My Unforgettable 11-Day European Cruise Experience
Covering more than 5 countries
I have traveled to more than 15–20 travel destinations and every experience has had something new to offer.
Every location has its adventures that are unique to it. This is what adds to the travel experience.
Was I excited? Hell yes!
This is one such trip I was looking forward to.
When you start planning and exploring the different excursions and amenities before the vacation, it is part of the adventure.
This is an indication of your level of excitement.
This was my first cruise trip. Being an international one was the cherry on the cake. I could explore different countries, travel by sea for 11 days, indulge in various cuisines, and participate in daily live events.
These are some of the perks that come with venturing on a cruise. Let’s take a look at the different activities offered……
1. Travel Planning
I came across a cruise trip while reading the newspaper. It seemed very attractive and big discounts were being offered.
Having little information about it, I did my due diligence by navigating through the different offers and looking at the amenities presented.
After watching a ton of YouTube videos and reading various articles, I told my parents about it and this led to the planning of my dream vacation. I was overjoyed by the fact that going on this trip was a possibility.
I started exploring the different perks and experiences 2 months before our departure. It covered 5 countries namely Italy, Greece, Turkey, Malta, and Spain. It was our first vacation by the sea.
2. Amenities Offered
There is a range of amenities offered and the sheer number of activities within their daily schedule is something we all look forward to every morning.
Sporting activities like table tennis, football, basketball, and mini-golf are popular options. Social gatherings that include live talent shows, auctions, night pubs, group events, and casinos. Food options like casual dining, fine dining, room service that are all-inclusive within the cruise package, and a variety of snack counters.
Meeting people with similar interests and people from different backgrounds is a bonus. People from all walks of life come here and a number of them navigate from one cruise to another as it’s an experience unlike any other.
3. First Day Experience
I remember boarding the ship in Rome and as soon as we got on was just amazed by the size of the cruise.
It had 14 Floors. 4 Floors dedicated entirely to rooms, an open deck spanning the length of the cruise covering two floors, and restaurants everywhere.
We lined up as per our room numbers among a crowd of more than 2000 tourists on board. Participated in a fire drill, heard the necessary instructions, introduced to crew members, and finally left by ourselves.
We were all handed a room key card with a balance of $200. We could spend this amount on the cruise and also partake in the activities included in our travel package.
Having no Wi-Fi(which can be purchased) on board and disconnecting from the world was a blessing in disguise. My brothers and I wouldn’t see our parents for an entire day. But we would meet up during lunch or dinner and discuss what we had been up to.
It took me over two days to get to all the facilities offered and this was only the beginning.
4. Excursions & Country Experience
It included traveling by sea for 5 days and stopping to explore the beautiful and scenic locations for the remaining 6 days.
We were docked at the port for about 9–10 hours and then had to return to the ship late evening. Many activities were available as you exited the cruise at the port.
Places like Rome(Italy), Athens(Greece), Kusadasi(Turkey), Malta, and Barcelona(Spain) were a part of our journey.
Different excursions included hop-on-hop-off buses, regional delicacies, monuments like the Parthenon in Greece, and city centers. Covering many countries within the trip and a variety of sightseeing options opened the door to various experiences.
Every location had its own identity.
It is a vacation I will never forget and forever be etched into my memory.
This brought a new light to my travel experience and introduced me to a new adventure that made my trip even more memorable and exciting.
I would recommend you all to try this experience.
Do share and comment if you found this article interesting or have something more to add to the subject, and I am always open to feedback. It would be great to hear about your different travel experiences.
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