My Cruise History

It's been my pleasure to have been on 64 cruises for a total of 459 days on cruise ships!
Here's a list of all the cruises I've been on, with links to my review of each one.

Click here to go to my main page

#64:
Icon Of The Seas cruise ship
Icon Of The Seas - February 2024

The Largest Cruise Ship In The World!

Ports:  Miami, St Thomas, St Kitts, Coco Cay

 

 

#63:
American Eagle cruise ship
American Eagle - September 2023

A gorgeous cruise along the coastline of Maine

Ports:  Portland, Bar Harbor, Bangor, Rockland, Boothbay Harbor, Bath

 

 

#62:
American Serenade cruise ship
American Serenade - July 2023

A cruise from Nashville, on the rivers of Tennessee, Kentucky, and Alabama

Ports:  Nashville, Paducah, Savannah, Florence, Decatur, Chattanooga

 

 

#61:
Pearl Mist cruise ship
Great Lakes Cruise - May/June 2023

Pearl Mist cruising on four of the five Great Lakes at the beginning of summer

Ports:  Toronto, Niagara Falls, Cleveland, Detroit, Parry Sound, Midland, Sault Ste Marie, Mackinac Island, Muskegon, Milwaukee

 

 

#60:
American Constitution
The Cherry Blossom Cruise - March/April 2023

American Constitution visiting Washington DC and the Chesapeake Bay region at the peak of Spring

Ports:  Baltimore, Washington DC, Norfolk, Yorktown, St Michaels, Annapolis

 

 

#59:
Celebrity Solstice
January 2023 Celebrity Solstice

Our very first cruise with Celebrity!

Ports:  Los Angeles, Catalina Island, San Diego, Cabo San Lucas

 

 

#58:
Carnival Celebration
December 2022 Carnival Celebration

A Caribbean cruise on Carnival's brand new ship!

Ports:  Miami, Amber Cove, San Juan, St Maarten

 

 

#57:
American Constellation
May 2022 American Constellation

Exploring the Puget Sound area on the west side of Washington state,
with a side trip to Butchart Gardens in Victoria, British Columbia!

Ports:  Seattle, Anacortes, Port Angeles, Port Townsend, Poulsbo

 

 

#56:
Viking Octantis
April 2022 Viking Octantis

Viking's wonderful new expedition ship that even has two submarines onboard!

Ports:  Barbados, St Lucia, St Kitts, St Barts, Virgin Gorda, San Juan, New York City

 

 

#55:
Whale breech in Cabo San Lucas
February 2022 Carnival Panorama

We will never forget the whale watching excursion we went on during this cruise!

Ports:  Long Beach, Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta

 

 

#54:
American Melody river cruise
October 2021 American Melody

The first time I ever went on a cruise without Kellyn!

Destination:  Upper Mississippi River
Began in St Louis, Missouri and ended in Red Wing, Minnesota

 

 

#53:
American Harmony river cruise
August 2021 American Harmony

Our first river cruise after 52 ocean cruises!

Destination:  Columbia River & Snake River
Began in Clarkston, Washington and ended in Portland, Oregon

 

 

#52:
The Covid Cruise On Viking Sky
July 2021 Viking Sky

This will forever be known as The Covid Cruise

Destination:  Iceland
Began and ended in Reykjavik

 

 

#51:
Norwegian Joy
January 2020 Carnival Panorama

We had a Havana Suite on Carnival's newest ship

Ports:  Long Beach, Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta

 

 

#50:
Norwegian Joy
December 2019 Norwegian Joy

A relaxing, luxurious cruise in The Haven

Ports:  Los Angeles, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, Cabo San Lucas

 

 

#49:
Hurricane Dorian Alters Our Itinerary
September 2019 Navigator Of The Seas

"The Hurricane Cruise"

Ports:  Miami, Costa Maya, Cozumel

 

 

#48:
Kellyn Zimmerlin enjoying a beach day
May 2019 Carnival Horizon

A 6-day cruise to celebrate Kellyn's birthday

Ports:  Miami, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Cozumel

 

 

#47:
Haven Courtyard on Norwegian Breakaway
April 2019 Norwegian Breakaway

A relaxing, luxurious cruise in The Haven

Ports:  New Orleans, Harvest Caye, Costa Maya, Cozumel

 

 

#46:
Explorers Lounge On Viking Sea
January 2019 Viking Sea

We visited nine different Caribbean islands during this un-crowded ten-day cruise

