About Me
My name is Iris and I have been cruising since I was 8 years old. I worked for 10 years as a cruise ship crew member with Holland America Line, having sailed on every class of ships in their fleet and traveling the world. While onboard I met my husband, a cruise ship engineering officer. I am lucky enough to be able to continue to sail with him as we grow our family and explore this beautiful world together.
Cruising has brought me to 75+ countries around the world and I have been lucky enough to sail on many Grand Voyages and World Cruises.
On this blog I hope to help show what a great way cruising can be to see the world and also answer some questions, both for passengers and crew.
I grew up on a farm in Vermont and now spend my time when not on a ship between Vermont and visiting my husbands home country of Scotland. If I have been able to visit 75+ countries – so can you!
Cruise Lines I’ve Sailed On
As a Guest:
- Seabourn – Mediterranean (Quest), Norway (Encore), Caribbean (Odyssey), Alaska (Odyssey)
- Carnival – Caribbean/Bahamas – Carnival Legend, Carnival Conquest, Mexican Riviera – the old Carnival Holiday
- Celebrity – Caribbean – Millennium, retired Horizon
- Princess – Caribbean – Grand Princess, Caribbean Princess, Crown Princess, Mexican Riviera – the old Sun Princess
- Royal Caribbean – Caribbean – Navigator of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas (x 2), Mediterranean – Navigator of the Seas
- Holland America Line – Canada/New England – Veendam
As a Crew Member (or Spouse on Board):
- Holland America Line:
- Ships:
- Oosterdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Volendam, Westerdam, Koningsdam, the now retired Veendam and Amsterdam
- Regions:
- Caribbean, Panama Canal, Mexican Riviera, Hawaii, Alaska, Mediterranean, Baltic, Norway, Amazon River, South Pacific, Asia, Australia, Grand Voyages (Asia & Australia), and World Cruises (including Middle East)
- Ships:
Countries I’ve Been To:
People ask me all the time where in the world I’ve been. I am lucky that I’ve had the opportunity to travel the world. And, here’s the thing, you can, too! If a farm-girl from Vermont can crash a wedding in Mumbai, climb the Great Wall of China, and swim with lemon sharks in Bora Bora, any dream you have can come true, too!
- American Samoa
- Antigua & Barbuda
- Australia
- the Bahamas
- Barbados
- Bermuda
- Brazil – including Amazon River
- Canada
- Cayman Islands
- Chile
- China
- Colombia
- Cook Islands
- Croatia
- Denmark
- Dominican Republic
- Estonia
- Fiji
- France
- French Polynesia
- Germany
- Greece
- Guatemala
- Haiti
- Honduras
- India
- Indonesia
- Ireland
- Italy
- Japan
- Jamaica
- Jordan
- Martinique
- Mexico
- Montenegro
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Nicaragua
- Norway
- Oman
- Peru
- Portugal
- Russia
- Samoa
- Singapore
- Spain
- Sri Lanka
- St. Maarten
- St. Kitts and Nevis
- St. Lucia
- Sweden
- Tonga
- Turkey
- Turks and Caicos
- United States
- United Kingdom
- England
- Northern Ireland
- Scotland (including the North Coast 500)
- Vietnam
Featured In:
- EmmaCruises: Do Cruise Ship Employees Get Free Food? – Insider Guide
- The Joy Of Cruising – podcast and book!
- brokeGIRLrich:
- I’m (Stuck) On a Boat, Mother F*cker: What I Learned in 100 Days at Sea
- What’s Your Number?
- House Sitting: A Great Side Hustle for Students
Work with me! Bring my love of travel to your product or website.
My hubby still works at sea and I just want to be clear about some things. Oh, and all the legal marketing fun stuff.