Dear Prospective Cal Poly at Sea Student,

WOW . . . what an adventure I can tell you about that I have been able to be a part of this past quarter. This trip has been everything that I could have ever wanted and expected, but yet so much more. They told us during training that we were going to be a part of an adventure and I had no idea what that could have meant until now, looking back on the journey.

Our trip was to the South Pacific. Never have I been to such beautiful places in my life. the way that the cruise is set up, you attend classes all of the days at sea except Sundays, and do whatever you please in port. Everyone definitely looks forward to the port time, but at sea is the majority of the trip so everyone learns to love it. After the first week of cruise I developed an appreciation like I have never had before for sunset and beautiful clear nights where you can see every star in the sky. Since the sun set later at night during the earlier part of cruise, sunsets were a time for everyone to hang out and read, play cards, enjoy some musical talent (if you have any on your cruise), and get to know your fellow Cal Poly and CMA students. This is the main aspect of cruise that I didn’t understand before going - how close everyone on the ship gets. You truly become one big family. It is so weird to look back now and think of how complete strangers most of us were, compared to the jokes and conversations that occur now. Everything from hanging out in Pirates cove for a late night snack to watching movies in the classroom late at night helped everyone stay sane while at sea and enjoy each others company. Time at sea is when everyone can relax and enjoy the sun and stars. Port time is so intense that we need time at sea to recuperate, and it really is a good time. We also unfortunately have to go to class since it is quarter at sea and we need the credit. Even though I did go to class while at sea, I felt like it was a vacation the majority of the time. I found classes to be much more intense, and you have so many friends taking the same classes that it makes it really easy to study together and help each other get things done.

Although life at sea is enjoyable, it in no way compares to port time. Some of the most fun times of my life have been spent on this cruise while in port. There were moments in these countries where we would all stop and ask ourselves if we were really here and this was all actually happening to us . . . it all seemed too good to be true the majority of the time. Hawaii was our first port of call of the trip. I had been to Hawaii before and so I was excited for this port, but not as excited as I should have been for how much fun I was about to have. I surfed all day in perfectly clear water where I could see sea turtles swimming in the waves as they broke. A group of us also took it upon ourselves to arrange a Luau at the Marriott one night. That was one of the highlights of the trip - 50 Cal Poly students and all you can drink and eat, while enjoying a Hawaiian Luau on the beach . . . it was amazing. After that the ports only got better. We went river rafting down a river in Fiji after visiting an ancient Fijian village that was over an hour boat ride up the river. We also snorkeled at the most amazing reef I have ever seen, and hiked to waterfalls in the rain forest where we swung from rocks into natural pools. In New Caledonia we rented “fun cars” which were basically legal go carts that went 80 km/h and toured the island. I can’t even begin to describe the memories and funny stories that happened while in these ports. So many time of getting ripped off by taxi drivers and being lost not knowing where we were. Of all the ports on my trip, Australia was by far the best port. If your cruise is going there . . . get excited! Sydney is one of the most entertaining and amazing cities I have ever been in. The people love Americans, and I felt like I could have stayed there for months.

If I had to give some recommendations there would only be a few that I noticed. First of all, bring your money in a debt account. Everyone who brought cash wished that they didn’t just because the lines in the currency exchange places are so long and annoying and you end up losing money in the process. It was so much easier just to find an ATM because they were everywhere. Secondly, I went on this trip with a boyfriend, and I still have him but I would have to say that I am one of the few. If you are not 100% sure about your relationship before the trip, chances are you won’t make it. So many people put in such close quarters for an extended period to time, things happen . . . lots of things. I didn’t believe this coming on cruise, but now I totally understand. Another thing would be to be in lower berthing. You get money back because the rooms are definitely significantly smaller, but you meet so many more people. A friend who went on cruise a year ahead of me told me this, and I couldn’t be happier with the people I met. Everyone on our cruise felt this way and I have heard that about other years . . . it really is a big party in lower berthing. Also bring lots of going out clothes. I know that the girls who didn’t plan accordingly were mad that they didn’t because every night people get dressed pretty nice to go out on the town. The nights are sooo fun.

Lastly, I would say come with a carefree attitude ready to experience anything and everything. You truly never know what’s going to happen and that is the exciting part. This trip really was the best 2 months of my life. I was the type of person who wasn’t sure about it and if I could be gone that long, but man am I glad that I did. The trip pushes you as a person, and I feel like I have never grown so much in my life while having an amazing time. GO ON CRUISE . . . NO ONE REGRETS IT!!!!