Ports:  San Juan Puerto Rico, Tortola, St Kitts, St Lucia, Barbados, Dominica, Antigua, St Maarten, St Thomas

 

 

#45:
Bryan White and Collin Raye
December 2018 Norwegian Getaway

A fan cruise with 1990s country music stars Bryan White and Collin Raye in The Haven

Ports:  Miami, Roatan, Harvest Caye, Costa Maya, Cozumel

 

 

#44:
Norwegian Bliss
May 2018 Norwegian Bliss

A wonderful 15-day cruise on a brand-new ship, through the Panama Canal

Ports:  Miami, Columbia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, Los Angeles

 

 

#43:
MSC Seaside
January 2018 MSC Seaside

The least expensive way we've found to do a 7-day cruise with our own Jacuzzi on the balcony

Ports:  Miami, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Nassau

 

 

#42:
Norwegian Sky
October 2017 Norwegian Sky

A four-day cruise in the owner's suite with our own Jacuzzi on the balcony and an open bar

Ports:  Miami, Havana

 

 

#41:
Carnival Vista Havana Cabins
September 2017 Carnival Vista

An 8-day Southern Caribbean cruise in an un-crowded section of the ship for the exclusive use of only 130 passengers

Ports:  Miami, La Romana, Aruba, Curacao

 

 

#40:
Harmony Of The Seas
April 2017 Harmony Of The Seas

We sailed on the new largest cruise ship in the world, along with 6,700 other passengers.  It was crowded.

Ports:  Ft Lauderdale, Nassau, St Thomas, St Maarten

 

 

#39:
Norwegian Pearl Owner's Suite
January 2017 Norwegian Pearl - Deluxe Owner's Suite

An incredibly luxurious experience in The Haven in a huge suite with our very own Jacuzzi on the balcony

Ports:  Miami, Ocho Rios, Key West

 

 

#38:
Central Park Allure Of The Seas
January 2017 Allure Of The Seas

Our second time on one of the largest cruise ships in the world, but one of the worst cruises we've taken!

Ports:  Ft Lauderdale, Falmouth, Cozumel

 

 

#37:
Viking Star
October 2016 Viking Star

A very different kind of Caribbean cruise on this brand new cruise line...  and we loved it!

Ports:  San Juan Puerto Rico, Tortola, Antigua, St Lucia, Barbados, Guadeloupe, St Kitts, St Maarten, St Thomas

 

 

#36:
Tidal Wave water slide on Liberty Of The Seas
July 2016 Liberty Of The Seas

A 7-day Caribbean cruise that was all about a one-of-a-kind water slide.

Ports:  Galveston, Roatan, Belize, Cozumel

 

 

#35:
NorthStar on Anthem Of The Seas
March 2016 Anthem Of The Seas

A 12-day Caribbean cruise sailing out of Bayonne, New Jersey.

Ports:  Bayonne, Labadee, San Juan, St Maarten, Martinique, Barbados, St Kitts

 

 

#34:
Norwegian Escape Haven Spa Suite
January 2016 Norwegian Escape

A luxurious week in a Haven Spa Suite.

Ports:  Miami, St Thomas, Tortola, Nassau

 

 

#33:
Private floating resort
November 2015 Carnival Miracle

A 7-day cruise that included one of the best days of my life!.

Ports:  Long Beach, Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas

 

 

#31 & #32:
Caribbean vacation
September 2015 Carnival Breeze B2B

Perfect weather for a 14-day cruise at the peak of hurricane season.

Ports:  Miami, St Maarten, St Kitts, San Juan, Grand Turk, Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman, Cozumel

 

 

#29 & #30:
Caribbean sunrise on Carnival Freedom cruise ship
April 2015 Independence Of The Seas B2B

A cruise that surprised us by being way better than expected!.

Ports:  Ft Lauderdale, Labadee, Falmouth, Grand Cayman, San Juan, St Kitts

 

 

#28:
Caribbean sunrise on Carnival Freedom cruise ship
February 2015 Carnival Freedom

A rare 12-day Carnival cruise to the Southern Caribbean,
as they repositioned the ship from Ft Lauderdale to Galveston.

Ports:  Ft Lauderdale, St Maarten, St Lucia, Curacao, Aruba, Cozumel, Galveston

 

 

#27:
Allure Of The Seas Caribbean cruise
November 2014 Allure Of The Seas

Our first cruise with Royal Caribbean,
and our first time cruising out of Fort Lauderdale.
We learned that the largest cruise ship in the world has a lot going for it!

