Yes, literally. I am about to embark upon my first cruise this weekend. I never thought I was the cruising type….but I did want to try out a really short cruise at some point soon. This one is a little longer than I had thought of at five days, but the opportunity came up to take a family cruise.
My daughter and son-in-law went on their first cruise a few months ago with two other couples they get together with every year. They didn’t bring the kids. On that cruise my son-in-law won another cruise (I would imagine in the casino). So, this time they are taking my granddaughter — and his parents are going, his aunt and uncle are going, and I am going. It did hurt a little that I had to pay for the whole cabin myself, but it wasn’t bad for a balcony cabin. And we have taken family vacations before, and frankly it does bother me that I am always the 7th wheel, being single.
At first, I was reluctant and wanted to get travel insurance that allowed me to cancel for any reason. A large part of that was my dog. I wasn’t sure where I could leave her,. She usually stayed with my daughter, but she was going too. My dog was 15 years old with dementia and incontinence. Well, I did find a friend who dog sits, and she kindly agreed to watch my dog. As it turns out, I ended up having to put the dog down a month or two ago.
I still wasn’t anxious about the trip, but I did get regular old travel insurance. As always with trips, I figure I need new clothes and I went kind of crazy on Amazon. I dread packing because I am going to overpack. I like to look nice, which means not super casual most of the time….maybe because I am single and feel I need to impress.
I finally watched the video that gave a tour of the boat. Then I watched a video about cruise dress code. I didn’t realize cruising was such a science! I have my coffee card, which will allow me some fancy Starbucks-type drinks, so I guess I am all set. I did not purchase a beverage package because I am not much of a drinker. You need to drink probably six alcoholic drinks a day to make it worth it. I do like mimosas and black Russians but rarely drink. I will just pay for my drinks. Don’t like beer or wine and would rather eat my calories.
Feel free to comment about your cruise experiences. Next post I will tell you all about it.
I cannot tell you how much I dread packing. HOW is everything going to git in that suitcase???
Oh, yes, we leave from Tampa and go to Mexico.
Arelene, David and I did Viking Christmas on the Rhine last year—15 Christmas markets between Amsterdam and Basel! Make a couple of friends on the first night and you won’t be the 7th wheel. Cruising is super fun as long as you like to be social. We met the most delightful Canadian family, a Latvian mother and adult daughter, and an Australian couple we palled around with. Have a great time!!
Ana
Ana- I do not generally like to be social! However, this being my first cruise and being with family members, I pretty much followed them around, particularly my daughter. It was so good to be around her for several days. My granddaughter too, of course. I think if I traveled alone, I would be more social. Also if I had cruised before and knew what I liked and what I didn’t. I do now. Viking has a much 9lder crowd. My cruise had a lot of teens and people in their 20s. I think I might prefer an older crowd next time.
Have a great, great time, Arlene!
Thanks Rosina.
I’ve only been on one cruise–like you, I never thought I’d go! It was a themed music cruise in a very large ship. I don’t think I’d do it again. Not my style. But I just talked to a friend who raved about Viking River Cruises, which I’ve been eyeing for years. Much smaller ships, and she had a fantastic time cruising from Istanbul to Athens. They’d sleep during cruise hours and arrive at a different port in the morning. They got to see some really amazing cities without ever having to repack/unpack, which sounds fabulous to me. So I might try to organize a small-ship cruise for my family. I also should mention that for those who get seasick, my friend said that modern ship stabilization has come a long way, and she never suffered any ill effects (though she did take Dramamine regularly).
Viking has a wonderful reputation. It is an older crowd. The river cruises are great, I hear. I didn’t have a problem with seasickness. And I didn’t take anything. They have patches and bracelets now in addition to Dramamine, too. Next time, I will do a cruise with an older crowd. I have been tempted to do a music cruise, since I am a great fan of the 60s oldies. However, they are so expensive, and they look crazy….like The Villages on the sea (no offense to those who live in the Villages.). Not my style even though the music is.
MY BIG TIP, room service is free (I think), we had a balcony, so each day we sat out on the balcony with our breakfast, very nice, no additional charges. Have a goal-perhaps to dance the night away. (Kiss someone!)
I was with my family so no room service. I had a balcony, but it was so humid to sit out there. we had the buffet breakfast but diner in the dining room which was a highlight≥ I certainly danced a couple of nights away, and ws always in the bar with the wonderful pianist.
Relax and enJOY…!
Thank you so much, Lorne!