Cruising in My 20s: A Lesson in Luxury

Cruising was never high on my travel radar – in fact, it hadn’t even crossed my mind. But working in luxury travel, surrounded by stories of world-class ships, gourmet dining, and high-end service, I found myself offered the chance to experience it first hand. Intrigued by the idea of seeing the world from a lavish, 6-star vessel, I embraced the opportunity to experience cruising in my 20s, and I soon discovered that it was an entirely different kind of adventure – one I never expected to enjoy quite so much.

Setting Sail

Our trip was a Venice to Dubrovnik sailing with Silversea, embarking on 30th July 2024 aboard the Silver Ray – one of the cruise line’s new Nova Class ships, a vessel so sleek and refined it really did feel like a floating boutique hotel. Any preconceptions I had about cruising, crowded decks, noisy families, stuffy formality, were almost immediately dispelled. We were met at the airport by a driver who transported us privately to the port, and from there we were escorted by a host of different staff members to the various parts of check in. 

Everyone was so incredibly happy to welcome us, and as soon as we were on board I found that the atmosphere was calm, elegant, and intimate, with space for just 728 guests. The few children we did see were a little older, and clearly accustomed to this level of luxury. They behaved with the kind of poise that comes from knowing how to appreciate the finer things in life from an early age.

We checked into our Classic Veranda Suite and were instantly impressed. Spacious, chic, and beautifully designed, it felt more like a luxury apartment. Nothing like the inside cabins the world of cruising is so often known for. It wasn’t the largest room I have ever stayed in, but every element of it was quite simply perfect. Neutral tones of cream and soft grey were accented by rich wooden finishes, the floor-to-ceiling windows framed ocean views, and everything, given we were guests during the ship’s inaugural year, was brand new. The all-important room tours were filmed, our managers and friends were updated with excited messages, and then our butler, Ian, arrived to introduce himself and deliver our suitcases. He even offered to unpack them – a service that we politely declined. Part of the fun to anyone with a passion for clothes is, after all, filling the walk-in wardrobe with a meticulously curated holiday outfits.

Next stop: the veranda. After a slightly sticky afternoon navigating Venice in the summer heat, we were ready for a cold Aperol Spritz (the drink of the season). But we were a little nervous: would a cruise line as refined as Silversea cater to our craving for something as simple as crisps and olives to accompany our drinks? We half expected oysters and truffles to arrive in their place, but Ian arrived within minutes with exactly what we’d hoped for: perfectly chilled spritzes, a bowl of crinkle-cut salted crisps, and fresh green olives. It set the tone for the rest of the trip – luxury without pretence. By day two Ian knew our evening order by heart. We stuck with our humble Italian-inspired staples throughout our voyage, though we did overhear other guests upgrading to caviar and champagne. That may well be the difference between novice Silversea guests and ‘the professionals’.

Dining at Sea

Dining on board was an event in itself. We had just five days to try as many of Silver Ray’s restaurants as possible – a challenge we happily accepted. Atlantide delivered impeccable cuts of meat and perfectly cooked seafood, while The Marquee became our go-to for fresh breakfasts with ocean views and Italian-inspired lunches – think wood-fired pizzas, crisp salads, and generously sized desserts. Not a course I frequent during lunch at home, which only added to the decadence. The S.A.L.T. Kitchen was a revelation, as I hoped it might be, with menus inspired by the destinations we sailed through – grilled fish, Mediterranean stuffed vegetables, and Pita Sa Jabukama to finish, a Croatian twist on apple strudel.

The drinks were equally impressive. S.A.L.T. Bar mixed unique cocktails we’d be hard-pressed to find anywhere else, with the bartender guiding us toward pairings we’d never have considered. And the staff? Nothing short of remarkable. By the second day they already knew our preferred wine and where we liked to sit at lunch.

