7 Reasons Why the Desire Cruise is a Must for Couples Who Love to Travel
Another adventure with Naughty Nicki & J9 in the books! We recently embarked on the mesmerizing Desire Venice-Rome Cruise through the picturesque wonders of Venice, Croatia, and the Amalfi Coast, and concluded amidst the timeless charm of Rome. This inclusive, adult cruise was an enchanting experience like no other and allowed me to explore places that I only could ever dream of! While it was strange to be on a cruise like this without a partner, it was great to observe how people connected, how they interacted with one another, and the sweet moments they had together as a couple. Every aspect of the voyage, from the breathtaking scenery to the impeccable service, left an indelible mark on my heart. This unforgettable adventure along the Adriatic Sea was a captivating fusion of culture, relaxation, and excitement.
We sailed on the Azamara Quest ship which will be the same ship that sails Desire’s Greek Island Cruise in August and the New Year’s Eve cruise to Rio de Janeiro. It was gorgeous, clean, easy to get around, and staffed by the most wonderful, accommodating, caring people you could ever ask for. In no time, the crew aboard addressed us by our first names, we never had to ask for fresh towels, they knew the kind of wine I liked, we cracked jokes and they felt like family by the end of the voyage. The ship was the perfect playing ground for couples who wanted to be social and connect with other couples, and it was also a great space for couples who just wanted to be in each other’s embrace and enjoy their time alone. I saw both scenarios equally. One thing about the Desire Cruise crowd: they love to dance!
If you are looking for a luxurious yet fun adult-only cruise, complete with playrooms, all-inclusive food & drinks, amazing staff, and visits most jaw-dropping places on earth, look no further than Desire Cruises.
Here are 7 reasons why we loved the Desire Venice-Rome 2023 Cruise and why we think you will love the next Desire Cruises to come:
AMAZING PORTS
The common reaction when I listed off the ports to my friends and family was “DAMN!” This cruise boasted stops in Venice, Italy, Sibnek, Croatia, Dubrovnik, Croatia, and Kotor-Montenegro, and then sailed back to Italy stopping at Amalfi, Sorrento, and ending in Rome. I would probably never see some of these places in such a short time in my life had I not gone on this cruise. Every stop was a new world of its own, looking like a scene from a fairy tale book. We explored medieval fortresses, hiked ancient walls, drank strange liquors while people-watching in the town squares, crept into pirate caves buried deep in the cliffside, and got lost in the tangle of alleys contained within the city walls. Every place was unique and had its own culture, landmarks to see, and delicious cuisine to try. My only complaint is that I couldn’t stay in some of these places longer. But now I know they exist; they are real and I am SO coming back.
The ports to me are what truly make the Desire Cruises—in general—so special. Their voyages really allow you to explore a large range of amazing places in a short time. It challenges you to make the most of your time, to let go of your expectations (because you simply can’t see/do everything), and just explore. Nicki & I found so many little gems that we didn’t hear about on TV or in a travel blog, we just discovered them by walking around and not really having a plan. We found wonderful cafes and eateries, art studios where we were able to meet the artists themselves, great gift shops that sold amazing handmade treasures, and the essential “Farmacias” (drugstores) that I practically went crazy in because of their beauty and skincare products! One of my favorite random places we stumbled upon, was the Victorian-style English teahouse at the very bottom of the Spanish Steps in Rome—Babbington’s Tea House. English tea in Italy? Why not! It was exactly what we needed at the end of a very long day of walking around and me having an allergy attack—take your meds people.
We found a bar in Dubrovnik, Croatia that was able to satisfy my craving for a little smokable fun. I could hear the distant sound of some EDM music coming from down the street, I followed my ears to a little doorway carved into the cliffside that lead to an outdoor bar that clung onto the cliff held together by pipe, rope, and the very cliff rocks it sat on. Over the pipe fence, brave divers jumped off into the sea, followed by a round of applause and cheers from the bar. I ordered some delicious Croatian beer and the “CBD” roll—smartly worded so on their menu. €10 later the bartender rolled me a spliff and Nicki & I watched the divers plunge into the gorgeous sea below.
We continued to just follow our senses the entire trip. If something looked cool, smelled good, or seemed fun, we did it. We had an ongoing game in that every time Nicki touched a cat (because there were feral cats all over some of these places), we had to take a shot. Once we realized how many cats were around, we switched up the rules a little bit so we didn’t die. But the game continued on and we had some great laughs playing the Cat Game.
The ports were a great way to explore Italy and Croatia. The next few Desire Cruises for the remainder of this year will also be venturing to amazing places from the Greek Islands to the French Riviera. Make the most of your time on cruises like this, you’ll want to savor every moment.
GREAT FOOD ON BOARD
I ate really well on this trip. Just ask my bikinis. There was no shortage of food at any moment whatsoever. Maybe in another blog, I’ll gush about the amazing pizza we had in Sorrento or the black risotto in Sibnek, or the fabulous artichoke flan in Rome, but what I’m really wanting to talk about is the amazing food onboard the Azamara Ship. Every day before getting onto the tender boat to whatever port we were visiting for the day, I made my way to the Windows Café where they had the most amazing breakfast spread ever! Each day focused on a different cuisine in line with the port we were visiting. There was always fresh fruit, a smoothie bar, vegetarian options, vegan options, and plenty of seafood choices for pescetarians like me. At night, they had a section on the outside part of the pool deck that served burgers & fries and simple snack foods. There was a wonderful brunch in the Discoveries' Main Dining Room on the day we had at sea. No matter what meal they served, there were always plenty of options, and mainly healthy choices as well. Don’t get me wrong, there were a plethora of treats to indulge in, but for someone who tries to watch what they eat, not only to keep a figure but for health reasons as well, I had no problem with the food aboard the Azamara.
