I have always loved to travel. My mom recounts how that, even before I was old enough to read, I would obsess over the details of family vacations. As an adult, I bear a closer resemblance to Chevy Chase’s Clark Griswold character in the Vacation films than I would like to admit, someone who views sightseeing as a task to be mastered,
I did not go on my first cruise until 2010, when I had the chance to join a wonderful group of friends on the Celebrity Solstice voyage of the Eastern Caribbean. I knew that I would have fun, but I ended up having even more fun than I anticipated. I introduced my other half to cruising in 2011 (Celebrity Millennium), and we became hooked as a couple, sailing the oceans again in 2013 (Navigator of the Seas), 2014 (MSC Divina), and 2015 (Serenade of the Seas).
Yes, the fact that I cite the names of the vessels indicates that I am detail oriented, Yet, I also do this because the identity of the ship, line, and fellow passengers become so integral to the cruise experience. Ships take on personalities that represent so much more than just transportation.
I don’t claim expert status on the in’s and out’s of cruises. I have sailed on three different lines (Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, and MSC), and of course there are quite a few others in the marketplace. Also, all of my cruises thus far have involved the Caribbean, though I have managed to experience the three main divisions of that region: Eastern, Western, and Southern. I do hope to expand into other bodies of water in the future, Alaska in particular, but for now the Caribbean seems to be the best fit in terms of both time and money constraints.
So just why have I become so why have the two words “all aboard” become so magical for me?
Mixing Structured Activity and Unstructured Relaxation
You can find so many beautiful and comfortable spaces to enjoy the sun and sea: reading a book by the pool, listening to live music in a lounge, people watching in one of the high-traffic public areas, or finding an out-of-the-way deck for staring out into the ocean. I am someone who needs some downtime to recharge my batteries, so I love having so many venues for rest and restoration.
On the other hand, as shown in the photo above, each evening, your cabin steward will leave you a printed schedule (occasionally supplemented with a work of towel art) of the next day’s activities. Since I appreciate some degree of structure and planning, even on vacation, I love looking through the schedule with my other half and discussing the things that we might enjoy sampling either together or as a couple.
I can’t even begin to cover the gamut of the recreation and entertainment options happening, particularly on the days when the ship sails at sea. There is bingo and a casino of course, and the trivia games can get pretty cutthroat. There is a spa and fitness facility with all kinds of treatments and classes for feeling and looking better. There are art auctions and wine tastings and karaoke contests. There are multiple options for live entertainment.
I like being able to sample different pursuits at sea, even some that I would probably never do on land. If I don’t enjoy something, I can vote with my two feet and find another event more to my liking; it’s all good. I like being a joiner and meeting new people, but when I’ve had my fill of being social, it’s nice to be able to get a serenity fix.
Excursions at Port
You don’t have to get off the boat at the different ports of call, and if it’s someplace you’ve already been it’s sort of neat to pretty much have the ship to yourself. Yet, I love sightseeing and experiencing different cultures, so I generally will be found participating in an excursion.
There are a wide range of excursions from which to choose, varying greatly in price and level of physical activity. I am not much of an athlete or daredevil, so I tend to focus on offerings that involve history, architecture, the environment, and creatures in their natural habitat.
My default option tends to be taking a sightseeing tour either on foot to see urban locales closest to the port or via bus, van, etc. to take in the wider region. Because of my interest in ocean life, I have also taken several tours devoted to that realm, including an absolutely amazing glass bottom boat ride in the Southern Caribbean paradise of Bonaire and an enthralling interactive eco-boat tour at Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas. If I have to choose, those are probably the two highlights of my cruising experience so far.
You don’t have to book an excursion to go sightseeing in a port of call, but I always figure that I want to make the most of my time with the assistance of someone who knows where they are going. Even when I am taking excursions, there is generally time before or after to walk around and take in the locale unsupervised. My other half and I have a cardinal rule though; we refuse to be those boring Americans who gravitate toward Hard Rock Cafe and other chains we have at home. I can attest that the Caribbean has so many unique memories to offer; why not live a little?
Turning Off Gadgets and Rediscovering Human Interaction
Yes, you can purchase wi-fi plans on board, but it’s rather pricey, and the speed seems akin to dial-up service when Bill Clinton was president. So, given that my job involves technology, and I relish the chance to turn off the noise for a week or more.
Cruising provides so many opportunities to get to know other people in an environment that facilitates honest to goodness, conversation from a bygone gracious era. The experience of eating dinner in the dining room hearkens back to the days when breaking bread with others was an event in itself, not just a “30 minutes or less” precursor to other commitments. Granted, on some nights I prefer to eat at the buffet to save time and dress down, but it’s neat to have those experiences that seem so elusive in daily life.
So, if you’ve never been on a cruise, and I’ve sold you on the idea, here are some tips. Again, I don’t claim to be a travel expert, but I can offer some general insights based on experience
Do Your Homework
As mentioned earlier, individual cruise lines and ships are an integral part of the experience. It’s not a matter of “good” or “bad” choices, but rather, there are different environments catering to different kinds of travelers. Also, even within the same cruise line, size of the ship makes a difference. The new mega-size marvels offer impressive bells and whistles, but I enjoy the more relaxed environment of the relatively smaller vessels. My site of choice for getting the skinny on all of this is Cruise Critic, but I am sure there of plenty of other places on the Web.
Factor All Kinds of Expenses
Cruising in my mind offers a value for your traveling dollar, but that doesn’t mean it’s cheap. Yes, your fare includes food and entertainment, but alcohol and pretty much any beverages beyond water, coffee, tea, and lemonade are an extra charge. Be prepared for the cruise line to look for creative ways to generate extra revenue, like the bartender at the breakfast buffet with fresh-squeezed orange juice. And, of course, photographers are there to capture memories of your voyage, but whether you visit the photo gallery to purchase a package of these shots is up to you.
In recent years, most cruise lines have made the transition to automatically charging each passenger a set fee for gratuities (11 or 12 bucks or so) that gets divided among the staff, and gratuities are also added to bar tabs. Beyond this convention, tips can still be given to reward outstanding service by individual crew members. Yes, this can certainly add to the overall cost of your vacation. However, in my mind, part of being a gracious guest is caring about the people who are working so hard to take care of you.
As mentioned above, excursions are an extra, but if you really want to experience the places to which the ship is sailing, I think they are worth it. A basic kind of tour can be found for thirty bucks or so a person, but for the most exotic kinds of fun, the sky is the limit. You can book them either through the ship or independently. There are pluses and minuses either way. Trip Advisor is a wonderful resource for booking on your own, and from my experience, you can sometimes find better selections and prices that way. Yet, if you like things more cut and dried as far as the logistics and details, stick to booking through the cruise line.
Maybe Start Small
If you are not sure whether you will enjoying cruising, I suggest starting with a shorter itinerary, maybe four or five days. I can’t personally relate to those who don’t become total cruise addicts. Yet, motion sickness can sometimes be a factor; I do suggest packing the appropriate over-the-counter medications in case you need them. If you are someone who doesn’t like group settings involving strangers at all and are completely inflexible in that regard, cruises may not be your cup of tea. Also, if you are a 24/7 cell phone person who can’t dial it down even a bit, you may be a bit disappointed. Otherwise, bon voyage!
Coloring Outside the Lines 