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We watched sunsets from the balcony, ate like royalty, and only had to unpack once. Celebrity Cruises made it effortless.
We’ve taken 10 cruises on five different cruise lines and we’re just getting started. Cruising can be one of the most relaxing and easy-to-plan trips out there. Remember those old Ron Popeil infomercials from the '80s where he’d shout “Set it and forget it!” about his countertop rotisserie? That’s cruising in a nutshell. Once you’re on board, your hotel, restaurants, entertainment, and transportation are all in one place. Book it, board it, unpack, and then just live.
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Our Southeast Asia cruise took us from Hong Kong to Singapore with stunning stops in between.
There’s something incredibly freeing about boarding a ship, unpacking once, and then kicking back without thinking about train schedules, hotel check-ins, or what city you’ll wake up in. Our most recent cruise was a 12-night journey on the Celebrity Infinity. We kicked it off with a day at Hong Kong Disneyland, then set sail through Vietnam and Thailand before ending in Singapore. Four countries. One suitcase. Zero stress.
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Where else can you watch high divers with the ocean as their backdrop? The AquaTheater on Allure of the Seas makes poolside entertainment feel like a front-row Vegas show.
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Yes, that’s a neighborhood on a ship. From a carousel to cafés, the Allure of the Seas turns “days at sea” into “days you’ll wish were longer.”
One of our favorite things about cruising is just how much you can experience in a short time without needing to juggle flights, trains, or pricey hotel switches. You can get a taste of multiple cultures, cuisines, and bucket list destinations in one smooth trip. It’s a phenomenal way to see the world, especially when time and energy matter more than ever.
Whether you want to do absolutely nothing but sip cocktails by the pool or try every activity on the ship, cruises are customizable. Eat ‘til you burst, read for days, hit the spa, or catch Broadway-style shows nightly. Your cruise, your rules.
So, where do you start? Choosing a cruise line and itinerary can feel overwhelming. That’s why, unlike most of our DIY travel adventures, cruises are the one time I love handing the reins to a travel agent. The right cruise-specific agent won’t cost you a dime and they can often hook you up with better rates, upgrades, and perks. They’ll walk you through ship options, port excursions, dining packages, and all the extras. Think of them as your cruise concierge.
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Getting ready for dinner on a cruise just feels good. After a day in beach clothes, it’s nice to put on something clean, maybe even ironed.
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We didn’t know what to expect from the show, but this guy committed. Full Elvis, full energy, working the crowd like it was Vegas. Watching him pull people into it was half the fun.
Once you’re booked, it’s time to think about packing. Ship cabins are notoriously tight on space. That means pack light—but smart. Laundry on board is expensive, and self-serve options aren’t always available. You’ll want to bring enough clothes to get through the trip without overloading the room.
Formal night? Most ships have at least one. I’ll never be the tuxedo type, but I’ll throw on a collared shirt and tie so I don’t look like I wandered in off a beach. It’s about fitting in without going full penguin suit.
Before and during your cruise, you’ll get plenty of opportunities to purchase extras—excursions, drink packages, specialty dining, spa treatments. My advice? Don’t buy anything without doing the math. On our last cruise, I signed us up for the basic drink package—sodas, juices, coffee—right after boarding. The cost? Over $1,100 for two people. That’s right. I didn’t check drink prices, or think about how often we’d be off the ship. Big mistake. We barely used it.
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Every massage on this board was under $15. No hidden fees, no pressure, and no need to book days in advance. Just walk up, choose what you want, and relax while the waves do their part in the background.
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A Thai massage on the beach, no spa robe or soft lighting, just the ocean breeze, the sound of waves, and an hour that left me feeling completely reset. Worth every bit of the 400 baht.
Spa treatments onboard? Tempting, but be warned, they’ll cost you. Think $300+ for a massage that lasts less than an hour. We've done a few and enjoyed them, but here's the truth: some of the best massages we’ve ever had were off the ship. In Vietnam and Thailand, we paid just $20 for 90-minute massages, one of them on the beach in Koh Samui, right near the hotel featured in White Lotus, Season 3. Incredible setting. Incredible price. So before you book that cruise spa special, ask yourself: could I get better for less once we dock?
Cruising is one of the most efficient ways to see the world without the stress of planning every detail. Whether you want non-stop entertainment or days filled with nothing, it’s all there for you. Gen X has earned comfort, convenience, and some adventure. And cruising delivers all three.
A few cruise packing essentials we never leave home without
VIEW THE LIST ON AMAZON-
Anker MagGo Power Bank
VIEW ON AMAZONSlim, fast, and built for iPhones, the Anker MagGo charges strong at 15W with MagSafe magnets. It’s sleek and reliable.
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Mesh Beach Bag
VIEW ON AMAZONA lightweight, oversized tote with 8 external pockets and a zip top, perfect for hauling towels, sunscreen, and beach gear without digging around.
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Travel Toiletry Bag
VIEW ON AMAZONThis bag is made for cruise life: compact, water-resistant, and designed to hang on tight bathroom hooks or towel bars, keeping your stuff organized and off the tiny counter. Four compartments hold everything from sunscreen to meds, and it folds up flat when you're done.
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Collapsible Water Bottle
VIEW ON AMAZONA lightweight, BPA-free silicone bottle that folds down small but still holds 20 oz. It’s leak-proof, has a built-in straw, and is easy to clip onto a bag or pack. Perfect for port days when space is tight but hydration matters.
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Portable Fan
NIEW ON AMAZONA cruise cabin lifesaver - compact, quiet, and powerful enough to keep air moving in stuffy, windowless rooms. It tilts, fits on a nightstand, and gives just enough breeze to sleep comfortably without hogging suitcase space.
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Mesh Laundry Bag
VIEW ON AMAZONLightweight, breathable, and tough enough to stash sweaty clothes, wet swimsuits, or a full week’s worth of worn outfits without trapping odors. It folds flat in your suitcase and holds up when tossed into the ship’s self-serve laundry or dragged down the hall on port day. A small essential that makes a big difference at sea.
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Magnetic Hooks
VIEW ON AMAZONThe hooks are a powerhouse. They are neodymium-coated industrial-strength hooks that clamp onto metal bulkheads, fridge doors, or railings on a cruise ship and hold gear, towels, or bags with zero slip. Ideal for maximizing cabin space without drilling holes
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Sleep Headphones
VIEW ON AMAZONLightweight, foldable, and silent, it’s the ideal travel sleep companion on a cruise ship, blending darkness, comfort, and music to drown out chatter, engine hum, and the occasional night-time horn.