Fresh Fiction Blog | Kat Martin | Vacationing at sea ... exhilarating or exhausting?

Next year I'm planning to take a cruise. I've only done it twice before--both times on Carnival, fun because both were readers' cruises. Six hundred and fifty readers and only twenty five authors! It was like being a big celebrity, even though it only lasted a week. It was terrific to talk books with people who love them as much as I do.

Next year's cruise will be different. We're going to the Greek Isles--or at least so we thought until last week when I found out the boat doesn't stop at any real islands. They kind of tricked us, but it was a very good deal, money-wise, since the cruise industry is after the accident in Italy and Greece has riots in the streets.

So it's going to be cheaper--if we live through it. And there is always the possibility of storms that time of year. I'm definitely taking my patch--which, incidentally, actually works. Twelve-foot seas and you don't feel a thing. Kind of like being drunk without the hangover. Gotta have a prescription for it, though, but it's usually easy to get.

Our last cruise was in the Caribbean--the setting for DEEP BLUE, a book that Kensington Publishing is re-issuing September 1, with a fabulous new hunky male cover.

This is part of the Sinclair Sisters' trilogy. Conner Reese is the captain of a salvage boat who is searching the waters off Jamaica for Spanish sunken treasure. Con has work to do and he isn't happy to have lady reporter, Hope Sinclair, interfering in his business. The book has been out of print for a while and the new cover is really fantastic. If you haven't read it, I hope you'll give DEEP BLUE a try.

So tell me...how do you feel about cruising? Great fun or a nightmare? Love to hear your thoughts. Have a great summer. Happy reading, Kat

One commenter (US only) will win a copy of DEEP BLUE.

Comments

Hi Kat,

I really enjoy your books. They are so much fun!
(Charlene Fraley 12:07pm August 14, 2012)

love the new cover and DEEP BLUE sounds like a great read. thanks for the draw.
(Barbara Studer 12:33pm August 14, 2012)

I used to stay out of the water because I couldn't swim. I forced myself to face my fear of water (near drowning experience). After learning to swim, I would chose cruising especially island hopping (Hawaiian Islands, Bahamas, Caribbean, Greek Isles and so many more).

Now I need to learn is scuba diving.
(Kai Wong 12:38pm August 14, 2012)

Don't really think I'd like to be on a cruise too much. Thanks
for the giveaway. :)
(Leslie Davis 1:01am August 14, 2012)

Saving up to go on a Alaskan cruise with a friend. Will be my first. Hope you have a lot of fun on your up coming trip. Look forward to reading this book,I am sure it will not be put down till it is finished.
(Holly Vanderhule 1:06am August 14, 2012)

I have a few of your books, I love The Christmas Clock and this one looks like another fantastic read! I love how your books make you think about things a little differently :) Look forward to your new read!
(Darci Paice 1:13am August 14, 2012)

I have never gone, But I know quite a few who have and everyone has loved it.
(Donna Simmonds 1:26am August 14, 2012)

Cruising is great fun. You always meet the most interesting people on board as well as the locals. Have fun and go with the flow. It will be great even if you have bad weather.
(Kathleen Yohanna 2:31am August 14, 2012)

I've never been on a real cruise, but I've crossed the Atlantic twice. The first time my family came from Europe to Canada; the second I came alone from Europe after spending a couple of years there. I don't remember very much about the first time except that our ship had been used as a troop transport during WWII and that the women and most of the children slept in double-decker bunk, while the men and older boys slept in triple-decker bunks. The second trip was much more refined--though not as much as an actual cruise ship. To save my student dollars, I had a roommate, a young woman around my own age who was going to the US to learn her English better. We had lots of fun being the only people on deck for most of the trip. Though it was July, the wind was icy cold. One day we sat there with over a dozen blankets piled on us; the news said that it was almost 100 in NYC, our destination. And when we got there, it was that hot. The heat seemed to steam up from the pavement: I didn't get to see much of the World's Fair. And that is a hunky guy. I'd love to read it.
(Sigrun Schulz 2:44am August 14, 2012)

P.S. A tip we got from our steward after we got seasick the first day: do NOT drink orange juice or eat anything else acidic if you have the least likelihood of getting motion sickness. It's a valuable tip I always keep in mind. Unfortunately, it's one that doesn't help my brother: he has had motion sickness all his life, and I mean "bad" cases. He has to be able to drive--or at the very least sit in the front of a car--in order to defeat it. And he's hopeless on a plane or any sort of boat/ship.
(Sigrun Schulz 2:52am August 14, 2012)

