I never thought I'd make it, CONGRATULATIONS TO ME Cruise #50 @julescruisecompanion

This was a special milestone for me—Cruise number 50! I can't believe I’ve reached this point. This trip was on the Pacific Encounter, a "Comedy Cruise to Nowhere," just off Moreton Island. It was a fun, lighthearted experience, with a comedy show called "The Gong Show" featuring all women performers. Six women volunteers got up on stage and delivered three-minute comedy sets, and it was incredible to see their confidence and humor. I was really impressed by the atmosphere and the supportive audience. It added a unique twist to this celebratory cruise. Reaching 50 cruises feels surreal, especially after the long hiatus during COVID. Like many, I didn't think I'd be cruising again anytime soon. But here I am, back on the water. I don’t have any loyalty to specific cruise lines—if a cruise fits my schedule, I’ll take it! My life has changed dramatically since I moved to Jordan and spent more time in the Middle East. The current situation in the region makes things interesting, but I’m always ready to come back and set sail again. This trip also marks another special event: my friend’s 60th birthday. She’s my cruise buddy, and it was amazing to celebrate with her on this particular voyage. We’re both enjoying every moment, especially knowing we’ll soon be back on this same boat for cruise number 51. Next time, we’ll be heading to Melbourne for the Melbourne Cup, which I’m really looking forward to. We’ve got a balcony cabin lined up for that one, which will be a nice change from our current inside cabin. Speaking of the cabin, I’ll do a quick tour later, even though it’s messy! We’re staying in room 11245, and while I’ve been on top of documenting my experiences on previous cruises, I’ve definitely slacked this time. The embarkation process was so fast, I barely had time to take it all in. Brisbane International Cruise Terminal has really improved; it’s now sleek and efficient, with some nice little shops as well. One thing I’ve noticed is that fewer people are promenading around the ship these days. When I first started cruising, I would often go for early morning walks, catching the sunrise and enjoying the fresh morning air. Sometimes, the moisture in the air would create a rainbow over the water, which was always a beautiful sight. But I haven’t done that in a while—I’m definitely not a morning person anymore! Staying in an inside cabin has been interesting. It’s so dark, quiet, and peaceful that I don’t even wake up naturally. The other night, as we sailed out of Brisbane, the waters were rocky, but it was oddly soothing. I fell asleep to the gentle rocking, which reminded me why I love cruising. Last night, however, the seas were calm and smooth, making for a peaceful return journey. Now, we’re heading back to Brisbane, and it looks like there’s a big storm coming. But I trust the captain will do his best to steer us clear of it. It’s been a short three-night cruise, but it’s been just what I needed—a little escape and some good laughs along the way. Plus, celebrating this milestone with my friend made it extra special. As I wrap up this adventure, I’m feeling grateful. It’s hard to believe I’ve reached cruise number 50, but it’s a testament to my love of the sea, new experiences, and good company. Here’s to many more! This is Julie, your cruise companion, signing off with a reminder to stay safe and happy cruising! My book HANDY CRUISE COMPANION, Cruise with Confidence is available on Amazon http://bit.ly/HandyCruiseCompanioneBook Check out my website http://www.julescruisecompanion.com.au/ Follow me on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/julie.burgess.5011/ Follow me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/julescruisecompanion/?hl=en Edited by VideoGuru:https://videoguru.page.link/Best Copyright JCC