The Cruise of a Lifetime

By: Ella Vujovic

On a cold spring morning in April, I got a text from my friend Sophia; “Hey girl! I was wondering if you

would like to come with me on my birthday cruise in September. Let me know soon!”. I was honored to

be invited but also wary about it. My youth was filled with seeing new things and being adventurous in

my family's own way, but vacations were just never in our plans. We always pictured vacations as a

luxurious gift that only a select group of individuals and families got to enjoy, so we never even bothered

asking “Why not us?”. Because we never traveled much, I became a true hermit and happy homebody.

This experience was something that would lift me out of my comfort zone, and I knew I had to do it.

September of 2021 was my first vacation with my mother and sister besides a trip when I was six and my

father and stepmother's honeymoon at 12. We decided to go to Disney World for a week and I ended up

having the best time just being with my family and completely relaxing in a different environment; so, my

initial reaction to the cruise was a wave of homesickness and anxiety since I wouldn’t be with my family.

The nervousness I had boarding a plane, wondering if I would be able to sleep in a room with three other

people (sleep anxiety is real), and how I would feel going on thrill rides. Even though I was with my

family, I was still nervous about the flight and even the sleeping arrangements in the hotel. This is why I

was even more anxious about a trip alone than with my family.
 (Magic Kingdom, 2021)

I wasn’t even on the cruise, and I already felt like I wouldn’t be able to handle the separation and

anxiety related to traveling without them. I talked to my mom about the invite and realized I needed to

go and experience something completely different than I am used to. It was four months out so I wasn’t

worrying quite yet, but then it was a week away and I thought there was no way I would be able to go.

Committing to my friend, I sucked it up and started the long journey ahead. Getting to my friend's house

bright and early Saturday with one packed suitcase and a duffle bag, the anxiety turned to excitement,

and I finally felt enthusiastic. We got our Uber, and I said my final goodbyes to my mom and sister. When

we arrived in Miami, we got on the cruise ship, and I was immediately blown away. It felt like a gigantic

mall, waterpark, and resort all in one.

 (Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship Interior)

The first three days we traveled on the ship to get to our first stop: Bonaire. It was a smooth first quarter

of the trip just getting to know the ship and people onboard. They had a gorgeous pool deck with daily

activities such as a hilarious belly flop competition. They had delicious food from cuisines all over such as

chicken tikka masala from India which was fantastic. Going to sleep the night before our arrival in

beautiful Bonaire was a task already. The excitement of living out a dream you only saw in the movies

was surreal. Waking up in Bonaire, we immediately got off the ship and began exploring. It is a beautiful

Caribbean Island with awesome snorkeling destinations and great shopping downtown. The day was

spent snorkeling and seeing the most amazing animals. Pufferfish, lizards, and hermit crabs were just

some of the creatures I encountered.

(Bonaire Hermit Crab) (Bonaire Snorkeling)

When the first destination was finished, we got some rest to prepare for Curacao; my favorite stop of the

cruise. After waking up and looking out our tiny window, I saw a gorgeous skyline and gleaming water.

(Curacao)

We scheduled a party bus and beach trip, so I was very thrilled already. Driving through the mountains of

Curacao was mesmerizing. Flamingos were lining the roads and beautiful villas were at every glance. The

beach was the star of the trip. It was surrounded by nature and littered with adorable stray cats. White

sand topped it off including the incredible turquoise water. I remember feeling a sense of bliss when I

dunked my head down to snorkel. In the water it was silence and out of the water it was stunning and

lively. Since I have anxiety, it was a wonderful surprise to me that I could experience moments of calm in

a place so far away from home and family. The cruise felt at its peak in this moment, with everything

coming together; the sights, the sounds, the food, the water, the peacefulness.
 (Playa Grandi Beach, Curacao)

After an amazing day, we headed back to the cruise to head to the final stop: Aruba. It was cloudy and

rainy, with many dark clouds lining the sky, but I didn’t have any doubts about it being a great day. We

went to a beach and noticed how much more commercialized Aruba is compared to Bonaire and

Curacao. Huge buildings all along the beach, with people parasailing and other water activities going on

throughout the water.

(Aruba)
The day was nice and peaceful but underwhelming for the hype that has been built around Aruba.

Leaving Aruba made me realize the trip was almost over. Sadness was overwhelming because of the

amazing time I had the whole trip. The next few days we spent swimming, eating, and dancing. I was

soaking up every new experience like my days were spent in front of the beating ocean sun. Once we

arrived in Miami, I found myself looking at other trips I could go on in the future. It made me realize how

special traveling is and what excitement it can bring to someone's life. Since the cruise, I have been to

Colorado and Arizona. Even though they aren’t the Caribbean, the joy of seeing something new and how

different cities, states, and countries can be is all that matters to me. I went into the cruise feeling

worried and anxious and left it with a new passion for traveling.

(Scottsdale, Arizona) (Boulder, Colorado)

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