Five Days at Sea and the Pink Sand That Washed It All Away
Sometimes you don't realize how much you need to get away until the opportunity just appears. For me, it was a random weekend when I found myself looking at cruise options and thinking, why not? I've done over 30 cruises in my lifetime, but this one felt different. It was spontaneous, a five-night escape from New York to Bermuda on the Norwegian Aqua, booked within a 30-day window. I texted David at Flair Travel on a Saturday or Sunday, and within minutes, he had it booked, paid for, and completely set up. That's the kind of service that lets you actually breathe before you even step foot on the ship.
New York City is only about an hour and a half from my home, so boarding felt effortless. What I love about cruising is the ritual of preparation. Before I even get on, I make all my specialty restaurant dinner reservations and lock in my entertainment schedule. By the time I walk up that gangway, everything is already planned. I don't have to think. I just relax.
The ship itself was impressive, but Bermuda was the real gift. We had two nights there, two full days to explore. And one of those days took me to Horseshoe Beach, the famous pink sand beach. I'd heard about it, of course, but actually being there is something else entirely. The sand really does have this soft rosy hue, and the water stretches out in every shade of blue you can imagine. The temperature that day was somewhere between 85 and 87 degrees. I found a spot, ordered a cocktail, and just sat there listening to the sea. No agenda. No rush. Eventually I waded in, and the warmth of the water wrapped around me like it had been waiting for me all along.
Back on the ship, I discovered something completely unexpected. There was a virtual reality wine tasting experience, and I decided to try it on a whim. You put on goggles, and suddenly you're transported to vineyards in Argentina, Spain, and Portugal. You hear the winemaker talk about their craft, about the soil and the grapes. Then you take off the goggles, and right in front of you is a glass of wine from that very region. We visited 3 different countries this way, sipping and learning, completely immersed. It was one of those experiences that catches you off guard in the best possible way.
I've worked with David from Flair Travel since before the pandemic, and he's always on top of everything. During COVID, when I had several cruises booked, he kept rebooking them for me, tracking onboard credits, handling everything I never could have managed alone. This latest trip was no different. Even though it was last minute, I knew the service would be consistent. I knew nothing would fall through the cracks. That peace of mind is worth more than I can put into words.
When I walked off that ship after five days, I felt relaxed in a way that surprised me. It wasn't a long trip, but it was exactly what I needed. I felt lucky. Lucky to live so close to New York. Lucky to have someone who makes booking so effortless. Lucky to still feel the pull of the sea after all these years.
I already have two cruises booked for next year. One is heading to the Caribbean on the Sun Princess because I wanted to experience a larger Princess ship. The other leaves from Barcelona and sails to France and Italy in September. And just for good measure, I've got one on the books for 2028. Because once you know what it feels like to slip away on short notice and come back renewed, you want to keep that feeling close.