What I liked the most on our first cruise...

Cruises did not appeal to me at first because I was mainly worried that I would be seasick the whole time on the ship. I also did not like the idea that I would feel stuck in a floating city with two thousand plus people I don't know. I wondered if I'd be bored for seven long days at sea!

I am surrounded by people at work who seem to like cruising---some take 1-2 cruises per year! My co-workers tell their stories about food on the cruise and the places they visited. They also shared their pictures through email and social media. They also gave tips on how to cope with sea sickness.

One day I just found myself googling: first-time cruisers. After research, research and research---I found a thrilling itinerary by Costa Deliziosa! Venice and Barri, Italy. Corfu, Athens and Santorini, Greece. Then Dubrovnik, Croatia.

Aside from our passports and our carry-ons, I made sure I packed ginger lozenges and off we went cruising...



Cruise starts. View of Venice from our balcony cabin.

 



Here's what I liked the most:

1. Waking up in the middle of the blue sea.



 Blue sea.

 

For our first cruise, I chose a cabin with a balcony. I liked the idea that I can have a breath of fresh air as soon as I wake up, and step outside the cabin and hear the waves of the blue sea.

2. Being in different ports or places each day.

On our first cruise, we docked in five ports:  Venice, Bari, Corfu, Piraeus/Athens and Dubrovnik. We tendered in Santorini. Tendering is when the water is too shallow for ships to get closer to shore. The ships drop anchor and use small boats, called tenders, to bring passengers to terra firma!



Costa Deliziosa tendered in Santorini's lagoon.



Lovers in Santorini.

Stairways to the sea. Corfu, Greece.

Dubrovnik, Croatia

 



3. Not having to ask myself and my husband what's for supper!

I felt really spoiled each supper time on the cruise. There was someone who prepared and cooked food for us. And also brought food to our table! Of course, it was extra special when Filipino waiters took care of us and made sure Alain and I enjoyed our food and the dining experience.

I also enjoyed the gala nights! A chance for us to dress up a little bit which is a very rare occasion. Costa Deliziosa cruise held two gala nights.

Cheers!



Love.

4. Going to a nightly entertainment show.

Dance...dance..dance!

Circus.

We both looked forward to this each night after supper. There were very good nightly entertainment on this Costa Deliziosa cruise.

5. Not having to ''carry-on'' to different places.

We travel light, even for this cruise. It was just so convenient to travel and with your clothes hanged and neatly folded in the cabin's closet.





Overall, it was very good first cruise experience for us. It was quite a discovery that cruises can be a cheap way of traveling if you do your research.

Lurhen and Alain: cruise virgins no more!

 "The Sphere" Costa Deliziosa