Finally, Friday! Confessions of a cruise virgin

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Good Friday morning!

In two weeks, I’m going on my first cruise. A beginner cruise: four days, two stops, Baja. No problema, right?

OMG! I can hear the vast majority of you inhaling a shocked gasp. Everyone’s been on a cruise, right? Well, not me.

Here’s my list of excuses….ahem…sound and valid reasons for not going on a cruise.

1. I’m a reclusive artist type. Sharing a confined space–the ship is 856′ long– with 3, 450 other passengers doesn’t exactly call to me.

2. I’m a bit of a health nut. And, recently, I saw an allergist who tested me for food allergies. Guess what? I’m supposed to avoid: wheat, rice, goat milk, onions, honeydew melon and…wait for it…coffee. What do most people do on cruises? I’m told they eat and drink. Fact: most alcohol–including my fave: beer– is made from grains, such as wheat. Humph!

3. Germs! The flu is big news. I’m one of the few who’s doctor advised not to get a flu shot. The ship could be a giant petri floating dish. I’m already stocking up on hand sanitizer.

4. I love routine. I function best with routine. Sleep and exercise are my friends. I have a feeling my friends are going to stay home this time. 🙁

So…you’re asking yourself, why on earth has Deb signed up and paid good money for this cruise? Two reasons: snow and cold.

It’s neither of those things where I live. Here’s what my weather looks like right now.

But this isn’t about me. My brother-in-law, Don, lives and works in Sioux Falls, SD. A beautiful city…in summer. Here’s what his winter has been like: cold, snow, wind and more cold.

So, I’m going on a cruise for Don. For my family. And because it’s time to try something new. Plus, the first stop is Catalina, where I’m setting at least part of my next book. I also have a whole bunch of great books loaded on my eReader and I can drink “potato” vodka. 😉

Any cruising TIPS you’d like to share with a virgin sailor?

😉 Deb

PS: Valentine’s Day is next week, and I have a special release price on my new novella, Love, After All. (Click on image for the buy link of your choice.) Or: Books2Read.

 

10 thoughts on “Finally, Friday! Confessions of a cruise virgin”

  1. Hey Deb! Enjoy your cruise! The good news is you don’t have to eat or drink anything you don’t want to. You’ll be spoiled for choice and there’ll be plenty of options. To maximise your chances of not catching any nasty cruise lurgies there are some golden rules:
    1. Wash your hands with soap every single time you visit a rest room.
    2. Sanitise before you eat.
    3. Avoid buffet and self serve food – people with germs hands may have beaten you to it so you’re safer to eat a meal prepared specifically for you … and you can tell the restaurant that you have particular food allergies – you may need to book the meal in advance so they have time to prepare it for you but generally they’ll oblige.
    4. Relax and enjoy. The rest of your life will still be there patiently waiting for you when you get home.

    Reply

    • Such sound advice, Shelagh! I’ve set up my online app with the ship so I’ll see if they have any food allergy buttons to click.

      YES, THIS: Relax and enjoy. The rest of your life will still be there patiently waiting for you when you get home.

      My daughter fell and broke her wrist (mom of 3, including a 1-yr old baby), so I’ve been juggling a lot. This trip is starting to look better and better. LOL!

      Reply

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