What used to be about getting from point A to point B has evolved into one of the most exciting and sought after vacation opportunities in the country. According to CLIA (Cruise Line Industry Association) 9.57 million Americans set sail on a cruise vacation in 2007. Now I know why! What better way to relax, experience new things, places, and foods then on a floating resort! Cruises are relatively inexpensive too! For a fraction of the cost of what the airfare/hotels/and meals would cost to visit all the locations on your cruise, you’re able to do so and not have any worries. All you have to do is share the memories with your loved ones.

However, a lot of people fear the unknown when when it comes to cruising. Do you ever wonder why most people who have been on cruises continue to go on cruises year after year- while others don’t even give cruising a chance? All the good you have heard about cruising is true. I experienced it first handedly and will share some of my recently found knowledge with you. Things that I wish I had known before cruising for the first time. I also had the chance to sit down with the Hotel Director on the Norwegian Sky to get tips from a seasoned professional.

Fillipo Bertuzzi (originally from Italy but transplanted to Spain when he was young) has been with Norwegian Cruise Line for seven years. He is head over the hotel division of the boat which includes guest services, housekeeping, food and beverage, entertainment, and all the crew. When asked the most important tip for first time cruisers he stated that it is all about the attitude you bring on board. If you come in relaxed and looking to have a good time you will have an enjoyable and memorable vacation. Choose people you’ll have fun with to join you on your cruise. If you bring someone you have problems with outside of the ship aboard and hope the problems will disappear on your trip, they most likely will not because now you are in a small confined space and problems seem to magnify. You owe it to yourself to have a good time, especially after all the time you spent saving for your vacation. I just have to add that this is completely true and true with everything in life- the experience is what you make it. So make it memorable.

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1) Worked out: I seriously gained eight pounds from my cruise, and it was only a three day cruise! But in all fairness I think some of those pounds were holiday pounds so it would have been nice to have lost those before I went so I would have looked my best

2) Gone tanning: I was whiter than snow on my cruise so instead of tanning, I was focused on not burning and getting my foundation tan. It would have been nice to have the base tan out of the way and been able to come back to show off a sweet dark complexion in January in Utah

3) Bought a cute sundress to wear on the ports: I forgot to do that and so I was stuck wearing capri pants and shirts while other women looked so comfortable in their flowing dresses

4) Bought sunscreen: I bought it on the cruise ship and it cost three times as much had I bought it at a grocery store

5) Remembered my sunglasses: It hurt to squint the whole time and I never found any cute enough to buy

Cruising is for everyone. Those looking for a budget vacation will have a great time on a cruise. Those looking for an extravagant posh vacation will have a great time on a cruise. Cruising is really for every kind of budget and lifestyle.

This was my first ever cruise- and I promise you that it will in no way be my last. We loved our cruise so much we put down a deposit for our next. It’s human nature to be wary of the unknown and so that is why I wonder why a lot of people who have never been on cruises don’t go while most cruisers have been multiple times. Look for a post by early next week on tips for first time cruisers where I give a healthy mix of my own tips and tips from a seasoned professional: Norwegian Sky Hotel Director Fillipo Bertuzzi.

For now here is a picture recap of my cruise. I hope you enjoy the pictures and know that I had the best time of my life. Cruising is the best way to truly relax on a vacation because you don’t worry about meals, traveling or money. You just kick back and enjoy the experience. I loved the freestyle experience of Norwegian Cruise Line and don’t think I’ll be able to do it any other way.

The pool on our cruise ship

 

View of Miami from the ship

 

Cruise ship in Nassau

 

Bahemian bus in Nassau

 

Taken at Christ Church Cathedral in Nassau

 

Christ Church Cathedral in Nassau

 

The Atlantis Resort in Nassau

 

The Norwegian Sky (our cruise ship)

 

*as always photo credit goes to the lovely Reid Fuller