Getting My Land Legs Back

After 7 days on an Alaska Cruise, it is taking some time to fully adjust to 'real life'. Work? What's that all about? Responsibility? Hmmppff. The biggest concern had been whether I was going to eat in the Rotterdam Dining Room, or the Lido Deck Grill. Sometimes I would panic from the brevity of the situation and just eat at both places. Yes, it was an enjoyable experience, and one I got very used to. I started imagining: what would a life look like if it was a constant cruise?

For investigative research, I asked my girlfriend. She is a professional entertainer, and had several contracts in the Mediterranean, Central and South America. Being on a boat for 4 months straight was challenging, and especially as an Assistant Cruise Director. Getting up at 7 am and going until midnight is one thing, but having to do it with a smile on your face is another. The countless dinners with guests sounds absolutely divine, but could be extremely difficult after a couple weeks. No chance to recover, or recharge. Pretty clear working on a cruise ship would lose it's lustre fairly quickly. But what about being a guest for an extended period of time?

Let's look at whether I would do anything differently. I love my parents, and was glad that they came along - for a week. Anything longer might have been disastrous for both of us. After 20 years of living under separate roofs, it was a bit difficult to get on the same wave length. They are early risers, and it's tough to sleep when someone else has turned all the lights on. It did seem they delighted in doing that, especially if the previous night's activities went a bit late. So, I would kick my parents off the boat after the first week, or at least have them stay in their own room. A big part of cruising, in my opinion, is feeling like you can get up whenever you want, and do whatever you want, whenever you want. So, ideally, you have someone with you who has the same motivations as you, or is perfectly fine with you doing your own thing.

Now, it would be a shame to sleep the day away, especially when some of the world's most amazing scenery is right outside your door. The first couple days after disembarking from Vancouver are spent travelling at 23 knots on it's way to where British Columbia's coast becomes Alaska's. Unless you are a fervent nature lover, and willing to spend hours with binoculars in hand to see a lonely whale, or pod of dolphins, those first 48 hours can be spent indoors. It takes awhile to get accustomed to all the new people around you, so spending some time reading one of the books you've always wanted to read, would give you some time to acclimatize. Aboard Holland America's Ms Volendam, a substantial library is at your disposal, with thousands of books to catch up on.

Aside from a library, there's a casino, workout gym, pool, hottub, outdoor basketball court, and theatres for watching movies and live shows. There's enough activities and things to do on a cruise you would need to come home just to rest. If you are going to truly enjoy a cruise, pace yourself. The one thing you may not be able to get back home is to get away from it all. If you feel compelled to fill every moment with action, or 'get your money's worth', you could be missing the point. It may be the first time in a while that you are away from cell phones, computers, alarm clocks and work, so give yourself the break you deserve, and enjoy doing 'nothing' for a change.