My First Mediterranean Cruise: A Mongolian's Dream Come True
As a 40-year-old Mongolian, the idea of traveling on a cruise ship had always felt like something out of a dream. Mongolia, after all, is completely landlocked, with no oceans or cruises to sail on. But when I finally stepped aboard a Mediterranean cruise ship for the first time, my whole world expanded in ways I never imagined.
The moment I walked up the gangway and onto the ship, I was overwhelmed by its size and grandeur. This wasn’t just a boat—it was a floating city! The deck stretched out like an endless boulevard, with pools, restaurants, theaters, and everything you could possibly imagine. I had never seen anything like it in my life.
Each day, the cruise took us to legendary destinations. I stood in awe of the Colosseum in Rome, wandered the bustling streets of Barcelona, and soaked in the postcard-perfect views of Santorini. Every port felt like a new chapter in an adventure I couldn’t believe I was living. And the best part? The ship was my luxurious home, taking me to these incredible places without the hassle of packing and unpacking every time!
What really blew me away were the onboard experiences. I spent mornings in the gym overlooking the endless blue horizon, afternoons indulging in gourmet meals (all included!), and evenings watching dazzling live shows. I even tried my luck at the casino, something I had only seen in movies. The all-inclusive nature of the cruise was unbelievable—everything was taken care of, from the meals to the entertainment, and I didn’t have to worry about a thing.
But what struck me the most was the sheer beauty of the sea. Standing on the deck at night, gazing at the stars while the ship gently moved through the water, was like nothing I had ever experienced. I grew up with Mongolia’s vast skies and rolling plains, but this—this was a new kind of vastness, equally humbling and awe-inspiring.
The Mediterranean cruise wasn’t just a vacation. It was a completely new world for me, a Mongolian who had never seen the ocean up close. I can’t describe the joy of waking up each day to the sight of the open sea, knowing that another exciting destination awaited just over the horizon.
Now, I’m hooked. The sea is no longer something distant and unknown—it’s a part of my life.