Anyone who knows me would also know I’d rather stick a hot poker in my eye than go on a cruise ship. I know I know, my perception of oldies playing shuttleboard or drama a la The Love Boat are all seriously outdated, but I’ve never had any desire to travel aboard something that could strike an iceberg or spring a leak. (And yes I know the Titanic incident was a rarity and Poseidon Adventure a movie, but still…)
Which makes it more inexplicable that… I AM GOING ON A CRUISE. (And I’m actually looking forward to it!)
For several months now, my niece and some of her friends have been tagging their Facebook, Instagram pics and the like with #feelinthejoy.
Now, I know this could lead one to think they’re in some kind of weird religious cult that requires them to be perpetually happy, but that’s not the case. It actually cos they’re all workmates and performers on a cruise liner, The Norwegian Joy.
* Pic via Instagram.
My sister-in-law and brother spent a week on The Norwegian Joy at Christmas and enjoyed their time enough that my SIL wants to go back around Easter. (Although obviously it’s more about seeing my niece than travelling on a boat between China and Japan – though she enjoyed that also.)
Long story short, she’s booking a cabin and I offered to be her cabin-mate. I mean, who am I to say no to free accommodation? In reality I’m doing her a huge favour. A public service almost. 🙂
I’m pretty sure she’s aware of my reported snoring habit, though I really only have my mother’s word on that. Although I’m nervous about the sea-sickness thing so perhaps I’ll be in the bathroom vomiting too much to snore!
Anyhoo I’m excited cos this boat is freakin’ huge. Like 19-20 storeys huge. It has waterslides and a go-kart track on the top levels. I’m unlikely to partake in too many planned activities cos… well, crowds. *shudders*
Speaking of which, apparently 3883 of us may well be on board. And 1800 crew members.
Interestingly this ship has been custom-built for Chinese travellers. I’m not sure what that means or how it’ll differ from other cruises… but as I’ve nothing to compare it to it’s not really a problem at all.
And quite frankly I’m always happy to dine, drink and lie about and read. Of course I’ve not been to China or Japan, so there will be a smidge of sightseeing amongst the frivolous lolling about. And then of course there are stage shows to be seen – occasionally three times a day.
It’ll be lovely to see my niece in her native environment. I didn’t see her during her Disney gig so I’ve not seen her perform for a while. Also, cos I’m a weird Instagram stalker I already follow half of her fellow cast. (Well I follow some and the hashtag #NorwegianJoy which helps.)
Of course there are boring and tedious bits to this trip. Like the flights and logistics and the usual crappy stuff and we’ll only be away just over a week in total. But, it’ll be good prep for my longer European trip in August and September. After not travelling overseas in a decade or so I’ll be going twice in a year!
I know a lot of my fellow blogging buddies have written about their cruising experiences before so I must read up before I leave. But until then…
Any cruising MUSTS? Or MUST-NOTS?Â
The Lovin’ Life team includes:
February 15, 2018
What fun!
February 16, 2018
I know! I’m surprisingly excited!
February 15, 2018
May i suggest sea sickness tablets and i found chewing ginger (buderim ginger bears were nice) this helps too. Enjoy the cruise i am off on 1 too in May with the hubby for a wedding looking forward to it too.
February 16, 2018
That sounds lovely Margaret… and yes, I think preventative measures for seasickness will be a good thing.
February 15, 2018
Fabulous! My tip, find somewhere quiet to read and watch the ocean – and stay away from the buffet!
February 16, 2018
The coeliac thing will probably be problematic. My SIL had to book through a Chinese website so wasn’t able to flag the gluten-free issue, but my niece said some of her colleagues are coeliac and it’s not a problem to find options!
February 15, 2018
Sounds great! My tip: Enjoy 🙂
February 16, 2018
Ah yes, am sure I should be able to achieve that one!
February 15, 2018
That’s one amazing looking cruise ship! You’ll have a ball 🙂
February 16, 2018
It looks huge doesn’t it?! There’s no way I’m going on the go-kart thing of course. I’ve seen some photos on Instagram and would be worried I’d fly over the side of the barriers and plunge 20 storeys below into the ocean!
