Post cruise emotions are no joke. One minute, someone’s cutting your kid’s pancakes and deshelling your shrimp; the next you’re back behind the wheel driving across states. Whew.
We’re home now. And while this wasn’t my first cruise, it might be the most meaningful. The four of us—me, the kids, and their dad—shared a suite aboard the Disney Treasure. We’ve been co-parenting (not co-living) for a few years now, but this was the first time in a long time we all traveled together like this. And you know what? It worked.
We talked in advance about how we wanted this trip to feel—for us, for the kids—and we followed through. The boundaries were already in place, and when little hiccups popped up, we talked it out, and kept it moving. Because, as our wise Jamaican guides said with a smile, “There are no problems, just solutions”…and maybe a rum punch—I may have added the rum punch, but you understand.
It was refreshing to see us both show up, not just as parents, but as people who still know how to laugh, pivot, and support one another.
The ship itself? Pure magic! Clean, organized, fun, and luxurious without feeling stuffy. I could have stayed a month. I missed it the day before we disembarked. That’s how deep the post cruise emotions ran.
But life, of course, had other plans.
While we were at sea, Frick (my aunt’s husband and our RV trip driver) was hospitalized. I had to surrender that fear to God while still being present for my kids. It wasn’t easy—but it was growth.
When we got back, I took the wheel—literally. Drove 12 hours from Orlando to New Orleans with a nostalgic detour through Xavier University to show my kids my roots. A powerful mama moment. Then on to Shreveport so Uncle Carl’s family could love on him and we could recalibrate.
Now, back at home, I’m holding all of it: the joy, the stretch, the gratitude. These post cruise emotions aren’t just about missing the ship—they’re about acknowledging how far we’ve come, and knowing I’m ready for whatever comes next.
BTW: Grace means choosing peace even when the past gives you every reason not to.
How do you handle post cruise emotions or big transitions back to “real life”? I’d love to hear how you hold both ease and effort.
Other Post You May Enjoy:
Family Travel Co-Parenting: Holding It All Before Our First Cruise
Handling Travel Setbacks with Grace
Happy 8th Birthday, Arrington: A Surprise Orlando Adventure
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