The night before a trip—when I try to take my mind off of travel plans and luggage packing—I like to relax by putting on a movie or show. For my trip to Ireland, I plugged into P.S. I Love You to see a sneak peek of the lush countryside on the silver screen before I get the chance to see it with my own eyes.
Movies are fantasies! Yet, sometimes they can be the things of nightmares. Here are movies that you should NOT watch before a cruise.
Please note, I am discussing movie plots. This is not a spoiler warning because these summaries are as straight to the point and vague as the ones you would get on Netflix or on the back of a DVD case. So, do not think I am giving away some shocking ending and not watch the movie at a later date... Like when you are on land.
1. Poseidon (2006)
I cannot tell you how many times I have stood on the deck of a cruise ship and looked out onto that big, beautiful spread of blue waves. It could be a moment of reflection to think about how small we are floating in the ocean while all the unexplored depths and secrets lie just below the surface.
But in my sick mind, I imagine a rogue wave on the horizon and what it would feel like seeing it coming to sink/flip my ship. For this thought, I blame Poseidon.
This movie stars Josh Lucas, Kurt Russell and Emmy Rossum, and is definitely worth the watch.... just not right before you take a cruise. It is about a cruise ship that is flipped upside down by a rogue wave (which is a large, unexpected wave in the middle of the ocean) and a handful of passengers attempt to escape the ship as it sinks.
After the first 10 minutes of the movie, I became plagued by the nightmare of such waves. But rest assure, my little cruisers, it is extremely unlikely for you to encounter a rogue wave on your trip.
2. Open Water (2003)
Most cruise lines will push as many excursions as possible down your throat so they can get more money from you. At every location, you will have at least 10 excursions (just from the cruise line) and countless more one you get off the boat. They could range from taking a tour of a historic property to sailing in a glass bottom boat to deep sea diving in a reef. All promoted to you to sound like the most wonderful and amazing adventure.
Maybe they are! However, Open Water may have you second guessing that excursion. Especially one in the ocean. "Based on a true story", the movie is about a couple that is accidentally left behind on a scuba diving trip. As their boat and tour guides disappear, they realized they are stranded in shark infested waters.
I love being in the ocean and have been on plenty of excursions that took me out there. In my experience, tours will do everything in their power to make you safe and happy. Therefore, they will triple and quadruple check to make sure everyone is back on board and accounted for. So, do not be afraid to book that snorkel or diving trip.
3. Titanic (1997)
You probably saw this one coming...
Without a doubt, you will think about the Titanic on your cruise. Whether it is when you are booking your new vacay, strolling up the gangway to board, munching away in the dining hall or leaning over the railing of the deck screaming "I AM KING OF THE WORLD", Titanic will pop into you mind.
Unless you have lived under a rock since 1997 or ignored world history, you know how this story ends. The Unsinkable Ship sails across the Atlantic only to be taken down by an iceberg. Sure, there was expensive jewelry, Irish jigs and a steamy car that made the trip seem like the perfect vacation, but the second tape (for those old enough to remember VHS) is what makes us second guess our choice to hop on a boat.
But to help relieve any of those fears and hesitation, realize that today isn't 1912 and the ship's technology (and safety procedures) are more advanced today. If this movie is causing you to doubt sailing the seven seas, push it from your mind and forget about those fears. No iceberg is going to stop you from having a great vacation!
You should try and forget about that unfortunate historical event while you are filling your face and breathing in that sea breeze. Yet, don't forget to get your friend or partner (or heck, stranger) to pose with you for that iconic Titanic scene.
