Cruising, our way!

Check this out! Scenes like this are why I am attracted to cruising as a way of vacationing. Coupled with the fact that you only unpack and pack ONCE and get to travel to a selection of destinations, I'm sold!

So far, out of the 5 cruises we have taken, there's only been one disappointing one. I've learnt that cruises caters to different crowds and you better do your homework to find out that you are agreeable to their target audience before booking.

Cruising tips :

1. When you board, book or reconfirm your shore excursions and dining times. The last thing you need is to turn up for a nonexistent excursion or miss out on a booked and paid for tour.

2. Dress appropriately for your tour and weather. I have seen one brave (not very smart) girl on 5 inch platform heels tottering on cobblestone roads.. NOT a good idea!

3. The food onboard will be plentiful. It will be good ( if you're lucky). As such, treat mealtimes with respect. Dress up and dine. Enjoy your food and wine. AND desserts!

4. Skip the lift, take the stairs. Even if you do not wish to hit the gym, all the walking around a huge cruise ship helps burn the calories you consume onboard the cruise.

5. Make use of the library! Instead of lugging heavy paperbacks or an ipad, take the time to curl up in your balcony with a cup of hot tea and loose yourself in fiction.

6. Spend smart. Little expenditures add up, especially when no cash is involved. Bring your essential medications, toiletries and sunscreens instead of purchasing them on board. Have your coffees when you are ashore and get in a bit of the local culture thrown in for free!

7. Mingle. Seeing the same faces over and over again while on vacation makes it easy to bond. Exchanging pleasantries and stories will make for a pleasant time onboard even if you never see each other again after the cruise. (This is the norm rather than the exception)

8. Use the kid's club! Allow your children some time to mingle with other kids and yourself, some adult time to snooze or booze.

9. Lastly, enjoy yourself, you're on holiday! Live a little! That said, I will leave you with just some of the fantastic meals we had on board...