Blog 8 - Falling for Cruising: Our First Wedding Anniversary Staycation at Sea
As our first wedding anniversary approached, we realised COVID was about to gatecrash yet another milestone — just as it had our wedding the year before! With travel being such a big part of who we are, we knew we still wanted to get away somewhere special. But with international restrictions in place, we decided to try something completely different: our first-ever cruise — albeit a staycation one!
After plenty of research, we settled on a Princess Cruises sailing from Southampton, spending four nights at sea with a stop in Portland, UK before returning home. The Sky Princess ticked all the boxes — smaller and more intimate than the mega ships, yet still packed with everything we could want. We opted for the Princess Plus package, which included premium drinks, speciality dining, Wi-Fi, and gratuities — meaning we could truly relax without worrying about a thing.
To say we fell in love with both cruising and the beautiful Sky Princess would be an understatement.
⚓ Day 1 – Embarkation & People Watching
Embarkation day went smoother than we could’ve imagined. We were a little nervous — first-time cruisers and with COVID testing still in place — but from arriving at the port to stepping onboard took just 30 minutes!
As we entered through the Atrium, we were instantly blown away. She was stunning. For anyone who’s sailed on Sky Princess, you’ll know what I mean — elegant, bright, and buzzing with energy.
While waiting for our cabin to be ready, we checked in at the muster station and then settled into the Good Spirits Bar, overlooking the atrium — the perfect spot for a bit of people watching (one of our favourite pastimes!). We watched excited passengers exploring, snapping photos, and soaking up that first-day magic.
Before long, it was time to set sail, and we made our way up to the top deck for the sail-away party — cocktails in hand, music pumping, sea breeze on our faces. Pure joy.
🛏️ Our Home at Sea
Once the cabins were ready, we headed down to our mini suite — it was our anniversary, after all! The suite was beautifully spacious, complete with a cosy seating area separated by a curtain — perfect for when one of us needed a nap (me!) and the other wanted to relax on the balcony or watch TV.
Unfortunately, that’s when my sea sickness decided to join the party. Despite packing natural remedies, the waves won. I spent the next two days in bed, while my husband made the most of the sunshine, speciality dining, and unlimited cocktails!
Eventually, I admitted defeat and sent him to reception for proper tablets. The staff were incredible — kind, caring, and even offered to check on me. Thankfully, a few hours later I was back on my feet, determined to make up for lost time.
💆♀️ Spa Bliss at Sea
To celebrate me finally feeling human again (and as a little “happy anniversary / hope you feel better” gesture), my lovely hubby treated me to a hot stone full body massage in the ship’s spa.
It was absolute heaven. From the moment I lay down, the stress and seasickness melted away. The warmth of the stones, the gentle rocking of the ship, and the sound of the ocean — it was pure bliss. Honestly, it’s still one of the best massages I’ve ever had in my life!
🥂 Anniversary Celebrations
By the time our actual anniversary arrived, I was feeling much better — just in time for our dinner at The Crown Grill. The food was out of this world: melt-in-your-mouth steaks, lobster, indulgent desserts, and the perfect bottle of red wine to celebrate one year as Mr & Mrs.
After dinner, we continued the celebrations with cocktails in the Jazz Bar, soaking up the atmosphere and feeling grateful to be exactly where we were — together, at sea, on our anniversary.
🎭 Entertainment & Evenings Onboard
We soon found our favourite spot onboard — Princess Live! — a lively venue with quizzes, live music, and talks (plus my husband’s beloved karaoke!). It quickly became our go-to evening hangout, along with the theatre, where the Princess entertainment team blew us away with West End–style performances night after night.
By the time we sailed back into Southampton, we knew one thing for certain:
We’d discovered a new way to travel.
We’re officially cruisers for life — now the only question is… where shall we sail next?