I worried my husband and I wouldn't last once we became empty-nesters — but we've since discovered how to keep our 24-year marriage strong

14.10.2024 - 21:53 / insider.com / Cruises

Once our two daughters went off to college, it seemed my husband and I had different plans for enjoying our empty-nest years.

I love traveling and was excited to do more of it, just the two of us. For me, there's nothing like going to a new destination to experience local culture, taste new foods, and see amazing sights.

My husband, on the other hand, is a homebody who was looking forward to spending more time relaxing. He seeks comfort and loves to relax by watching sports in his recliner after work and on weekends.

Plus, travel can be tough for him. He's a powerlifter and personal trainer, so his 6-foot-4, 270-pound frame doesn't fit comfortably in standard airplane seats.

With such different visions of how we'd spend our free time, I secretly worried if we'd still be compatible after years of raising kids and building our own careers.

But it felt like our 24-year marriage was saved once we fully leaned into the joy of cruising.

Our first cruise together was 24 years ago, just before we got married. We'd ended up in an interior cabin that left my husband feeling cramped and confined. He vowed he'd never cruise again.

But years later, my mother-in-law invited the whole extended family on a Disney cruise. My husband tried to politely decline, but she wouldn't have it. She even splurged for everyone to get an upgraded balcony cabin, which made all the difference.

With the extra square footage between the cabin and the balcony, my husband felt much more comfortable and really enjoyed the cruise.

A few months later, he agreed to go on another cruise related to my work if we could book a cabin with a balcony. We really enjoyed our romantic time away together, and our love for cruising together began to blossom.

Once our kids went away to school, we leaned into our love of cruising together.

Cruises allow me to see multiple countries, cities, and sights while experiencing new cultures and tasting delicious new foods.

At the same time, they give my husband the luxury of not needing to take many or sometimes any uncomfortable flights. He only has to unpack once, and he gets to experience one of his favorite parts of traveling: meeting people and getting to know them over the course of several days.

These days, we average about two cruises a year and prioritize itineraries with multiple days at sea, which we spend reconnecting with each other and enjoying the ship's amenities.

We've shared memorable moments that have reignited the spark in our marriage, from watching balcony sunsets to embarking on unforgettable shore excursions.

Cruises have given us a new chapter in our marriage filled with love, adventure, and endless possibilities. Now, I look forward to many more years growing together at sea.