Australian Cruising Restart
Today, the Pacific Explorer sailed into Sydney. A moment we've been waiting for over two years to witness. Sitting here, in the afterglow of the excitement - and recovering from the numerous media interviews I gave today, I've had a moment to reflect. Please allow me to indulge for a moment.
Six-and-a-half years ago I took my family on a cruise. I thought it would be a great idea to use Facebook to share my adventure with my friends and family - and indulge in some creative writing.
My intention was never to build such a loving, loyal, dedicated cruising community (now in excess of 20,000 people from all over the world) or amass over 300,000 readers on my blog. I mean, why would anyone want to follow my musings?
I, selfishly, wrote for myself, and used this creative output to satisfy this writer's itch.
Never would have I imagined that somehow, in the midst of a pandemic and cruise ship ban, that I'd have to switch roles and front the media. I no longer was the reporter out to break the story, I was now the one interviewed.
It's hard to describe how this path unfolded, but simply, I felt indebted to the cruisers who follow my ramblings, the crew hungry for information, the every day Aussies whose businesses were decimated by the cruise ban. I had to face the questions, swallow my nerves and summon the confidence that appears effortless.
And so, I pulled up by big girl pants, smiled (and sometimes cried), faced the cameras, the newspapers, the radio stations, the podcasts the documentaries and tried to give a voice to the voiceless.
I received a lot of support, but also copped some hate; a confusing reaction to me, but apparently something people in the public eye are supposed to 'just get used to' (let's change this, by the way.)
But, as cliched as it sounds, watching the Pacific Explorer sail into Australia - the first ship to return in over 2 years, it was all worth it.
Never will I ever claim that my efforts brought back cruising - that's just a preposterous notion. But, if I helped, just a little, then I'm overjoyed.
Cruising Is Back
Today marks a new day in Australian cruising. A historic moment, buoyed by the spirits of the tens of thousands of cruisers in our beautiful country, who can now start their cruise countdowns to their next sea adventure.
I hope to see you on the seas soon. All my love, Honey