CruiseMiss

Have you ever noticed that after a cruise, especially if it is a long one, you struggle to get back into the simple things we do day in day out in life?
Like making the bed, such a chore to do again when someone has done it for you for several weeks yet you managed perfectly fine for the last however many years before boarding the ship. There are so many little things that become mammoth tasks you just can’t seem to face anymore. Being “looked after” for a few weeks really does make you appreciate when once back at home just how well we are taken care of whilst on board our favourite cruise ships, and how hard the crew work!!
Let’s take a typical day.
You shower and then place the towel on the floor or in the shower basin for it to be changed. Sadly if you do that at home unless you have cleaning fairies living with you then it’s still going to be there when you return from work. You venture down for breakfast and all that greets you is a box of corn flakes. Not quite the same as having a full English or continental waiting for you, is it?
The fine dining is nothing but a distant memory. Before the cruise you quite happily slaved away cooking a delicious family meal but now even a sandwich feels like something you just don’t have the energy for. You briefly think back to the ease of the lunchtime buffet and how right now you would do anything just to pop your head in and see what’s on offer. Instead you now have the choice of whatever is still edible in the refrigerator.
The evening’s entertainment has resorted back to things like CSI and BBC Drama’s with the occasional trip to the local pub. If you are really lucky a series of Hell’s Kitchen might be running on TV, this way at least you can watch your frustration of being back home, magically leave via Gordon Ramsay’s mouth as he screams expletives and throws scallops at the poor souls in the competition.
As the evening draws near you settle down after such a traumatic day, in a not so comfortable bed for a not so exciting night and to top it all off there’s no chocolate waiting for you. It’s at this moment you remind yourself that even the wake-up calls from god, also known as reception, are no more. You have to fend for yourself now and rely on the good old alarm clock.
Welcome back to reality, Oh yes! It feels wonderful to be back home, doesn’t it!
There are other little things that get to me though, for example even the toilet takes on a new form! The toilets in our homes are often a lot lower than they are on cruise ships, you return home and suddenly you have what feels like 5 extra miles to travel before finding it. Not the nicest experience in the middle of the night when one is still half asleep.
Anyway……this is my back to reality check…………..
To those of you about to embark on another cruise adventure, think of us, your fellow cruisers, who are struggling to once again come to terms with our loss! ?
By Danielle aka CruiseMiss
www.CruiseMiss.com
www.facebook.com/cruisemiss
www.twitter.com/cruisemiss

We were sailing through the Mediterranean Sea, the sun was just starting to set and I had the entire deck to myself, this is the life, I thought. Nothing but ocean for miles around, no noise and nothing spoiling the view. It’s a feeling that never gets old.
On this particular evening it was warm outside and there was only a gentle breeze. I found myself on deck 16 and decided I would use the time to take five minutes for myself and enjoy nothing but the sound of the ocean. I can’t begin to tell you how peaceful it was. The view was amazing. I could see for miles around and I had a pretty good bird’s eye view of the mid-ships section of the Lido deck too. Always great for people watching.
After a few minutes I made my way down to the bar to grab a drink and take it back up with me. When I returned, still there was nobody else to be seen. I made myself comfortable and to be honest I don’t even think I had any thoughts. I was so content at this moment that my entire mind was simplyempty. I only ever get that feeling when I am at sea, I am sure a lot of you can probably relate.
I had sat for quite some time when another ship suddenly appeared on our Starboard side. She looked what I can only describe to you as “pretty”. She was glowing as she sailed, her reflection glistening off the ocean as she made her way slowly to her next port of call. I think the only down side to a cruise is that you can’t see the ship you are on in the same way, without having to involve a search and rescue team of course!
By now I must have been sitting here for at least 90 minutes and aside from one wandering passenger I had not encountered another soul.
When it comes to some things, I admit I am a typical woman (only some things, I must stress) and occasionally things like nail colour needs to be re-touched during a holiday. I decided now would be the perfect time. I could sit in peace in the open air, instead of passing out from the fumes in my cabin, and they would be dry in no time because of the warm night air. I don’t know what happened but as soon as I started painting it felt like the entire ship descended upon my deck. Yes, the deck was now mine, I had been here so long I was demanding squatter’s rights and I wanted these people to get out of my space.
To be honest it had nothing to do with them shattering the peace, they were all relatively quiet and simply just passing through on their post dinner stroll. I was undertaking a work of art here though, I needed to concentrate on the nail and not the finger. Ladies, are you with me? There’s more to nail painting than meets the eye! ?
Eventually all was silent again and peace was restored to my abode. I had completed my task, finished two drinks and grabbed some pretty incredible photographs. In all it had been a most pleasant evening. The type of evening that sends me back to sea time after time. I spent just over two and a half hours up there on my own and I wasn’t bored or restless for a second, I can’t stand to sit inside and watch shows when I can be outdoors breathing in all of the above!
It may seem like today’s post goes nowhere as such but, quite the contrary. There were approx. 2000 passengers on board and just under 1000 crew, yet for over an hour I only came across one other person. It’s a nice reminder to us experienced cruisers and a document of proof to a non-cruiser that regardless of the ship, you can ALWAYS find space for YOU and remain un-disturbed at least once a day!
By Danielle aka CruiseMiss
www.CruiseMiss.com
www.facebook.com/cruisemiss
www.twitter.com/cruisemiss