My Travel CV: I've taken almost 100 cruises, these are my top tips

My Cruises’ general manager has visited 55 countries and five continents, but says he still has destinations on his bucket-list.

Michael Middleton

3 min read

February 14, 2025 - 10:37AM

Lifestyle

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It’s no surprise the My Cruises general manager, Michael Middleton, loves life at sea. This is his Travel CV:

I got my first passport when...

I was 13 years old and I was going on a school ski trip to Switzerland.

Bucket-list trip to Antarctica on board Viking Cruises' Octantis

My first holiday memory is...

Skiing the Swiss Alps with my school group. It was an unforgettable experience and one that ignited my lifelong passion for travel and set me on the path to a 35-plus-year career in the industry. Even at 13, I knew I wanted to explore the world.

I’ve been to...

Fifty-five countries and five continents, with Africa being a real standout destination for me. With just two continents remaining to tick off, Antarctica and South America are high on my bucket-list.

My holidays are mainly devoted to...

Experiencing new places. I’m a huge fan of trying to tick off as many highlights or destinations as I can in one holiday. While often fast-paced and busy, I always make sure to carve out time to enjoy a variety of food and drinks as well as some great sightseeing. So, in summary, everything.

I took my first cruise in 1992, from New York to Bermuda on board a brand-new ship: Celebrity Horizon.

I took my first cruise in...

The year 1992, from New York to Bermuda on board a brand-new ship: Celebrity Horizon. Since then, I’ve gone on close to 100 cruises, exploring places like Taiwan and the Philippines, Singapore, Africa, Tahiti and Bora Bora, the Mediterranean, India and so much more. As general manager of My Cruises, I’ve been lucky to travel for work, with a rough 50/50 split for work and personal holidays.

What I’ve noticed has changed in cruising...

Is that people are embracing longer cruise holidays and opting for back-to-back itineraries. Instead of just a seven or 10-night cruise in Europe, they’re extending their trip by adding another seven or 10 nights to explore even more ports. This trend highlights the growing popularity of cruising and its continued rise in demand.

The place I’d rather be right now is...

Antarctica. It sounds like the perfect escape from this sweltering 35C Gold Coast summer and it’s next on my bucket-list.

The place I’d rather be right now is Antarctica.

My most memorable cruise experience happened when...

Cruising into Cape Town and opening the curtains of the balcony to see the shadow of Table Mountain approaching before us.

I like ocean cruises because...

I love the wide variety of dining options and entertainment, but what I enjoy most are the relaxing days at sea spent unwinding.

The shore excursion that most surprised me was...

While I was cruising in Bora Bora, we went on a traditional Tahitian boat for the day and did a circumnavigation of the lagoon. It was truly one of those pinch-yourself moments that affirmed why Bora Bora is one of the most perfect places on Earth.

Bora Bora is one of the most perfect places on Earth.

The advice I’d give to cruise-curious travellers is...

Give it a try! Speak to a CLIA-accredited cruise consultant who will be able to guide you to the right ship for you. It’s important to get it right, especially for your first cruise, because if you get it wrong, you may never cruise again. However, if you get it right, you will be a cruiser for life.

The most interesting person I’ve met on a cruise is...

The Yacht Club butler on board MSC Seaview. Her name was Rosa and she was from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in the Caribbean. I’ve never met anyone with so much life and personality; she helped make the cruise exceptionally memorable.

The best things I’ve eaten while sailing was...

A steak. Any cruise line that has a steak restaurant on board elevates a simple steak to the next level.

My most memorable cruise experience happened when I was cruising into Cape Town.

The best hotel I’ve ever stayed in is...

Fairmont Pacific Rim in Vancouver.

The travel tips I’d like to share are...

To make the most of a destination, book early and do your research before you leave home. Plan as much as possible in advance so you can leave with lasting memories and a sense of fulfilment. I also recommend taking some time the day before you arrive at ports to review plans and ensure you’re set to experience the destination the way you truly want. There’s nothing worse than arriving unprepared and feeling like you’re wasting precious time.

Cruising has taught me...

It is an affordable, easy way to experience the world. I’ve also learned that there is a ship for absolutely everybody, from young families and couples to seniors.