The travel experiences of Jo North
Hello fellow travellers, my name is Jo and I’m a cruise addict. I took my first cruise in 2001 and since then I’ve been trying to get onboard a ship as often as I can manage it. My first cruise was on the P&O Pacific Sky to the South Pacific islands of Vanuatu and New Caledonia. I loved it so much I’ve been on another 13 cruises since then.
Most of my cruises have been to the South Pacific – Vanuatu, New Caledonia, The Loyalty Islands (Lifou & Ouvea) & Fiji. A handful of cruises have been Australian based, between Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne & Adelaide. But my favourite cruise to date was in 2010 when my husband and I took a seven night cruise on the Mariner of the Seas through the Mexican Riviera.
For this cruise we flew to Los Angeles, and from there we cruised out of San Pedro, California bound for the Mexican ports of Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan & Puerto Vallarta. These resort towns were absolutely gorgeous, and the people warm and friendly. There was so much to see and do in each port, but one of the best moments was cuddling a four month old lion cub named Daniel, in Cabo San Lucas. And with my husband being a fan of architecture, our walking tour of old Mazatlan ensured his camera was very busy!
Some people don’t think they would enjoy cruising. They think they might feel too confined in the ship, that there might not be enough to do or be entertained by, and worst of all what if they get sea sick. But for me, cruising is the most amazing experience. Each time I cruise the experience is different, but always just as incredible and exciting as that very first one back in 2001. Stepping onboard the decks at embarkation is like stepping into another world. Everything you could need or want is onboard and the staff and crew are there to pamper and spoil you.
There’s so much to love about cruising. The relaxation of sitting on the back deck, just listening to the sound of the ocean, and watching as the waves swirl and roll away behind the ship. The adventure of waking up in a new port each day and exploring all there is to see and do. Enjoying all the free onboard activities and performances each day. Dancing the night away and midnight strolls under the stars. Or simply just sitting down to enjoy a good book, which you can borrow from the onboard library. And of course there are all the foodie delights which can be found in the buffet and dining room each day. The themed dinners are always a favourite, particularly French night when the ship is in Noumea.
Very shortly I am embarking on my next cruise. A 21 night cruise through the Mediterranean. I’m so excited I could almost burst! Italy, Greece, Croatia, Turkey, France and more. 18 ports in 21 nights. I 05/need a holiday to recover from this holiday, but it will certainly be worth it.
Cruising: A great way to see the world and only unpack once!
We would like to thank Jo very much for sharing both her passion for travel and her cruise experiences with us. If you would like to contribute to our blog by sharing your travel experiences with us, please contact us at info@insureandgo.com.au
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