Cruising, what's it all about? Here's my take ...

Working in the travel industry many years ago I was taken onboard a cruise ship to get a feel for it as a travel option to offer to my clients and my thoughts were, "why would I limit myself to this when I could go to a resort or explore a beautiful destination much more thoroughly on a land tour?" The cabin seemed small, crowded and uninviting to me at that time. The pool, well, 'come on, what is that!' I surmised. Fast forward through travel experiences with a partner, family holidays away, tours enjoyed and many a resort stayed at, I was now a solo traveller in Europe and an opportunity came up to do a cruise around the Mediterranean Sea, including an Abraham-Hicks Law of Attraction workshop, the perfect opportunity to experience a unique way to further my travels and spiritual growth. I noted that cruising had become an extremely popular travel option for many so the ships must have improved a lot since my visit many years before, little was I expecting to love it as much as I did and to then go on to do numerous other cruises in Europe, The Caribbean, Australia/New Zealand, Trans Atlantic and across the Pacific Ocean. I was hooked!

Although I intend to do a series of reviews on cruising, this review is an overall guide to my cruising experiences so far and the advantages I have gained from travelling onboard a cruise ship. I have cruised with Celebrity Cruises, NCL and MSC and I will write further specific reviews about those cruise companies, adding them to this review section at a later date. Mostly, I have booked as a single in a double occupancy cabin and on a few occasions I have travelled with a roommate, sharing a twin cabin due to our interests in the Abraham-Hicks Workshops.

The biggest advantage I get from cruising is the ease of it. Having done many a land tour and crossed many international borders I was amazed at the simplicity of cruising between countries. Travelling overnight or on a sea day, we arrive early each day to a new port and then simply walk off the ship at a new destination, with the security provided by my ship sea-pass card. So easy! No long queues at passport control, no sitting in departure lounges for hours waiting to connect to a new flight, just a skip in my step and a smile upon my face, a cheery "have a good day from security staff" and off I go to explore afresh. It really is that easy.

A common quote I hear from fellow cruisers is how they love that they 'only have to unpack once' and this is certainly an advantage for me. I love the comfort of going to sleep each night in my cabin, awakening to a new sight, be it land or sea, sunrises, sunsets, looking down upon a port, a town, a coral reef or many a unique view, without the need to repack each day when I move on to a new destination. I can even sleep in, if I choose, and not miss the tour bus!

Again, it's the ease. In fact, my resort moves with me. Instead of me moving to a destination, it feels like my whole city travels with me and I get to view a new aspect of it each day on excursions ashore. Ease, comfort and adventure.

Along with the ease, it is the fun onboard that adds to the joy of cruising. You can enjoy yourself whilst moving between destinations, having fun on the journey. And isn't it all about the journey! Everyone can enjoy the travel, no-one has to drive and no-one has a reason to feel bored, because there is plenty onboard to keep one entertained.

I have tried most of the experiences on offer. I love the performances at the theatres, the opportunity to sing and dance at silent discos, the fun of competing in a gameshow, or maybe just to sit at the cafe and write in my journal. I can learn a new skill or do a wine tasting. I can shop or go to an art auction and drink champagne, or simply walk around the ship and enjoy the magnificent art that is set up upon the walls. Or maybe, just read a book, sunbathe, sit on the verandah or enjoy a drink in one of the many bars. Or maybe your thing is health and beauty, so a trip to the spa will have you refreshed and ready for a good night out.

Depending upon the ship and itinerary that you choose there is a variety of fun activities to participate in and I have enjoyed swimming, going to the gym, meditating and stretching classes, golf, basketball, outdoor big screen viewing, water slides, rope climbing and zip-lining .. a highlight being a whale breaching beside the ship as I swung across the zip-line on my Trans-Atlantic NCL Cruise. The things that dreams are made of.

Should you run out of things to do, or just feel hungry after your play, there is the limitless dining options to enjoy, at the many restaurants that each ship provides. There is never a shortage of good food or drink.

It would take more than this single review to describe the onboard highlights, suffice to say that it is a lot of fun onboard a cruise ship and then, with the shore excursions, there is the exploration of each of the destinations visited that adds that extra dimension of joy.

There are many cruises on offer nowadays and many sales and discounts available. I would advise anyone considering a cruise to ask themselves: where you want to go and how much of the area that you want to see, the excursions that are available, the number of sea days available to use to explore the ship and who you are travelling with. Are you taking a partner, family, group or going solo? Do you want casinos and art auctions or prefer to have cultural and nature talks? Are you looking for an expedition or a leisure trip? Do you want to see any kids or not? Do you need to travel at peak seasons or can you save some money by going just out of season? The weather is still good and it's not as crowded. How about a relocation cruise, where they move the ship from one peak destination area to another. Are you interested in a workshop with your cruise or to sit back with a book, a cocktail and relax? Travelling solo but interested in meeting others? Then think about a Singles Cruise. Planning to do excursions? Booking through the cruise company may be a little more expensive but you have the security of the ship not departing if you are late arriving back. Maybe just explore the area close to where the ship docks or catch a hop-on/hop-off bus, which are normally at the port and awaiting cruise passengers. Also, consider whether you are wanting the drinks package, wifi and extra dining options.

Most importantly, what benefits are you going to bring to the cruise and what will you take back from it that will enhance your life and the lives of those around you. It's more than a holiday, you've made an investment in yourself, it's a chance to increase your overall wellbeing and to open yourself up to a better way of living and loving. Make your cruise the opportunity to extend your joyous daily lifestyle and let it be as important to your mental and general health and wellbeing as your diet, exercise, sleep and career.

To sum up, cruising gets a hefty 5 out of 5 stars from me, the ease, the fun and the comfort make it a travel option that I will definitely be exploring further and I hope to see you out there on the open seas too. Bon voyage!

As the sun sets on this post, feel free to leave a comment on your own cruise experiences that will be of value to others interested in cruising.