Do you avoid cruise ship elevators? We do! Several years ago as new cruisers we followed the crowd and stood among the bank of elevators, waiting. When we became impatient, our kids said, “Beat ya” and up the stairs, they went! They thought it was great fun during that cruise to wait at the next elevator acting like they had been there for hours. You know that old story.
After that first family cruise, we decided that we were healthy and able to take the stairs. Why stand and get frustrated waiting for the elevator when there was “cruise-fun” to be had?
Several cruises later, we fist-bump our mutual agreement to avoid the cruise ship elevators and tackle the stairs. No exceptions, even on the mega-ships.
Today I am sharing 5 reasons we avoid cruise ship elevators and why you should, too!
1. For your health! (If you are able-bodied)
Stairs are a great form of exercise! You can huff and puff your way to keeping off those cruise pounds.
I just turned 45 recently and my body is reminding me that I’m not 20-something anymore. However, I am still able to scramble up a flight of stairs. I am a regular jogger so while I don’t always get out of breath, my legs certainly feel the stair burn.
Our “kids” are now young adults, but when we started this tradition they were in elementary school. We told them it was so they could enjoy the “free” ice cream on the pool deck. ;- ) In those early years, I had a few mom rules for my kids while cruising and this just became one of them. They both love ice cream so there were very few complaints.
2. Cruise ship elevators are crowded and the wait can be frustrating.
Sardines, anyone?
Cruise ship elevators are small and they can be crowded. It’s also not uncommon to wait several minutes for an available elevator especially in the evening hours or when boarding or deboarding the ship.
Ok, maybe you won’t have to wait for an elevator at 8 a.m. but try catching an elevator before or after dinner and you’ll likely have a wait. Remember, this wait is what initially sent our kiddos heading for the stairs.
You can avoid the crowd a bit by finding other elevator banks, perhaps more forward or aft, but then you are walking anyway. We always find the stairs to be quicker, especially in the evening.
3. Sometimes, people forget their manners.
Everyone off, then reload.
It seems like a simple concept but doesn’t always play out in this scene. During peak times, I think people are so focused on getting onto the elevator and not missing their chance, they forget about this lesson in logic and push forward to load. Are these typically rude people? Probably not! But, after several dings of the elevator opening to a full car, patience wears thin.
I believe that people are generally good and demonstrate basic manners. However, something changes in people when they are tired of waiting. The “me first” mentality can sometimes kick in causing people to push ahead and “claim” their spot.
We’ve seen this many times on cruise ships (and in our hometowns) “I” have waited long enough. “I” am getting on THIS elevator.
I’m not saying that the elevator waiting area turns into a barroom brawl after the evening show, but it can get a little tense and I’d prefer not to attend that particular party.
4. Save the space for those cruisers who need it.
We are able-bodied cruisers and very thankful for our health. While we may slow down after a couple of flights, we do not have any physical limitations that keep us from using the stairs. I am happy to take the stairs, especially if it frees up space for those who truly need it. There are many active cruisers who are wheel-chair bound, elderly or have other physical limitations that warrant the assistance of the elevator.
I have been fortunate enough to go on a lot of cruises. Each time I witness people of all ages and limitations including those with vision difficulties or veterans who have been injured. I see cruisers who are energetic children to great grandparents who are reliant on wheelchairs to get from point A to point B.
Their determination to seek adventure, explore new places, and not let any physical limitation stop them is truly inspirational. I happily forgo the elevator in the hopes that these cruisers have space and facilities they need to have a wonderful cruise vacation!
5. It’s fun!
It’s ok, you can disagree. 😉
Call me crazy but my husband, Brian, and I huffing it up 7 flights of stairs to the buffet cracks us up. It’s oddly one of the times that we laugh the most. We crack jokes along the way, making fun of ourselves, but always ending with a winded “high five” when we reach our destination. It’s our thing and I love that it’s our tradition.
After 16 cruises and 3 more booked, I have no intention of breaking my pact to “skip the elevators”. At least once each cruise, my husband and I come away with a funny “stair story” to share. On the MSC Divina, it was a story of how there was a caution sign so tall cruisers wouldn’t hit their head. The ceilings were surprisingly low on Divina.
On Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas in 2019, we climbed several flights of stairs with our 23-year-old niece…and my 70-year-old mother-in-law…after attending a bar crawl! We were huffing and puffing and laughing more with each step.
We will continue to do this until a time comes when we physically can’t do it any longer. I’m sure we will get slower with each passing year and ending with a “high five” may take more work but that’s okay.
I love these memories and I wouldn’t trade them for the world. They add to our family laughs and to the joy of cruising. I hope we can skip the elevators for many years to come. I also hope that when the likely time comes when I will need the elevator, there will be another cruiser willing to take the stairs just like I’m doing now.
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