Going to sea for the first time

It was in early autumn 2018 that Catherine, a young woman in her twenties, decided to take her first cruise. Like many of you reading this, the idea of traveling by sea was far down her travel bucket list. Among other things, she had several concerns about it, including the fear of not having enough time for ports of call or finding her trip boring. Her first experience at sea quickly gave her a taste for setting sail again.

A typical day on board

It was aboard the MSC Seaside, a ship built just two years ago, that Catherine experienced her first cruise. She thoroughly enjoyed the amenities the ship offers its passengers. She chose a cabin with a balcony boasting a breathtaking ocean view. She highly recommends this option to all travelers, as she particularly appreciated the peaceful moments on her private balcony.

Every morning, the traveler got up early and took her time having breakfast before heading to the upper deck to soak up the sun by the pools. She really enjoyed the atmosphere on the ship. Different themed entertainment and activities awaited her each day. In the evening, at 7:00 p.m., she went to dinner at her assigned table in the dining room, where she ate very well. A different meal was served each night. Afterward, she returned to the upper deck to enjoy the entertainment and movies that were being shown. Every day, around 8:30 p.m., Catherine attended the onboard shows, which she described as being on par with Broadway productions. Everything was perfect: the costumes, the singing, the dancing, the acrobatics!

The stopovers

Accompanied by a friend for the duration of her stay, Catherine chose a 7-day cruise to the Bahamas. Departing from Miami, this sea excursion allowed them to make stops in the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, and Saint Maarten. Puerto Rico was Catherine's favorite destination. The pastel-colored island charmed her completely.

During her layovers, the traveler preferred to explore the places on her own rather than opting for excursions, a choice she doesn't regret at all. She particularly appreciated the ease of getting around the cities by taxi. During the layovers, which are typically around 8 hours long, Catherine made the most of her time and travel to discover the most beautiful spots. To help prepare for layovers, she suggests that travelers always carry their passport and cash.

Catherine's advice

If there's one piece of advice Catherine would give to all first-time cruisers, it's to form their own opinion about cruising. She encourages travelers to live their experience day by day and to live in the moment to make the most of it. Since there are different types of sea voyages, she advises you to clearly define the experience you'd like to have before making a choice. Among other things, she suggests defining your travel style to help you choose the right cruise. Some people will choose their trip based on the ports of call, while others will choose it based on the ship and its amenities. There truly is something for everyone!

In the end, Catherine was pleasantly surprised by her sea voyage. Although she would have liked to have had the chance to make more stops, her experience exceeded her expectations. She even plans to set sail again for the Mediterranean with her boyfriend next year.

Would you like to experience a cruise for the first time? Call one of our advisors now to find the perfect trip for you at 1-844-727-2437. You can also visit our cruise section on our website.