My love affair with cruising started in 1996. My best friend from high school, Jen, asked me if I wanted to come along on a Carnival cruise with some mutual friends. There were fourteen of us going. I lived the college experience vicariously through Jen. She went to UCONN. I chose to stay close to home and commute to college. As an adult I wish I had made a different decision, but at the time it was right for me. So I took my weekend trips to see my friend. I ended up having the best of both worlds-thanks Jen.This cruise would be the last vacation I would take without my future husband, Keith. Keith and I were dating for eighteen months when I left on the cruise. We were serious, but I had bought my ticket the year prior to meeting him. I think everyone needs to take that one college, spring break, kind of trip. It was the best time of my life at that point.
We set sail on the Carnival Imagination in March of 1996. Our stops were along the Western Caribbean; Cozumel, Grand Cayman, and Ocho Rios Jamaica. My best friend Jen’s birthday was during our evening on shore in Cozumel. Can anyone say, Carlos n’Charlie’s? The only memories I have are what I see in the pictures. I got my hair wrapped and danced with some palm leaves. I’m just amazed we made it back to the ship in one piece. It was the best night. My next favorite memory was in Dunns River Falls in Jamaica. The falls were beautiful and we got to get our picture taken right under the falls. Our tour bus driver’s name was Sexy. I loved him.
The whole experience was just something I have never been able to recreate. A once in a life time trip.
I thought I would be friends with those fourteen people forever. Their camaraderie was invaluable to me. I had a very hard time acclimating to being home again. I am an only child so the constant companionship of fourteen friends was hard to come by. I wanted to live on a cruise ship. I wanted to be Julie McCoy. I had my college degree in education by that point. My plan was to get a job in the child care camps they have on the ships. I sent resumes and everything. I was completely driven to make a cruise ship my home. Then there was my burgeoning relationship with Keith. As it turned out with further investigation a job on a cruise ship would have had me sailing for 6 months of the year with the other 6 months off. It did not thrill me to think of spending that time away from Keith and my family. It was not meant to be.
The next time I would cruise it would be with Keith on our Honeymoon in June of 2000 It was a completely different experience. We took the short three day Disney cruise after spending four days at the parks. I had never been to Disney World before and Keith had never been on a cruise. Although I love cruising, I would have much rather spent our whole seven days at the parks. Taking a three day cruise anywhere is not worth all the aggravation of Embarkation and Disembarkation. Waiting on all the lines and dealing with the paperwork and customs makes the first and last days of a three day cruise very exasperating. A cruise should be ALL fun, no worries and NO lines. Lesson learned. The best part of that cruise was our adorable cabin, and everything that makes Disney magical. One day was not enough.
“Ol’ man river……..”
I got the urge to cruise again in June of 2002 for our second anniversary. So much for my determination to live on a cruise ship, life has a funny way of taking over. It was also hard to convince Keith to go again after the Disney cruise. We decided on a seven day Carnival cruise on the Sensation. The itinerary was similar to my cruise in ’96; Grand Cayman, Cozumel, and New Orleans. New Orleans was by far our favorite part of the cruise. The Spanish style architecture with wrought iron balconies and central courtyards was so unique and quaint. I didn’t realize what a lover of architecture I was until our visit to New Orleans. The courtyards were like hidden treasures. We strolled down Royal Street in the French Quarter. Royal Street had all of the jewelry and antique stores. It also had quite a few historically significant buildings; The Cabildo was the site of Jefferson's Louisiana Purchase. The ship arrived in New Orleans around noon after sailing down the Mississippi River. We had until ten o’clock that night to explore. With a carriage ride around the city and a wonderful dinner in one of the hidden courtyards cruising had finally redeemed itself.
“June is busting out all over……”
Our next cruise will be this June 2010. Keith and I will be celebrating our tenth wedding anniversary. I’m glad deciding not to live on a cruise ship worked out so nicely. We’re booked on Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas for nine nights. This will be another whole new cruising experience because we’re bringing Lindsey who will celebrate her 6th birthday in June as well. Yes, we like the month of June. I am so excited that we don’t have to fly to get to the Embarkation port. Sailing out of New Jersey will be a pleasure. I am also excited about this Voyager class RCI ship. The Explorer has a rock-climbing wall, in-line skating, a shopping promenade (not just an old gift shop), Johnny Rockets, a mini-golf course, an ice-skating rink, and some boring pools-LOL. How can you not be excited about those highlights? Our itinerary is Kings Wharf Bermuda, Philipsburg, St. Maarten, Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, and San Juan PR. I think steering clear of Mexico this time is a good idea. Of course I am most thrilled to watch Lindsey experience her first cruise. I hope she falls in love with cruising like I did.
Please post some tips on the best sights to see at these ports of call. Thanks for sharing
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