In Louisville, your senior year of spring break is almost as important as graduation. It has become a tradition that a vast majority of high school seniors will take a trip to Punta Cana with friends and parents to celebrate their final high school spring break. The beautiful beaches and grand resorts make the week-long stay worth it, and I had always assumed I would be taking part in this tradition by my senior year as well. However, this was not the case.

By the time spring break planning came around in December, the process became a frenzy. Airplane tickets and arrival times were the topics of conversation during homeroom, passing in the hallways, and throughout lunch. I had come to the realization that the trip to Punta Cana would not work out as well as I had hoped, but that did not stop the thoughts of my friends and myself. We were determined to find another way to embrace our last high school vacation together.

Never would I have thought that I would be getting on a cruise ship to celebrate this idea.

My sister and I, along with four of our closest friends and their mothers, made the decision to fly to Orlando, Florida where we would be getting on the Royal Caribbean cruise ship. We had been given the opportunity to travel to Haiti, Jamaica, and Mexico over a span of 7 days with an all-inclusive buffet and endless activities. We spent each morning and afternoon tanning on the sky deck while live bands played for hours, and our evenings consisted of dinner with a view. Not only was the outside of the ship stunning, but the inside was even more beautiful. Half the time we even forgot we were cruising through the water.

Each day provided us with a new adventure.

On the days that the ship was docked on the island or port, we were exposed to a plethora of different cultures while visiting different countries. We ate the local cuisine in Haiti, zip-lined through Jamaica, and even swam with dolphins in Mexico. Not once did I feel tired because the positive energy on and off the cruise ship was contagious. I had never had so much fun in my life and still reminisce on the experience to this day with my friends. The Royal Caribbean cruise enabled us to live in a different part of the world for a day while making friends with those who lived there as well. Not only was my spring break enjoyable, but it was also eye-opening to envelope myself in an entirely new culture. Recognizing positivity within people no matter where I am felt heartwarming.

I would not trade my experience for anything.

One of the best parts about going on the cruise was how manageable the pricing was. The delicious buffet, which was always open, was included in the price along with other amenities such as free movie viewings and karaoke nights. Outside of the ship, our activities cost an extra price, but it was worth it. We truly got the most bang for our buck.

If you get the chance to go on a cruise, take it. Not only is it budget friendly, but you are guaranteed to make friends and memories that will last a lifetime.