Cruising, How It Began

Once upon a time I was afraid to cruise. Then, I went on a cruise and LOVED it.

My first cruise was long ago. It was a three day adventure to the Bahamas that our family business earned as a sales incentive. It was on an older ship with few amenities. Few activities and no evening entertainment. What we did have was food. Lot and lots of food. We spent a lot of time on the deck and exploring the on shore offerings. I loved it! That said, I have to own up to being one of those people who could happily spend a whole day with a book, on a deck chair, listening to the ocean and watching the waves roll by.

For several years our family concentrated on land based adventures. As those years rolled by cruising became mysterious and unsettling. In other words, I got in my head about it. I did what I do best. I worried. I worried about every possible catastrophe that could possibly occur on a ship. I began to believe cruising as not for me.

Then we were invited to travel with my daughter’s friend and the friend’s family. You guessed it, they we’re planning a cruise. As nervous as I was to step on a ship, I was more afraid of letting my daughter go without me. She really wanted to go, so we booked the trip.

By dinner the first evening, I realized just how wrong I had been. Of course bad things can happen on a ship just as they can on land, but I felt much safer than I expected. When I stepped on to the veranda the first time I realized it would be very difficult to fall off the ship. I was overwhelmed by the deck height at first, but soon adjusted once we left port. Finally, I expected the ship to move like smaller boats I had experienced. That was not the case at all! With the size of the ship and modern stabilizers I often forget I was on a ship. This particular ship was more like a hotel or all inclusive resort.

I have to give credit to the friends who included us on their vacation. They showed us the ropes and taught us how to enjoy cruising. They also did a great job of picking a cruise line and ship. There were always tons of activities and the atmosphere was comfortable and relaxed. I know I wouldn’t have enjoyed it as much without them leading the way! They are why I am an avid cruiser and I am so grateful!