One Year Ago Today

It’s January 6, 2020 as I write this. One year ago today was one of the best days of my life, and the beginning of the best vacation that I’ve ever been on, even though it was a working vacation. It was one year ago today that my husband, adult daughter, and I began our first cruise.

For decades I wanted to go on a cruise so badly that it hurt. It seemed like everyone that I knew had gone on at least one, and all I heard was how much they knew I would love it. My husband wasn’t totally sold on the idea, especially given the expense. Our daughter definitely takes after me, she wanted to cruise as much as I did. We came close to being able to go a couple of years ago through a contest at my husband’s work, but then it didn’t happen. I was devastated, I think he was relieved.

Writing has allowed me some incredible opportunities. When I received a text that asked if I wanted to cover a Disney cruise as part of a hosted media group, I was literally speechless. Believe me, that doesn’t happen often! My husband was excited, but still a bit apprehensive. Our daughter couldn’t believe that we had been given the opportunity.

We sailed on the Disney Magic, which is the flagship of Disney Cruise Line. We enjoyed five nights and six days aboard this glorious vessel. It was a Marvel Day at Sea Cruise, which added to the fun. I’m not a Marvel fanatic (I like Marvel, but my obsession will always be Star Wars), but the Marvel theme was a great enhancement.

It is fitting that we were on the Disney Magic, because our trip truly was magical. I can’t think of one thing that I would change, except maybe the fact that they made us get off. The service was unlike anything that I have ever experienced before. Seeing our servers were a highlight each evening. The ship itself almost made me feel as if we had stepped back in time. We stopped at Grand Cayman, had a blast during Pirate Night, ate way too much at Palo, enjoyed coffee on the veranda as the sun rose, and rode bikes at Castaway Cay (it was too cold by my standards to swim). My favorite day of the trip was Marvel Day at Sea, which kind of surprised me. It was really well done. I really want to go on a Star Wars Day at Sea Cruise now, but it’s not currently in the budget.

If you’re on the fence about whether or not a Disney Cruise might be for you, do it! My family and I have now been on two, since Disney invited us to cover a Disney Merrytime Cruise on the Disney Dream this past November. That will also not be our last. My husband mentions how much he wants to cruise again almost every day. After both cruises, I spent the drive home on my cell phone, researching cruises with Florida Resident Discounts. (My husband was driving.) Too many people think that a Disney Cruise Line vacation is just for families with small children. That could not be further from the truth, there is plenty to do for all ages. You will not get bored, unless, of course, you want to. If you’re looking to relax and not do much of anything, that is a possibility as well. My two Disney Cruise Line vacations were our best vacations ever. I’m a bit sentimental today, thinking back about how perfect it was. If anyone has a time machine that they’d like to loan me, please let me know.