My first cruise was in 2013. By my second in 2015, a co-worker took one look at me and declared I’d become one of “those people.” You know the type — loyal to the sea, willing to trade any vacation for a week (or two) with the sound of waves outside their cabin door. She called it a cult.
Honestly? If loving cruising makes me a cult member, hand me the lanyard and sign me up for the next meeting — I hear the snacks are top-tier, and the view beats any conference room.
No amount of teasing can come between me and my love for cruising. Sure, I enjoy other ways to travel — but if you ask me to pick a favorite, I’m heading straight to the port. Here’s why.
I love the ocean.
A few years back, Carnival released a commercial featuring JFK’s moving “We are tied to the ocean” speech. Y’all… when I say those words hit me in my spirit, I mean I felt it deep. That commercial perfectly explained something I’d always known but never said out loud: the sea calls to me.
On a cruise, you’re surrounded by it — morning coffee on your balcony with nothing but blue on the horizon, afternoons watching sunlight dance across the water, evenings with the ship slicing through moonlit waves. It’s peace, freedom, and wonder all wrapped into one.
You Unpack Once, But See the World
In most kinds of travel, the rule is: the more places you see, the more times you have to unpack and repack. Not on a cruise. You move — your stuff doesn’t. Your floating hotel takes you from island to island, city to city, while your suitcase stays tucked neatly in your cabin.
It’s like magic. One day you’re strolling Old San Juan’s cobblestone streets, the next you’re lounging on a white-sand beach in St. Maarten — and you didn’t even have to drag a roller bag through an airport to get there.
A Cruise Has Something for Everyone
Cruises are like floating cities, and they cater to every mood. Feeling adventurous? Try the rock climbing wall or sign up for a shore excursion zip line. Want to relax? There’s the spa, the adults-only deck, or your own private balcony. Hungry? Buffets, fine dining, and room service are all just steps away.
And then there’s the entertainment — Broadway-style shows, comedy clubs, live music, trivia nights. The hardest part is deciding what to skip (hint: skip nothing). lets you choose your own adventure and stick to your budget.r your next adventure?
Built-In Community
There’s a unique camaraderie among cruisers. Strike up a conversation in the elevator, at the bar, or while watching a sunset from the deck, and you’ve got instant friends. Whether you’re swapping shore excursion tips or laughing about getting lost on board (it happens to the best of us), you’re part of the same temporary family.
Stress-Free Vacationing
For me, the biggest selling point is this: once you’re on board, the hard part is over. Your meals, lodging, entertainment, and transportation between destinations are all taken care of. Your only real “responsibility” is to decide between the pool or the hot tub, the buffet or the steakhouse, the early show or the late one.
In a world that moves fast and demands so much from us, a cruise is my way of pressing pause — and I think everyone deserves that kind of break.
Final Thoughts
Cruising is more than my favorite way to travel — it’s my happy place. The ocean has a way of centering me, the ease of travel makes me breathe easier, and the mix of adventure and relaxation fills my soul.
So if you’re ready to see why some of us are proud members of the “cruise cult,” I’ve got your lanyard waiting. Just don’t forget the sunscreen.