My first cruise of 2013 is nearly 72 hours away! I can smell the sea water, see the ship in my head and envision the cruisetacular adventure that awaits me this weekend aboard Norwegian Jewel! The gitty feelings and excitement seem to never leave me. Ever since my first cruise nearly a decade ago, I still get that pre-cruise rush and words can't describe the euphoria I feel at moment, but I suspect it will only become greater as Friday gets closer and closer.

This will be my 29th cruise, 12th with Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) and 2nd on Norwegian Jewel and I believe this time around Norwegian Jewel will even be sweeter. I was blessed to enjoy sailing her inaugural voyage from Miami, Florida in 2005. But I feel this time around, it will be more rewarding. I'm bringing along my best friend from my college years who has never been on a cruise. What better way to break in my 2013 cruising streak than with NCL and my BFF? I think she is a little more excited than I am and you know what... that truly makes my heart leap for joy! It's such a good feeling to be able to bless someone who's never cruised before with what I'm dubbing as one of the most cruisetastic weekends ever!

I already handed her the run down, "Bring your white for the NCL-famous White Hot Party; have your mouth ready to eat at some amazing restaurants; and don't be shy when it comes to dancing (because you know I'm ready to shake my groove thing)!" Y'all know I love to get my dance on when on the high seas and it's great to have a pal tag along who also shares a love for cuttin' a rug, deck and then some! So the cruise is completely sold out, but I've got a little room for you to tag along! Follow me on Twitter (@CruiseMan3000) for updates live from the ship! I can't wait to share the awesome adventures in store for us this weekend and come back with many more funny high seas stories I know y'all will join me in with many laughs!

Do you still get excited about your upcoming cruises like it was the first time? Have you brought along cruising-novice friends to sail with you? Did they like it? Are they more addicted to cruising over you? What are your thoughts on sailing a ship more than once? Let's talk ship until I sail-away this weekend! For more coverage on this cruise and my previous voyages, check out my updates on The Ocean Escape by CM3K! See y'all next Monday with my post cruise recap!