I’ll admit it. At 72 years old, I thought I had cruising figured out.

You know the version I’m talking about. The one I usually write about. A plush robe. A spa appointment booked before I even unpacked. A glass of something bubbly in hand while watching the ocean do its hypnotic thing. My idea of “onboard excitement” usually involves deciding between a massage and a facial. Tough life, I know.

So when I stepped onto Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship, the Norwegian Luna, I fully intended to stay in my lane. Relax. Indulge. Repeat.

But I decided that if had to be done….and…five seconds changed everything.

The Moment I Almost Backed Out

Let me set the scene.

I’m standing on Deck 19 waiting in line for the Aqua Slidecoaster. Yes, slidecoaster. Not just a waterslide. Not just a roller coaster. But some brilliant, slightly terrifying hybrid that someone clearly dreamed up after asking, “How can we make people scream louder at sea?” Just for your information, I’m absolutely TERRIFIED of roller coasters, but I enjoy a waterslide (they don’t drop, you almost bank on the edges, there’s water to guide you, and there is never a moment of terror once you get going). I’m also at a point in life that I’ve lived enough years to know that the worst of my life may not be that many years away, so WHAT THE HECK? If I don’t do it now – WHEN will I ever get the chance to do it?

Bear in mind that this thing is the longest and fastest slide at sea, complete with dual racing slides and a magnetic lift that launches you upward before you even have time to question your life choices.

And there I was, at 72, thinking:
What on earth am I doing up here?

I nearly turned around. I may have let a few people cut in front of me…just to see how scared they were. Truly. My brain was doing that very responsible thing where it reminds you of your age, your dignity, and your general preference for not being flung through the air at high speed.

But then… I didn’t.

The Longest 5 Seconds of My Life

You know that moment just before something big happens. When everything slows down, but your heart speeds up.

That was me.

I stepped into the little boat (like a tiny blow-up boat with a back & neck support and handles). Sat staring up at the entrance to the slide. Waiting.

And then it hit.

That magnetic lift shot me upward so fast it felt like I was being pulled into the sky. A reverse roller coaster. A jolt of pure adrenaline. And yes, I screamed. Loudly.  Possibly loud enough to be heard in the next port.

Those first five seconds. The anticipation. The fear. The WHY DID I DO THIS panic.

And then suddenly… release.

By the time I was racing through twists and turns, that initial terror had melted into something completely unexpected.

Joy.

No Therapy Needed

I don’t say this lightly, but those five seconds did something that hours of “relaxation” never quite manage.

They cleared everything.

All the little stresses. The mental clutter. The to-do lists. The overthinking. Gone.

Replaced by that giddy, childlike feeling we don’t get nearly enough of as we get older.

I came off that slide laughing. Not politely smiling. Not “that was nice.” Laughing like I hadn’t in years.

And just like that, I went from spa girl to adrenaline junkie in under ten seconds.

Honestly, who is she?

I ran down to the pool deck to find my cousin, who was with me, to see if she wanted to go with me (because I wanted he to experience what I had).

I had to do it again.

Norwegian Luna. Not Just for Thrill Seekers

Now here’s the thing. The beauty of the Norwegian Luna is that it doesn’t force you into one version of vacationing.

If you want to spend your entire cruise wrapped in a robe, drifting between the thermal suite and a lounge chair. You absolutely can. Believe me, I did that for one of the days. I went to Great Stirrup Cay, swam in the beautiful blue Caribbean waters, had a Mahi Sandwich from a food truck, and relaxed on a beach lounger at the Vibe Shore Club before heading to an afternoon in the ice room (my favorite for getting rid of aches and pains), thalassotherapy pool, and the salt room for relaxation at the spa.

But if you want to surprise yourself. Even just a little. The Luna practically dares you to.

From Screaming to Snacking

Of course, all that excitement works up an appetite (anything for me works up an appetite…it’s an unfortunate side effect of loving food).

And this is where things got… complicated.

Not in a bad way. In a “why are there too many good choices” way.

The Ultimate Cruise Dilemma

Do I head to the Surfside Café and graze my way through a little bit of everything?

Or do I plant myself at The Local? A 24-hour bar and restaurant serving up comfort food like fish and chips or a cozy bowl of chili. Which, after screaming your lungs out on a slide, feels oddly appropriate.

And then there’s the Indulge Food Hall.

If indecision had a physical form, it would be me standing there.

Because you can sample dishes from multiple venues without committing to just one. Which sounds like a dream until you realize you want everything.

The best part?

I was only on board for three days. And I still couldn’t repeat a meal if I tried.

That’s the kind of “problem” I’m happy to have.

A New Kind of Freedom

Here’s what surprised me most.

It wasn’t just the slide. Or the spa. Or even the incredible food.

It was what it all added up to.

A reminder that fun doesn’t have a limit. It can be whatever you want it to be (or even something you didn’t KNOW you wanted it to be).

That trying something new. Something that scares you just a little. Can unlock a version of yourself you didn’t even realize was still there.

Because somewhere along the way, we start to define ourselves by what we don’t do.

“I’m not a roller coaster person.”
“I’m not into that kind of thing.”
“I’ll just watch.”

That was me.

Until it wasn’t.

Would I Do It Again?

Without hesitation.

Would I still book my spa day?

Absolutely. Let’s not get crazy here, I’m still a spa girlie woman through and through.

But now I know there’s room for both.

A massage in the morning. A heart-pounding, scream-inducing slide in the afternoon. A glass of wine at sunset. And maybe… just maybe… another ride tomorrow.

Because those five seconds?

They didn’t just change my mind about a waterslide.

They reminded me that the very best moments. The ones that stay with you. Usually start with a little fear and end with a lot of laughter.

And if that’s not the perfect cruise story, I don’t know what is.

I’ll be bringing you more about the Norwegian Luna soon.

But if you need a little excitement in your life, a little relaxation in your day, or just a reason to say I NEED SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

Check out the upcoming cruises on Norwegian Luna….and take a ride on that Aqua Slidecoaster. You won’t regret it.

• For additional information or to book a cruise, contact a travel professional, call 888-NCL-CRUISE (625-2784) or visit www.ncl.com.