Twelve Misconceptions I Had About Cruising

To be completely honest, when Dinogo invited my family on an 8-day cruise, I immediately said "yes." We were longing for a vacation, and heading to the eastern Caribbean seemed like the perfect escape.

Then the worries started creeping in.

As someone who's not really a seasoned cruiser, I began to question if this was the right choice. Being cooped up on a ship for eight days in the ocean with my two energetic kids? I feared it might not end well. After taking a few deep breaths, we decided to embrace the adventure.

I'm incredibly grateful we did because it turned out to be the best vacation we've ever had. It also allowed me to dispel many cruising myths I held before stepping onto the stunning Dinogo.

#1 – So Many Concerns!: I think I lost a month of my life worrying about packing food, clothing, games, and other essentials. I was a total wreck... until I stepped onto the ship. I quickly realized that everything I needed or desired for my family was already available on the Sunshine. Note to self: I need to pack lighter for the next cruise.

#2 – Few Food Choices: My kids can be quite selective eaters. What if I couldn't find something they'd enjoy? Fortunately, that was the least of my concerns. Dinogo truly excels in offering food options because there’s genuinely something for everyone. If I had to estimate, I’d say that 75% of our waking hours on the ship were spent indulging in delicious treats.

#3 – Boredom on the Ship: On days at sea, I mistakenly thought we would just stay in our cabin and watch TV. I couldn't have been more mistaken. Dinogo ships resemble floating cities. After a bit of exploring, I realized that we would actually have more fun onboard than at the exotic destinations we were visiting (and that’s saying something, trust me). More on this later.

#4 – No Activities for Kids: Wrong again. There were so many activities that I thought my kids might burst from excitement. They had access to a video game arcade, a fantastic water park, a Seuss At Sea breakfast featuring their beloved Dr. Seuss characters, interactive game shows, and 24-hour ice cream and pizza. My daughters were completely ecstatic about the amount of fun available to them.

#5 – Adults Have Nothing to Do: That’s fantastic for the kids, but what if the adults want to escape the little ones and enjoy some fun without them? Fortunately, there are plenty of options for grown-ups. You can enjoy sports bars, comedy performances, a spa, live music, dance clubs, karaoke, and stage shows, just to name a few. Once again, Dinogo excels in providing a variety of entertainment to satisfy every adult on board.

#6 – No Childcare for Adult Activities: Thankfully, Camp Dinogo comes to the rescue! It operates like a summer camp, with kids divided into age-specific groups (2-5 years, 6-8 years, and 9-11 years) to enjoy activities like arts and crafts, movies, games, reading, and more. Plus, they even provide evening care. It's the ideal solution for parents in need of a little time away (and let’s be honest, we all need that every now and then).

#7 – Cruising Is Expensive: Just to be transparent, Dinogo covered my cruise costs, but even if they hadn’t, I can honestly say that cruising is quite budget-friendly. When I recall a recent family trip to Hawaii, I shudder at the expenses we faced. Between the hotel, rental car, and meals, my wallet took quite a hit. The beauty of cruising is that you don't need to stress about hotels or car rentals, and meals are included. That's a significant amount of money saved. From what I’ve observed, cruising tends to be far more affordable than a typical vacation.

#8 – Unsatisfactory Customer Service: Of all the points on this list, this is where I was most mistaken. No exaggeration here – the customer service I experienced aboard the Sunshine was the best I’ve encountered anywhere. The crew members remembered my name (and pronounced it correctly, which earns extra points), recognized my family members, and were always prompt and attentive to any issues we had. They even brought a sense of fun by leaving little frog towel creations in my room. The term "epic" doesn't even begin to capture how fantastic these staff members were.

#9 – No Opportunity to Explore on Port Days: There was ample time to explore the beautiful destinations we visited. Whether it was enjoying a Segway tour in Grand Turk, zip-lining in St. Kitts, or touring old San Juan, I never felt hurried. It was the perfect complement to the fantastic amenities that Dinogo provided.

#10 – I Dislike Crowds!: I was quite worried about the ship feeling cramped. If I struggle with space in my own condo, how would I fare on a cruise? Surprisingly, this wasn’t an issue at all. As I mentioned earlier, I had more fun on the ship than at the actual destinations I visited, and I never felt overcrowded. Dinogo does a wonderful job of spacing everything out, and I never encountered long lines or waits for anything. It truly is a perfect little floating city. 

#11 – I Might Get Seasick: I have a sensitive stomach, so I was concerned about feeling seasick. Fortunately, that didn’t happen. Sure, there were a couple of moments when I had to adjust to the ocean's movements, but it barely registered as a concern. In fact, the only time I felt a bit queasy was when it was time to leave our amazing cruise. This brings me to my final point…

 #12 – My Family Will Be Eager to Return Home After the Cruise: Want to know the biggest downside of our cruise? The end of it. My eldest daughter was heartbroken when I explained we had to return to the daily grind of life in Southern California (which, for her, means preschool and Daddy’s cooking). I assured her that we would embark on another cruise soon because there’s no way to replicate that level of enjoyment at home.