Why Cruising Is the Ultimate Holiday
Lately, there has been so much negativity in the media in regards to the cruise industry. The cruise industry has always been under lots of pressure, and with the added trial of COVID-19 the cruising empire is crumbling. Despite all of this, I cannot wait for the time when cruise holidays are available to all of us again. Whether it’s in six months or six years, I long to be out on the ocean again! I have been blessed with numerous opportunities to cruise with my family over the years and to me, it will always be the ultimate holiday.
Lying on a deck chair with my favourite book, while gazing out at the ocean. Smelling the salty air and feeling the sea breeze while listening to the tropical tunes the band on the deck below are playing.
I bet you can see, feel and hear the scene described above. But maybe when you cruise, you prefer your days to look something like this...
After being served a 5 star, three course meal in an exquisite dining room by the friendliest waiters you could imagine, you head to the theatre and lose yourself in the fantastic show by world class entertainers. When the show is finished, you head up to the deck for the 80’s party and dance the night away!
Just thinking about two scenarios makes me so excited! Those activities, as well as swimming in the pools, ice skating, sliding down water slides, trivia, dance classes, more parties, amazing food, making friends with people from all over the world and waking up in a different place every few days are only a few of the many things I love about cruising! There is something for everyone, and I can guarantee that you will never get bored.
It is not only the amazing on board facilities and activities that make cruising so special. The crew are also an absolute delight. They work so hard to make sure you have the best holiday possible. Every crew member from the cleaners to the cruise director greet you with a smile and are always happy to have a chat with you. I have made some life long friends with some of the photographers and waiters that I have met on my holidays. I still keep in touch with them, and have even caught up with a crew member when they were in my home port. It always astounds me how happy and hard working the crew are and they make your holiday extra special.
One of my favourite cruise memories that involve a crew member was on the Celebrity Millennium in 2013. A man named Dexter 'Washy Washy' was in charge of making sure everyone sanitised their hands before entering the buffet. He would sing and dance, make up songs, and he brought so much joy to everyone who walked past. We all looked forward to seeing him everyday! I will also add that cruise ships are extremely clean and the cleaners are very diligent! There was always a cleaner in the bathrooms and in public spaces, and after recent experiences the cruise companies will be even more cautious. The ship is probably cleaner than your own house.
One of the most exciting parts of cruising is waking up in a new destination. It is always so wonderful to look out of the window or go up on deck to see a new place that you will soon be exploring! Thinking about it makes me so excited! A really special memory of mine is when I woke up very early to go to a morning yoga class. Before the class I went up on deck and watched the sunrise while we sailed into port and it was magical. I can't even describe how beautiful it was. Stepping back onto the ship after an exciting day of sight seeing is always such a great feeling! Although you are sad to say goodbye to the place you just visited, the ship truly does feel like home.
The final night of your cruise holiday is always bittersweet. I am a bit of a sook, and I always cry at our last dinner and when I'm saying goodbye to the new friends I have made. I always get major post cruise depression after a cruise (PCD is very real my friends!) When you are on the ship, you are in another world and it is very sad to leave your new home behind! But the memories you made, the things you learnt and the photos you took last forever, so you will always carry a part of the ship with you.
I absolutely understand the fear surrounding cruising at the moment. With COVID-19 having a negative effect on numerous voyages, I understand people being put off cruising. But, once the reign of COVID-19 is over, myself and my family will be back cruising, as I will always see cruising as the ultimate holiday. Please support the crew members and everyone you know working in the cruise industry during this tough time!
For all of us who are still keen to cruise despite recent events, lets all get excited for our future voyages!
