What you don't know might limit you.

by Paxton Ellis (United States of America)

I didn't expect to find USA

Crowds are not my Jam, never have been. When my wife booked us on the Holland America Zuiderdam for a week in the Carribean, I was apprehensive; no wait, I was looking up marriage counselors. I thought my beautiful wife knew me as I know her. I know she grew up cruising for her family vacations, her Father has cruised over 100 times. Bless his heart, but as a compromise, our honeymoon was on board WindJammer's Legacy touring the ABC's. It was my first venture on open water and after learning to cope with Posidan's Curse, I enjoyed it immensely. That boat had 300 people on it and 75 crew. I spent one night at the helm, holding course (truth be told it was more of a zigzagging and trying to stay on course effort, not as easy as it seems to steer a 300 ft 5 masted sailing boat.). In looking at Holland America's Zuiderdam, it would have close to 7 times as many guests on board. I was not holding out hope the Captain was going to let me have a turn at the wheel and I mentioned my lack of love for the large crowds earlier, this is not just me being a snob, I get anxious and break into a cold sweat. Catherine talked me off the ledge, called my bluff with the marriage counselor effort and packed our luggage for the week and away we went to Port Everglades. The boarding process took place in a large 1 room warehouse with a large crowd of people that have been cruising since before I was born. There were crowds and none of them were my age. The age difference was actually a relief, being the old soul that I am. I enjoyed talking with everyone in line. I must have been putting off the "I don't want to be here" vibe, as most conversations started with "First Cruise?". My wingman and vacation executioner wife was all too happy to let it be known I was a cruise rookie. We got on board and I was introduced to the Lido deck buffet. Crowds, not for me but an endless buffet of top quality food ......one better not interfere with my process. The food all week, Lido Deck, Main Dining Room and a splurge at the Specialty Restaurant were beyond explanation. My favorite course of a good meal is the sugar ladened finale. Zuiderdam dedicated a whole afternoon at sea to this endeavor. That afternoon is where I credit my dadbod foundation. Our cabin on the Legacy was barely a bed and a bathroom, our cabin on the Zuiderdam was spacious and cared for by a hyper-attentive yet oddly covert Steward. The bed was comfortable, the public balcony outside our window was great for taking in views at sea, save for one windy night where I was nearly committed to death in Davie Jones's Locker and the entertainment was grand. The Elton John impersonator was hilarious and engaging. I lost at the casino. All of this was great and truly unexpected, but the most indelible experience of the cruise was seeing the Caribean Sea in the US Virgin Islands. On a less than intimate snorkeling excursion, I dove down and was mesmerized by the clear blue sea. I will never forget being 15 feet underwater and seeing the world as clear as to when I am on the side of a 12,000 feet mountain in Colorado. If you have not experienced this, you cannot call yourself a seasoned traveler, not yet. The cruise ended and as has become a custom on many cruises since I always feel a void as I walk off a crowded vessel. If I had actually gotten my way and we had not gone on the Zuiderdam, I would have missed many great, and honestly, some less great cruises. Regardless, big ship cruising may not be for everyone, but until you try one of the many options, you may be missing something for you. My love of crowds has not changed, but Holland America developed a love of cruising and Dadbod I am proud of. Get out and travel...even if only for an hour.