What Happens When a Global Explorer Goes on a Cruise?

As a global explorer and first-time cruiser, I was completely unaware of what awaited me. Cruises had always piqued my interest, and I thought they could be an exciting way to visit numerous destinations in a short period. However, I was unsure of what to expect beyond that.

All my expectations were blown apart—in the most fascinating way possible. Cruising was nothing like I had envisioned.

The Enigma of Embarkation

It turns out that cruise security is quite similar to airport security. I present my passport, place my bags on the conveyor belt with practiced ease, step into the body scanner, and then retrieve my bags afterward.

I step aboard and find myself in what looks like a grand foyer featuring a bar, adorned with chandeliers and staircases.

Where am I supposed to go? How do I get my room key? And why does everyone else seem to know exactly where they’re headed?

I glance at my handheld map of the Dinogo Vista, attempting to chart a course. If I get stuck, I’ll just ask one of the friendly bartenders already mixing cocktails for assistance.

Eventually, I make my way to the sixth floor, only to get lost again until a room attendant kindly informs me that the odd-numbered and even-numbered rooms are located on opposite sides of the ship.

I locate room 6261, with my key nestled in a cubbyhole beside the door.

So that’s how they manage things on a cruise ship.

Once You Go on a Cruise, You’ll Want to Go Again. And Again.

I reminisce about backpacking through Asia, South America, and Europe, having the same discussions repeatedly. 'Where have you been? Where are you headed next? How long is your trip?'

That’s not the kind of conversation you typically have on a cruise. However, we do encounter people for whom cruising is their primary mode of travel. While some passengers are embarking on their very first cruise, it appears that many others are on their third, ninth, or even seventeenth voyage. There’s even a desk onboard where you can book your next cruise before this trip has come to an end!

“Are you librarians?” a southern gentleman asks from behind us. I turn around to see a smiling older man pointing at Kate’s canvas bag that reads GET LOST IN THE STACKS.

“Oh! No,” she replies, flipping the bag over. “I picked this up at a bookstore in New York.”

He nods in understanding.

Now that the ice has been broken, the man leans closer, lowering his voice and raising his eyebrows. “Want to hear something?”

“What is it?” I reply.

“I have no clue where we’re headed.” He emphasizes each word with a burst of laughter, enjoying the moment.

“You’re kidding, right?”

“Nope! My wife makes the arrangements with my credit card, and I just show up!”

It turns out our new acquaintance and his wife go on cruises several times a year, and she handles all the research and planning. At first, it seems a bit odd—how could he not be curious about their destination?

However, the more I ponder it, the less outrageous it seems. Many traveling couples have one partner who takes charge of planning while the other is content to follow along to any location or decision made.

As we chat with our fellow cruise passengers, they share their favorite cruise lines and ships. I had no idea there were so many details that could influence the cruise experience. Whether it’s a favored bar, the best shows, or even a more adventurous waterslide, these factors can significantly impact your trip.

One thing everyone agrees on is that rooms with balconies are the best option.

For our fellow travelers, the destinations revolve around activities like snorkeling with stingrays in Grand Cayman, cave tubing and zip lining in Belize, and horseback riding through the rainforest in Puerto Rico. With most locations offering a diverse range of excursions, you can choose trips that are as laid-back or adventurous as you desire.

We quickly discover cruise traditions that seem unfamiliar to us but are well-known to these seasoned cruisers. On embarkation day, it’s common to see entire families wearing matching custom t-shirts that read, “Dinogo VISTA 2017: GRAND TURK/SAN JUAN/ST. KITTS/ST. MAARTEN” on the back. As the cruise begins, everyone gathers on the upper deck to dance to the music playing overhead.

This cruise experience is a different creature altogether. It’s truly magnificent; it’s just about figuring out how to navigate it.

Our Favorite People: The Crew

Kate and I end up forming friendships with many of the staff onboard. Having visited nearly all of their countries collectively, we find two instant conversation starters: our love for their homeland and their delicious cuisine.

There appear to be more staff from the Philippines than anywhere else, and we engage in countless conversations about their stunning islands and beaches. I share anecdotes from my time working in bars in Melbourne with the Australian spa team.