I prefer land trips, with a perhaps a short cruise intermingled with that. Hawaii is an excellent choice for that.
Blessings,
Marjorie
(Marjorie Carmony 6:20am August 14, 2012)

I love your books and am so jealous that you are on a
cruise...I need a vacation...thanks for the chance to win.
[email protected]
(Linda Scarchuk 6:37am August 14, 2012)

I've only been on short cruises for part of a day. However I love walking on holiday and seeing wildflowers and animal life, so I would think a cruise would not suit me.
(Clare O'Beara 6:48am August 14, 2012)

We did three cruises in three years and enjoyed them all.
BUT, had no will power when it came to the bountiful buffets and the lovely teas. I put 5 pounds on each time and still working to get it off.
Alaska was the best surprise as I felt I was going to please my husband but it is beautiful beyond compare. The most exciting thing for me was an invitation to sit at the Captain's Table Still have the photos to prove it!
(Patricia (Pat) Pascale 8:04am August 14, 2012)

I have never been on a cruise. That is one thing I am looking forward to doing. Little nervous about getting sick.
(Emily Bowes 8:28am August 14, 2012)

I've always wanted to go on a cruise! The closest I've been
was a wedding on a boat in the Baltimore Harbor. But if I
could choose, I'd love to go on a Mediterranean cruise.

AquarianDancer at gmail dot com
(Karin Anderson 8:37am August 14, 2012)

I'd love to take an Alaska cruise with bus side trips to see national parks & glaciers. Unfortunately my hubby is claustrophobic and unwilling to book an above water cabin.
(Joanne Hicks 8:47am August 14, 2012)

I've cruised over 250 days, mostly cruises of 21 days or more versus short cruises. I really enjoy the food, shows and the not unpacking and packing every day. I actually enjoy them more now that I don't try to do very activity like I used to. Over the years though, the additional charges for everything is starting to add up.

Never pay full price for a cruise, there are lots of places to hunt online for bargains.
(Anne Muller 8:54am August 14, 2012)

We took a wonderful cruise to Alaska and it was so special...lots of wonderful memories.
(Bonnie Capuano 8:57am August 14, 2012)

Hi Kat! I love your books. I don't remember reading DEEP BLUE, but am planning to. I have never been on a cruise before, but would love to go someday. How wonderful that you were one of 25 authors on a Carnival Cruise Line ship with 650 readers. I would love to do something like that.
(Cathy Phillips 9:14am August 14, 2012)

Never been on a cruise! Would to go and take your great books wiyh me
(Nancy Gallagher 9:19am August 14, 2012)

I've never been on a cruise and will never take one...not only do I have severe motion sickness but I also have severe claustrophobia.
(Ellen McDaniel 9:43am August 14, 2012)

I have never been on a cruise ship or even a large boat before. I love tooling around in a pontoon boat on a lake but fear that a cruise ship or large boat in the ocean would be too much for me. I like seeing land and being close enough to land to swim to shore easily. LOL
(Angie Lilly 9:49am August 14, 2012)

I've been on 2 cruises & LOVED them!!!! PICK ME!! PICK ME!!!
(Pamela Faye Howell 9:50am August 14, 2012)

I've never been on a cruise, but I would love to try it. Sounds like a lot of fun.
(Wilma Frana 10:10am August 14, 2012)

I've never been on a cruise. Usually I travel with family and my mom worries about getting sea sick.
(Pam Howell 10:21am August 14, 2012)

Hi Kat, I love your books and have quite a collection. I've never been on a cruise but my son and his wife went and said it was fabulous.
(Rita Wray 10:27am August 14, 2012)

I like the idea of a cruise. The Mediterranean...
(Roxana Perez 10:44am August 14, 2012)

Sunken treasure and a hunky male? What better combination for fun! Love your books. Thanks
(Teresa Sullivan 10:44am August 14, 2012)

At one time, I always wanted to go on a cruise to Alaska. Now that I'm older, have spoken with a few people, and have read stories, the thought of going doesn't thrill me anymore. Even though there are thousands of people who sail, there are a lot of diseases you can catch off of the ships, which you never get rid of. People occasionally end up missing or worse on the boats. There are also other crimes which take place on the boats, and the police really can't get involved much, since they state that the ship is its' own entity. I never knew these facts before, and the shipping industry isn't what it once was. I don't say this to scare you or anyone else, but the world itself isn't what it once was. I'd rather fly out to Alaska and rent a car or charter a trip out there to get a better feel of the state. I hope that you have a wonderful time on your cruise, and that it's without incident. I'm sure it will be lovely.
(Peggy Roberson 10:44am August 14, 2012)

