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The Wonder Luster

For Those Of Us Whose Dreams Won't Die Between 17 and 65.

Life is wondrous! Feed your lust for life with the tools & inspiration to help make it a great one.

Why You Should Take a Cruise As A Newbie or Solo Traveler

Travel | July 8, 2015

Are you a new or solo traveler? A cruise is a perfect idea for a trip! It's an easy and safe way to meet new people and have fun adventures.

Cruising, as I’ve discovered, seems to be a culture all of it’s own.  Last month, I took a 7 day cruise to Bermuda, my first international trip and my first cruise as an adult (I had taken one well over a decade ago when I was 18).  I also took this cruise by myself, and while some people were shocked that I’d take a 7 day cruise by myself, I can tell you it was one of the best vacations I’ve ever had!  If you’re a newbie traveler, or you want to take a vacation and aren’t sure if you can find a companion for the trip, cruising is a safe and fun way to take an unforgettable vacation.  Here are my top reasons I love cruises for newbie travelers and solo travelers.

 

Holland America Line ms Veendam

 

1.  You’re In Good Company

There were plenty of other solo and single travelers on the cruise, and I never felt out of place.  There is an attitude, at least what I experienced on Holland America, that everyone is in a jovial mood.  At times, if requested, I could be seated by myself, but other times, I requested to be seated with other passengers- and the dinner conversations were always really good.  I got to hear from folks that had been all over the world, from different walks of life and it was really enlightening.

Additionally, there were several solo/single meetups on the ship that involved free cocktails.  Yes, this girl loves free cocktails. I met men and women from a variety of backgrounds and age groups.  Some were traveling solo like myself (like a younger teacher who simply loved to travel during her summers off), some were widowed, and others still were there with their entire family but didn’t have a partner with them and wanted to meet new people.

 

2.  It’s Cost Effective

On my 7 day cruise to Bermuda, a flight would have cost at least $500-600.  A 4 day hotel stay in Bermuda would have cost no less than $800.  Food on the island isn’t cheap either, (I somehow got swindled into a $13 beer, but the fella felt bad so I got a free pint glass to take home…that I didn’t need?) so easily, food could cost you $300 for 4 days.  A 7 day cruise to Bermuda, however, is around $1500 per person or less.  I opted to get a nicer stateroom with a balcony, but honestly- many cruisers brag about how awesome it is to have boarding, food and entertainment for $100 a day.

Holland America Line Pinnacle Grill

3.  You’ll Get Lots Of Yummy Food

Is it just me, or is food at airports the worst?  What I love about cruising is that you can eat really well while you’re still en route to your destination.  On our way to Bermuda, I got to enjoy surf and turf, the most amazing cactus pear sorbet, sushi almost daily and three square meals a day.  I love food.

Holland America Line Food and Dessert Holland America Line Cake

4.  Breakfast In Bed

Okay, I geeked out about this one- I got to order room service every day for free.  I could customize a menu with coffee, turkey bacon, veggie sausage, fruit, and an omelet. Other days, I opted for a bagel and scrambled eggs, and could customize the time it was delivered.

Ya, pretty snazzy.

Breakfast in Bed on the ms Veendam

 

 

5. Excursions Take The Stress Out Of Travel

You know what I found funny- sometimes planning a vacation to relax can be a lot of work.  When balancing work, life and vacation planning, especially if you’re a newbie planner like myself, it can feel sort of overwhelming. Some folks relish in the work involved with planning a 7 day vacation- the activities, the restaurants and the activities. I spent time on Pinterest to understand Bermuda, but was really grateful to have some semblance of an itinerary and excursions to add structure to the trip.

 

Holland America Lines 7 Day Bermuda CruiseHolland America Lines Bermuda Cruise Food6.  Solo & International Travel Is More Approachable

It can be intimidating to be a chick trying to get out more.  If you’re a passport virgin like I am, international travel can be a bit overwhelming. Many women travel solo and are great at it, with no problems- but for the first few trips, you may feel the need to get your solo/international sea legs.  What’s it like when people drive on the other side of the road?  What’s the deal with currency exchange?  Will language barriers be an issue? How will I navigate a different culture.

Getting off the boat with a bunch of other people who were disembarking at the same time, who were friendly and loved to travel made it much easier to explore. It made me feel less alone, and it was nice to have people to go out with and journey together- even though we had been strangers previously.  Even though I was traveling by myself, I had fun- but if you’re going solo to a place with a different language or a vastly different culture, going on a cruise takes the overwhelm out of exploration.

 

7. You Can Be Fancy & Relax On The Same Cruise

Formal nights on the ship aren’t as stuffy as you’d think- you can get a delicious surf and turf meal, and I saw various levels of dressiness for formal nights.  I’m not sure about you, but steak and shrimp aren’t a nightly thing for me.  Additionally, I don’t get a ton of opportunities to dress up.  I enjoyed that you could lounge by the pool during the day and be casual, then shower and get gussied up for formal night.  We had 2 formal nights, both of which were optional.  You can tailor your experience to be as laid back or as fancy pants as you’d like.

