A Cruise to Penang, November 2016

In November 2016, we went on our first cruise aboard Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas. The trip was planned with a friend’s family, and my in-laws joined us too. We sailed from Singapore on 11 November, heading towards Penang, and returned on the 14th.

A cabin balcony seen through an open glass door, with a lounger, a small round table and a chair, and calm sea and a low coastline beyond the railing. — Our cabin balcony, before we sailed.

The sun low over a wide, calm sea, with its reflection on the water and grey cloud above. — Late-afternoon sun over the sea on the first day.

Being our first cruise, everything was a new experience. There was plenty to explore around the ship, from the open decks and entertainment areas to the restaurants and the casino. I remember some sort of grand dinner on the first evening, although the details have faded over the years.

A long indoor street on the ship under a blue-lit ceiling, lined with shopfronts, lamps and a casino sign, with a footbridge across it and passengers walking along the tiled floor. — The Royal Promenade aboard Mariner of the Seas.

A band of musicians on a theatre stage, lit by spotlights in front of a curtain of small white lights, seen over the heads of the audience. — A band on stage in the ship's theatre.

Performers, crew in uniform and chefs lined up on a brightly lit stage with costumed Shrek and Fiona characters, as the audience takes photographs. — A band on stage in the ship's theatre.

I even tried my luck at the casino for the first time. I had exchanged US$100 specifically for the experience, setting that as my limit. I lost the entire amount that night, but at least I could say I’d given it a try!

Penang, but not quite

We reached Penang the following day, and everyone else went ashore. I couldn’t join them because I didn’t have the necessary visa at the time.

So while the others explored Penang, I stayed aboard the ship.

The George Town waterfront from the ship in the late afternoon: orange-roofed buildings on the shore, a white flagstaff among trees, a tall tower and a hill behind under heavy cloud. — George Town, seen from the ship.

It wasn’t quite what I’d expected from a cruise to Penang, but being on a large ship was still a new experience for me. There was enough to see and do onboard, and I didn’t particularly mind having some time to myself.

Dolphins on the way home

One of my favourite memories came during the return journey.

I remember seeing many dolphins swimming alongside the ship, occasionally leaping out of the water as they followed us. Watching them move so freely through the sea was fascinating.

I don’t have a photograph of that moment, but it’s one of the things I remember most clearly from the entire cruise.

A universe above us

Another memory that has stayed with me is standing alone on our cabin balcony at night.

Far out at sea, away from the usual lights of the city, the sky felt completely different. I could see so many stars.

I remember looking up and thinking about how vast the universe really is. There was so much out there beyond our everyday lives, and for a while I just stood there, taking it all in.

It wasn’t an organised activity or anything particularly spectacular by cruise standards. Just a quiet moment on a balcony, surrounded by the sea, looking up at the night sky.

And yet, more than the entertainment or anything else aboard the ship, that’s the moment I remember most.

Our first cruise

Looking back, it was a simple holiday shared with family and friends. There were new experiences, a little casino loss, an unexpected day spent onboard at Penang, and the dolphins that accompanied us on the way home.

Legs in jeans and sneakers crossed on a balcony railing, with the open sea and a pale sky beyond. — Feet up on the balcony on the way home.

But what has stayed with me most is that quiet night under the stars.

Sometimes the smallest moments of a holiday are the ones that remain with you the longest.