From Joy to Clickbait: How Cruise YouTube Has Changed

Why Cruise Clickbait Doesn’t Tell the Whole Story

I have always loved the water—really, any watery space. Growing up in California, I was lucky enough to always have a swimming pool in the backyard. I can still picture myself as a kid, shivering but refusing to come inside even when it was pouring rain in the middle of winter. Summers were spent at the beach, digging clams, hunting for shells, and playing in the surf until my skin smelled like saltwater and sunshine. From the very beginning, my happy place has always been on or near the water.

These days, that happy place has grown into something even better: a cruise ship at sea. It’s the perfect mix of my two favorite things—being close to the ocean and getting to explore new destinations. There’s just nothing else like it. The ocean breeze, the anticipation of waking up in a new port, and the sheer joy of discovering the world without ever having to unpack twice—it’s irresistible.

When YouTube entered the picture, it felt only natural to dive into the cruise space. I loved watching creators share their experiences onboard ships from all over the world. Many of them became my go-to companions for armchair cruising when life or time didn’t allow me to sail as often as I’d like. And let’s be honest—they were a lifeline during those long months of COVID when ships weren’t sailing at all. Those creators carried us through with updates, glimpses of sailings past, and the hope that one day we’d be back at sea. I’ll always be grateful for that.

But lately, the tone has shifted. With more and more channels out there, I’ve noticed an uptick in fear-based content: “The Mistake That Will Ruin Your Cruise,” “Choose the Wrong Cabin and Hate Your Vacation,” or “Five Things That Will Wreck Your Trip.” I get it—dramatic titles get clicks. But that’s not the kind of energy I want to bring to cruising, and it doesn’t reflect the reality I’ve experienced over years of sailing.

Why Cabin “Rules” Aren’t Everything

One of the loudest clickbait themes out there is cabin choice. Some creators make it sound like booking a guaranteed cabin is practically a disaster waiting to happen—that you’ll end up in the “worst room on the ship” and your entire cruise will be ruined. The message is clear: unless you hand-pick the “perfect” location, you’re setting yourself up for failure.

Well, let me tell you a different story. My sister—the one who doesn’t get motion sick—booked a guaranteed cabin on Ovation of the Seas through me and, as a treat, invited me to come along. According to YouTube logic, we should have been in for a miserable week. We didn’t choose the cabin, and sure enough, we were assigned one that was far forward and relatively high up.

By clickbait standards, that should have spelled disaster. But in reality? It didn’t matter one bit. We’re both practical enough to always pack Dramamine and earplugs just in case, but we never even needed them. Instead, we focused on the fun—the earrings she splurged on in Ensenada, our silly slot machine adventures, and all the laughter we shared along the way. The cabin’s location faded into the background of what turned out to be a wonderful cruise.

That’s also how I look at cabin choice more broadly. Sure, if you know you’re prone to motion sickness, mid-ship on a lower deck may give you peace of mind. And if you’re sensitive to noise, you probably don’t want a stateroom directly under the nightclub. But there isn’t one “perfect” cabin that guarantees a perfect vacation. There are just options—different locations, different vibes—and the right one depends on you.

Attitude Is Everything

And that’s where I think the real “secret” lies. Cruising—and life—isn’t about finding perfection, because perfection doesn’t exist. Something will always come up: a bit of motion, a longer line, a show that gets rescheduled. If you walk onboard expecting those little things to ruin your trip, they probably will.

But if you go in with a flexible mindset, ready to laugh things off and roll with whatever comes, the bumps stop feeling like deal-breakers. What stands out instead are the good things: sunsets on deck, conversations with fellow travelers, and the pure joy of being at sea.

I’ve always believed attitude is the most important thing you can pack. More than the “perfect” cabin, more than the right outfit, more than even the most carefully laid plans, it’s your mindset that determines how much fun you’ll have.

My Personal Take

A cruise is what you make of it. Clickbait wants you to believe that one decision—like booking a guaranteed cabin—can sink your vacation. But the truth is, your outlook carries far more weight than your stateroom assignment ever will.

At the end of the day, no cruise is perfect—and that’s okay. The memories you’ll carry home aren’t about cabin numbers or deck levels. They’re about the laughter, the experiences, and the little joys along the way. Trade the fear mongering for a little flexibility, and you’ll find joy in every deck, cabin, and port.