Cruising has always been a moving target, gently shifting with each passing year. However, lately the changes feel more noticeable, almost as if the industry is trying to reinvent itself while still holding on to that familiar sense of comfort so many of us love. As we’ve observed during our travels, both onboard and through conversations with fellow passengers and crew, the experience feels like it’s taken on new layers, some subtle, some impossible to miss. And as always, when you’re someone who spends a lot of time at sea, those changes stand out in a way that becomes woven into your days.
One of the most significant shifts seems to be the way cruise lines are refining the onboard experience to accommodate a broader range of travelers. You can feel it the moment you step onboard: the mix of guests is more diverse than ever, spanning generations, cultures, and backgrounds, all converging on these massive floating cities. It’s reflected in everything from expanded dining options to entertainment that tries to appeal to both longtime cruisers and first-timers dipping their toes into this lifestyle. At the same time, some of the more traditional elements remain, such as afternoon tea, formal night photos, and the library’s quiet corners. There’s an undeniable push toward livelier, more customizable experiences.
Technology has quietly slipped into nearly every corner of cruising, changing the way the days unfold. From mobile apps that handle everything from dining reservations to muster drills, to digital wristbands that conveniently unlock doors and make purchases, the industry seems determined to streamline and modernize. For those of us who remember the paper dailies and queuing up at customer service for the smallest question, this shift feels both efficient and slightly surreal. It’s a sign of the times, I suppose, but one that certainly makes life onboard smoother, especially on longer sailings when routines become second nature.
Dining, too, has taken on a new personality. While the classic main dining room experience remains firmly intact, there’s a noticeable emphasis on variety, flexibility, and catering to diverse dietary needs. Plant-based menus, gluten-free options, sugar-free desserts; these offerings were once limited and now appear thoughtfully integrated, as if the culinary staff is trying to ensure that everyone feels welcome at the table. Although I am struggling to enjoy meals tailored to my dietary needs, I accept this reality and continue to order the same dinner almost every night.
Of course, another change that’s become increasingly clear is the broader shift toward sustainability. While cruise ships will always generate debate around environmental impact, many lines now proudly highlight their efforts to reduce waste, conserve energy, and adopt cleaner technologies. You notice it in the elimination of single-use plastics, the emphasis on water conservation, and even in the way shore excursions are framed, better for wildlife, better for the local communities, better for the conscience of travelers eager to make responsible choices.
Perhaps the change that feels most personal is the evolving mindset of the passengers themselves. After years of global uncertainty, people seem to travel with more intention, more gratitude, and often more awareness of how precious these experiences truly are. Conversations at shared tables or around the cocktail bar drift toward topics of resilience, health, connection, and the simple joy of waking up each morning to a new horizon. There’s a softness to the way people interact, a gentleness in their appreciation for small moments.
In many ways, cruising is still exactly what it has always been: a way to relax, explore, and experience life from a floating home where the days glide by with a certain sweetness. But like all things, it continues to evolve, shifting with the needs and expectations of those who step aboard. And for travelers like us, who notice the texture of each day at sea, these changes become part of the story, another chapter in the ongoing journey of being out in the world, savoring each moment as it comes.
At the moment, as always in the mornings, we’re seated at the banquet in the Promenade Cafe on deck 5, where we park ourselves each morning as I prepare the new day’s post. Tom is enjoying watching football on his laptop while I prepare the post, using his earbuds. Often, passengers stop by to say hello, and we immediately stop what we’re doing to visit with them. The social interactions we experience each day are delightful and exceed our expectations.
Tomorrow, we’ll share details of the cost of WiFi on the ship. It’s still shockingly high!
Be well.
Photo from ten years ago today, November 18, 2015:
