Thinking of taking your first cruise?
Here’s 5 Great Reasons to Cruise and what to expect based on my latest cruise to the Bahamas on Carnival Cruise Lines.
The atmosphere was electric as the Uber driver dropped us off at the Carnival port entrance in Miami, Florida.
This was our first cruise!
Soon, the huge Carnival Conquest cruise ship would carry us off to the sunny, warm Bahama Islands.
This would be a much welcomed change of climate for us after our long, cold Buffalo, NY winter.
We were 4 on this cruise. 2 parents and 2 adult children (in their 20’s).
From the moment our bags hit the pavement, you could tell these Carnival folks had their act together.
Helpers were everywhere. You never had to guess where to go. Or where to go next.
1000’s of passengers would be going aboard, in just a few hours time before the ship sailed.
The crew handled them all like the pros they are, pleasantly and efficiently directing folks from one point to the next until finally, we were there too, all aboard this great ship.
Early boarders were already sunning themselves on the Lido deck and swimming in the pools. Food and drinks were being served buffet style.
As we made our way to our stateroom, at every elevator, stair, or hallway more greeters could be found in obvious red shirts, directing guests knowledgeably to their next destination. No getting lost here.
We finally arrived at our stateroom. Which by the way was spotless and well appointed.
You’d hardly guess that, only 5 hours ago, 1000’s of previous cruisers had left the ship and all of their mess in these staterooms.
One crew member explained to us, that on the day the ship changes passengers, housekeeping has approximately 10 minutes per room to get each of his assigned 39 rooms looking ship shape for the next guests. Folks get off at 8am. New passengers are in their staterooms by 1:30. Amazing.
These housekeeping folks hustle and do a really great job! More on housekeeping and staff later.
In fact, let’s start now!
I put “The Crew” as #1 on my list of reasons to cruise.
Here’s why…
It has been my experience of late, that in most places, customer service has declined or just plain sucks.
You can’t find clerks to help you in the stores, and if they do, they’re often misinformed. And very seldom friendly. Maybe I just shop at the wrong stores.
And get the wrong people on the telephone when I need assistance too. This never happened with Carnival. The phone reps were friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. And the ship’s crew on board, even more so.
For example…
They remembered my name! Everyone else’s as well.
It has been said, that to each of us, our names are the most important sound in the world.
And how special do you feel when someone remembers your name? Especially when they’ve just met you!
Our housekeeper seemed to know us even before we met.
When we first came aboard and were looking for our stateroom, he was kind enough to tell us that we just passed it.
Wait, What??? How did he know that? And after that, he would always greet us by name when he saw us in the hallway. Sahari was his name. And he would leave towels shaped into animals on our bed each day after cleaning. The elephant and the dog were my favorites.
Waiters and waitresses also remembered our names. Not just in the dining room where there was reason and context, but even as we passed throughout the ship. Never failed to amaze me or make me smile.
Shaiza in particular was extraordinarily friendly and helpful. She was from India.
One of our party has Celiac disease, where you can’t eat foods containing, or that have even been in contact with, wheat products or gluten.
Although they regularly set out foods which are gluten free, and are good at labeling foods as such, our traveling companion still had trouble finding foods they liked.
When this issue was brought to the attention of our hostess Monica, she went to great lengths to show us additional foods which could be specially prepared, and even insured that the other restaurants on board would prepare foods to this guest’s liking. The kitchens and chefs are very accommodating to special dietary requests or needs.
Five stars to all the cruise staff. Friendly. Knowledgeable. Helpful. Above and beyond! They always left you feeling like you are someone special. (You are you know!)
#2 Reason to Cruise – It Stimulates The Senses
In previous articles I’ve talked at length about how adding unique and different experiences can enrich your life. About the importance of waking yourself up from the same old, same old routine by doing something different.
Pleasant new experiences make us feel alive inside!
Cruise ships offer this in spades. Especially if it’s your first cruise, as it was for us. Everything is new! You’re on a floating hotel and resort for God’s sake! In the middle of the ocean! What could be more different?
New sights. New experiences.
New people to meet, passengers and crew. Everyone was friendly.
There are so many floors (levels) to the ship, each with its own distinct architecture and style.
Shops, restaurants, casino, pools, lounges, stages, bars.
It’s a buffet feast for the senses, eyes, ears, nose, touch, and taste.
Difference surrounds you at every turn. Awes you.
“Wow, look at that!”
#3 – Sheer Variety Of Experiences All in One Place
On the ship there are multiple:
- Restaurants
- Pools
- Hot Tubs
- Bars
- Nightclubs/Lounges
- Shops
- Elevators
- Decks with Sun and Shade
- Foods
- Drinks
- Music Genres
- Entertainers – magic at our dinner table every day – Thanks Patricio!
- A spa, a fitness center, casino, outdoor movies on the big screen, in room TV’s, comedians, singers, karaoke, live bands, giant pool slide, Bingo.
There is such a huge variety of stuff on the ship alone, let alone all the activities you can enjoy when the ship reaches its ports of call.
We filled our days enjoying all sorts of activities on the ship. And just relaxing in the lounge chairs as well. People watching.
Then, at our first port of call on Half Moon Cay, we enjoyed the clear blue beach. Plus snorkeling with, petting and feeding, some stingrays!
There were loads of other activities we could have enjoyed on Half Moon Cay as well. Having time for everything you want to do is the only challenge. Variety is everywhere!
There truly is, something for everyone.
While in Nassau, Bahamas, we enjoyed the Atlantis Waterpark, with it’s huge marine life aquarium, and a thrilling ride down the near-verticle 60 foot drop of the Leap of Faith water slide at the Mayan Temple. After that, a not-so-lazy ride through the mile long Rapids River in a tube.
Just like our stop in Half Moon Cay, there are so many more activities one could partake of while at this stop. If only there was more time!
Cruise ships are an amazing opportunity to get maximum “difference” or variety in a short space of time, for the best possible value.
There really is something wonderful for everyone to enjoy on a cruise. Together as a group. Or individually.
#4 Reason To Cruise – Luxury
From the plush, colorful carpets, to the ornately decorated walls, right up to the various lighting and ceiling styles, you’ll feel as if you’ve been invited to someone’s mansion.
There is linen on the dining tables, fancy plates and glasses. And everything is kept spotlessly clean by a crew that works tirelessly to keep it so. Room service is prompt, friendly and attentive.
How can you not feel special when surrounded by so much oppulence?
#5 Reason To Cruise – Cleanliness
Perhaps this is something new, post Covid, but I have a new found appreciation when traveling for cleanliness.
And not just seeing that something is clean. But knowing that it is being cleaned regularly because I actually see the crew members cleaning. Always and everywhere.
Railings are being wiped. Counters are being wiped. Floors are being mopped and carpets vacuumed. Glass and brass is being polished bright. Our rooms cleaned daily, And clean tables were always available at or near the food and drink stations.
Very comforting indeed.
Should you cruise?
After my first cruise experience, I would whole-heartedly say YES!
We called this our short, sample cruise. Some of our party were concerned about sea sickness before we made the arrangements.
How rocky would this voyage be?
I can honestly say, most of the time we felt nothing at all. Perfectly smooth. We did sail in fair weather though, so I can’t vouch for all voyages.
One other big plus I’d mention, speaking to those who may have health concerns. We were 8 hours out of port when the announcement came over that the ship that we would be turning around and returning back to the Port of Miami for a medical emergency.
Imagine, turning the whole ship around and speeding back to port for a person in need. That’s huge!
Amazingly, they announced simultaneously that none of our scheduled stops would be interrupted. They would make up the time, and get us back on schedule, through speed!
Surprisingly, there was very little perception that we were going faster, unless you were looking out the window, or were outside on deck.
It got pretty breezy on deck. But the sailing was smooth. Fast or slow.
So there you have it. My 5 Great Reasons to Cruise
To recap…
- 1 Friendly, Knowledgeable Staff make you feel important
- 2 Different Experience – wakes you up inside to feel alive
- 3 Variety of Experiences – a buffet for all five senses
- 4 Luxury – you’ll feel like a king or a queen
- 5 Cleanliness – everything ship-shape makes me feel safe
OK. We all know about yin and yang. You can’t appreciate the light without the dark. Nor the good without the bad.
So here’s the “bad”. But really not bad, just not so good as the rest, in my opinion. Certainly nothing that would keep me from going on another cruise, or from recommending the cruise experience.
For me, an admittedly picky eater, the food quality, though diverse and plentiful, was just “meh”. I opted to upgrade several of my dinner selections to “paid” because I didn’t find anything I enjoyed on the “included” dinners. My traveling companions did not necessarily share my view.
Additionally, there were several times when I wanted to approach the Guest Services counter, but found a line waiting far down the hall. It became a non-problem by simply asking other crew members in the area. Everyone (crew members) seems to have a good knowledge of what goes on on the ship.
All in all, these 2 small inconveniences were really not problems at all. Nothing that would overshadow the “good”.
I hope you enjoyed my 5 great reasons to cruise!
Where will you book your first or next cruise?
“Bene Vivere!”
“Bahama Bob” – Schwarztrauber
P.S. What also surprised me was the quietness of the rooms. Even though we had folks on either side of our room, we never heard them! Everyone was happy we chose an outside stateroom with a window. I’d suggest that to anyone. If not a balcony, at least have a window to enjoy the view. It also gives you perspective about your position on the ship. It’s easy to forget if you’re facing the front, or the rear of the ship if you can’t see the movement outside.
