Having A Cruisey Time

With meals catered and plenty to do – from spa time to city tours – a cruise is the ideal experience to share with loved ones

- Penny Lewis, Erin Fisher

The cruise holiday is not only as popular as ever, but it’s also making waves among a whole new set of cruise converts. From a life of luxury at sea to exploring Europe’s sights by river ship, there’s something for all tastes and ages. Whether your idea of a break is lounging by the pool with a negroni or dipping a toe into the local culture, the modern cruise has you covered. Sure, all the old favorites are still there – onboard entertainment, games, themed parties and the like – but increasingly operators are shaking things up with offerings like wellness seminars, fitness programs, mindfulness meditation and more. Best of all, with all your needs catered for and your only decision being ‘spa or movie?’, it’s the ideal way to spend stress-free time with loved ones. Here two first-time cruisers tell why cruising is such a great way to celebrate a special occasion.

Cruising to New Caledonia

Penny Lewis set sail with her mother for a birthday treat

When you’re a mother yourself, you realize just how special your own mum is. So when I was offered the chance to cruise with a companion up to New Caledonia, I thought of my mother Mary (sorry, husband). The timing was perfect too – only a few days before she turned 70.

The cruise began and ended in Sydney, so Mum and I flew over early on a Sunday. Mum had been on a cruise before, but it was my first ocean cruise. I wasn’t sure what to pack, so brought sundresses as well as some fancier threads for the evenings. I have a tendency to pack too much, which can be quite a problem when you’re lugging (or more realistically, my husband is lugging) suitcases upstairs to attic apartments, but it’s not such a big deal when cruising, where you unpack once. Too easy!