First-time cruising? This real-talk guide covers the things no one tells you — like why your carry-on is clutch, why getting lost is part of the fun, and why it’s totally okay to skip the show. Let’s make your first cruise feel magical, not overwhelming.

I didn’t expect a five-night cruise to change my life—but somewhere between the Bamboo Lounge, sea days, and that quiet LGBTQ+ meetup, it did. This is the story of how one spontaneous trip cracked something open… and set the course for Spellbound Voyages.