My First Cruise Is a 3-Day “Girls Trip” (Plot Twist: Both Friends Bailed)

My first Norwegian cruise was supposed to be a trip with two friends. Both bailed, so it’s a girls trip with the girls I actually have. 

I’ve visited 20 countries and never once cruised. Swimming isn’t an issue and the ocean doesn’t scare me, but the fine print does. People love to rave about cruises and how they stack up against flying or road-tripping. However, nobody talks about the daily add-ons: Wi-Fi, drinks, and specialty dining can all come with a per-person or per-cabin rate on top of your fare. Still, I see the appeal, because a cruise lets you hit a few countries or islands without repacking a bag or booking a single flight. So I went with the Free at Sea package. Let’s see how free the sea really is. 

The setup

    •    🚢 Norwegian, Friday to Sunday out of Miami

    •    🏝️ Saturday on Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian’s private Bahamas island

    •    🛏️ High-floor balcony (I said I would, so I did) and room service breakfast, if the cruise gods allow

    •    💸 $200 down, a $50 excursion credit, and a pretty cheap rate.

Parking tip

🅿️ Reserve your garage spot ahead of time. Months ago, I booked mine at the Port of Miami garage (Garage B, per my confirmation), and I’m glad I did, because port parking can fill up. It’s a bit pricey, but I’m not circling for a spot or hauling a bag across a lot on embarkation day. To save funds, have someone drop you off and pick you up instead.

First, I’m swinging by Fort Lauderdale airport to grab my friends, who are flying in from two northern states. Then we’re heading south to the ship. 🚗✈️

What’s in the bag

One Patagonia backpack, zero checked bags.

    •    👙 Three bikinis, two dinner-night outfits, a tee, and pajamas

    •    🪪 My passport. It never leaves my side. It’s my favorite book.

    •    👒 The roll-up sun hat my friend gave me for my EarthStrong one year. It folds into nothing and opens into a perfect sunshine hat with a hole in the middle.

    •    ☀️ Sunscreen (South Florida habit)

    •    💧 My LifeStraw, because I’m not paying for water

    •    💵 Cash for tips. I’m a true believer in tipping, but there’s probably a service charge on board, so I’ll decide once I see what’s already covered. Report coming.

Probably forgot: motion sickness pills. Pharmacy run before Friday. 😅

Verdict on whether it was worth it, coming after I’m back.

Meanwhile, TripIt already saved me once when I couldn’t remember if I’d paid for parking. It also had my friends’ landing time and the sailing time, all in one place. After the cruise, I’ll share my full verdict on cruise life, the “free” package, and that $50 credit. ⚓

First-time cruisers: what did I forget?