The one cruise every couple should take in 2019
NEW IDEA’S BARBARA NORTHWOOD TAKES A SECOND HONEYMOON ON BOARD CARNIVAL SPIRIT
With our honeymoon 34 years behind us, I jumped at the opportunity to sail away with my husband Ken on a four-day ‘Honeyboomers’ cruise to Moreton Island on the Carnival Spirit. It was pure escapism – affordable luxury that included lots of fun, relaxing and pampering while at sea.
What is a Honeyboomer, you ask? Well, Carnival Cruise Line christened certain couples as ‘Honeyboomers’ after they conducted research that revealed couples with older kids want to experience more fun and live a free-spirited life, and that relationships were likely to last longer when couples took time out from parenting to build new memories together.
So that’s exactly what we did! We enjoyed the Sailaway Party from our own balcony, taking in the sights that Sydney Harbour has to offer as we journeyed out through the Heads. We then relaxed with a glass of bubbly before settling in for a delicious dinner in the Empire Restaurant. With lots of choices for entrees, mains and desserts, we felt spoiled for choice.
We were greeted by Ketut, our cabin steward, who looked after all our needs, including everything from replenishing bathroom towels and making the bed, to turning down the bed each night and adorning it with cute towel animals.
While my husband booked in for a relaxing massage at the Spa Carnival, I enjoyed a hair wash and blow-dry by Frederico in the Beauty Salon.
We then decided to try lunch at Bonsai, the Japanese sushi restaurant where food was
prepared fresh as you ordered it.
After joining in the fun of making delicious drinks at a Mixology Cocktail Class in the Alchemy Bar, we each received a diploma for successful completion of the course.
Following that we attended a ‘Flirt Class’ given by Melissa Ferrari, a relationships expert, who gave us tips on how to flirt with our partner like we used to when we first met!
With fabulous entertainment to choose from every night – from a belly laugh at the Comedy Club, the sing-along Epic Rock Show that included music from the seventies and eighties as well as a Love & Marriage Show to find out how well you know your spouse, there’s something for everyone.
But if you get the munchies in the middle of the night, you’ll never go hungry as there’s 24-hour dining at Pizza Pirate where pizzas are made fresh, or you can help yourself to a refreshing Swirls Soft Serve.
On arriving on Moreton Island, we had plenty of activities to choose from, such as parasailing, quad biking, snorkelling and learning how to paddleboard. You can join a Segway tour or sea scooter safari or simply take a leisurely stroll along the sandy beach then enjoy a coffee or beer in the bar.
Once back on board the Carnival Spirit, my husband and I enjoyed a lovebirds romantic dinner at the Nouveau steakhouse. It was a wonderful night with amazing steaks cooked to our taste.
One of the highlights was spending an evening in the galley kitchen enjoying an 11-course dinner at The Chef ’s Table. From starters and entrees, to four main courses and two desserts, it was delicious. We were even entertained by one of the chefs carving designs on watermelons. What a night!
Dressing up for an “Elegantthemed” night and an “Eightiesthemed” night was all part of the fun. Everyone got into the spirit of it, and it was a great talking point among fellow travellers.
With visits to the shops, relaxing in the spa centre, watching movies at the Seaside Theatre and having fun at the Casino, we took full advantage of all the ship has to offer.
Our trip seemed to go so quickly, but we came home feeling refreshed and are looking forward to our next Honeyboomer adventure!