Cruisers are ‘digitally detoxing’ at sea and ditching social media – here’s how you can do it

• More cruisers are using their cruise as a chance to do a ‘digital detox’ and limit their internet and social media usage.
• This works perfectly on a cruise if you don’t have free internet included.
• There are various ways to do this, from connecting in port to ditching internet and socials altogether.

Something that makes a cruise distinct from a holiday in a resort or hotel is that on most cruise ship WiFi is not included and most of the time, there is no phone signal. While there are always the option of purchasing a WiFi package, which costs around $20 to $30 a day, many cruisers are opting to take the opportunity to disconnect from social media and the internet while cruising. 

According to Reviews.org than 50 per cent of Aussies feel addicted to their phone and Aussies spend an average of two hours per day on social media. It’s all too common that these habits seep into a vacation and we end up spending hours glued to a screen on the holidays that we worked and saved hard for.

These days we see people who want to escape their phones and social media trying more and more elaborate ways to do so. These range from trying self-control applications to more extreme methods, like silent and phoneless retreats. 

While a silent retreat in the Blue Mountains can cost more than $200 a night, a cruise is the perfect chance to combine the health benefits of disconnecting, with the fun and excitement of a proper holiday.

An increasing number of cruisers have shared online that when they’re on the ship, they avoid social media as much as possible, and instead focus on having a truly relaxing and rejuvenating holiday. 

Ways to have a ‘digital detox’ on a cruise

The structure of a cruise makes it a lot easier than other types of holidays to get off the internet. You don’t need to be constantly moving around and checking reservations and downloading new maps, you simply unpack once and spend a few days in port. 

Plus, as mentioned, internet on large cruise ships is almost never included, and some internet packages only include internet for very basic messaging services and Google, rather than socials and streaming and so on. 

There are a few different ways to set yourself up for a ‘digital detox’ on a cruise ship. 

• 1. Purchase only a basic internet package: By picking an internet package that only offers basic services or limited time online, you can greatly limit your internet usage. This can mean you’re able to communicate with family and send messages to the rest of your travel party, but won’t give you enough internet to spend hours on social media or stream videos. 
• 2. Only use internet in port: Another easy method is not to use any internet on the ship, and only use your phone data, or find Wi-Fi at a local venue when in port. This gives an easy structure to follow and means you can still access the internet, but your time on the ship will be internet free. This works best on a cruise with regular port stops, as otherwise you might spend days without being able to contact family and friends. 
• 3. Set yourself a plan: If you’re a bit more disciplined, you can purchase the internet package that you like, but set yourself a plan for internet usage and stick to it. This could, for example be only using social media for 30 minutes per day on your cruise and you can also use self-control apps to help you achieve this. 
• 4. Go cold turkey: If in your particular circumstances you don’t need to be in touch with anyone for the duration of your cruise, you can also simply go cold turkey and ditch the internet entirely for your cruise. This is the most extreme method but for many who struggle to stay off social media, the absolute best way is not have any access to it in the first place. If you opt for this option, you can share the contact details for your cruise line with loved ones, so they can contact the line in case of emergency who can then contact you. 

What are people saying?

Reddit users have shared their own stories of what they do to disconnect and unwind on a cruise. Many report that it makes them feel like they’re most focused and intentional with their time, and they return from their cruise feeling more relaxed afterwards.

User PeacefulCW said: “I love disconnecting while on a cruise. I download both audio and ebooks to my phone. I talk with travel companions. I simply relax and look out at the ocean and allow myself to drift off to sleep for a few minutes. Do activities on the ship, etc. I’ve never felt bored.”

Neld21 added: “I have spent thousands on the holiday to enjoy the holiday not play on my phone, watch TV etc. I simply have better things to do on a cruise and couldn’t care what’s happening on social media as it’s never anything important.

“I spend time with my family, enjoy the ship and what it has to offer, shore excursions, stare at the ocean, eat, drink and never get bored. Some days are structured more if we have plans, if not just go with the flow.

“That said if you enjoy using social media on your phone then that’s fine, it’s your cruise.”

Bettymakesart notes that it’s also a great chance to indulge in hobbies.

For Alaska I brought a mini sketchbook and some other paper on a small clipboard, and a small gouache/watercolor kit. I can sketch very quickly then add color at leisure. The mini sketchbook was a new addition to my kit & it was fun to use. Sometimes I will bind a custom sketchbook with a mix of papers just for that trip.”

TherrineMoonGlow makes the important point that if you stare out at the ocean instead, you never know what you might see!

“Hubby and I spent hours just watching the ocean on our recent cruise. We saw whales, dolphins, and hammerhead sharks. It was so relaxing to even just watch the waves. We also took some travel games.”