In June, Megan from Hays Travel Carrickfergus set sail on her very first cruise, and it’s safe to say she’s now officially hooked on cruising. Experiencing everything from breathtaking ocean views and world-class onboard dining to exciting shore excursions and unbeatable entertainment, Megan discovered why cruise holidays are one of the most relaxing and adventure-packed ways to travel. With the perfect blend of luxury, exploration, and convenience, this maiden voyage might have been her first, but it definitely won’t be her last.
By Megan, Hays Travel in Carrickfergus
In June I embarked on my first ever cruise adventure and it will definitely not be my last!
Leading up to the cruise I was skeptical. Will I like it? Is it really as good as so many say? The short and simple answer… yes!
I travelled with Royal Caribbean onboard Allure of the Seas and sailed the Western Med. I was in awe from the beginning, trying to take in how big the ship was and how beautiful it was. From the moment I stepped on board I was amazed at how much there was on offer and how immaculate and modern it was.
Allure of the Seas has so much to offer. They have 25 dining options available including the Windjammer buffet restaurant, Sorrento’s pizza station (open until 3am!), and El Locos Mexican – perfect for lunch or a quick grab and go snack. There are also specialty dining restaurants for the evenings you want something that wee bit more special. These include Chops Grille seafood restaurant and Giovanni’s Table, which serves authentic Italian cuisine.
Alongside the many food options there are also so many bars on board, such as The Lime and Coconut and The Solarium and Blaze. Again, each bar has a different theme, but the cocktails are delicious at all of them!
As it was my first cruise, I had decided on an inside cabin and again was quite skeptical not knowing what to expect. To say I was pleasantly surprised was an understatement!
It was clean, tidy, comfortable, and surprisingly very spacious. For all the time we spent in the cabin, it was perfect.
Something that definitely surprised me was the diversity of people onboard the ship, from young couples to older couples, families, and friend groups. The thing that made it even more amazing was that there was something for everyone. You could catch a West End show such as Mamma Mia, have fun at the bingo night, or dance the night away in the nightclub! They even had afternoon cinema screenings showing films such as Cars and Inside Out, plus endless activities such as ziplining and surfing alongside the four swimming pools, waterslides, and whirlpools.
During our voyage, we took in destinations such as Barcelona, Palma, La Spezia, Rome, and Naples, all of which were absolutely beautiful but also so different. We saw landmarks such as the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Colosseum, and the Vatican. It truly felt surreal to get to see all of these amazing landmarks in the flesh. Whilst in Naples, we took a ferry from the port to Sorrento, which was definitely my favourite place that we visited. It was just so beautiful, from the stunning beaches and the friendly locals to the amazing food and drink.
Getting on and off the ship each day was a smooth and simple process. Our ‘setsail pass’ was scanned and we were told to enjoy our day and what time to be back. The staff were so kind and thoughtful: from the waiters and cleaners to security and those in guest services, nothing was too much hassle. At times, we found it had been an hour or two since we got our own drinks!
I would strongly recommend cruising for anyone and everyone. Cruise holidays can be as active or as relaxing as you want them to be. They really are the kind of holiday that you can make into exactly what you want it to be. Cruising is also such a fantastic way to tick destinations off your bucket list, which was my personal favourite part of my cruising experience – waking up in a new destination and starting a new adventure every day!
There is such a variety of itineraries and cruise lines to choose from, so much so that it can feel a little overwhelming. So why not visit us at Hays Travel? Your local branch is there and waiting for you to begin your cruise adventure, and I can promise, you will not look back!
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