What is JOMO? The new travel trend cruisers are embracing

Over 70 per cent of travellers are embracing the joy of missing out. Here’s how to do the same on your next cruise.

What is JOMO?

Even if the acronym JOMO sounds like total gibberish to you, chances are you’ve heard of FOMO, the ‘fear of missing out’. The term has been around since 2004, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, and describes the anxiety that an exciting or interesting event may be happening elsewhere, often aroused by posts seen on social media.

JOMO emerged as its antidote: the ‘joy of missing out’. If you’ve ever felt secretly pleased when plans get cancelled, leaving you free to stay in with a book or your favourite series, you already know the feeling.

In travel, the rise of JOMO-style holidays that emphasise deep relaxation marks a shift away from FOMO-fuelled trips driven by a culture of doing it all. Travellers are trading jam-packed itineraries for journeys that offer escape from everyday responsibilities, hyper-connectivity and constant hustle.

Are more travellers looking for JOMO holidays?

Lawrence krowdeed Gz Mkc QI Ns unsplash — Holidays focused on deep relaxation are officially 'in' | Credit: Lawrence Krowdeed

In a word, yes. As Harry Sommer, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line, says, “We’re seeing a meaningful shift in how people want to travel, moving away from rigid travel agendas and towards more intentional and restorative experiences.” According to a new survey conducted by YouGov on behalf of NCL, over 70 per cent of travellers are embracing the joy of missing out when planning holidays.

It may come as something of a surprise, considering that post-pandemic, many made up for lost time with so-called revenge travel. International holidays surged, with a focus on bucket-list adventures, sightseeing marathons and ticking off social media-famous attractions.

While these kinds of trips do, of course, have their place, travelling by checklist and rushing from one “must-see” to the next can lead to fatigue. According to NCL’s survey, a FOMO-driven approach left 35 per cent of travellers feeling more exhausted than refreshed when they returned home.

Now, 77 per cent say they’re planning upcoming holidays deliberately to be relaxing and slow-paced, choosing simplicity over relentless dawn-to-dusk travel routines. For 67 per cent, it’s a matter of self-care, with key motivations for embracing JOMO-style journeys including:

Freedom from obligations (52 per cent)
Time in nature (48 per cent)
An escape from the pressure to “see and do everything” (40 per cent)
Time for themselves (38 per cent)
The chance to embrace spontaneity over fixed plans (34 per cent)

How to embrace JOMO on your next cruise

More than half of travellers (54 per cent) agreed that cruises offer the ideal environment for a JOMO-style holiday. But not all cruises lend themselves to total relaxation. Here are three top tips to make sure you get the full JOMO experience next time you’re at sea.

Choose your destination wisely

Great Stirrup Cay Credit NCL — Great Stirrup Cay is NCL's private island in the Bahamas | Credit: Norwegian Cruise Line

Some destinations are just better suited to travellers in search of total relaxation. According to NCL’s survey, the Caribbean is the clear winner for this style of travel, with plenty of chances to spend days lying languid on sun-dappled sands, umbrella-topped cocktail in hand. On NCL cruises, a highlight for JOMO-minded travellers is the cruise line’s private islands, which feel a world away from the stresses of everyday life.

The Caribbean is a top winter sun destination, too, meaning it’s a great place to escape around the festive period if you want a break from the happiest – and most hectic – time of year.

Other top options include Hawai’i, French Polynesia, the Greek Islands, Australia and New Zealand. Save journeys to destinations like Alaska, the Chilean fjords or the Amazon River, for another time when you’re ready for lots of intensive sightseeing and expedition-style excursions.

Stay onboard

Suana Credit NCL — Shore days are a great time to make the most of a quieter ship | Credit: Norwegian Cruise Line

For many travellers, shore excursions are a highlight, and whether you’re exploring Mayan ruins in Mexico, swimming with pigs in the Bahamas or taking a pasta class in Sicily, you’re in for an extraordinary time.

That said, you absolutely don’t have to join an excursion if you’d rather take things slow. Say your ship is docked in Civitavecchia, and it’s the middle of a heatwave; a lazy afternoon of gelato and people-watching might be more appealing than making your way into Rome to seek out heavily touristed landmarks like the Trevi Fountain.

In fact, you don’t have to disembark at every port if you don’t want to. Staying aboard has advantages, particularly in extremely hot or cold weather. When most guests go ashore, the ship’s facilities are often quieter, so you can unwind by the pool with zero fear of stray cannonballs. Many cruise lines even offer port-day discounts on spa treatments or speciality dining, making it an ideal time for a ‘treat yourself’ moment.

A digital detox

Norwegian Prima deck image credit — Norwegian Prima offers incredible spots for sunbathing and reading | Credit: Norwegian Cruise Line

Wi-Fi has certainly gotten much more sophisticated on cruise ships over time, and staying connected at sea is now entirely possible. For example, NCL’s More At Sea™ package includes Wi-Fi powered by Starlink.

However, a cruise can be the perfect time to try a digital detox, putting away your devices and giving the internet a break. With a beach read and sun lounger waiting, it's an excellent opportunity to rediscover the joy of missing out on work emails, news notifications and endless doomscrolling.