I'd love to go on a cruise---but can't convince the hubby.
(Sue Farrell 11:05am August 14, 2012)

I would love to go on a cruise, but hubby won't get on a big ship. oh well i can dream and read about your trips. i love all your books. my bf introduced me to your books and we love them. i would love to win!! thanks kat for all the great books.
(Kim Cornwell 11:09am August 14, 2012)

I've never gone on a cruise ship, but think it would be a wonderful adventure.Happy a wonderful trip, Kat.
(Anna Speed 11:51am August 14, 2012)

I've never been on a cruise, but I like the idea of one! I have to admit, though, that the buffets would probably do me in. Too much food!
(Rebecca Whitehead-Schwarz 11:58am August 14, 2012)

I'd like to try a cruise, haven't been yet. Your book sounds
great. Thanks for the chance.
(Mary Hay 11:59am August 14, 2012)

I love going on cruises, but it has been years since I last went. Hope you have a wonderful time on yours!
(Colleen Conklin 12:52pm August 14, 2012)

I've been on two cruises. The best vacations ever. We did an eastern and a
western Caribbean before we had kids. I'd love to do a Disney cruise with them.
You just can't beat the Caribbean. Lol.
Can't wait to read Deep Blue!
(Jane Limback 1:12pm August 14, 2012)

Enjoyed your blog. Book sounds like a great read
(Sheila True 1:13pm August 14, 2012)

I've never been on a cruise. I worry both about the possibility of seasickness and about the hygiene around my food! Good luck on the new release and thank you for the giveaway.
(E Felder 1:19pm August 14, 2012)

dont worry be happy and read a book. its on my list
(Debbi Shaw 1:37pm August 14, 2012)

I hope you have a great time on your cruise. I have never been on a cruise but I would love to go on one that goes to Alaska.
(Maureen Emmons 1:49pm August 14, 2012)

I've been on a cruise once, but it's a cool story. My husband and I were going to England, and were complaining about airfare. We decided to "think outside the box", and ended up booking a one-way cruise on the QM2/Cunard! When you count the room nights, it cost about as much as flying and paying for hotels in England. It was very luxurious, and there was tons of stuff to do. Chance of a lifetime, but I may be spoiled now! =)
(Kathleen Conner 1:52pm August 14, 2012)

I have never been on a cruise, (i would need to get the patch too.) I would really like to go on one to the carribean or greece or anywhere for that matter. Maybe one of these years I can do it, probably not til my granddaughter is older anyway. Here's hoping I win. LOL
(Earlene Gillespie 3:05pm August 14, 2012)

Love the comments...interesting how many people have not gone on a cruise. I've only been on 3. Great sicksick tip from Sigrund. I use the patch (transcopderm).
Kathleen--loved the thinking out of the box story. good idea.
(Kat Martin 3:16pm August 14, 2012)

Peggy-- you might like the Alaska Ferry. we've done it twice. Its like a locals bus. Great scenery and very casual and its cheap. we loved it.

Sigrun--that is an amazing story. I doubt many of us have had that sort of experience.

For those who just want to read about the adventure--hope you'll give DEEP BLUE a try. kat
(Kat Martin 3:19pm August 14, 2012)

HI I JUST LOVE YOUR BOOKS THEY ARE MARVELOUS. YOUR MY
FAVORITE AUTHOR OF ALL TIME REALLY ARE. I CAN'T STOP READING
YOUR BOOKS THEY ARE SO GOOD. I NEVER BEEN ON A CRUISE BUT I
WOULD LOVE TO GO ON ONE ITS SOUNDS EXCITING AND YOU MEET ALL
KINDS OF AWESOME PEOPLE. I CAN'T WAIT TO READ DEEP BLUE. I
LOVE TO WIN.
(Shelly Caggiano 3:31pm August 14, 2012)

I have never been cruising, as I can't afford it with 2 kids, one in college. My parents did a cruise that went to Hawaii and loved it. Their next destination is Alaska.
(Janet Barnes 4:22pm August 14, 2012)

