I was surprised that I didn’t experience any dizziness.

It sounds almost ridiculous to say that I had nightmares before a week-long vacation, but as I prepared for this trip, my nerves for the first time overcame my anxiety and general judgment.

What worried me most was the possibility of motion sickness, something I had experienced before on smaller ferries.

So, just in case, I packed bottles of medicine and hoped I would be comfortable on board. Surprisingly, I never felt the boat move or shake, and I slept better than ever while traveling.

There were many activities on the ship that did not require a party.

Being on an adults-only cruise has its perks, but I was worried that the entire ship would go into party mode at any opportunity.

While there were a number of lively and energetic evening activities for those interested in taking part, including shows by the resident drag queen and games of chance, there were also spaces for those who prefer quieter pastimes during their vacation.

During the trip, I got a manicure at the salon, took several spin classes at the gym, relaxed after a day of traveling with a sunset meditation class, and even joined a craft workshop.

After a week of shore-based activities, my fear of being overstimulated on a boat dissipated. Instead, I felt more relaxed than I had in a long time.

Although we had limited time in each port, I still got a good taste of the Mediterranean.

Before embarking on this cruise, I expected to have very little time to explore each destination we docked at. However, to my surprise, we were able to make the most of every port we visited.

On the Amalfi Coast, my mom and I booked a full-day beach trip, and in Cannes we visited Nice and Monaco.

We also did a solo exploration in Ibiza to enjoy the sights on our own terms, which was just as fun.

Although we had limited time in each city, we made the most of every minute by buying local food, visiting the best sites, and walking every inch we could.

Several checkpoints were set up to ensure he returned to the ship on time.

I’d seen enough movies to imagine running down the dock as the ship pulled away, so missing a shipment after a day on land was probably my biggest fear.

Fortunately, the Valiant Lady had many protocols in place to ensure that passengers returned to the ship before it headed to the next destination.

Even at a busy port or city stop, it was easy for me to find my way back to the ship thanks to shuttle buses, clearly marked signs at various checkpoints, crew members wearing Virgin Voyages t-shirts, and the Virgin Voyages app, which was always updated with accurate boarding times.

There were so many places to dine that I didn’t even touch the food I had packed.

My mom and I brought instant ramen in our suitcase in case the food on the boat wasn’t to our liking. Despite our preparations, we disembarked with our supplies intact.

Suffice to say, the dining options on board the ship were delicious and absolutely endless. My favorites included Ariya, an Indian restaurant, and The Wake, which offered traditional surf and turf dishes such as steak and lobster.

I also really enjoyed the various happy hours hosted by the Greek-style bar, as well as the delicious scoops from the ice cream parlor, which came in flavors like rum raisin, chocolate hazelnut, and malted strawberry milkshake.

The huge ship was intimidating, but there always seemed to be a crew member willing to help.

I pride myself on having a very keen sense of direction wherever I am in the world. But I won’t lie: I got lost almost every day on the ship.

Luckily, there was always a friendly crew member nearby to point my mom and I in the right direction, or even walk us directly to where we needed to go.