Lauri Davis Alty's First Cruise Sparked a Lifetime of Expertise

My husband and I were desperate to escape the freezing January cold of Cambridge, Ontario. We had always taken warm weather getaways in winter, but this time we decided to try something new: our very first cruise. What we didn't know then was that this Princess Caribbean cruise departing from Fort Lauderdale would fundamentally change how I approach travel, both for myself and for my clients.

I'll be honest. I went in with modest expectations about cruise entertainment. You hear about the shows, the trivia nights, the Bingo sessions. Standard fare. But what captured my heart was entirely unexpected: a steel drum musician stationed in the Piazza. He played everything from Jimmy Buffett's "Margaritaville" to Beatles classics, transforming the atrium into a Caribbean celebration every afternoon and evening. My father is from Barbados and played in a steel drum band when I was young, though I never learned myself. When this musician offered steel drum classes, my husband and I signed up immediately. There I was, finally connecting with a piece of my heritage while sailing through the very waters my family came from. It felt like more than entertainment. It felt like coming home.

The food surprised me more than anything else. I had heard influencers rave about cruise dining, but I remained skeptical. I'm not a buffet person, and we've all suffered through mediocre wedding banquets. The main dining room exceeded every expectation. Each sit-down meal was genuinely excellent, never feeling mass-produced or generic. But the real discovery was the pizzeria. I can say without hesitation that it served the best pizza I've ever had at sea, authentic Italian style. We may have grabbed a takeout box or two back to our cabin on those late evenings. Perhaps more than twice during our ten-day voyage.

Now, here's what I learned the hard way. Flying in the same day as your cruise departure is a gamble I will never take again. We trusted people who said a morning flight would be fine. What followed was a cascade of stress: a security labor dispute at Toronto Airport that delayed us two hours, a terminal issue that held all planes at the gate (we had no idea if we'd be stuck ten minutes or two hours), and then a massive backup at the deicing station. We made it to the port just two hours before sailing. We boarded. But the anxiety of those hours nearly ruined what should have been a relaxing start. One more domino falling sideways and we would have missed our ship entirely. I now plead with every client: fly in at least one day early, ideally two, and enjoy exploring your departure city.

Princess Cruises occupies a specific space in the cruise world, and I think it's important to be clear about who it suits. This is classical cruising at its finest, with a quieter, more relaxed atmosphere. You won't find surfing simulators, rock walls, or go-karts on deck. The crowd skews toward early retirees and older couples who appreciate excellent service, art classes, and friendly cruise directors over constant high-energy activities. Families with children can sail Princess, but I wouldn't call it the best fit for that demographic. If you want Broadway spectacles and adrenaline-pumping onboard adventures, other lines will serve you better.

The Insider Knowledge I Now Share

Here's what veteran cruisers know: skip the buffet on embarkation day. Everyone rushes there, creating chaos. Instead, find out which main dining room is open for lunch. You'll be seated, served by a waiter, and enjoy a calm meal while waiting for your cabin. The same applies to breakfast throughout your voyage. At least one main dining room serves early breakfast with full service. Tell them if you have an excursion to catch, and they'll accommodate. It's a far more pleasant way to start each day.

This trip launched what I affectionately call my "slippery slope" into cruising. We've since sailed on ships ranging from 350 passengers to 6,500, and I've learned that everyone has a cruise out there for them. The key is matching the right traveler with the right ship and itinerary. That first Princess voyage gave me more than a love of cruising. It gave me the expertise to help my clients find exactly what they're looking for, whether that's adventure, culture, relaxation, or simply waking up in a new destination without ever repacking a suitcase.