Daily Life on Board

Mornings began slowly – we settled into a routine of waking around 8am, opening the sliding doors that lead to the veranda, and checking which new destination we had arrived into. Every day we would take the ship’s tender to the shore, exploring Opatija’s beautiful architecture and beaches, Split’s medieval streets, and Hvar’s busy market. With no excursions booked this time around, we had the luxury of exploring at our own pace, wandering through cobbled alleys and stopping for gelato and to buy mementos. All in the knowledge that our floating home, our sanctuary at sea, was docked close by.

Afternoons were reserved for relaxation. We’d wait with other passengers under the shade of the Silversea tent at the port, board the tender and return to the ship, and go to our suite to grab our swimwear and sun cream. Then it was up to deck 10 to the pool to settle into loungers and order our signature cocktails (or let the bartender surprise us). The pool deck never felt crowded, there were always an abundance of spaces in the coveted poolside spots, and the crew’s intuitive service made sure we always had fresh towels and a perfectly made cocktail in hand.

Evenings on the other hand were for glamour. After a leisurely dinner, we’d head to one of Silver Ray’s many bars for live music and aperitifs. We loved the fun atmosphere, live piano sessions, and delicious cosmopolitans of Dolce Vita, or we’d take a walk along the deck to soak up the warm sea breeze and watch the moonlight scatter across the water. The ship glided through the night, and there was something really special about falling asleep knowing you were being transported to somewhere new, but couldn’t feel a thing.

A Scent of Luxury

Perhaps the most unexpected luxury - and bear with me here - was the scent of the ship. I didn’t expect to notice it so much, but from the moment we stepped into Silver Ray's sleek corridors it wrapped around us – a soft, sophisticated blend that wasn’t overpowering, just a subtle presence that elevated every moment on board. It sounds trivial, but you come to recognise it as the scent of 'home'. After a day of exploring, returning to the ship and being greeted by that familiar fragrance was like an instant exhale – a quiet reminder that (despite the beautiful destination you'd been discovering) you’d returned to comfort and luxury. 

Since returning to my real home, I’ve thought about it more than I expected. Sensory experiences have a way of sticking with you. If I were to smell it again, I know it would transport me straight back to summer evenings in Croatia with Hannah, the warmth of the sunset, and that effortless feeling of indulgence. It’s the kind of detail you don’t realise matters until it becomes part of the memory.

A New Perspective

I left the Silver Ray very reluctantly, but with a newfound appreciation for cruising. The ease of unpacking once while exploring a new destination every day really is hard to beat. The comfort of knowing that after a day of touring historic cities or sun-drenched beaches, you’ll return to a ship where the staff know you by name, your butler knows your go-to evening drink, and your suite feels like a true retreat – that’s luxury travel at its finest for me.

A seasoned cruiser we met in a lift one evening clocked us immediately. “Journalists?” she asked, noticing our finest Zara outfits and wide-eyed expressions as we tried to figure out which deck we needed to be on. “Not quite,” we replied – but we felt like we were living the dream nonetheless.

Cruising in my 20s wasn’t what I expected. If you’re someone who thrives on spontaneity, who loves the thrill of packing a rucksack and heading far off the beaten track, then maybe this style of travel isn’t for you… yet. But cruising isn’t the antiquated way of holidaying you might imagine. It’s not reserved for retirees with endless free time – it’s for every age, every type of traveller. 

Whether you’re a sun-seeker, a foodie, a history buff, or an adventurer, the ship becomes a launchpad for whatever kind of trip you love. Your favourite holiday on land? Chances are, you can mirror it - and enhance it - at sea. Unwinding by the pool after a day of hearing the tales of ancient ruins, savouring a Michelin-level tasting menu as you sail off into the sunset, and the best part? You can do it all while travelling to a limitless number of destinations in one single voyage, without the constant need to repack your suitcase. 

A luxury cruise is a way to see the world on your own terms, with every need met before you’ve even voiced it. I can’t wait to set sail again soon.

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