We've spent 24 cumulative days on cruise ships, and these disappointing photos show what cruising is really like now

Monica Humphries,Joey Hadden,Mikhaila Friel,Amanda KrauseOct 23, 2022, 17:45 IST

You might expect to see stunning views from your cruise, but Insider's reporters often battled crowds to see the sights.Buena Vista Images/Getty Images, Joey Hadden/Insider

Insider reporters have sailed on Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Disney, and Cunard cruises.
Together, they've spent nearly 25 days at sea since the world returned to cruising in 2021.

From sailing on Belize's crystal waters to exploring Amsterdam by cruise, Insider's reporters have spent a cumulative 24 days on cruise ships. Each reporter had fun ...

Authors Amanda Krause, Joey Hadden, Mikhaila Friel, and Monica Humphries (from top left to bottom right) enjoy their respective cruises.Amanda Krause/Insider, Joey Hadden/Insider, Mikhaila Friel/Insider, and Monica Humphries/Insider

But while our reporters expected scenic views, adventure, and plenty of space to relax ...

A general image of a cruise goer enjoying a scenic view of water.Buena Vista Images/Getty Images

... their adventures also included some disappointments, like large crowds, long lines, and some confusion.

A crowded pool deck on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas in April 2022.Joey Hadden/Insider

Joey Hadden experienced the first of many crowded bus rides as she headed from the airport to the cruise port in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with several other cruisers.

A bus takes Joey Hadden and fellow cruisers from a hotel to the Fort Lauderdale, Florida, cruise port in April 2022.Joey Hadden/Insider

Once aboard Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas, Hadden was excited to view the ocean as she sailed away but was blocked by a crowd of people.

A crowded area on the top deck of Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas in April 2022.Joey Hadden/Insider

And as she explored more of the ship during her weeklong stay, she was surprised to find that even the world's largest cruise ship felt overcrowded at times.

People enjoy the top decks of the largest cruise ship in the world, Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas, in April 2022.Joey Hadden/Insider

She thought the pools were often crowded ...

A crowded pool on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas in April 2022.Joey Hadden/Insider

... and finding a spot to relax on the pool decks was stressful because they were often packed with throngs of people.

A crowded pool deck on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas in April 2022.Joey Hadden/Insider

If she waited until the evening to find a spot, Hadden often felt it was too windy and cold outside to actually enjoy the pool.

Hadden "enjoying" the cold and wind on the top deck of Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas in April 2022.Joey Hadden/Insider

While her cruise set sail at partial capacity in July 2021, Monica Humphries agreed that the crowds on Carnival Vista took away from her ability to relax.

Crowds on Carnival Vista's Lido Deck in July 2021.Monica Humphries/Insider

One of the most crowded places on her cruise was the comedy show each night.

Crowds leave the auditorium after a comedy show on the Carnival Vista in July 2021.Monica Humphries/Insider

Crowded cruises also caused long lines for some reporters.

Passengers on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas waiting in line to ride a ferry at port in April 2022.Joey Hadden/Insider

Embarking and disembarking the ship meant the reporters would need to stand in lengthy lines.

People waiting in line at the cruise terminal in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas in April 2022.Joey Hadden/Insider

And long lines at the buffets were also common.

A crowded buffet on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas in April 2022.Joey Hadden/Insider

The service desk on Humphries' Carnival Vista cruise often had a line and long wait time.

A line at the Carnival Vista service desk in July 2021.Monica Humphries/Insider

Some reporters thought instructions could have been clearer. Humphries was disappointed that the labels on the buffet didn't always match the food underneath.

A "vegetarian" spring role that Humphries discovered had pork inside on Carnival Vista in July 2021.Monica Humphries/Insider

And Mikhaila Friel didn't realize that, aboard the Queen Elizabeth, where you sit in the dining room on the first night is your table for the rest of the cruise. So she had to dine alone each night.

Mikhaila Friel at her dinner table aboard Cunard's Queen Elizabeth in October 2021.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

And Mikhaila Friel didn't realize that, aboard the Queen Elizabeth, where you sit in the dining room on the first night is your table for the rest of the cruise. So she had to dine alone each night.

And a few disappointments came from simply not being more experienced. Some of the first-time cruisers, for example, wished they had brought warmer clothes.

Hadden feels a cold wind on the top deck of Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas in April 2022.Joey Hadden/Insider

Krause often felt cold on the ship and wished she had brought thicker pullovers and long-sleeved shirts with her.

Amanda Krause prepares for an evening on the Disney Wish cruise ship in September 2022.Amanda Krause/Insider

Likewise, Friel found the cold winds she faced on the upper decks of her cruise ship to be challenging and regrets not bringing more warm clothes.

Friel on Cunard's Queen Elizabeth in October 2021.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

Each reporter left their respective ships with overall positive memories, and they're all the wiser for the hiccups and disappointments they experienced.

Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas in April 2022.Joey Hadden/Insider

See inside the tiny, secret cabins on luxury million-dollar yachts where crew members sleep and shower

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We've spent 24 cumulative days on cruise ships, and these disappointing photos show what cruising is really like now

From sailing on Belize's crystal waters to exploring Amsterdam by cruise, Insider's reporters have spent a cumulative 24 days on cruise ships. Each reporter had fun ...

But while our reporters expected scenic views, adventure, and plenty of space to relax ...

... their adventures also included some disappointments, like large crowds, long lines, and some confusion.

Joey Hadden experienced the first of many crowded bus rides as she headed from the airport to the cruise port in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with several other cruisers.

Once aboard Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas, Hadden was excited to view the ocean as she sailed away but was blocked by a crowd of people.

And as she explored more of the ship during her weeklong stay, she was surprised to find that even the world's largest cruise ship felt overcrowded at times.

She thought the pools were often crowded ...

... and finding a spot to relax on the pool decks was stressful because they were often packed with throngs of people.

If she waited until the evening to find a spot, Hadden often felt it was too windy and cold outside to actually enjoy the pool.

While her cruise set sail at partial capacity in July 2021, Monica Humphries agreed that the crowds on Carnival Vista took away from her ability to relax.

One of the most crowded places on her cruise was the comedy show each night.

Crowded cruises also caused long lines for some reporters.

Embarking and disembarking the ship meant the reporters would need to stand in lengthy lines.

And long lines at the buffets were also common.

The service desk on Humphries' Carnival Vista cruise often had a line and long wait time.

Some reporters thought instructions could have been clearer. Humphries was disappointed that the labels on the buffet didn't always match the food underneath.

And Mikhaila Friel didn't realize that, aboard the Queen Elizabeth, where you sit in the dining room on the first night is your table for the rest of the cruise. So she had to dine alone each night.

And a few disappointments came from simply not being more experienced. Some of the first-time cruisers, for example, wished they had brought warmer clothes.

Krause often felt cold on the ship and wished she had brought thicker pullovers and long-sleeved shirts with her.

Likewise, Friel found the cold winds she faced on the upper decks of her cruise ship to be challenging and regrets not bringing more warm clothes.

Each reporter left their respective ships with overall positive memories, and they're all the wiser for the hiccups and disappointments they experienced.