34.5 miles per hour). How fast a ship is able to sail depends on several factors, including the power of its engines, the weather and the conditions at sea.

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Hang Out By the Pools Sunbathing, of course! While every major cruise ship has the requisite pool, hot tub and rows of lounge chairs, some take pool time to new heights. Many Royal Caribbean ships sport surf pools, interactive water parks for kids and zero-entry pools for wading.

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Most guests bring $50-$120 cash per day to spend during the cruise. You will have many opportunities to purchase duty free goods, take exciting shore excursions, buy local souvenirs, play your chance in the casino, or enjoy some pampering in the spa.

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If you're looking for “vacation,” then it's obvious that a seven-day cruise (or longer) would be more ideal. With that many days, you can actually get into the rhythm of ship-life and leave the stresses of home behind.

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With mal de debarquement syndrome, though, you can't shake the feeling that you're still on the boat. That's French for “sickness of disembarkment.” You feel like you're rocking or swaying even though you're not. It can happen to anyone, but it's much more common in women ages 30 to 60.

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Take Advantage of the Ship's Facilities Many cruise ships offer a range of treatments, such as massages, facials, and body wraps, designed to help you unwind and recharge. Take some time to indulge and treat yourself to a little bit of luxury. The ship's pool is another great place to relax and soak up the sun.

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Within a day or so, your land legs likely will return and the symptoms will disappear. However, for a rare few returning vacationers, this persistent sensation of motion or dizziness can continue for weeks or even longer. The disorder is called mal de debarquement syndrome.

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Your cruise fare always includes food for breakfast, lunch and dinner on a cruise ship. However, not all venues that offer food will be free.

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But remember, that's just the cruise fare. You still need to add in taxes and fees, and other expenses we will talk about here. On the average 7-day sailing with a mainstream cruise line a person will spend $1,300 – $2,000.

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So how much money do you need? The answer to this question varies a lot by person, their travel habits, spending preferences, length of the cruise and destination. Many people suggest $100 per day, and this has generally worked well for me in my cruising experiences, but there are a lot of variables to consider.

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Even though twice-daily stateroom cleaning has long been the standard in the cruise industry, how often you like your cruise ship stateroom cleaned by your cabin steward is a matter of personal preference. Some cruisers love the pampered feeling of a stateroom that is always clean -- when done by someone else.

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From rollercoasters to skydiving simulators, laser tag, rock walls, waterslides, ice skating rinks, and adults-only sun decks, cruises are popular vacations because, for the most part, they do offer something for everyone.

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Food and beverages As part of the cruise price, there is always complimentary food of many types and flavors. Drinks included are tap water, some juices and iced tea on most lines; everything else typically costs extra. Coffee and tea are complimentary, but you'll need to pay for specialty coffee beverages.

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The amount of experience, the level of education, the grades they received, location, and company all can determine the year's salary. In general, a cruise ship captain salary ranges between $54,000 and more than $100,000. This may seem like a low pay scale considering the responsibilities that come with the job.

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Your car can probably reach a top speed of over 100 MPH, but how often do you drive it that fast? Similarly, most cruise ships are capable of traveling faster than 18-22 knots. But unless there's a compelling reason to do so (such as avoiding severe weather), they'll rarely travel at top speed.

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Outrunning a storm is unlikely With today's technology, you see where the storms are coming, Captain Sindre explained. You can predict days in advance. So it's very rare that nowadays we get caught by surprise storms.

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