We just had an interesting thought we were discussing too. I get on a plane and I don't even think about the issues the pilots face or the decisions, I just put my trust in them.
However, if I got on a cruise ship, I would think about all of that. The difference is that I know nothing about flying, but I do have knowledge of operating a boat and the decisions to be made, including following the weather carefully.
That also brings about a sense of helplessness as I have no control over the operation of the boat. If I disagree with a decision, I have no input. I like control. That's probably part of why I'm licensed and have worked hard at learning, that I want to have knowledge to exercise control properly.
Think about it. You get in a taxi and you pay attention to how the driver drives. You have knowledge of driving.
So, that said, I would think in many ways it is easier for a non-boater to take a cruise. They don't think of the issues, don't know what a captain does. They also don't have the knowledge of what various weather and sea conditions can do. So when things are less than perfect, most of us would probably realize the ship could easily handle it, but I can see those with less knowledge thinking it was all about to end.
Something to be said about being naive, uninformed and a bit ignorant. But then when things go astray, that works against you.