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The Hallmark Channel Christmas Cruise 2024 was a spectacular event that I was fortunate enough to be a part of. I somehow managed to book a cabin on the Norwegian Gem of complete epic joy with Hallmark in November of 2024, and it was unforgettable. If you have never been on a cruise, please consider going on one. If you are going on the Christmas cruise in 2025, I will see you there!

With my prior deep-sea fishing adventures, numerous hurricanes hitting my town, years of official duty stories from family and friends in the Navy and Coast Guard, reading numerous historical accounts, and watching documentaries covering war and civilian ocean events, I have a good understanding of the power and unpredictability of nature. With this knowledge, I was excited to spend time on a cruise ship for the first time, regardless of the potential dangers.

In preparation for the cruise, I researched cruise life.  I found a myriad of useful tips, but I also noticed something unexpected on social media: an underlying global fear of the high seas. Many horror stories were accompanied by video footage of the worst-case scenarios of tourists trapped on a ship during squalls, waterspouts, hurricanes, poor souls going overboard, or virus outbreaks.  I also watched a few movies in tribute to the horrors of the sea before my voyage: The Poseidon Adventure and JAWS. These warnings of impending doom in no way dampened my excitement for the cruise. I will admit, all of this concerned me, just a bit. My spirit for adventure prevailed, and I continued to plan for the trip with a tremendous amount of Christmas glee.

If you have never taken a cruise, I hope you will go on one. It is a glorious and exciting adventure. Sailing into unknown waters under unpredictable conditions with a boat full of happy people is worth your time.

It is no easy feat to jump into the unknown. Many sea-faring explorers ventured into the ocean long before we came on the scene, and many did not survive.  The ocean is an unforgiving and wildly unpredictable environment full of unimaginable beauty that should be witnessed firsthand.

If there is anything this chaotic world has taught me, it is this: my number could be up at any time. Living is for the living, and that is what I plan to do. I hope you are able to do the same.

A few tips for newcomers to the cruise experience

• You are on a ship with employees who care for customers night and day. Treat these employees with great care, many of them are far from home and have not seen their families for a long time.
• This isn’t just your vacation; it is the vacation of everyone else on the ship. Bring your patience, your best smile, comfortable shoes, and respect the boundaries of your fellow humans.
• Do not impair yourself to the point of failing to perform in any way during an emergency. At all times, you must be able to take direction from the crew and be able to maintain personal security.
• In terms of motion sickness: know before you go and bring appropriate patches or medication to help with any bouts of motion sickness.

Various links to explore for epic cruise fun

• Norwegian Cruise Line: https://www.ncl.com/
• Hallmark Christmas Cruise: https://www.hallmarkchristmascruise.com/
• Sixthman: https://www.sixthman.net/
• History of NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) Ocean Exploration: https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/history/exploration/
• Smithsonian, ocean history: https://ocean.si.edu/through-time/ocean-through-time
• Britannica, Atlantic Ocean study and exploration: https://www.britannica.com/place/Atlantic-Ocean/Contemporary-study
• Boat International, 6 sea explorers who changed the world: https://www.boatinternational.com/yachts/editorial-features/sea-explorers-whose-discoveries-changed-the-world–26385