Everyone on the ship is in the same mood: giddy and relaxed. You’ll chat to strangers at the bar. A man from Derby will tell you his “secret” Amsterdam tips. They won’t be secret. They will be about pancakes.
The 2-for-1 deal attracts a fun crew. It’s not a luxury cruise; it’s a happy chaos cruise. You’ll see groups of friends, couples on a whim, and solo travellers who brought a book but never opened it.
One weird tradition: People wave at other ships from the deck. It’s a thing. Wave back. It makes you feel like a child again.
The return journey
You can sleep the whole way back. Or hit the casino one last time. The roulette wheel is surprisingly forgiving after three drinks.
You’ll eat your fourth meal. Probably a full English breakfast at 2 AM. It feels extremely right.
As you dock, you’ll feel smug. You had a mini holiday for the price of a nice dinner. Your friend owes you a drink. Forever.
