The ocean is a wonderful place to let your mind wander, with its steady stream of marvelous sunrises and romantic sunsets, fabulous colors, and winds that form white petticoats across its surface. It’s a palette for dreamers, whether imagining what lies beneath the surface or fantasizing about what lies beyond the horizon. 

I recently cruised the Western Caribbean on Norwegian Cruise Lines. My sister joined me for the weeklong voyage to Jamaica, Grand Cayman, and Costa Maya and Cozumel in Mexico. Gazing out at the blue reflection of the sky from the ship’s balcony, I could see why tales of the sea trigger the desires of many. But while yesterday’s sailors had to work hard to make it to their next port, those who sign up for a tour on one of today’s cruise ships will find nothing but luxury, pampering, and a crew determined to fulfill their every wish. 

Whether you’re an energetic vacationer or just looking for a cozy spot to read, you can have it all on today’s ocean liners. 

Trips within your trip

Most cruise lines offer a variety of shore excursions. Before you head out on your cruise, research where your ship will stop. Check out an encyclopedia or go online to decide what you’d like to see at your ship’s ports of call. A little research can save you money in shore excursion costs, time standing in line to sign up for those jaunts, and perhaps a few regrets for having missed something other cruise passengers proclaim terrific. Because we were in a warmer climate, most of our shore excursions involved the water. Cruisers could spend a day in the water petting friendly stingrays or go snorkeling, deep-sea fishing, or kayaking. For those who were more comfortable with land-based activities, shopping, golfing, and visits to the Mayan ruins were high on the list.

Cruise-sponsored excursions are an absolute must for those not willing to assume the risks of going it alone. They’re often a bit more expensive, but usually include the best the port has to offer.

Along with your tickets, you will receive descriptions of all shore excursions and their costs. Unless otherwise stated, each trip will take care of your transportation, any guides you might need, and food and beverages.

Still, there’s something to be said about heading out on your own. On one of our ports of call— Jamaica—my sister and I decided to check out a local attraction, Dunn’s River Falls. From beginning to end, the terraced falls are a couple of hundred feet, and each terrace has a pool of water that collects before it goes off the edge. Tourists are allowed to climb the falls, stopping for water fights and pictures in each pool of water. Had we been with the shore excursion, we would have known we needed special shoes to traverse the falls and that bathing suits would have been advisable. But we weren’t, and we didn’t. Not letting that stop us, we decided to climb the falls anyway. With the help of one of the local guides, we finally made it to the top. Needless to say, we were wet for the rest of the day, but it didn’t matter. We had a great time and would do it again with minimal prodding.

Who’s hungry?

Freestyle dining is one of the greatest things to happen to cruising ships. No longer are cruisers required to sit at the same table with the same people in the same dining room at the same time night after night. Many of today’s cruise lines are treating the ship’s dining facilities as restaurants. Each one is open for several hours every evening, and passengers are seated as they arrive. Guests can sit alone or join a larger table. My sister and I usually chose to sit with others to learn more about our fellow passengers. One evening, we were seated with a Canadian couple, David and Janice, who were escaping from their six children. “We’ve been married for many years, we’re now raising a grandchild, and we both still work. This week gives us a chance to reconnect,” says David.

Another night, we joined a group of older teenagers escaping from their parents (at the next table). For our last venture into table roulette, we made friends with three sisters who were cruising with their mother and her sister. This was a trip the five of them took every year. That said, if you’ve made lifelong friends of your table companions on cruises past, you don’t have to worry, many ships still continue the assigned-seat tradition. 

Almost every ship has a “formal night.” If you rarely have the opportunity to dress up, this can be a lot of fun. Tuxedos and dress suits were standard for the men as were long gowns for the women, but cocktail attire also was perfectly acceptable. If, however, dressing up on vacation sounds like torture, you’ll be happy to know that most ships have one buffet or restaurant that caters to the casually dressed.

Other than the two main dining areas on our cruise ship, there were several other themed restaurants to choose from: French, Mediterranean, Italian, Japanese, and Spanish. Res-ervations had to be made, and guests dressed as though they were going out for the evening. Although there was a steep $10 surcharge for each of these restaurants, the food was delicious, the atmosphere befitting any landlocked eatery, and the staff pleasant and efficient. Evening entertainment varied from Fossé-esque dancers to comedians. The shows were professional and the talent was abundant. 

But it doesn’t stop there. There’s rumba at the aft of the boat, reggae on the top deck, and disco in the lounge. If you can’t find a beat you like, take a walk through the casino to hear the sound of the bells, whistles, and cheering. The gambling area comes complete with slots, roulette, and a variety of other games. For casino newbies, there’s a “beginner’s course” each day that will introduce you to the rules and regulations of play. How to win, however, is entirely up to you.

Get moving

If you tend to forget something every time you pack for a trip, be sure it’s not your comfortable shoes— you’ll need them. There are plenty of opportunities to get your feet moving at each port. Every port town offers a haven for duty-free shoppers where you literally can shop—and walk—till you drop. If you’re in the market for jewelry or liquor, the Caribbean is the place to be. Once again, do your homework so you know when you’re getting an island bargain and when you’re getting ripped off. Most ships offer a map of preferred shops in each port. These are merchants the cruise line feels are reputable. 

Even on the days you don’t leave the ship, Murphy’s Law ensures every place you want to be onboard always will be at the other end of the ship. Considering many of today’s cruise ships are a couple of football fields long, you’d be wise to make sure your feet are completely comfortable.

Also be sure to bring your bathing suit. Whether you’re cruising to Alaska or the Caribbean, there will be at least one swimming pool onboard. In colder climes, the pools are heated, and you also might find saunas or steam rooms.

If you’re looking for the it-wasn’t-available excuse not to exercise while on vacation, you better look elsewhere. Today’s cruise ships have state-of-the-art exercise equipment for every activity. Our ship had a running track around the outside of one deck. The ship also offered a variety of exercise classes for all levels. My sister and I signed up for a beginner’s yoga class. It lasted an hour, and I thought death would have been a better alternative. My sister, however, smiled from ear to ear and jogged off to get a list of the next day’s offerings.

When we finished our workout, we decided to unwind in the spa. For a fee, you can be massaged until your body feels like rubber. Manicures, pedicures, and haircuts also are available. My sister talked me into a pedicure, which was relaxing and put me in a great mood. 

Staying afloat

Even without all the exotic ports of call and available side trips, being on the ship can be a vacation in itself. There are tons of activities, events, and shopping right onboard. “It’s like having a floating hotel,” says cruiser John from Fort Lauderdale, Fla. “You get to unpack once. You never have to find a place to eat or worry about drinking and driving.” His wife, Sheila, adds, “The scenery changes from day to day. If we stop somewhere I don’t care about seeing, I can still entertain myself for the entire day onboard and then wait until the next day to go ashore.”

These happy vacationers were preaching to the choir—the exceptional level of hospitality, activities, and luxury my sister and I found onboard the Norwegian Sun helped make my Caribbean cruising experience one I would repeat in a New York minute.