The Idea …
This past summer, I got a message from a friend with an irresistible idea: a girls’ trip cruise. “We could bring things to craft and make it a crafting cruise!” she suggested excitedly. Visions of long lazy days crocheting and girl talk on a balcony overlooking the ocean danced in my head. So a few months later, I ditched minimalist packing, and flew to Fort Lauderdale with a roller bag packed with yarn and embroidery kits for a cruise to the Panama Canal.
The Start of a Journey
We chose the 11-day Panama Canal cruise for its many sea days for crafting and relaxation. The voyage marked my 14th cruise, but my first on Viking Cruise Lines. I had heard that it was the very definition of luxury at sea. I thought I’d seen it all when it came to cruising, having been on both the cheapest and the most luxurious ships, but the differences surprised me the moment I stepped aboard.
Oh My Gelato!
We were welcomed by smiling crew members offering champagne as we boarded, promptly guiding us through the safety demonstration without the usual chaos or blaring announcements. We were then invited to lunch at the buffet where we enjoyed delicious cuisine and our usual favorite—endless Coke Zeros (did I mention everyone gets the basic beverage package included?). My friend had sailed on Viking before, and gladly showed me her favorite part of Viking cruises: the gelato! There are about eight different flavors of gelato, with new ones showcased every day.
What’s That Sound?
As we chatted with fellow cruisers, I noticed the dining room was quieter than I’m used to on cruise ships, and then it occurred to me why: no kids! Viking has a policy in which you must be 18 or older to cruise, but I didn’t notice anyone below the age of 30 on this particular trip. Luckily for me, Viking is not known to be the party cruise line. I am thankful for that since I am more a ‘peace and quiet’ type of cruiser. I have a 14-year-old back at home, and took him on a family-friendly cruise just before our girls’ trip to make up for him missing out, so I appreciated the quiet calm atmosphere.
Home (Far) Away from Home
My room was cozy with a sleek modern design that reflected the ship’s Scandinavian roots. Possibly my favorite part was that the bathroom had heated floors, which I came to appreciate in those early mornings when my feet were warmly greeted. My friend and I had suites next door to each other, and so our stateroom attendants opened our balcony dividers, giving us the perfect space for late-night chats, crafting, and viewing sunsets.
Spa Day, Every Day
Once we unpacked, we headed out to explore the rest of the ship including a stop at the Nordic Spa, which unlike the other cruise lines I’ve been on, everyone onboard has access to. It includes what I call ‘the ice bucket challenge’, a bucket filled with ice-cold water and a rope underneath it to thoroughly shock your system, and a nearby sauna to warm up afterwards. We had some laughs over this bucket because it can be difficult to find the courage to pull the rope once you’re toasty from the fireside heated tub. Because the ship holds less than a thousand passengers, the spa was never crowded and quickly became my favorite place to relax and rejuvenate.
Time to Get Cozy
What’s notable about this particular ship is the number of cozy spaces to sit and read (or, of course, craft!) whether you wanted to sit next to a pool, or on a cozy sofa overlooking the water, or next to a live band. Cozy throws were placed on the sofas to make you feel like you were at home on the ship. There was always someone close by to come and offer a beverage.
Mamma Mia!
At night, we went to see an Abba tribute band in the main theater. Starting off the show, the ship’s cruise director and assistant cruise director surprised everyone with their own performance. They were phenomenal musical numbers, both having been experienced singers in the past. The Abba tribute band played all of Abba’s greatest hits, and the night ended with the crowd roaring in applause.
Adventure Along the Way…
While this cruise was called a ‘Panama Canal’ cruise, it was so much more. We stopped at so many exciting ports along the way. In Belize City, Belize, we went tubing through a dark cave with only headlamps to light our way. Next, we visited a sanctuary where we held sloths, monkeys, and parrots in Roatan, Honduras. In Costa Rica, we floated down a river in a kayak under branches with sloths hanging from the trees and exotic lizards along the banks. We visited a cultural arts center in Cozumel, Mexico where we took an Alebrije traditional painting class and drank margaritas. And finally, in Colon, Panama, we took a dugout canoe to visit an Embera tribe, who still live much as they did thousands of years ago. We danced with them, ate with them, visited their school, and got to see their beautiful handmade goods.
Every stop along the way brought something special—local flavors, fresh perspectives, and new friendships. But no matter how exciting the excursions were, we always looked forward to returning to our cozy home on the sea, ready for another sunset craft session on the balcony.
The Panama Canal
Entering the Panama Canal was the culmination of the journey. We woke up early and headed up to the top of the ship. We found a cozy place to sit and eat breakfast while we awaited the ship’s arrival to the ‘Bridge of the Americas’, which marks the start of the canal. Because the Viking Mars is a smaller ship, we were able to go through the older, original locks. It was fascinating to experience such a historic and remarkable feat of engineering firsthand.
More than a Cruise
As we sailed into the Pacific Ocean, the sun dipped below the horizon. The lights of downtown Panama, our last stop, came into view shimmering across the water. We still had one more peaceful evening aboard, savoring the last moments in our home away from home. Sitting on our balcony, we reflected on the past 11 days. This wasn’t just a cruise—it was an adventure, and an unforgettable experience with a dear friend. I headed home with memories (and a few unfinished craft projects) to cherish forever.
