We sailed the short route from Vancouver to Victoria overnight, and by the time we docked around 7 AM, the city was just beginning to wake. The air was cool — that crisp coastal kind of cool — but it felt refreshing rather than cold. Victoria has a way of greeting you softly, even first thing in the morning.
With no schedule and no rush, we decided to walk the waterfront around Ogden Point. It’s a beautiful stretch, open to the sea and full of that familiar West Coast calm. The waves were steady, the sky still pale, and the lighthouse stood quietly at the end of the breakwater, as it always does.
There’s something lovely about starting a day with a simple walk by the water. No crowds, no noise, just the rhythm of the ocean and the feeling of being somewhere peaceful. Victoria is good at offering that — especially early in the day, before the city fully stirs.
I often hear people say they “never want to go on a large ship.” They say it with conviction — even though most have never actually tried one. It’s a bit like dismissing a restaurant you’ve never eaten at or a city you’ve never visited. Assumptions can be powerful, but experience is even more so.
Years ago, we found ourselves in that exact situation. Friends had chosen Allure of the Seas, which at the time was the largest cruise ship in the world. It wasn’t a ship we would have picked on our own. In fact, we were hesitant. But we wanted to join them, so we booked it — cautiously, curiously, and with no idea what to expect.
What happened surprised us.
We loved it.
Not just “it was nice” — we genuinely enjoyed the experience. The ship felt like a floating neighbourhood, full of energy and choices. There were different venues of music, each with its own personality. J azz one night, Latin rhythms the next, and quiet acoustic sets tucked away in cozy lounges. The shows were outstanding, far beyond what we expected at sea — Broadway‑level productions, comedy, ice shows, and performances we still talk about today. They had the full Broadway production of "Chicago"! All for the price of the cruise.
And here’s the part that says everything: We booked another trip three months later because we wanted to see everything we missed the first time.
Large ships aren’t for everyone, of course. But they offer something special — variety, entertainment, and the freedom to choose a different experience every night. You can be as busy or as relaxed as you want. You can listen to music, watch a show, sit quietly with a book, or wander through spaces designed to feel like little worlds of their own.
So when people tell me they’d “never” go on a big ship, I smile a little. Because sometimes the best travel surprises happen when you try the thing you thought wasn’t for you.