I have never had the pleasure of going on a cruise but hope to someday!
(Vicki Hancock 4:32pm August 14, 2012)

I have always loved your books and just as funny but I own every one!!
(Charlotte Zimmerman 4:40pm August 14, 2012)

I have been on only one cruise and loved it!!
(Charlotte Zimmerman 4:41pm August 14, 2012)

never have been but a girl at work loves them and goes all the time!! love the cover!!
(Jennifer Beck 4:44pm August 14, 2012)

We took our parents on a cruise to the Bahamas and they loved it!
(Mary C 5:22pm August 14, 2012)

I have never been on a cruise and have only heard about them from friends who have loved them! I've always thought it would be great fun, up until lately, with some of the mishaps on cruise lines. I've always loved boating and fishing on the Mississippi River, since I was a little kid, so I think an ocean cruise would be beautiful. Kat, I hope you have a great trip. I really love your Montana home and your horses! I just picked up a couple of your books yesterday...Against The Storm and Against The Night. LOVE YOUR BOOKS! I have not read DEEP BLUE, so it would be terrific to win a copy! Maybe your next book title will be:
Against the Ocean--lol!!!
(Linda Luinstra 5:22pm August 14, 2012)

I've been on one cruise, I loved it. Also love your books.
(Amy Milne 5:48pm August 14, 2012)

I actually met my hubby on a cruise. I was on the cruise with my best friend and he was there with a bunch of his friends. That was 20 yrs ago. We lived in separate states had a long distance relationship for over a year before I moved from the east coast to the midwest to be with him. I definately recommend cruises. :) I love your books too.
(Patti Paonessa 6:34pm August 14, 2012)

I have never been on a cruise, but I am not a big fan of water. Thanks for the chance to win!
(Natasha Donohoo 7:05pm August 14, 2012)

I love cruising although it has been a while since we took a cruise. Deep Blue sounds like a great book. My Dad was a sailor on the Great Lakes, so the thought of sailing appeals to me.
(Robin McKay 7:19pm August 14, 2012)

cruising seems to be an interesting topic. I think it can be fun or scary. hoping for fun next year. thanks to for all of your kind words. so glad so many of you are enjoying my books. makes all the hard work worthwhile. Patti--loved that you met your hubby on a cruise. sounds really romantic. kat
(Kat Martin 7:44pm August 14, 2012)

Would love to go on a cruise to Alaska. Love your books.thanks for giving me a chance to win your book.
(Linda Hall 10:22pm August 14, 2012)

I have never been on a cruise. I should probably learn
how to swim before I go on one.
(Jan D 10:43pm August 14, 2012)

I've only been on one cruise (to Canada) but I loved it! I
loved getting to travel all over, but not having to keep
packing and unpacking. Thanks for the giveaway!
(Laura Garofalo 11:18pm August 14, 2012)

I've never been on a cruise before but I would like to imagine it's fun.
(Chelsea Knestrick 11:25pm August 14, 2012)

I've never been on a cruise but have always dreamed of taking
one. Someday...
(Nora Charles 11:57pm August 14, 2012)

I've only been on one cruise. I would love to go on another. When we first booked the trip I had thoughts of luxury suites like in the old Fred Astaire movies. We had a inside cabin and when you turned out the light, it was so black, we literally could not see out hands in front of our faces. It also was hard to determine what time it was, and we always worried we'd oversleep. If we get a chance to cruise again, we're most definitely getting a suite with a balcony. :))
(Gail Siuba 12:52pm August 15, 2012)

I enjoyed our cruise. But our mistake was chosing the 2nd seating... who knew that dinner would take 2 hours... by the time it was over, it was our bed time... We also enjoyed a small boat cruise in Alaska in Glacier Bay and dinner didn't take 2 hours...
(Cate Sparks 4:50pm August 16, 2012)

I have never been on a cruise but I would love to go on an
Alaskan cruise or Carribean cruise. I've read lots about them
in books and also watched on travel documentaries and they
seem like such fun.
(Winnie Lim 1:19pm August 18, 2012)

I love cruising and have been one some interesting ones. Alaska was great - we did 8 days on land before the cruise out of Anchorage - beautiful country. Went to Tahiti with six family members two years ago. Lots of different things to do for everyone. Being the senior citizens we mainly relaxed, enjoyed the cuisine and went to the lectures. Do go, you'll both really enjoy it.
(Betty Breithaupt 8:07pm August 18, 2012)

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