A Beginners Guide to Cruises: Worries VS Reality
I kicked off travelling in 2020 with a whole new experience. A cruise around the Caribbean, celebrating my home girl’s 30th birthday. I was excited but also overwhelmed with anxiety when I thought about the trip. WHY?
I was shooketh that the ship would sink. I’ve seen what happened in Titanic. People ended up pop off. I wasn’t trying to go out like that.
Reality
There was a whole deck worth of lifeboats out on display. Did they work? I don’t know, it never came to that. Plus each cabin had life jackets and. Oh, and all guests had to attend a compulsory safety briefing.
I can’t swim so why the hell would I fast myself to be out at sea. I get in 1-2 argument and I’m getting thrown overboard with the sharks. I was going to joke and say that I’m black I can’t swim, but it’s a bad stereotype. (My homegirl has actually written an article about it) Turns out 95% of Black British adults actually do not swim!
Reality
As long as you don’t move mad and think you are Tarzan you’re most probably not going to fall aboard. I actually started attending swimming classes though because I was so panicked. Sometimes fear is the best motivator.
I was going to be surrounded by old white pensioners.
Reality
Lol I actually was. Out of 3100 passengers, about 20 were melanated. After the initial stares, everyone stayed in their lane. Plus some of the people on the cruise were actually a vibe and a half!
Betty had a double hip replacement before she came on the cruise and had to get carried back to the ship because she got paralytic drunk after having too much rum on the beach.
Terry loved up the Reggae segment and was singing live with the band when Bob Marley came on, leaving his wife in the corner.
Jo looked majorly classy and boujie, but boyyy the lethal swear words that came out of her mouth when she was ready.
My favourite crew ever was made up of 4 widows (plus life goals Anne) who were solo holidaying. They played a game on the beach shouting “hey stranger” to men that walked past. The mens reactions were so priceless.
The food is going to be bland/unseasoned and I’m going to be stressed out about it.
Reality
Lol I played myself big time. I ate better in those 2 weeks than I have on any other holiday. Proper 3-5 course meals daily. Top class chefs and major flavour. I could write a whole post on the food alone!
All the activities are going to be for the elderly so I’ll be bored.
Reality
Bingo is life and there is so much to do on a cruise ship. The ship has a casino, library, a mini shopping mall. Plus old school movies actually bang. And once you are exploring the different islands you’re not that fussed to even know what activities are happening when you get back half the time.
I’m really proud that I didn’t let me initial worries stop me from enjoying the cruise. Would you happily book a cruise?
