In my blog last week, I shared my concern about getting seasick on the cruise my wife Lauryn and I were about to go on. After all, I get sick on everything. You all came to the rescue with tons of tips and suggestions to fend off my inevitable motion sickness. I'm happy to report that with the help of sea bands on my wrists and enough Dramamine to subdue a horse, I made it through the trip without experiencing any significant illness that wasn't daiquiri-induced.
We spent 3 days cruising through the Bahamas on a 15-story boat that's basically a hotel/resort that floats. I fell in love with the scenery that the islands had to offer. I love Cocoa Beach and you'll never hear me say a bad thing about it, but these beaches were a whole different kind of beauty. The water was so, so blue, just like you see on TV, and the sand was powdery white.
The food was outstanding and plentiful. I love eating, so this was a highlight for me. If you've never been on a cruise, at dinner you can literally order as much as you want. Can't decide between the New York Strip and Bolognese Spaghetti? Get 'em both, and throw in some Cheesecake for good measure. No questions asked. I was in heaven.
Our first stop was in the capitol of The Bahamas, the city of Nassau. It is incredibly touristy once you get off the boat at the port, but after about 15 minutes of walking you start to feel like you're experiencing some actual Bahamian culture. Junkanoo Beach was stunning, with tons of options for beachside cocktails and fresh seafood.
Our final full day was spent in Royal Caribbean's private island called Coco Cay. This is actual paradise. Unlike Nassau, there are no actual residents on this island. It's used entirely for cruise-goers like myself to enjoy the day on vacation. The island is surrounded by white, sandy beaches and crystal clear blue water. You can go on all kinds of excursions, like jet-skiing, snorkeling, and more. You're also never too far from a tiki bar, even when you're in the water.
When you're not on an island or eating, the cruise ship has more than enough to offer. It even has a full casino, which treated me surprisingly well on this trip. The sunset over the Atlantic was incredible to take in from the pool deck on the 12th floor.
Overall, we had a great experience. The 3-night trip was the perfect amount of time to unwind. Considering the price we paid included our food and drinks, I think this was easily the most affordable vacation we've ever been on. I'm already looking into going on another. I guess you could say I'm officially a cruise guy now.