Ports:  Ft Lauderdale, Labadee, Falmouth, Cozumel

 

 

#26:
Norwegian Getaway Haven Courtyard
September 2014 Norwegian Getaway

Our second cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line,
and definitely the most luxurious of all the cruises we've been on.
We stayed in an amazing VIP area of the ship known as "The Haven".

Ports:  Miami, St Maarten, St Thomas, Nassau

 

 

#25:
Coral Princess Alaska cruisetour
June 2014 Coral Princess Alaska cruisetour

Our second cruise with Princess,
and my first time cruising with all my siblings.
Stunning scenery, with one photo-op after another.
There's a separate page just about the land portion of the tour.

Ports:  Vancouver, Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Whittier, Talkeetna, Denali, Fairbanks

 

 

#23 & 24:
Relaxing in a cabana at Half Moon Cay
April/May 2014 Carnival Glory aft wrap B2B

In many ways, one of the best cruises we've ever been on...
but also featuring the most annoying Cruise Director!

Ports:  Miami, Cozumel, Belize, Roatan, Grand Cayman, Grand Turk, San Juan, Half Moon Cay, St Thomas

 

 

#22:
Sapphire Princess Terrace Pool
January 2014 Sapphire Princess 4-day

Our first Princess cruise!

Ports:  Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Ensenada

 

 

#21:
Carnival Sunshine Captain's suite 9115
December 2013 Carnival Sunshine Captain's Suite

The best cabin we've ever been in!
Also, the best Cruise Director: Jaime Deitsch.
Unfortunately, not one of the best cruises we've been on, overall.

Ports:  New Orleans, Montego Bay, Grand Cayman, Cozumel

 

 

#20:
Aft-wrap balcony room 8455 Carnival Conquest
September 2013 Carnival Conquest aft-wrap

Our first time cruising out of New Orleans.

Ports:  New Orleans, Key West, Freeport, Nassau

 

 

#18 & 19:
Carnival Breeze atrium
April 2013 Carnival Breeze B2B

The best ship in the Carnival fleet
and one of the best cruises we've ever been on!
Also, my introduction to those extremely delicious Guy Fieri burgers.

Ports:  Miami, Grand Turk, Ocho Rios, Nassau, La Romana, Curacao, Aruba

 

 

#17:
Carnival Inspiration docked in Ensenada, Mexico
October 2012 Carnival Inspiration

One of the oldest ships in the fleet, but still full of fun.

Ports:  Long Beach, Catalina, Ensenada

 

 

#15 & 16:
A fun day at sea on the Carnival Magic
August 2012 Carnival Magic B2B

Our first introduction to Carnival's Dream-class ships.

Ports:  Galveston, Montego Bay, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Roatan, Belize

 

 

#14:
Green Thunder Waterslide on Carnival Spirit
March 2012 Carnival Spirit

Featuring the awesome Green Thunder waterslide

Ports:  San Diego, Manzanillo, Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas, Ensenada

 

 

#12 & 13:
Carnival Valor
September 2011 Carnival Valor B2B
It was a great cruise, but I did not write a review.

Ports:  Miami, Grand Cayman, Roatan, Belize, Cozumel, Half Moon Cay, Grand Turk, St Thomas, San Juan

 

 

#10 & 11:
Carnival Glory cruise ship
March/April 2011 Carnival Glory B2B

Our first Caribbean cruise and our first back-to-back!

Ports:  Miami, Nassau, St Thomas, San Juan, Grand Turk, Cozumel, Belize, Roatan, Grand Cayman

 

 

#9:
Carnival Spirit in Acapulco Bay Lido Deck at night
January 2011 Carnival Spirit

One of our favorite cruise destinations: Acapulco.

Ports:  San Diego, Cabo San Lucas

 

 

#8:
Carnival Spirit wedding chapel
November 2010 Carnival Spirit

The second of two group cruises we did with friends from our online Cocker Spaniel group.
Kellyn and I renewed our wedding vows on this cruise.

Ports:  San Diego, Acapulco, Zihuatanejo, Manzanillo

 

 

#7:
Cabin number 7242 of the Carnival Splendor
February 2010 Carnival Splendor

The first time we ever stayed in a suite!

