Choose The Best Polarized Sunglasses For Your Next Cruise

Mar 31, 2023

More travelers are looking to take the perfect cruise vacation. One of the best aspects of taking a cruise vacation is that they allow you to easily soak up as much sun as you want onboard. Considering that cruise ships come with sun decks with a pool where many entertainment and social activities are held, it will be challenging not to catch a tan during your trip. However, multiple studies have proven that prolonged exposure to sunlight may lead to various health risks. The sun emits harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays that damage multiple body parts, including the eyes. Staying under the sun for too long may lead to the development of painful eye conditions such as photokeratitis, which causes temporary vision loss and cataracts.

Eye experts thus recommend wearing sunglasses to protect your eyes. For cruises, your best choice is sunglasses with polarized lenses. Polarized sunglasses enhance the features of standard shades by reducing glare and enhancing visual clarity. They have special coatings that filter out horizontally polarized light, allowing for better visual acuity. Modern polarized lenses are combined with substances that block UV rays, and some are specifically designed to block out glare reflected from water surfaces—making them ideal for cruising and other water-related activities.If you’re interested in getting polarized sunglasses, here's a quick guide on choosing the right pair for your next cruise.

Preparation is a must if you want to make the most out of your next cruise. As suggested in our previous article on tips for your first cruise, it's wise to pack a small day bag to bring around with you. These should contain essentials like your phone charger, some sunscreen—and your new polarized sunglasses. However, using a small bag means that you have limited space. That's why it's essential to choose a pair that's portable. Look for space-saving polarized sunglasses with thin wire rims, or try innovative folding frames from brands like Foldies. Since wearing your sunglasses like a headband can warp your frame and ruin its fit, choosing a portable pair means you don't have to carry bulky eyewear around by hand when you’re not wearing it on your cruise.

There are a variety of lens tint colors to choose from, each with its own unique benefit. For example, amber-tinted glasses are often applied to performance or sports eyewear to enhance visual contrast, which is why professional golfer Henrik Stenson's line of performance eyewear offers many amber-tinted options. However, green or blue-tinted lenses will work best for cruisegoers. They’re recommended for their ability to protect your eyes from the sun's glare bouncing off the water and can effectively provide eye protection even in overcast conditions.

You can choose between two types of polarized lenses for your cruise sunglasses: 0.75mm or 1.1mm. The difference lies in their thickness. Both are effective in reducing glare, but one is more durable than the other. 0.75mm lenses are thinner, and they work fine for everyday use. On the other hand, 1.1mm lenses are seen as higher quality. Their thickness makes them more resistant to scratches and heavy impacts. Since you will spend some time on the cruise where there might not be a service to repair broken sunglasses, it would be better to go for the 1.1mm lenses. Their durability means you won't have to worry about breaking them while you enjoy your cruise.

It is important to protect your eyes while you enjoy your cruise. Follow these tips to find the perfect pair of polarized sunglasses for you. For more cruise news and recommendations, check out our other posts here on Cruise Addicts.