Not All Cruises Are Created Equal

One year ago today, we were lounging on the back of the Sky Princess, enroute to Europe and Africa. Cruising tends to get a bad rep when it comes to the travel community, and honestly, I understand why. Many cruise itineraries are packed with crowded ships, chair-hogging passengers, tacky ports owned by the cruise lines, and an overwhelming sense of entitlement. But this experience? It was something entirely different.

A Rocky Start

For those that don’t know us, we have been on exactly two cruises in our lifetime, both within a three-month period - and both were gifted as a trial experience from the cruise line. Our first cruise was a 7-day Caribbean cruise round trip from Fort Lauderdale. And while the sunshine boosted our serotonin and our room steward’s hospitality was a highlight, I can confidently say: never again.

Sea days meant fighting for pool deck chairs, thanks to an overcrowded ship and people “reserving” loungers for hours while they disappeared who-knows-where. Thankfully, I’m an early riser and was able to grab us seats early on however that didn’t stop the “fun parade” and obnoxious music from ruining an otherwise perfect time to dive into a new book. I won’t say it was all bag though, I truly ate some of the best food, enjoyed the company of the cruise staff, and loved 50% of our destinations.

Days at port were a mix of experiences and in some cases, it’s up to the traveler to make the most of the stop. Puerto Rico was an easy destination since I lived and worked there for a month back in 2022. We ran off the ship and I was eager to get back to some of my favorite spots. The Bahamas on the other hand, is a port where you can only go in the area that is owned by the cruise ship. We ate cruise ship food, drank cruise ship drinks, and talked to cruise ship people. This one really left a bad taste in my mouth.

Turks and Caicos fell somewhere in between and we quickly found we were surrounded by people who did not see the world the same way we did. While the port was owned by the cruise companies, you are free to come and go as you please. We explored beyond the artificial cruise zone, only to return and hear fellow passengers declare it the "worst stop of the trip.” Meanwhile, for us, it was nearly the best.

I share all of this so you can understand why our transatlantic cruise wasn’t just better—it was, in some ways, life-changing.

The Trip That Changed my Mind

Not many people can take 16 days off for a cruise, let alone an additional two weeks to continue wandering Europe post-cruise. We were incredibly lucky that this opportunity came when it did—otherwise, I might still hate cruising.

The People

The most significant difference between a Caribbean cruise and a Transatlantic cruise is the clientele on board. If I remember correctly, less than 50% of the people on board were from the US while the other half was generally made up of Europeans from various countries. Among those on this ship were what I like to call the “Career Cruisers” these are the people taking the year long cruises, the ones that have given up their homes and belongings because it’s cheaper to live at sea than it is to pay a mortgage. Some were eccentric, some were profound, all had stories that unraveled like novels in the dim glow of the ship’s late-night bars (aka the smoking section).

There was Jack and Dan, who we met on our first night and ended up talking about our careers, life, and cruising with until late into the evening. A group of Irish couples, always the last ones standing at the bar and always a friendly face to see while wandering the ship. Anna, who convinced the chef to prepare us a special meal, then spent the night reminiscing about her late husband and the life they shared. The woman from Philly, who took every opportunity to talk to me about love and life over a few glasses of wine. The list could go on and on.

Each one shared a piece of their life with us, and my only regret is not finding a way to record their stories for my own keepsake.

The Cruise Ports

Our itinerary was a dream: the Azores, Madeira, Morocco, Spain, Portugal, and England.

Unlike in the Caribbean, none of the ports were owned by the cruise lines. Most of the time, we docked in a major city with enough time to venture out—sometimes even to another city for the day. This made the trip feel authentic, focusing on cultural experiences, local cuisine, and history rather than pre-packaged, touristy excursions.

We also decided to take a risk—choosing to "miss the boat" in Cadiz, Spain, so we could drive to Lisbon, Portugal on our own time. We made as many stops as we wanted, completely on our terms. As long as you’re good at managing time, I highly recommend trying this (I almost missed the ship, for a second time).

The Ancestral Connection

Sometime in the late 1800s or early 1900s, our families made the journey from Europe to the U.S. There was something deeply satisfying about sailing back to the “homeland”, retracing their steps in reverse.

Sure, my ancestors weren’t sleeping in balcony staterooms with robes and room service, but I like to think that, in some way, our paths crossed—just on different timelines. That the same wind carried both their dreams and mine.

Final Thoughts

A transatlantic cruise is not your typical cruise. It’s a slower, more immersive way to travel—where sea days are for reflection, ports are for authentic exploration, and the people on board make the journey as special as the destinations themselves.

If you’re like us and think you hate cruising, maybe you just haven’t tried the right kind yet.

Would I do another Caribbean cruise? Probably not.
Would I do another trans-ocean cruise? In a heartbeat.

See you soon Pacific Ocean.

With Love,

H & B @ HBTT

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