It is Tuesday morning as I write this blog, and I inexplicably have a sad little case of the morbs.
Mr. Maximalista and I started our 2026 with a lovely week-long cruise in the Caribbean, where, it has to be said, the dose of vitamin sea was the perfect way to begin one’s year!
I missed the mountains whilst we were gone… yet now we are home, I miss the palm trees and the ocean breeze. Go figure.
Yes, it is GREAT to be back at the love shack, but I’m fifty years old now, still recovering from the jetlag and worn out from our long journey home, which seemed to take forever due to flight delays.
(There was snow in Florida. There was snow in Colorado.)
Twenty-four hours later, we are still tired and grumpy. [Edit: Mr. Maximalista told me to tell you he is neither tired nor grumpy.] Regardless of Mr. M’s state of profound denial, we both slept like logs, last night: it’s smashing to sleep in our own bed again.
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My family are massive fans of cruises. We love them, and have taken a lot of amazing cruiser holidays over the years.
One thing is certain, though, which is that not all cruises are created equally. As with anything in life, some experiences are better than others.
The cruise line Mr. M and I tried last week was Norwegian, a first time for us both. In the past, we have been on several Carnival, Disney, MSC, Princess, and Royal Caribbean cruises.
I also took plenty of cross-channel ferries across the English Channel, when I was a girl. Although I have to admit, even the “nice” ferries – with duty-free shops and a cinema on board – were nothing like the floating cities I go cruising on, nowadays!
Similarities amongst the vast majority of the aforementioned cruise lines include nickel-and-diming, whereupon they scourge travelers for everything imaginable: but as long as one is aware of these tendencies toward price gouging before embarking on a trip, there won’t be any unpleasant surprises during your vacation!
CAVEAT EMPTOR! Don’t assume that the initial cost of a cheap ticket equals a cheap vacation: expect to pay extra for WiFi, movies on your stateroom television, visits to the captain. Don’t be surprised at the constant up-selling.
Food on board is included, so thankfully you and your family won’t starve. The main dining rooms are bountiful.
One only has to pay extra for the privilege of dining at the “nicer” restaurants, if one chooses; alcoholic beverages (as well as brand name carbonated beverages) are available through a drinks package, which IMO are better value for money than paying for individual drinks.
Also, cruise lines charge compulsory gratuities of $25+ per day.
Naturally, day excursions are an additional cost, which is only fair. Although be warned: these can also be very expensive.
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Mr. M. and I are in agreement that Virgin is by far the best cruise line we have been on, so far. Their vacations are more expensive at first glance, but everything is included in the price. There is NO upselling or nickel-and-diming. Plus their ships are gorgeous.
We 100% recommend Virgin Cruise Lines to anyone.
He and I are excited to try Viking European River Cruises in the future… and I am determined to cruise on a luxury ocean liner such as The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection!
Rest assured, I shall certainly tell you about THAT, once I have experienced it! Watch this space!
Lots of love,
M xo
The English Maximalista 
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