I was first introduced to cruise ships and cruising in 1982. My husband thought it would be a great way to celebrate our 15th Wedding Anniversary. In those days you could go to the pier in NYC as they were embarking new passengers for that day's sailing and tour the ships for a 50-cent fee. After inspecting a few ships, we decided on the one we thought would be best for us. It was all very exciting and even though I was nervous about this new adventure (I cannot swim and have a fear of water) we booked our first cruise, a 7 night cruise to Bermuda on Home Line's, mv Atlantic.
I remember that first embarkation day well. I had a brand new dress and Carl wore a tie and jacket to board the ship. Some of our friends made the trip up to the ship with us, paid their 50 cent fee so they could come on board and join us for a Bon Voyage Party in our stateroom. After champagne toasts and showing off the ship to our friends the announcement came for "All Ashore." They reluctantly wished us a Bon Voyage before exiting the gangway. We stood on the deck of the ship with steamers in hand waiving to them as they stood on the pier. Our ship glided away into New York Harbor. What a thrill it was to sail past the Statue of Liberty that first time and under the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.
All these years later having sailed more than 170 times, every embarkation day and every sailing is still a thrill for me. I try to pass that excitement on to each of my clients.
I have been fortunate to sail on many different cruise lines including Seabourn, Crystal, Windstar, Cunard, Azamara, Oceania, Holland America, Celebrity, Princess, Royal Caribbean, Disney, NCL, Carnival, Costa and on both Viking Ocean and Viking River Cruises.
I have sailed segments of World Cruises that brought me to the exotic lands of Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines and New Guinea. I have sailed the Baltic and Russia, Northern Europe, the Western Mediterranean, Greek Isles and Turkey, Hawaii, Bermuda, Alaska, Canada and New England. I have touched some ports on the Northern tip of Africa and circumnavigated South America, Crossed the Equator, sailed the China and Irish Seas and crossed the Pacific Ocean. I have sailed on many Inaugural voyages and witnessed several ship christenings.
Don't ask me to name my favorite cruise line or port of call. They are all unique and offer a wonderful experience based on my needs and desires at the time. If you tell me I can only visit one more place in the world and then never travel again take me to Venice.
Let me share my love of cruising with you. Picture yourself dog sledding and walking on a Glacier in Alaska, flying over an active volcano in Hawaii, watching the lights of Monte Carlo from your balcony, seeing the Golden Buddha in Bangkok, wine tasting in Bordeaux, walking in the footsteps of the ancients in Pompeii, Ephesus or Athens, uncovering the mysteries of life in Morocco, throwing a coin in Trevi Fountain, attending a concert in Vienna, and snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef. How about walking on the Great Wall of China and visiting the Terra Cotta Warriors in Xian, China, or seeing the cherry blossoms in Tokyo and so much more. I have done all these and more. I want to make this all possible for you.
JoAnn
