If you’re like me and have long been cruise-curious – but also terrified of paying good money to end up trapped on something akin to a floating casino – I want to tell you about one of the most special weekends of my life.
The month is July and I have been invited to spend a weekend cruising around on a small ship aptly named the Whitsunday Explorer.
The itinerary promises snorkeling, sunset drinks, bushwalks and enough delicious food to, well, sink a ship, which all sounds heavenly until you remember I am bringing my seven-year-old daughter along and neither of us have slept on a boat before in our lives.
The things I am concerned about include: seasickness, boredom, claustrophobia and – thanks to some social media horror stories – somehow contracting gastro and spending the entire weekend below deck.
4 A mom-of-three took one of her daughters on a cruise for the first time and loved every second of it. Provided
I’m also secretly worried my daughter will get sick of me and wonder how a weekend without a designated Kid’s Club, her sisters, or reliable internet constitutes a “holiday” at all.
Turns out I’m an idiot and needn’t have shame-packed the iPad “for the plane” after all. Not only did we have a weekend I legitimately will never forget; I haven’t stopped badgering parents about taking a similar trip since.
A weekend alone with my girl
From the moment we stepped aboard the Whitsunday Explorer to the second we sadly disembarked, this was a holiday about spending quality time together.
4 The mother was worried that her daughter would get sick of her and wonder how a weekend without a designated Kid’s Club, her sisters, or reliable internet could be considered a “holiday.” Provided
As a mom of three kids, I’ll be the first to admit my eldest sometimes draws the short straw when it comes to getting my attention, and to have an entire weekend with her all to myself was a luxury long overdue.
Travelling from Sydney, we caught a plane to Whitsunday Coast Airport (which was a bloody BREEZE with just the one child in tow, let me tell you) and then a short shuttle transfer to the Coral Sea Marina.
If you’ve ever wanted to feel mega-rich without actually being mega-rich, try walking down a marina jammed pack with luxury seacraft only to embark on your own cruise ship with someone waiting for you on deck holding a Mimosa.
Um, yes please.
As we literally sailed off into the postcard-perfect sunset, a pod of dolphins decided to say hello (no, I’m not making this up) while my daughter and I settled into our room. It wasn’t huge and had no balcony, but it was comfortable, with giant windows so you didn’t miss out on the view. When it comes to soaking up the scenery, there’s just something different about being out at sea. It’s right. There. Magic.
Back up on deck, we wasted no time in getting into the board games provided, and if you can think of a better way to hang out with your 7yo then at sea, watching dolphins play under a picture-perfect sunset, drinking a wine and laughing over a competitive game of Monopoly, be my guest. It was heaven.
Not your average cruise
The Whitsunday Explorer only accommodates 60 people overnight (and on our trip, there were about half that) so there’s no feeling of being crowded or overwhelmed, which was one of my major concerns when thinking about travel on a larger vessel.
Meal times were relaxed, the buffets were gourmet and, every evening, the next day’s activities were written up on a whiteboard in the communal dining area.
For our part, we chose to go snorkelling out the back of Daydream island (fish GALORE) and then, after lunch, an afternoon trip to the iconic Whitehaven Beach (my personal favourite).
4 “From the moment we stepped aboard the Whitsunday Explorer to the second we sadly disembarked, this was a holiday about spending quality time together,” the mom said. Provided
Everything was organized seamlessly and it was the perfect ratio of adventures to relax time. Personally, as our family’s self-designated Holiday Organizer, I really enjoyed the absence of mental load and simply being able to opt in or out of the activities offered.
For those who have the opportunity, however, Whitehaven Beach is a must.
After we walked up to the lookout point for *those* views, we returned to the beach to find the crew had brought an esky on land filled with beers, ciders, water and soft drinks. Paired with a swim in the crystal clear water, what a way to end the day.
4 The Whitsunday Explorer only accommodates 60 people overnight. Explore Group Australia
So, am I a cruise convert?
Short answer is absolutely! In this case, anyway. The Whitsundays Explorer had everything I imagined cruise-lovers enjoy – the views, the activities, the peace, the wildlife (did I mention there was a mama and a baby WHALE!?) – and none of the things I was scared would turn me off.
And best of all, spending the weekend with my daughter with nothing and everything to do – together. That bit, above all, was priceless.
Emily and her daughter were guests of The Explore Group, however the opinions expressed in this article are Emily’s own.
I went on a family cruise for people who hate family cruises – and loved every minute
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