Sailing the seven seas!

I have recently come back from a cruise holiday that was lovely. I know that is quite an obvious thing to say, but as we all know some holidays are not always so great. It’s just that I love cruises, I mean I really love cruises. My love for them goes back quite a few years now to when I went on my first trip. I was quite nervous at first. Would I like being around so many people? Would the food be ok? Would I have to dress up every night? It turns out that none of my worries and concerns were founded. It was a wonderful holiday. The ship was so big that nowhere felt crowded. There were spaces for everyone. Lots of quiet areas where you could sit and relax and read if you wanted. Likewise, there were many places where you could have and enjoy as much life as you wanted. Bars and cocktail lounges were plentiful. There were singers performing and theatre shows on most nights. There was even a library and quiet coffee shops where you could just go and chill and unwind after a hard day of doing very little. Yes, it was all there. But would I like the rhythm of the day when the ship was docked in port? Well, it turns out that I loved it. I loved joining the organised tours and being herded on and off the ship. Following a tour guide who tells you all about the beautiful place you are visiting. Getting the chance to see a different place every day and judge whether you would like to return there or not. Yes, I loved it. I know that it’s not everyone’s idea of a great holiday, but I am someone who likes order and routine and to be told what to do was in some ways, perfect. 

One thing I will say is that I am glad that we chose to get a balcony room. I’m not sure that my experiences would have been as positive if I had had an inside room with no view at all, or even an outside room with just a porthole. The balcony gives you chance to sit outside and relax. Watching the sea is, to me, one of the most relaxing experiences that you can have. I love the sea with a passion. It is amazing and fierce and wonderful, and I find it a real privilege that we get to holiday on it.

Now on to the subject of food. Well as everyone knows, there is a lot of food available on cruise ships. And I mean, a lot of food. Contrary to the myth that you have to get dressed up each night and sit at the captain’s table, you really don’t need to do any such thing. There are buffet restaurants on all cruise ships which means that you can dress as casually as you want and go and enjoy a varied breakfast, lunch and dinner. The choice is incredible too. I follow quite a strict, low-carb diet because of my type 2 diabetes and I found it no problem at all to choose healthy options each day. But of course, you are on holiday, so you are perfectly entitled to treat yourself, and there are lots of opportunities to do that. I must admit to indulging in one or two delicious gelatos from the Italian ice cream bar on board. Yum!

Anyway, that’s enough for now. More of my adventures in cruise land to follow!