POOL DECK
The pool deck on the Azamara Ship is gorgeous! Floor 9 was not only home to the poo, two hot tubes, and plenty of lounge chairs, but also where you find the Windows Café, the Sunset Bar, the fitness center, and the spa/salon. So basically, everything you need is on that floor. It was so nice to come back from a full day of exploring, get topless on the pool deck and drench myself in some sunlight for an hour or two until the sunset with great music playing in the background. At the same time, everyone mingled and talked about what they did that day casually in the nude. It was the common meeting place where many connections were made and rekindled. After our day in Amalfi, the ship threw a gorgeous party where everyone wore white, had dinner, and partied on the pool deck. I think that was one of my favorite nights on the ship.
ENTERTAINMENT/THEME NIGHTS
It takes A LOT of talent and professionalism to be a cruise entertainer—and now I know why! Desire’s group of entertainers put on a different show every night that went along with the evening’s theme. They had pole dancers, singers, contortionists, and some very sexy bulky men that put on the most creative and fun shows. The group did a great job of getting the audience involved and pumped for the rest of the night. They danced with us on the dance floor at night, and during the day we would see them eating breakfast and going off to their rehearsals. They remembered our faces and always said hello to us. I can’t pretend it wasn’t hard saying goodbye to some of them. I believe they will be the same entertainers on the Desire Greek Islands Cruise in August 2023. Be sure you go see the shows because these people are amazing and will blow your mind.
It’s not a lifestyle party if there’s no theme. When it comes to the Desire Cruises, there’s a different theme every night! Aboard this voyage, we dressed as gladiators & princesses, recaptured the 1920s, partied on the pool deck in white, got naughty in neon, and played like toys. It was so much fun to dress in these themes and I didn’t really have to pack much because I kept my costumes skimpy and uncomplicated (pro-tip there!).
PLAYROOMS
If you’re wondering where all the sexy action happened, it was on the 10th floor of the ship in the playrooms. While I didn’t spend a whole lot of time in there (being partner-less and all), I did get to take a peek inside before the party got started. A ballroom was filled with neatly arranged mattresses, sheers, and sensual lighting that made the mood feel relaxing but mysterious. I heard some really great stories from the playroom on this cruise. Most of the couples I talked to had gone in a few times, some played, some just watched. It was never too crowded in the playrooms, so a cruise like this could possibly be a great starting place for couples who might be a little shy at first to play in front of others.
AMENITIES
My day at sea was just as amazing as any port of call! That was the perfect day to visit the spa/salon and treat myself to a rejuvenating facial and beautiful blowout. I tried the “Resurfacing Facial” which lasted about 30mins. My skin always freaks out on trips and this trip was no exception. She immediately saw that my skin was dry, dehydrated, and oily (having 4 Aperol Spritzes the day before probably did not help) and proceeded to work her magic going over my face with a light hydro dermabrasion treatment followed by a cocktail of toners, skin essences, serums, and moisturizers. My skin was glowing by the end! The facialist recommended toner for my irritable combination skin that I ended up purchasing and still use because it works so well!
After my facial, I moved right next door to the salon for a blowout. I was told there were blow dryers on the ship, so I didn’t bring mine from home, but when I saw what the ship provided in the staterooms, I almost had to laugh because I knew my thick head of hair would never dry with such a light and small piece of machinery. I needed professional tools, so to the salon I went! My salon abroad uses Kerastase products which I was really excited about because my hair has always taken well to that line. The finished product was a glossy, bouncy blowout that lasted me the rest of the trip! Another pro tip: get a professional blowout on board to make your hair look great for your trip.
Another notable area of the Azamara ship that I found very convenient was the Mosaic Café coffee shop, where they served hot and cold coffee beverages and light snacks all day long. This is where Nicki and I met on most days. I grabbed my Café Americano and mini quiche and we were ready for our day!
At one point I needed to do laundry and was able to use the laundry room located on the 7th floor. I was surprised to find a full-blown laundry mat! About 3-4 washers and dryers, folding table, and complimentary detergent and fabric softener. It was so nice to do a little laundry in the middle of the trip! There’s no need to pack an excessive amount of underwear or socks because you can do a load of laundry aboard the ship. My only tip would be to bring your own travel-sized detergents you happen to be sensitive to most.
SERVICE
The impeccable level of service aboard the ship left no desire unfulfilled. From the moment I stepped foot on the luxurious ship, a team of attentive and friendly staff members catered to my every need, ensuring an unforgettable experience. The team provided a wealth of exquisite dining options, where talented chefs crafted culinary masterpieces inspired by the flavors of the places we were visiting. The ship offered a plethora of activities ranging from rejuvenating spa treatments to vibrant nightlife experiences. Whether you choose to explore the picturesque ports of call or simply bask in the serenity of the ship, the all-inclusive, adult-only Desire Cruises promises an unparalleled journey through some of the most captivating places in the world, coupled with exceptional service that surpasses all expectations.
Discovering new places does something to you. You become a different version of yourself from that point on, you can’t unsee the things you’ve seen, and now you have a broader outlook on life. While I might have seen these amazing places on a cruise, and spent little time in them, I truly feel like I was on a voyage, like I am officially a world traveler. And I thank Desire Cruises so much for this beautiful experience.
Ready to set sail on a sensual adventure? Come aboard Desire’s Greek Island Cruise (Aug 26-Sept 2, 2023) or sail into the new year aboard the Desire Rio de Janeiro Cruise (Dec 30, 2023 - Jan 7, 2024).
