Kate Wilson had never been on a cruise until she sailed with Holland America Line - and it was an eye-opening experience. The journey started in Helsinki, and as the ship glided away from the dock, the true magic of being on a cruise unlocks. Suddenly, your hotel room travels with you, meaning you only have to unpack once to see multiple countries.
Waking up in a different country each day
The Baltics are really spectacular from the water - sitting on your stateroom balcony with a glass of bubbles as the ship navigates past thousands of quiet, pine-fringed Finnish islands was an unforgettable first-day experience. Then - as if by magic - the next morning you wake up in an entirely different country and time-zone - pulling the curtains back in our stateroom to discover the green hills of Stockholm.
A few hours sightseeing around the Swedish capital - which involved a museum tour, changing of the guards at the Palace as well as some much needed Fika - and we're back onboard ready for an evening of great food, live music and dancing. Then off to bed and wake up the next day to do it all over again - but this time in the beautifully-picturesque Swedish island of Gotland or the striking cosmopolitan Norwegian capital Oslo - all offering something entirely wonderful and different for visitors.
First-time cruiser preconceptions proved wrong
They say cruising isn't just a holiday choice - it's a gateway drug to a lifetime of all-you-can-eat buffets, impeccable service and refusing to ever unpack twice again. But I was never really convinced by it. It could be the age thing - in my mid-to-late thirties I still consider myself 'too young' for a cruise. It could also be a boat thing (although an important tip: never call it a boat unless you want to deeply offend). Ferries back and forth over the Irish Sea as a child usually included at least one bout of vomiting that has left me with a memory I can actually smell.
Or it could be a 'space' thing - as in not having any. I was imagining the third-class rooms on the Titanic with no windows and some questionable decor. Being trapped in one of those for two weeks doesn't sound like much of a holiday to me. So I couldn't have been happier to discover that most of my preconceptions about cruising ended up being completely wrong.
Onboard activities and dining
I say most because, while cruises offer value for money, I think to get the most out of it, you do need to be ready to splurge a bit. As for the myth that cruising is for older generations, there was plenty to keep us 30-somethings entertained - but don't expect much nightlife past midnight. But I embraced the art of day-drinking - mainly frozen daiquiris by the outdoor pool. And I tried my hand at shuffleboard and ping-pong, then found a cozy nook at the Crow's Nest cafe on the top deck for a coffee while attempting (and failing) the New York Times crossword.
There was also salsa dancing, bingo and a cocktail masterclass. And of course in the evenings the ship truly comes alive with shows at the World Stage and live music at B.B. King's Blues Club. And you can wander through it all - from dinner to dancing to the casino - cocktail in hand. And this was one of the best bits for a first-time cruiser - just navigating my way around the ship was a daily activity in itself. And that's before we get into what is probably the highlight of cruising - and that's waking up in a different city, country, time-zone every day.
And even on days at sea - you could spend hours looking out at the stunning scenery through the Scandinavian Fjords. And a jaw-dropping moment when the captain seamlessly navigated the seemingly tight-squeeze under Denmark's Great Belt Bridge. Back on board for a first-timer, the food alone is a revelation. You can indulge in perfectly cooked steaks at the Pinnacle Grill, sample fresh seafood, or enjoy some of the best burgers and chips I've ever had poolside.
There are seven special dining options onboard this Pinnacle-class ship - all of which come at an extra cost. And while we had some great meals in the main dining room and the Lido buffet, I would say if you're going to splash out on anything extra, the specialty restaurants are the place to do it. At a cost of $25-$55 a head extra it's definitely more of a splurge than a nightly occurrence - but tell me where you can have a bang-up three-course meal with great service for two for less than £82.
And for a more casual dining experience the Lido Market Buffet gave you an around-the-world dining experience. And on one very special sea day it offered slices of the biggest and brightest cakes you've ever seen. News spread fast of the delicious offerings as a sea of guests herded towards deck nine - mobility issues almost a thing of the past.
A brilliant way to see Scandinavia
So, after all that, am I now hooked for life - ready to swap cramped aeroplane seats forever for the impeccable service of a floating luxury hotel? To be honest, I don't think I'm a full-time "lifetime cruiser" quite just yet. What I will say, though, is that location is key. Pick somewhere you've never visited but have always dreamed of seeing. For me, it proved to be a brilliant way to take in the highlights of Scandinavia all in one go - and if you choose the right time of year, you might even catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights right from the deck.
All in all, I was glad to be proven wrong about cruising. But if you want to do it right, my advice is simple: start that holiday savings fund now. Prices for a 14-day Baltic and Scandinavian Capitals cruise with Holland America Line start from £2,299pp. If you book the Have It All Early Booking Bonus, prices start from £3,209pp and include extra perks such as $200 onboard credit per person, prepaid crew appreciation, Premium wi-fi, an Elite Beverage Package, up to $200 shore excursion credits and up to three nights speciality dining credits.
