A Year At Sea

08-04-2025

Cruising became part of my life early.

At the age of five, I stepped onto my first cruise ship with my parents. I didn’t know it then, but that moment launched a lifetime of sea-bound adventures. Today, at sixty-two, I’ve completed forty-one cruises, and I have two more already booked. When I reflect, I realize I’ve nearly lived a year of my life at sea.

Travel by ship has changed completely.

Cruising was once for a select few. Ships had clear distinctions between first-class and tourist-class accommodations. That era felt refined and restrained. Now, cruising has gone mainstream. Ships have grown into floating cities. While opting to book a “suite class” room reintroduces exclusivity, the cost of a room for seven days can and often does equal the price of a decent vehicle.

Bigger ships aren’t always better.

Sadly, cruise lines now chase size over soul. They have and are building massive vessels to pack in more passengers. But in doing so, they often lose the intimacy and charm that once made sea travel special. Sometimes, the experience feels more like a floating mall than an ocean voyage.

Aging reshapes how we travel.

I’ll admit—travel doesn’t get easier with age. Airports feel colder. Security lines are more crowded, even for those with TSA Pre-Check or CLEAR. The distance between the connecting gates not only tests my patience but also my knees. I’m becoming that guy who grumbles about it all, but that’s reality when every journey starts with an airline seat built for a child.

Cruising still offers comfort.

Despite the challenges, I return to cruising for one reason: to experience the sea air and to gaze out at the horizon. Once onboard, everything slows down. The sea brings rhythm and rest. There’s no rushing, no baggage claims: just halfway decent meals, ocean views, and time to think.

Technology may soon redefine travel.

Perhaps the future holds more than just cruise ships. A Star Trek holodeck might be coming. Imagine skipping airports altogether. Until then, I pack light and carry a shoehorn and a seatbelt extension, and try to squeeze into those shrinking seats.

Reflecting on time at sea.

So as I prepare for the next voyage, I find comfort knowing that I’ve spent nearly a year at sea. It wasn’t a plan, but it became a legacy. If you count nothing else, it has given me a lifetime of memories as well as stories worth telling.

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