Ports:  Long Beach, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, Cabo San Lucas

 

 

#6:
August 2009 Carnival Elation group cruise
August 2009 Carnival Elation

A fun group cruise with some friends from our online Cocker Spaniel group

Ports:  San Diego, Cabo San Lucas

 

 

#5:
Carnival Paradise at night
April 2009 Carnival Paradise

3-day weekend getaway to celebrate our wedding anniversary

Ports:  Long Beach, Ensenada

 

 

#4:
Carnival Spirit Lido Deck Pool
January 2009 Carnival Spirit

Our first introduction to Carnival's Spirit-class ships

Ports:  San Diego, Acapulco, Zihuatanejo, Manzanillo

 

 

#3:
Photo of the Norwegian Star pool deck at night
April 2008 Norwegian Star

We liked the idea of Freestyle cruising
but in reality, the NCL experience was sub-par back in those days.

Ports:  Los Angeles, Acapulco, Zihuatanejo, Ixtapa, Puerto Vallarta, Cabo

 

 

#2:
Swim with Dolphins in Cabo San Lucas
Jan 2008 Carnival Elation

Our return to cruising, after a 12-year break!

Ports:  San Diego, Cabo San Lucas

 

 

#1:
MS Holiday
June 1996 MS Holiday

Our first cruise!

Ports:  Los Angeles, Ensenada

 

Cruise totals:

31 Carnival cruises
9 Norwegian cruises
9 Royal Caribbean cruises
6 American Cruise Lines
4 Viking Ocean cruises
2 Princess cruises
1 Celebrity cruise
1 Pearl Seas cruise
1 MSC cruise
= 64 total cruises
  208 days on Carnival
66 days on Norwegian
66 days on Royal Caribbean
36 days on Viking
46 days on ACL
12 days on Pearl Seas
11 sea days on Princess
7 days on Celebrity
7 days on MSC
= 459 total days at sea
  17 cruises from Miami, Florida
6 cruises from Long Beach, California
6 cruises from San Diego, California
5 cruises from Los Angeles, California
5 cruises from Ft Lauderdale, Florida
3 cruises from New Orleans, Louisiana
2 cruises from Galveston, Texas
2 cruises from San Juan, Puerto Rico
1 cruise from Bayonne, New Jersey
1 cruise from Seattle, Washington
1 cruise from Vancouver, Canada
1 cruise from St Louis, Missouri
1 cruise from Clarkston, Washington
1 cruise from Baltimore, Maryland
1 cruise from Bridgetown, Barbados
1 cruise from Reykjavik, Iceland
1 cruise from Toronto, Canada
1 cruise from Nashville, Tennessee
1 cruise from Portland, Maine

You only see pictures of 48 cruises up above because six of our Carnival cruises and one of our Royal Caribbean cruises we're actually two cruises, back-to-back.
The list that shows where we cruised from shows less than our total number of cruises, due to the back-to-back cruises.
I should also mention that my wife, Kellyn, has been with me for most but not all of the cruises. Sometimes she decides to stay home with our dog, Carli.


Our Future Cruises

Wondering where I'm going to be headed next?  There's a page on my web site that lists all of the upcoming cruises I'm booked on.  Click here to see it.


2018 Land Vacations

We actually took a little break from cruising in 2018, in favor of trying a few land vacations instead.  In October, we spent a week at an all-inclusive land resort in Cancun, Mexico.  We liked it a lot, but the food wasn't a total match with our tastes.  Here's a video we made about our experience at the all-inclusive resort in Cancun:

 

In September, we spent a week at the Sheraton Resort in Maui.  Here's a video I did about that trip:

 

In July, we met up with my siblings for our annual reunion.  I put together a little video about it:

 


Need A Travel Agent?

Booking a cruise can be confusing, especially if you haven't been on many cruises before.  There are lots of first-time cruiser mistakes that a travel agent can keep you from making.  Also, the call centers of some of the big cruise lines are severely understaffed these days...  creating extremely long wait times to talk to a customer service representative.  When you book a cruise through a travel agent, you'll never have to get stuck on hold with the cruise line...  your travel agent does all that kind of stuff for you.

If you're interested in booking a cruise with any cruise line...  please feel free to use the services of my travel agent, Caitlin Gallagher.  She's extremely pleasant to deal with, easy to talk to since she lives in the United States and speaks without any kind of an accent, and quite experienced and knowledgeable about different types of cruising.  Caitlin is the owner of Ambren Travel.  Visit her web site, check out the Ambren Travel Facebook page, or contact her using the information below.


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