When Kate and I discover that two Thai waitresses in the sushi bar are from Chiang Mai, the four of us enthusiastically discuss our favorite northern Thai dishes (ahem, khao soi, ahem).

The staff are not just friendly; they are exceptional at their jobs. Their attentive service and dedication are perhaps the most memorable aspect of the cruise.

When Flexibility Falls Short

On our final shore day in St. Maarten, Kate and I have one primary objective: to witness planes landing over Maho Beach, where the runway begins just a few meters from the shoreline. But instead of booking an organized shore excursion to Maho Beach, why not venture there on our own?

The day kicks off beautifully. We take a water taxi to Philipsburg, do a bit of shopping, grab some cool hats, and then board the public bus headed for Maho Beach.

Now this feels like our kind of adventure. We squeeze into the bus, pay two dollars each, watch the scenery whiz by, and groove to the driver’s lively Latin music.

Upon arriving at Maho Beach 30 minutes later, we ask some locals about the bus schedule back to Philipsburg. Everyone shrugs in response. “It comes when it comes.”

Kate and I share a look. While “it comes when it comes” is perfectly fine when you’re backpacking solo—flexibility often leads to your best travel adventures—it’s not ideal when you have a set time to return to a cruise ship.

Maho Beach is incredible. The planes fly in just feet above us, and the thrill is far beyond what we imagined. You can nearly reach out and grab the landing gear! We capture photos, videos, and selfies, realizing in that moment that this was one of the highlights of our cruise.

However, all enjoyable experiences come with a price.

We linger on the beach until all the shore excursion groups have departed, only to find ourselves stuck in gridlock. The journey that took us 30 minutes on public transport now drags on for over an hour in a taxi on our return. And we only had about an hour to make it back to the ship before it set sail.

Believing the ship might sail away from St. Maarten without us, Kate becomes a bundle of nerves. “Did you pack your passport?” she queries. “We might need them at the embassy.” I make a lighthearted joke with the taxi driver about how, if we miss the boat, we’ll be crashing at his place for the night.

He chuckles. Kate is not amused.

In the end, everything worked out, and surprisingly, we weren't even the last ones to board, despite arriving a few minutes late.

Deep down, I relished the excitement of the situation, and I secretly enjoyed witnessing Kate's stress (sorry, Kate!), but realistically, we probably should have opted for the shore excursion from the start. It would have spared us the worries of travel planning or timing, and certainly eliminated the concern of returning to the ship on schedule!

A Journey in Learning to Surrender

I can't help but wonder if globe-trotting turns you into a bit of a control freak. Whether solo or with company, someone always manages the tickets, maps out attractions, and decides on accommodations. Because if you aren’t taking charge, who will?

Embarking on a cruise means relinquishing much of that control. Your port days are meticulously planned. While you can enjoy food around the clock, the dining options vary daily, and there’s a rotating selection of restaurants available. Moreover, some of the best ship activities are scheduled for only one or two specific times, so advance planning is essential.

In essence, cruising forces you to release control.

In return, you’ll discover a sense of freedom you didn't realize you were longing for. There’s no need to stress about securing the right tickets, dodging taxi scams, or ordering food that might upset your stomach. You don’t even have to carry your passport around. Everything just unfolds.

It’s a joy to unpack just once and avoid the hassle of repacking every few days. Making a quick call from my room to have coffee brought to me by a friendly attendant in mere minutes is fantastic. For those with food sensitivities, having the onboard chefs prepare meals that meet my dietary needs is a breeze, eliminating the need to explain my restrictions to food vendors on different islands.

I’ll confess it took me longer than I anticipated to embrace this new mindset. However, once I did, I found it incredibly soothing to head up to Serenity, the adults-only deck, and unwind on a day bed for a few hours. When I’m backpacking, I might see that as a missed opportunity. Yet on a cruise, that is the opportunity.

In my mind, cruising and traveling occupy distinct categories. Traveling represents independent exploration, while cruising embodies relaxation and surrendering control. You still get to experience different destinations, but a cruise fosters a truly tranquil mindset.

Now that I’ve had my first cruise experience, I completely understand the appeal. I’m definitely on board with the idea of returning in the future (pun intended!).