From Mom to Best Friend
Nicole and her mom, Laura, enjoying time together in Istanbul.
July 17, 2012
by Nicole Burton
When people asked why Mom and I were cruising to the Mediterranean, we told them we were celebrating my graduation from college, but really it was much more than that. And we both knew it in our hearts, making this cruise more special than I ever could’ve imagined.
I grew up in Arizona but when I was 18 years old, I left for four long years away from my family to attend college in Indiana. At 18 the thought of leaving home was exciting, but when I finally graduated I looked forward to returning to the Southwest and starting a career as an actuary.
But you never know where life will take you and somehow I ended up accepting a job in Ohio, a long way from the sunny Arizona desert. I was young and needed a job, so I followed the opportunity, even though it broke my heart to be so far away from family and friends.
I did a lot of growing up in those years. I was away at college, and one of the biggest changes was in my relationship with my mom. She went from an embarrassing nuisance when I was in high school to my greatest confidant and my best friend. She became my backbone, the first person I’d call if I had a great day … or a bad day.
So when I had to choose one person to go on this Mediterranean adventure with me, I knew I wanted to take my mom. I could finally repay her for all of the unconditional support and love she’d given me my entire life. Of course, she immediately said yes and it was all we could talk about leading up to the cruise – what would we pack, what tour we’d take, what we’d do on board. The planning was almost as fun as the cruise itself!
We spent 16 glorious days together exploring the fantastic sights in Spain, France, Italy, and Greece. Cruising with my mom meant we could indulge in those interests the rest of our family didn’t always share with us. We toured beautiful cathedrals and palaces, admiring the rich décor and priceless artwork. We shopped to our heart’s content, buying leather handbags in Florence, perfume in France, and spices in Istanbul, to name a few.
After long days of walking the streets of Europe, we relaxed in the thermal suite of the Lotus Spa together- something we had never tried before when cruising with the whole family. I even won the spa raffle and got a generous discount on a much needed hot stone massage! We often ordered different meals at dinner and offered a taste to each other so we could try as many of the delicious offerings as possible. I tagged along for my mom’s favorite sea day activity- the art auction, and she came with me for my favorite activity- the deck party. And we never missed a show in the Princess Theater, something we both enjoyed.
There were so many things that made this trip special for me. It was my first time traveling outside of North America, it was the first time I was able to pay my own way, and it was the longest cruise I had ever been on.
One day I will probably find a wonderful man to share the greatest experiences of my life with, but until then I will cherish the time I get to spend with my mom. Even though at the end of the cruise I knew I would return to Ohio and Mom would return to Arizona, I had 16 incredible days of photos and memories to keep with me, and those will last a lifetime.
Nicole lives in Columbus, Ohio and her mother, Laura, lives in Scottsdale, Arizona. Nicole has been on two Princess cruises, while her mom has been on four.
why do I cruise???I live in a aprtment retirement village and I like to get away and see new faces.I do not have a lot of family in New Zealand so I try to meet up with famlly or friends in Australia Canada and the Netherlands.I have a great time and feel real spoiled on the cruises and have been on approx 11
Nicole,
What a grreat story and to hear how you both enjoyed being with each on this cruise.
All the best and I’m sure some lucky person is out there for you.
Thanks for sharing such a meaningful story, Nicole. Here’s to many more special experiences with your mom!
I too have cruised with my daughter. She is my angel and my best girl friend. I love her with all my heart.
I returned from a cruise to Alaska with my daughter Ivy on August 1st. The planning was almost as much fun as the trip itself.We enjoyed every minute together and our relationship has taken a new direction. She is proud of my nerve to go zip lining at my age and I was proud of all the compliments she received for her beauty and lovely personality. We actually felt like we were in our own little world in spite of being surrounded by so many people. All of my dreams came true on this wonderful cruise to alaska on the Sea Princess.
How very lovely. After 8 cruises we’ve finally pursuaded my parents to come on a three day long weekend princess cruise with us and I’m so looking forward to it and showing her all the wonders of a cruise and princess
)
I think it would be colorful and exciting. And at my age I need colorful and exciting!
Enjoy the moments you have w/Mom and keep them forever; sounds like a wonderful opportunity and experience.
☼•*❤*•°•❥ℒƠѵℯ & Hugz..☆ . ƸӜƷ¸.☆.
Just came back from a great 10 day Princess vacation on the Diamond Princess to Alaska & Denali Park tour. I’d love to win another cruise anywhere, and I’ll repack my bag & be ready to leave to any destination! Thanks to the great crew, captain, & whole staff. Even coolness & rain couldn’t dampen our spirits. Onboard there were enough activities to keep our family busy & the excursions were the highlights of the trip!
Just wonderful!
what a beautiful story, just always keepm thoise memoris inur heart, i am sure ur mom will as well
Very touching story. So glad you enjoy each other. I lost my mom many years ago and miss her and never had the opportunity to do a memorable vacation with her. But, I do enjoy the times I do things with my daughter. It is very special.
My daughter and I have been getting together once a year to be together as we live in different parts of the USA. We used to go to the Caribbean islands, but for the past 5 years, have been cruising and really love it. She is my best friend and traveling companion and we both look forward to these trips every year. And yes, it is so so very special……
I, too, just got back from a special birthday gift my daughter gave me and it was the first time in many, many years that just the two of us were together for 9 glorious days attending the Vancouver Folk Music Festival and then ferried to Orcas Island spending several memorable days there. Ironically at one point she mentioned the possibility of someday taking a cruise and wouldn’t it be wonderful to do that with her going to Alaska and taking in Vancouver. Princess is the way to go!!!!!
This touches my heart, as I lost my husband in Feb. and my daughter is moving away and I
hope that this will be an inspiration to me. Thank you.
I have myself now been on six cruises with my girlfriend, we plan one each year in advance, I run a large motel and only get a couple of weeks off a year so need something to look forward to, this October we are taking my mum as she has been hinting about going for a cruise, she will be 72 in a couple of weeks but very fit and full of life, it is great to see her so excited about our up and coming trip which is of course with Princess as I would not cruise with any other cruise line.
Thanks for sharing. My Mom and I have always wanted to see Alaska but my husband and my step- dad were not interested so Mom and I went on a 7 day cruise to Alaska. It was the best time and something I will always cherish.
Two years ago my daughter and I took our first mother/daughter vacation together and it happened to be on a Princess Cruise. It was my daughter’s first cruise and hopefully just the beginning of many more. She had told me she had always dreamed of going on a mother/daughter trip together so I told her to find a trip and we would go. We left our famalis behind and sailed out that next Spring to the Western Carribean and had the time of our lives. A trip we will always cherish.
we go to alaska,and panama my mom and my with princess and it was magique fun ans so special ,to be on princess sharing is 86 ,we love to go agend with princess j adore princess j ai etait en alska et le panama avec ma mere comme ces magique et psecial de voyager avecprincess on aimerait fait une derniere croisiere ma mere a 86 ans sa SERAIT MAGIQUE DE FAIRE UN AUTRE VOYAGE FILLE ET MERE LOVE YOU MOM