 

Holland America Lines Surf and Turf

 

Holland American Line ms Veendam

8.  You Get To Enjoy A Journey & A Destination Simultaneously

Often, getting to where we’re going is not a fun experience- but with a cruise you can enjoy both the journey and the destination.  I got to enjoy three and a half great days in Bermuda (which I’ll talk about more in an upcoming post), but getting there was relaxing. I got to enjoy yummy meals, breakfast in bed, reading on a private balcony, a spa treatment and some great cocktails in the process. For me, two days at sea and days on site in a gorgeous place like Bermuda was just the right mix.

 

Thank you to Holland America for inviting me as a media guest on their ship. I paid my own way, but was offered discounts and complimentary passes for extra services to help facilitate my review. 

Life is wondrous! Feed your lust for life with the tools & inspiration to help make it a great one.

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Follow the adventure on Instagram

Some people just make the world a more vibrant pla Some people just make the world a more vibrant place, simply by being in it.  I can say that about these people- who make life more colorful, brighter and true just by being themselves. 

Grateful we could slow down to capture a little snippet in time for our family before we grow again. ❤️
IYKYK, bath time edition. 🛁. #bathtime #travelb IYKYK, bath time edition. 🛁. #bathtime #travelblogger #travel #familytravel #travellust
3 years since this photo was taken and my former k 3 years since this photo was taken and my former kidney became this guy's kidney. ❤️

I can say, I've grown to appreciate this moment a lot more as time has gone on.  It hasn't been an easy road for my recipient, he and his family have had a few health scares and ups and down, but I'm so grateful we are in each other's lives.

Chances are, you may know of someone in need of a kidney. 1 in 3 adults in the U.S., over 80 million people, are at risk for kidney disease.  While not every diagnosis leads to kidney failure, there are millions of people in this scary limbo hoping for good news.

I didn't know my recipient before this process started, but when I found I could live healthfully with one, I knew I had to try.  Donation is low-risk, my costs were generously covered by my recipient (both through insurance and the kindness of others) and I was back at work in 4 weeks.  Needless to say, it was easier than birthing a baby.

Candidates for kidney donation are thoroughly vetted to ensure the surgery, and life with one kidney are a good fit.  Trust me, your team will not ask you to donate if you have any risk factor of being in need of a transplant yourself down the road.  Testing took months and was incredibly thorough.  Your remaining kidney can do the job of two, and my kidney levels are normal and healthy 3 years later.

Even if you don't personally know someone who needs a kidney, please consider living kidney donation.  You can anonymously donate, be paired through a registry or find someone on social media who is in need, like I did.  There are literally thousands of people using Instagram and Facebook to try and someone who is even willing to get the basic tests.  You could be their person.  Have questions? I’m here for you! 

Being a living kidney donor absolutely enriched my life beyond imagination and has blessed my little family with a beautiful extended family to celebrate with.  Grateful for this day.
Life’s moments are made better with our pets. ❤️

Joey had been with us for nearly 4 years, made possible by the kind folks of South Texas Boston Terrier Rescue. I picked him up, intending on fostering him for a few weeks and ended up falling in love with his sweet spirit, exuberance for anything food related and his lovable derpiness.

Previously, he was kept in a small cage with two other terriers, all day every day and used as a stud. When he was no longer profitable, he, like plenty of others, was surrendered to rescue.  He was blind in one eye, needed teeth extracted and had skin lesions from life in a cage. 

Life hadn’t been easy for him, but I’m glad a rescue was there to give him a second chance, and they trusted me to give in his second chapter.  He was a well travelled dog and he was the Best Pup on our wedding day in Marfa.  Last night we said goodbye. Hubs and I will miss him dearly, but savor the moments and adventures with our little tank. 

Adopt, don’t shop.  Support your local rescues and give your fur kids an extra squeeze for Joey tonight.
“Is this enough for you?” My husband has asked “Is this enough for you?” My husband has asked me this before. To which, I answer- life is full, wonderful, and I am grateful. 

I believe he asks because before kids, I had a very different lifestyle. I traveled to Europe by myself, started businesses, donated a kidney, ran half marathons, got my master’s degree.  I lived a full life, then too. I was fiercely independent because I had to be.

I’m still that person, but fortunately I have more people to share it with. I also have to be more vulnerable than ever.

I had years to find myself and don’t plan on losing that woman I forged. Being a mom has also helped me heal some of the hard parts of the experience I had with my own mom. (I didn’t see that last part coming.)

Being a mom can make you lose yourself.  For me, it’s helped me discover myself once more. Grateful for this day and so many days - I’m just happy to be here. 

Happy Mother’s Day everyone. I hope you discover yourself, heal what you need and feel the love today and everyday.

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