The morning of the cruise, I hugged my family goodbye. Their faces were a mix of disappointment and hurt, and I felt a pang in my heart as the ship pulled away from the dock. Initially, it felt exhilarating—finally, I was living my dream! The ship was stunning, the entertainment unmatched, and the sunsets… well, they were worth every penny and every pang of guilt.
But as days went by, the excitement started to mix with an unexpected emotion: regret. I kept checking my phone for family updates, learning about stories, laughter, and moments I had missed. No Instagram post or video could replace the feeling of being there. I realized that some experiences, no matter how amazing, can’t truly compensate for shared moments with loved ones.
