Kathy and I love to cruise, and it’s our favorite way to travel. It didn’t start out that way, but we found something that worked for us and kept going.
Kathy doesn’t particularly enjoy flying, plus we often felt limited to the number of places we could visit within a certain period of time. Whereas on a cruise, in 2 weeks, we could visit five countries without having to navigate airports. Over time, cruising therefore became the way we saw the world and have visited at least 80 countries this way. We have spent a total of 568 days at sea; and perhaps we may hit a full two years.
Lessons learned along the way
We’ve been on a variety of cruises, some short and some stretching over several weeks. For each cruise we have found a rhythm that works for different seasons of life. When we travel with our children (and now grandchildren) we choose the bigger ships that offer more activities. When it’s Kathy and I, we prefer the smaller cruise ships with fewer passengers. Both options have their benefits, and with time you learn how to match the experience with your trip requirements.
There’s something very gratifying about unpacking once, having a place to come back to every night and waking up somewhere new. No having to navigate airports, taxis and luggage. Just simply going out, exploring and returning to a familiar space with a good meal and warm bed. Days at sea are also some of the most restful, refreshing times.
Plan and make the most of it
One key element that has made a big difference for us on our cruises is hiring a local guide at each destination – not through the cruise line, but someone independent. Cruise lines sometimes offer private driver options, but I have found great local guides online for significantly less. A local guide will help you discover the best spots in that particular city and effectively utilize every moment of your time. They can also arrange private transportation, keep you on schedule and get you back to the ship at the end of the day. We have found it to be safe and efficient, particularly when traveling as a group or with children. I have always found this type of preplanning to be money well spent.
It’s also worth noting that not all cruises are the same and should not be judged based on the local cruises available. Instead, take your time, do your research and don’t opt for the lowest end available. Generally, cruising offers the best travel value by far. When you break it down – three meals a day and often wine, lodging, transportation, activities and entertainment – the daily cost of a cruise is surprisingly affordable. It’s almost always less than what you would spend on those same elements if you were managing them on your own. From our experience, cruising offers some of the best value.
ACTION STEP
If you have never been on a cruise and are interested in trying one – I would encourage you to start small. Alaska is one of the best places to cruise as you see it better by ship than you would by land. Alternatively, consider a 7-day Mediterranean cruise. These routes both offer beautiful scenery with stops offering rich cultural experiences. These options would offer a much fuller picture of the potential of cruising. Try it, unpack once, settle in and let the journey unfold.
