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Planner’s Travel Series

About the series: Welcome to our ongoing travel series. These are all posts written by planning students and professionals about what to do in a given city when looking for Brunch, a Brew, or a good idea on a Budget. To cap it all off, we include a fun planning fact! 

By Jo Kwon

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About the visit: Cruising has become a vibrant cultural phenomenon for coastal towns. I took a Christmas cruise this winter for the first time and experienced the suite days on deck. The crisp sea breeze and the holiday festivities created a unique and unforgettable atmosphere. Here are some of my favorite experiences and top recommendations:

Brunch 

Every morning, brunch options abound. Choices are available in the dining hall, buffet, and the Blue Iguana Cantina with delicious breakfast burritos. The dining hall provides a variety of foods, and brunches encompass appetizers, mains, and desserts! You can even enjoy multiple appetizers, mains, and desserts. I highly recommend trying the lox for its crisp bagel and incredible smoked salmon.

Brew 

There is a range of drink packages available, such as Cheers! and Bottomless Bubbles. The Cheers! package provides unlimited alcohol, while Bottomless Bubbles offers unlimited soda. Nevertheless, individuals can still order drinks without a package throughout the cruise. As a non-drinker, my favorite choice has been Shirley Temples, and the sustainable sweet candy straw adds a great touch to the experience.

Budget 

The best part of cruises is that food is always offered. My personal favorite was indulging in pizza at any time, even until 4 am, with a particular fondness for midnight snacks. However, lines can get quite long around that time. There were four different types of pizza available, and my go-to choice was always the Quattro Formaggi.

Fun Planning Fact 

Cruises are like miniature, mobile cities. They offer distinct zones dedicated to housing, businesses like food and retail, and entertainment. Larger cruises even have medical centers and educational institutions. Furthermore, their design prioritizes pedestrians, creating a truly walkable and enjoyable experience. These marvels of engineering take 12 to 18 months to build, depending on their size. If you are curious and want to know more about how cruises work, The Secret Life of the Cruise (2018) is a great documentary to watch.

Featured Image: Carnival Sunshine Cruise  (Photo Credit:  Jo Kwon)

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