Every wish you could just push pause on the stress of life?
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Looking back or Looking forward
What a difference a month makes. Last month was my 25th anniversary and the last spring break vacation I'll ever have with my children. Next spring both of my children will be adults so while I hope to vacation with them again, the next time they will be adults capable of doing their own thing on their own.
And this month? I will be travelling again in just two days but this time to Saskatchewan which is currently having a cold spell (think snow) to see my mother who was just recently released from the hospital.
From a joyous cruise to a somber family visit. Life can change very drastically over a very short time.
Ever been on a cruise before?
It is really something very different from reality. It is a full getaway from whatever your daily reality is.
However if you have never been on one let me show you some pictures and give you a quick idea of where I spent my 25th anniversary and what I did while I was there.
First : You get an adequate but very small room.
Now it may look like a double bed but don't let that fool you. It is actually two smaller beds put together. So, if you aren't very happy with your spouse at some point you can take refuge on your bed at the other side of the room.
There is a closet, a deck (in some rooms) and a teeny tiny bathroom. Functional but don't expect a lot of space :)
The Ship is BIG
Now these ships hold a lot of people and have a lot of stories to them. From the entry deck (Deck 5) to the pool (Deck 13) is a long way up! Take the stairs and get some exercise :)
Getting from the front to the back can be quite a long walk as well. Most people walk through the middle where all the stops and sights are...but it takes forever. If you are smart you can use the side of the ship where it is very straightforward :D
The Food is the star
Now the food is the star of the show on a cruise. You can choose "fine dining" for breakfast or dinner. Really the food is quite good although having to show up at a specific time in a specific restaurant for dinner is a little too structured when you are just busy relaxing.
The steak was excellent. But if you want more food the buffet has a LOT of options.
I aimed for the healthier ones
But there were certainly less healthy ones as well.
Now I have over 100 pictures of all the food but I'll keep it small :)
But you can't just eat food all day.
Well, you could but you'd easily gain a lot of weight. Indeed passengers on average gain about 5kg on a 7 days cruise!
Rather than gain a bunch of weight my wife and I made sure to do healthier activities. Dancing on deck with the instructors is kind of fun (my wife is in the big crowd down there...I hate crowds).
Swimming in the pool is also pretty nice and good exercise. But again pretty crowded as you can see.
I personally found the gym looking out at the ocean to be much more my style.
Or you could do the nightly entertainment.
After a day of exercise and eating it is nice to gather the family for a movie or live entertainment in the giant theater.
Or a lot of other activities.
There are numerous bars on the ship. There is a spa on the ship. There is an arcade for the children. There are game areas with pool, ping pong, and other games. They are play areas for the kids. Even a doctor if you get sick.
But it is best on port days to go exploring.
But the true family time is when we got off the ship and went exploring in the ports of call.
Perhaps it was shopping in the Bahamas
Or exploring "Island Cay" with the family
Sometimes its nice to just get away.
But it really just an escape
However life on a cruise doesn't really resemble regular everyday life. There is no purpose to your life other than eat and enjoy. There is no schedule for your life other than get up when you want and go to bed when you are tired. No commitments, no appointments, nothing that needs to be done.
So last month was an escape from reality in a way. Or at least the cruise part of it was.
Looking forward
As I look at retirement in the near(ish) future I hope there are more cruises in my future.
Why?
Because they are cheaper than regular life. Or can be if you choose the right cruise.
The images you just saw were from a cruise that had a cost of $29 HBD per person per day. Now that number is one that I had to think about a lot.
For my Nigerian friends that is like spending a months wages for a single day. However, as a Canadian its cheaper to stay on a cruise for a month than it is to rent a small house in my hometown!
So, I have no intention of living full time on a ship because I want to still do jobs that have meaning. What are those jobs? Not entirely sure, but I still have to have a purpose even as I get older.
But, sometimes its nice to just coast for a while. Live without stress, live without worries, and just be quiet. Have more time to exercise. Have more time to read my Bible. Spend no time making food (or worrying about what to buy at the grocery).
Sometimes its just nice to escape.
Which is what I did last month and what I hope to do on occasion as I get older as well.
(Side note: All pictures are taken by me from my cruise)
Any thoughts
A quick thank you for taking a look at this post.
I always love getting feedback. Am I crazy for wanting a pause button on life? Am I crazy for saying no to the tasty junk food while on the cruise?
Anything your curious about?
Leave me a comment :)
I love comments.
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