I really enjoy certain things about cruising, and one of my favorites is sitting out on the balcony at night, watching and listening to the waves as they pass by.
There's something about being out there in the darkness, with nothing but the sound of the ocean and the occasional movement of the ship. It's peaceful, relaxing, and, depending on how you look at it, just a little spooky.
And that's exactly what makes it awesome.
Since this was the last night of my cruise aboard Royal Caribbean's Radiance of the Seas, I decided to take advantage of the opportunity. I grabbed some time on the balcony, sat back, and watched the ocean roll by.
Unfortunately, Mother Nature didn't quite cooperate with the evening's entertainment. The sky was cloudy, so no moon shone down on the water and no stars were out to admire. That was a bummer. A moonlit ocean would have made the experience even better.
But even without the moon and stars, something about being out there felt special. The darkness, the sound of the waves, and the feeling of being surrounded by the ocean are hard to replicate anywhere else.
It's one of those moments when you don't need an excursion, a show, a fancy dinner, or even a towel animal waiting in your stateroom. You just need a balcony, a little quiet, and the ocean.
The cruise was coming to an end, and tomorrow would mean packing up, heading to the airport, and returning to everyday life. So I was happy to spend a little time enjoying one last night at sea.
I may not have gotten the moon and stars, but I got the waves.
And sometimes, that's more than enough.
