Folks ask if I get tired of cruising. No, and here’s why. The value of “downtime” and booking your next vacation before you leave or just upon returning.

Well, I’ve been away from home for just over a month now.  I left Lynchburg, Va, my home town, November 13, and will be flying back home today.  Since gone, I’ve been on 2 cruises and I’ve spent Thanksgiving in Daytona Beach, Fla, with my mom.

Do I ever get tired of cruising, folks often ask.  No.  I just completed my 132^nd cruise, and can hardly wait till my next cruise.  For next year, I already have a cruise booked for the end of April, to Alaska in June, another cruise in December, and hope I’ll be planning one for March and November, with my mother.

There’s several reasons/values that I choose to cruise, as often as I can. 

       When I am home, in Lynchburg, I basically work, non-stop, seven days a week.  Though I may not schedule appointments, after 6pm during the week, nor or weekends, folks can call me, after hours, to purchase a new vacation (with credit card in hand) or for an emergency (leaving on vacation this week). 

Though the phones can be quiet many times, after hours, the needed work behind the scenes, of basically endless.  Like many, in their own jobs, or tasks at home, select tasks, repeat themselves, either every day, or select days of the month.

So my #1 reason, for choosing to cruise, like I hope others realize, with their own work, is needed “downtime”.  Time to rejuvenate.  Time to regroup.  Time to get re-excited about working.  Come back more motivated than before I left.

2.       It time for some good eating.  I’m so into this !  First of all, my diet at home, for the most part, eliminates carbs !  And often consists of like hot dogs, eggs, grilled chicken, or anything else that I can fix in the toaster oven or microwave.  With being on the phone, I had to learn years ago, that I can’t turn on the stove, or I would soon hear the smoke alarms.

Besides the fact, that I can’t wait to binge out on some carbs, I look forward to variety and foods I would never find myself fixing at home.  Not only, cause I don’t actually cook, but many foods fixed on a cruise, would be costly to purchase, especially for only one person.

3.        I admit, I love the dining room experience, for 2 reasons.  Years back, the 2 hours dining room experience, was part of the entertainment.  Either getting to know the wait staff, or just anticipating what the different dishes would look like, to include their tastes.

My 2^nd reason, was dressing up.  Years past, we dressed up almost every night.  I loved this.  I go out seldom at home, and have little opportunity to wear the clothes in my closet.  Though I don’t wear dresses nor heels anymore (due to my leg, from being run over 15 years ago), I still bring my better clothes for dinner.

4.       Shows/Entertainment.  At home, not only do I not go out much, I find myself, not wanting to spend the $50-90 to see a play or the $10 to see a movie at the theater.  Cruises, not only give me that excuse to go, because they are complimentary, but being free, encourages me to partake !

5.       Seeing the World.  What could be better.  I hate driving, so cruises provide me that opportunity to get from place to place, whether I choose a cruise that includes some US ports or I venture to Europe, Asia, or more.  Not only to see some of the wonders of the world, but experience different cultures.

6.       I love shopping.  However, at home, I have very little time for this.  And I love purchasing and giving items to friends/family, from the areas I’ve traveled.  Have also purchased many items, that I had hoped to resell, so others, whom I don’t know, could also enjoy.

 

And why do I have another cruise/vacation booked, before I return or as soon as I return ?

What  better way to keep the momentum or the excitement, of returning home to work and obligations, that knowing, your future vacation is already planned ?

Well, I’ve given lots of reasons of why “getting away” never gets tiresome.  Along with the many values I and you can gain with cruising/vacation.

Like myself, in years past, before I discovered cruising, I gave myself excuses for not getting away.  Too busy and no money, were 2 of my highest reasons.

Once I learned what cruising “gave me”, I can’t stop getting away.  I need refurbishment.  I need downtown.  I want to stay excited about my job.  I want variety in my life.  I want fun and something to look forward to.

 

What’s your reason for cruising/vacation ?  Better yet, what’s your excuse for not ?