My very first cruise.

I do not remember anymore what I was wearing the very first evening I had dined in the dining room.To feel good and never out of place you must lift your head up high,straighten your back and waltz into a room with a smile on your face as if you owned the place. And that first evening my face was smiling,but my heart was crying. Several days had passed in a haze. I would stay in my cabin looking out of the window at the vast expanse of the sea. The massive choppy waves would hit the balcony even though I was on the seventh floor. The wind was wailing, rocking the ship like a mother rocks a crying baby. And then one morning I woke up and I could hear a seagull. And I caught myself singing in the shower. I had not sung for a very long time. I had not welcomed a morning with a smile on my face for eight months. But on that day I was smiling at the sun,I was singing to the seagull. My heart was full of joy. I knew I was falling in love. No,I knew I WAS in love.Totally,completely in love with the sea, the ship. I had stayed on many other ships since,sailed to many new destinations,but the very first cruise is like the very first love - you never forget. CRUISING - you either love it, or you don't. It is as simple as that.

My very first cruise.

November 29, 2010.The train from Waterloo to Southampton was cold and dirty.Short taxi ride to the ship,Independence of the Seas,which was going to be my home for 11 nights. My very first cruise. Travelling alone. What was I letting myself in for? Canary Islands beckoned. Magic key opened the door to the room. Lovely large bed, immaculate bathroom,balcony. I loved it. Somehow I knew everything was going to be all right. Little did I know then, that not only was everything going to be all right, but that there, on that ship joy and happiness would come to me. Why was I on that ship alone? It is a long story.A long story that could be told in a short sentence. But not now. Now I close my eyes and remember so very clearly the warmth that embraced me when I had for the very first time opened that door.
Anyone who has been on a cruise,knows, that there are certain rules that must be obeyed. Rule one - you must attend a safety drill. The Independence is the only ship, where the drill is done outside. When the sun shines, it is easy to do, but when it is cold and windy, no amount of friendly banter or jokes from the captain makes it a pleasurable experience. Rule two... what is the rule two? There is no rule two! There is absolutely nothing else you HAVE to do. You do NOT have to dress up in the evenings and dine in the main dining room. You do NOT have to take part in the numerous organised activities that take place all day, every day, you do NOT have to go to the theatre every evening. You do NOT have to eat the wonderful food provided 24 hours a day. You do NOT have to. But why wouldn't you want to? Everything is done for you. You are looked after and cossetted from the moment you wake up, to the moment you close your eyes. And every morning you wake up in a new port. But this is another story for another day.