February 15, 2018
I am not sure a cruise is for me either. It just sounds too big!
February 16, 2018
My SIL said their last trip involved some queuing for the shows (cos of course they wanted to go to them all) but they paid a bit extra for access to certain restaurants etc that involved fewer people I gather.
February 15, 2018
How exciting! Have fun!
Ingrid
http://www.fabulousandfunlife.blogspot.com.au
February 16, 2018
Thanks!
February 15, 2018
Oh I love cruising Deb and we just booked one around Japan for October. You will enjoy it and you only have to unpack once! Good for you! x
February 16, 2018
I’m intending to travel light and the weather there (spring, should be kinda similar to our autumn) so I shouldn’t need TOO many layers.
February 15, 2018
Big cruise ships don’t excite me at all Deb…but……if I was offered a free trip with a friend I guess I could suck it up and find the joy 🙂 I think you’ll have a great time. My friend who cruises said she finds areas of the boat that are less crowded and hangs out there (usually towards the back of the boat) rather than being swamped with people.
February 16, 2018
Yes, I’ve always thought I’d prefer to lie around a resort on a tropical island for a week rather than go on a cruise, if my holiday was going to be about ‘relaxing’. But getting to see my niece will be a bonus and the flight to and from Shanghai wasn’t too expensive. Plus I doubt I’ll ever get back to that part of Asia. (And I’ve only been to SE Asia before.)
February 15, 2018
Girl…I think the fact that you are a tad excited could be an evolution of sorts. And that’s a good thing. Because many of us don’t love crowds and such, but I think most of these ships have figured out those specifics. And it’s really quite a pampering of sorts. Who doesn’t love not having to clean up after themselves for a week? Or cook? Or be responsible? Truly heaven in a way!!!
Take a dress. Seriously. One dress. It’s very versatile, and will work for dress up and casual. And go get a pedicure. You deserve it!!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
February 16, 2018
I’ve got two perfect dresses in case I need to dress up (that I bought last year and used for my photo shoot). They don’t need ironing and will roll up into little balls. The food thing is probably the most problematic for me as I’m coeliac (celiac) and as I’ve had weightloss surgery I can’t eat and drink at the same time and am supposed to focus on protein etc… but having said that, food is far less important than it once was, and – in reality – I’d be happy with protein bars for meals so will throw some of those in my bag in case I need them.
February 15, 2018
What a great opportunity to try it out with minimal expense. Cruising isn’t something that holds much appeal for me but lots of people love it so there must be something in it. Happy planning.
February 16, 2018
There must be something in it. I’ll undoubtedly write about the experience!
February 15, 2018
I love that you are doing this!! I know you are one very proud Aunt and I hope you have a ball! Denyse x
February 16, 2018
I’m really excited to spend some time with her Denyse and see what she’s doing.
February 15, 2018
Exciting and good on you for embracing something that isn’t your cup of tea .. yet.
SSG xxx
February 16, 2018
I hope it is a ‘yet’!!!
February 16, 2018
I have been in the “poke my eye out before I go cruising” group forever. It seems like I’m the only person in it nowadays. I will try one sometime (I’ll wait to hear your verdict with glee). I worry about sea sickness and putting on too much weight from eating and drinking excessively. I also know that I would wish I could stay longer in port to do more exploring. Someone told me to view a cruise as a sample plate – try out a little of a lot of places and then return to the ones you particularly like at a later date.
February 17, 2018
I think I remember my brother mentioning some sort of walking track on the boat so hopefully I’ll get some exercise while on there.
I’ve never been particularly interested in visiting either China or Japan, so guess this will provide snippets to perhaps whet my appetite!
February 19, 2018
I vacillate between wanting to go on a cruise and cringing because there would be so many people to deal with! Good luck and we await your return!
February 20, 2018
I was talking about this with friends a little while ago and a few suggested the smaller, more expensive options because they said there are fewer kids and families and it’s a little more intimate.