Our cruise ship was huge, with 20 decks, about 50 different bars and restaurants, pools and a water park, tons of evening entertainment, and everything from an escape room to an ice rink. Strangely, it wasn’t hard to get the lay of the land. Once acclimated to the ship, we started making a list of restaurants we wanted to try, shows we hoped to see, and activities we wanted to participate in.
While there was plenty of hustle and bustle, we quickly found places we could escape to, like secluded deck areas or a coffee bar we liked, where we knew things were quieter and we’d be able to grab a spot for two with an ocean view. In fact, neither of us remembers a time when the crowds felt overwhelming or like they were harshing our romantic vibe.
We filled our days on board sunning by the pool, participating in trivia games, and eating at as many different restaurants as we could. Even in crowded areas, like restaurants or pool decks, we found it easy to stick to ourselves and reconnect as a couple.
What’s more, our stateroom had its own balcony and plenty of room inside, so we were always able to head back for an afternoon nap or to relax while showering for dinner. And, most evenings, we found ourselves watching an on-demand movie together in bed before falling asleep.
One of our favorite things about traveling is getting dressed up each night and heading out on the town. Because the extra-large ship felt like a city, each night was like we were vacationing somewhere metropolitan.
Whether dressing up for a fancy dinner followed by drinks at a jazz club or eating a quick dinner before seeing a comedy show and catching a band, each night felt like we were out on a date together. As a bonus, neither of us struggled with ideas for what to do on our night out since the options were endless.
I’ve been living an alcohol-free lifestyle for nearly two years, but that doesn’t mean I don’t sometimes want a festive drink to celebrate with. I was blown away by the non-alcoholic offerings on the ship, from booze-free wines on every restaurant menu to unique mocktails at each bar.
Having something sparkly in my glass made our anniversary trip feel extra-festive, and I never once felt like I was stuck only drinking Diet Coke or club soda while on the ship.
My husband and I both agree: We’d definitely recommend a mega-ship for a celebration like an anniversary. Sure, it’d also be great for birthdays or bachelorette parties, where people are looking to party hard in a big group, but as a couple who wanted to be alone together, we never once felt overwhelmed while on board.
I often say I like cruising because everything is planned out for you without much effort on your part, and this ship was no exception. Being able to relax all day with my husband, then go out “on the town” each night without much thought made the trip all the more special and we truly felt reconnected when we disembarked.
