Good Morning Lovelies, 

The weekend before Christmas, me and my mum set off on an adventure of a lifetime. Having booked it over a year in advance, we decided to live out our joint dreams of going on a cruise for a few days to see what it was like. 

Known as the Festive Taster Cruise, hosted by Ambassador Cruise Line, the ship set sail on the 19th December for a mini tour around the coast of the south of England, from London Tilbury, before docking again on 21st December at a very early time of 7am. 

Upon arriving at the docks on the day of embarkment, we were amazed at how quickly we were able to set foot on the boat, with our cabin cards having already been given to us beforehand. With our luggage waiting for us at our room, we took in the main reception area, before heading to our inside cabin to place it in our room. 

Having opted for a twin room, we found a roomy cabin with two beds, a desk, plenty of storage space, a TV and a bathroom with a shower, toilet and sink. For a long cruise, the room may seem a little cramped but for the two days that we were on board we knew it would be fine for us both. 

It wasn’t long before we were settled in and ready to explore. Having been given a newsletter-like letter that shared what was happening on board, the times to eat and the weather and dress code, we headed out on deck to see the food options for that day. Already, the Borough Market restaurant was packed with people, so my mum grabbed a simple dish of fish and chips and we both got a drink. All of which were brilliant!

When she had finished, we were asked to head out for our security briefing, which was easy to follow, much like the displays that you get on a flight, before we were truly free for the weekend. Heading back to our room, we spent a little while refreshing ourselves up, before we went back to the restaurant to find me something to eat. 

As someone with an eating disorder, I knew the cruise was going to be hard. I couldn’t find anything at first that felt safe to me and that left me in a real panic. However, this is where the heroes of my cruise experience stepped in. After sharing my fears with my mum, she kindly asked a waiter if there was someone who could help me find a bowl of cereal to have for lunch. This was where we met Joseph, the head waiter on the Ambition cruise ship that we were on. 

Going above and beyond to help me, he found me a bowl of cornflakes and allowed me to bring my own milk into the dining room with no worries. He also told me that when it came to dinner time that I was to find him and he would help me find something that I was comfortable eating each night too by introducing me to the chef. Something he stuck to, as after an afternoon of trivia and exploring, we headed back for dinner that night, which my mum was easily able to find something enjoyable to eat, whilst Joseph, who came right up to me as soon as I entered made sure to get the chef to help me find a meal to eat. 

Jovil, who was the chef throughout our trip, cooked me my own dishes of rice, sweet potato, steamed vegetables and more with no worries at all about doing so. I know that my eating disorder can be troublesome in some eating establishments but throughout my cruise, Joseph and Jovil made no question or dining situations seem like a problem. 

They both wanted to help and now when I think about them it makes me so emotional at how much their hard work and dedication to not only helping me but others too. I witnessed them making special meals for someone in a wheelchair who was on a liquid diet and others suffering from autism with no objections at all. They made guests feel welcome in every way and my heart soars at the dedication they gave to the passengers on board. 

If someone was to ask me what was the most special moment from my trip, I would say meeting these two amazing people, as they made me able to achieve a goal that I had been working so hard on, which was sitting with my mum and eating a meal together at my favourite time of the year. They have inspired me to make changes and to work harder to beat my condition because of their help. 

Away from the kitchen, the weekend was full of activities, however, they were not always able to be explored due to clashes. Many of them would run at the same time, which was annoying when there were gaps in the day, where nothing was happening. For three hours on Saturday night, most people spent it getting drunk, as there was nothing to do. 

And even when there was, there wasn’t always room for people to take part. For example, on the final night of our cruise, there was a silent disco, yet, they didn’t have enough headphones for everyone to join in. Therefore, people were being asked to just stand around in a quiet room whilst others danced around them. This led to a lot of standing around or being left to go back to your room and not do much. Something that many people on board were stating. 

As people who are very much explorers, this led to a lot of boredom between me and my mum, which left us wishing we could get off the boat at times. We weren’t sure if it was just because it was our first time on a ship or if it was because of the ship that we chose, however, when we spoke to those on the boat who went on many cruises they told us that it was something that all cruises were like and you just got used to it. Yet, me and my mum both agreed that we probably wouldn’t get used to it, as the cruise life wasn’t for us.

Upon being asked to depart our cabins at 7:30am on the Sunday morning, we were ready to head home and back to our beds. Over the two days that we were on board, I didn’t sleep once. Not because of the boat's movements or anything being wrong with the room, just because of the amount of restlessness that boat life brought. The rooms did get quite hot at night and as someone who is always cold even I found it strangling. Each night, me and my mum would have to get up and go out on deck for a drink and fresh air to try and get by. So, when we got to shore, I could not have been more grateful. 

For many, the idea of a cruise can be incredible and I am sure it is for those who enjoy them. Yet, if you are like us, then it may not be for you. Having to live by a schedule, which included not being able to rest well, and not being able to go out and see the sights, led to us both wanting to just move our legs and explore when we got back to shore. Being stuck inside a few rooms wasn’t for us and when we found out that even if our boat had had excursions, we would have had to have paid a lot of money to have left the boat and go on them, which we never knew about either. We both therefore made the decision that cruising wasn’t for us. 

If you have never been on one before then I would say try it, as you may be someone who loves it. However, if you are someone who loves to explore then they may not be the right choice of holiday for you! Yet, we have taken this trip as a big learning experience and can confidently say that our legs will remain on shore for now!

Have you ever been on a cruise lovelies? What did you all think of it? Are you a big fan or foe? Let me know, as I am interested to hear you experiences and thoughts! 

Joey X