Why I can’t wait to cruise again

by Moira Mevissen, NSW

I miss cruising – there, I said it! And yes it may not be a ‘PC’ thing to say at the moment with the world of cruising in stormy seas in the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak but I feel I speak for many timid and silent cruise fans who love to cruise and can’t wait to board a ship again.

As a crocheter, I can say I’m ‘hooked’ on cruising, with more than 50 cruises under my belt. And I loved every one of them and can’t wait for more adventures afloat so I can once again experience the excitement of embarkation day, the endless horizon of sparkling sea, the sweeping expanse of blue skies, fresh salty sea air, exotic destinations on the horizon and, of course, the non-stop pampering through attentive service and fine food. For me, cruising is so easy, romantic, indulgent and sensory-enriching. And it’s slow, with time to think, feel, breathe, wind down and savour it all. And what about the magic of being rocked to sleep each night as your ship rides the waves. There’s really no holiday like it.

I’ve sailed on ships big and small and both have their appeal but I do love the intimacy, friendliness, relaxed ambience and ease of getting around that smaller vessels offer – particularly when you’ve left something back in the cabin, which I often do. On large ships, I ask my athletic husband to tackle the 300m hike back to the cabin but on boutique vessels, I do it myself!

Last Christmas I experienced my first river cruise in Europe with Riviera Travel River Cruises and fell in  love with river cruising instantly. What a gorgeous experience to lie on your bed, French balcony opened, and watch beautiful castles, medieval villages and vine-cloaked hillsides glide by. I cherished the magic of a European Christmas complete with a Viennese string quartet aboard our river ship playing Christmas carols. There was the joy of sitting in a ship-top, super-hot jacuzzi on an icy day and cruising past mystical forests and rugged mountains. Plus, the tastes of local delicacies both ashore and onboard each day – goulash, gluhwein, gingerbread and other traditional Christmas fare. And the thrill of adventure on included shore tours each day, exploring winding, cobblestone streets, and the fun of jumping on one of the ship’s bikes to explore a town on two wheels.

But that was then and this is now, with all ships slumbering in hibernation. Today, I dream daily of future adventures at sea or on rivers, with a brochure in one hand and a wine in the other.  I have been so saddened to see cruising portrayed so darkly and unfairly in the media, creating so many misconceptions and myths. As an experienced cruiser, I know cruising is safe and how cruise lines and their dedicated crew work so hard to uphold the safety, health and wellbeing of guests each and every day. The time-honoured term ‘ship-shape’ says it all! And I know that when ships can sail again, cruise lines will employ enhanced health protocols and hygiene procedures to create the safest environment possible for everyone onboard.

I enjoyed cruising before and I will enjoy it again. There are so many more ships to sail on and destinations to explore. I can’t wait!

Thank you Moira for your beautiful words. They echo so many of our guests’ hopes and dreams for the future. – CT ed.