Without a doubt, flying is the quickest method of transportation to get from one point to another. But taking a cruise also has its advantages, especially if you have the time to get to your destination. Below I’ll list some of the advantages and disadvantages both methods of traveling have.
Time
A plane flight will get you to a tropical and sandy location in a few hours or so. But the same cannot be said for a cruise. For the latter, you will need to have the extra time which will be needed to reach your destination.
Check in
I found out that the check in process on cruises is much faster and smoother than that for a flight. I just dropped off my bags, joined in the queue, and in less than 5 minutes I was boarding the ship.
You could walk freely around the ship, relax by the pool, or in your room, while waiting for the ship to start sailing. It certainly beat sitting around airport gates to board, or being strapped into a seat waiting for the plane to take off.
Also, our bags were delivered to our room. There was no waiting around baggage carousels or missing bags!
Cost
As flight prices keep going up, it’s become quite common for airlines to charge more for such things as extra leg room (which is quite inconvenient if you’re taller), snacks and Wi-Fi which are not included in the price of the plane ticket. Cruise prices include almost everything, except alcohol and additional options such as shopping venues, shore excursions and on-board casinos.
You can island hop cheaper via plane if you opt for the services of an island airline. There are a lot of airlines that provide flights of smaller planes (think of it as an air bus) that take you to islands which are close to one another.
Comfort
While flying, your body is limited to your assigned seat, and the very narrow lane for bathroom trips. And don’t get me started with how small airline bathrooms are. On my cruise I stayed in my comfy bed, in my own room, and when I got bored of that, I took a nice walk on deck and enjoyed the views of the ocean and the small islands that dotted our voyage.
Also, on a cruise you can get as much fresh air as you want, allowing you to feel refreshed and energized each time you stop and visit a new destination.
Time to visit
The cruise program may seem to many very crowded, and it sort of gives the feeling that everything is happening at a rushed pace. You get to see more islands in less time, and cruise itinerary include some sort of fun activities on the island or comprehensive shore excursions. If you’re more into visiting an island at a slow and relaxed pace, you could do all the activities cruises do by joining day tours. However, by doing so, you will spend more time travelling to and from attraction sites.
Food and dining
On flights you have included one or two meals while onboard, depending on how long the flight is. On the cruise you can take your pick from many restaurants (depends on what kind of cruise though, but they have at least 1). However, if you stay on land, you can get to choose the foods you would like to eat. Food from the tourist area is more expensive, but if you find where the locals eat, you can get a decent meal for a tenth of the price, and you also get to experience the local cuisine.
Cruises might not be everyone’s cup of tea, as most want to wander around and really get to know their exotic destination in depth. I personally use cruises to see if I really like a particular island, then I make plans to return and dedicate an entire vacation there.
