Earlier this month, I had the chance to travel on the Celebrity Silhouette cruise ship. My journey started in Venice and continued through Koper, Ravenna, and Split. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing my experiences from these amazing destinations, but first, I want to talk about what it’s like to go on a cruise.

As someone who loves to travel, visiting a new place every day is a dream come true. Sometimes, I feel overwhelmed by all the places I want to see and wonder how I’ll ever visit them all. I’m not the type of traveler who just wants to check places off a list; I want to experience as many new destinations and adventures as possible.

So, when Celebrity Cruises invited me to try out a cruise, I knew I was going to love it. Imagine staying in the most luxurious hotel that floats and waking up in a new country almost every day. What’s not to love?

Every evening, I went to bed with butterflies in my stomach, filled with anticipation for the next destination. I wondered about the weather, the people, the food, and all the new experiences awaiting me. It felt like the first day of a holiday, where everything is new and exciting. I was like a kid on Christmas morning, and the best part was that this excitement happened every day. As the ship approached land, I got my first glimpse of the new country—hillsides with tiny houses, secluded beaches, colorful cities, and distant cathedral spires. People waved as they spotted me having breakfast on my balcony, and I realized I should probably get dressed.

Some people think cruising is just for older folks who want an easy way to see the world. While it’s a fantastic option for them, cruising is really for anyone who loves traveling to new places. Onboard, I met many people who wanted to see as much of Europe as possible in a few weeks. We all dream of spending months traveling around Europe, but who has the time or money for that? Cruising makes it simple, and I quickly discovered how addictive it can be.

My go-to conversation starter on the ship was, “Is this your first cruise?” It wasn’t the most creative question, but I asked over 30 people, and every single one was a seasoned cruiser. Most had taken four or five cruises, with the Mediterranean and South America being popular destinations. I even met a couple on their 14th cruise! They told me cruising is addictive because there’s no other way to see so much of the world in such a fantastic way.

I met some of the most interesting people on this trip. They had seen the world, and I spent hours asking them about their favorite destinations. Now, South America is high on my bucket list! Cruising is also very social. I found myself chatting with new people every night at dinner or while soaking up the sun on the deck. You can find a quiet corner in a romantic restaurant if you want, but often, you’ll end up meeting new friends daily.

And then there are the restaurants, bars, and shops. It feels like you’re in a small town with so much to do. You can book reservations for different restaurants, have pre-dinner drinks, take a stroll outside after dinner, admire the stars, visit the shops, grab a coffee, see a show, or watch live music. As you walk around, you’ll probably bump into a friend and head to a bar for a late-night drink. I’d end my nights on my balcony with a cup of tea, wrapped in a blanket, enjoying the sea breeze and the clear night sky.

As I watched the sunset in Split, that excited feeling returned. The butterflies in my stomach fluttered as I thought about the next destination. I realized how cruising can become so addictive!

Many thanks to Celebrity Cruises for inviting me and hosting my trip. All opinions are, as always, my own.