As a passionate cruiser who has only embarked on voyages lasting up to seven nights, I made the decision to try out an 11-night excursion. This gave me ample time to thoroughly explore the ship, indulge in the specialty restaurants, and visit more remote ports. The extended itinerary left me feeling rejuvenated and relaxed. Now, I can confidently say that I never want to go on a shorter cruise again.
In the past, all of the ten cruises I embarked on since 2012 were limited to a maximum of seven nights, with nine of them through Carnival Cruise Line and one with Celebrity Cruises. Initially, I believed that this duration was sufficient for a cruise. However, everything changed when I embarked on a transformational 11-night journey aboard the Celebrity Constellation. This particular cruise provided me with the most serene and enlightening experience I have ever had. Allow me to share my incredible journey and explain why it convinced me to never settle for a shorter cruise again.
During the 11 nights spent on the ship, I felt as though my vacation was not cut short shortly after it began. My husband and I had previously embarked on nine Carnival cruises before this particular trip. As a passionate cruiser, I was accustomed to having only half a day of fun on the first and last days of a cruise. Upon embarkation, I would typically board the ship by noon and spend the remaining day unpacking and exploring the vessel. On the final day, I would disembark by 9 a.m., essentially making it an incomplete day. In reality, an eight-day cruise only provided approximately 6 ½ days of enjoyment. Like many others, I would start counting down the days from the third day of a seven-night journey, feeling a sense of urgency as the end of the cruise neared. This constant reminder of the limited time remaining at sea threatened to dampen the remaining fun. However, this issue was virtually nonexistent during the 11-night cruise. With 10 ½ days of pure enjoyment, thoughts about the end of the trip didn’t even enter my mind until the sixth day. The extra days spent on the Constellation were truly a blessing, enhancing my overall experience. After this prolonged adventure, a mere seven-night cruise would now feel painfully short. The longer itinerary allowed me to operate at a slower pace and truly embrace relaxation.
Cruise vacations are meant to be a time of relaxation, at least according to my beliefs. Strangely enough, I always found myself feeling exhausted after each cruise before embarking on the 11-night trip. The process of packing, traveling to the port, boarding the ship, and unpacking in our cabin, coupled with the pressure to dine, enjoy the ship’s offerings, and attend shows, would take a toll on me. Even while on vacation, I felt compelled to make the most of the port stops, either through land-based excursions or exploring the ports on foot. If I chose to stay on the ship and relax by the pool, I would still push myself to get ready for the evening entertainment. The constant sense of movement was draining, and my mind was always focused on what was next. However, all of this changed on the Constellation. On the sixth day of the trip, as I was getting ready for an evening out, it suddenly dawned on me that I had been truly present throughout the journey. I allowed myself to enjoy long showers and fully immerse myself in the experience. The worries about the past and future were replaced with pure joy and relaxation. For the first time since I started cruising, I felt a profound sense of contentment. I developed a routine onboard the ship and managed to participate in almost all of the activities I had desired to try. Every morning, I made it a point to order a cafe latte from the ship’s onboard cafe, Café Al Bacio & Galleria. These small routines added a sense of comfort and familiarity to my journey.
Most cruise ships are colossal in size, resembling floating resorts with numerous amenities such as spas, nightclubs, theaters, games, coffee shops, gyms, art auctions, and specialty restaurants. Given the limited time onboard during a short cruise, it can be challenging to establish a routine and experience everything on offer. On the seven-night cruises I had previously taken, there were typically only two sea days. My family and I would spend those days seeking out quiet spots to relax, play games, and read, avoiding the bustling lido deck. However, having 10 or more days to explore truly made a difference. The 11-night cruise I embarked on featured four sea days, offering me the opportunity to engage in activities I normally would not have time for back home, such as indulging in several novels in a row. I even got a taste of what it would be like to work remotely on my laptop while cruising, which is a future endeavor I hope to pursue. Despite the four sea days, there were still aspects of the ship that I didn’t get to experience fully. However, I managed to establish my own small routines. For instance, at Café Al Bacio & Galleria, I made it a habit to savor a cafe latte each day.
Most seven-night Caribbean cruises tend to visit the same islands repeatedly, becoming monotonous after embarking on multiple journeys of a similar length. This was precisely why I was exhilarated by the 11-night cruise, as it took me to more remote and fascinating destinations. For the first time, I traveled to South America, with an overnight stop in Cartagena, Colombia. This extended stay allowed me to have two full days to immerse myself in the city. On the first day, I explored the area near the port, discovering a local post office where I could purchase unique stamps and send postcards back home. On the second day, we ventured about 1 ½ hours south of Cartagena to the National Aviary. Witnessing the vibrant birdlife and other creatures was truly remarkable, but the drive through the open plains and small villages was the highlight for me. It provided a glimpse into a part of Colombia that I otherwise would not have had the opportunity to see. The Constellation also made stops in Costa Rica and Panama, where I had the chance to visit Panama City and the famous Panama Canal.
Thanks to the 11-night cruise, I had the luxury of dining at all six of the Constellation’s specialty restaurants, including the unique Le Petit Chef. This dining spot mesmerized me with its innovative tabletop show, featuring a tiny animated chef walking across guests’ plates and explaining each course. It was an elegant and peculiar experience filled with gastronomic delights.
In conclusion, this 11-night cruise has spoiled me for shorter voyages. I am already on the lookout for our next cruise, with itineraries that span 10 nights or more. Currently, I am considering a 17-night trip from Honolulu to Sydney or a 14-night adventure from Tampa to Barcelona. No matter which option I choose, I am fully aware of the benefits that come with a longer journey, and I am eagerly anticipating the enriching experiences that await me.
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