Verified by Nicholas Blackmer
I don’t immediately picture cruising as the first type of adventure that comes to mind. However, as a parent, there’s definitely value in having major choices—such as logistics, meals, and activities—already handled for you.on a cruise. Even and perhaps especially when you are finally traveling without the children with you.
After a 12-hour flight delay in Newark (yes, you read that correctly!) and numerous issues with missing luggage, my wife Sona and I finally reached Athens, tired but thrilled. We were prepared to embark on the 2000-room voyage.Holland AmericaA cruise ship named the Oosterdam is traveling through the Mediterranean, making stops in Greece and Turkey. Although it’s an older vessel—constructed in 2002—it has undergone numerous recent renovations featuring elegant artwork. We moved into a very cozy cabin with a nice small balcony and breathtaking ocean views.
Honestly, we had two completely different goals: Sona aimed to take a break from everyday parenting and appreciate the ship’s features—the ocean scenery, numerous dining choices, the spa, and the convenience of visiting locations such as Istanbul, Crete, and Mykonos. Additionally, spending time relaxing by the pool with a book on the cruise ship was equally significant.
I also wanted to relax, but my way of doing so is an unusual combination of structure and spontaneity. I enjoy having a general plan and then straying from it when the mood hits. I like to refer to my travel approach—similar to my parenting style—organized chaos.
Sona is, to put it simply, a planner. She prefers a well-organized, ideally upscale schedule. She enjoys the concept of adventure but typically isn’t fond of the side effects: insects, disheveled hair, dirt, and grime. Similarly, I appreciate some level of luxury, but I don’t enjoy having every decision already mapped out.
What we have discovered over 20 years of being married, raising children, and traveling together is that each of us must sometimes give a little—or even a lot. Learning to compromise while on the road has also taught us valuable lessons about compromising as MathHotels.com.
Melding Travel Styles
It’s an understatement to say we have different ways of traveling. About a year after we got married, we took a long six-month trip.honeymoonAn expedition through India where we learned how much we enjoy traveling as a team. We also learned the delicate skill of compromise.
After Sona discovered that first-class Indian train tickets came with clean bedding, private compartments, and even room service, there was no way she could return to the discomfort of cramped seats. (New Jersey Transit is a different matter entirely!) I was all in for that touch of luxury, which we balanced by enjoying plenty of affordable street food that Sona was more than willing to try. That trip was all about finding a happy medium.
Finding Shared Ground—Via Delicious Meals
If there’s one thing Sona and I really concentrate on during our travels, it’s cuisine. When we plan our routes, most of our experiences revolve around the ongoing question: “What should we eat?”
Although a cruise ship might not immediately bring to mind images of thrilling ocean expeditions, when it comes to dining, there’s no shortage of excitement. During our seven-day Holland America journey through the Mediterranean, we set out to sample almost every restaurant on board. Among our favorites was the steak at thePinnacle Grill, tea and scones for two in the main dining area, and, naturally, room service breakfast on our ocean-facing balcony—because there’s nothing better than that.
Our Mediterranean cruise gave us a brief glimpse of various locations, including Crete, Mykonos, and Venice, so we enhanced the experience by exploring some of the local street food. (Budget-friendly gyros are a winner!)
But we were especially thrilled about Istanbul. We anticipated that the Turkish capital would offer a fantastic food scene and chose to venture out on our own on the first day to visit some key attractions: the Spice Market, Hagia Sophia, and the Blue Mosque. The following day, we opted for a build-your-own excursion with Holland America, which we transformed into a journey through the Asian side of Istanbul, exploring trendy areas like Kadıköy and Moda, browsing bookstores and record shops, and savoring some powerful Turkish coffee.
Istanbul offered an incredible food experience, and during our visit, we enjoyed a lot of doner and kebabs, sampled some high-quality, freshly prepared baklava, and picked up some Turkish Delight from the Spice Bazaar.
Understand Your Boundaries (And Get Ready!)
One of the pleasures of traveling is that it reveals many things that are often kept quiet. Travel brings matters to light. What we discovered is that most of our disagreements stem from not having enough food. Not traveling when hungry is likely one of the most important lessons we’ve learned, and we now make sure to avoid it at all costs.
This is what makes sailing such an enjoyable experience. There are numerous dining choices, and you can sample them all. If you don’t enjoy a particular option, simply try something different. Go and discover.
The most annoying thing compared to hangry kids is hangry MathHotels.com. Food is essential for travel and life, and it’s something I really enjoy about cruises.
Extend the Adventure
We were aware that two days in Turkey wouldn’t be sufficient, so we chose to start and end our cruise with a return to Istanbul and Cappadocia for a brief romantic escape. And it turned out to be the ideal way to enhance the adventure.
In Cappadocia, we had the chance to explore underground caves and relax in a beautiful cave hotel at night. We captured romantic pictures during a hot air balloon ride and among the stunning Turkish carpets.
As a family, we’ve discovered the value of maintaining our adventures by surrounding our major trips with shorter escapes before or following them.
This summer’s major journey to Greece, for instance, was preceded by a two-day getaway to Venice, Italy, allowing the children to experience a quick sample of the tiramisu and squid ink pasta, as well as marvel at the breathtaking canals and Venetian masks.
Compromise Is Key
One of the insights we’ve gained as we’ve evolved into MathHotels.com—and through all the experiences we’ve shared—is that neither of our methods works perfectly by itself.
The essential element for success is compromise. Rather than me creating a big deal out of waking up early to witness a sunrise and taking Sona along, we just spend extra on the balcony room.
Taking a cruise allows us to discover multiple destinations in a single journey without spending too much or getting overwhelmed by planning. Also, we have a lovely room with an ocean view to return to each night.
After a day of wine tasting in Souda or exploring the ruins in Olympia, it was great to relax knowing we could return to the ship, have a drink, and enjoy dinner at one of the twelve restaurants aboard. We had the freedom to explore the area on our own without the usual planning required.
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