Don’t Apologize for the Sun in Your Path

To say that things happen for a reason is probably the biggest understatement in the world.

I’ve spent the last seven days onboard the Carnival Celebration with stops in Amber Cove (Dominican Republic), San Juan (Puerto Rico), and St. John via St. Thomas. It’s a ship that I am very familiar with, having spent two weeks onboard in January 2023 during my first solo cruise—the beginning of my journey to setting foot on all seven continents. I sailed again in March 2024 for a week, and now I’m here once more, both this past week and the coming week, on yet another back-to-back (B2B) voyage.

I was supposed to be onboard the Carnival Radiance out of Los Angeles, sailing to Hawaii. However, a technical difficulty and a missed final payment caused that trip to be accidentally canceled, leaving me scrambling to fill more than two weeks of time during what’s now known as my “winter in the Caribbean and Mexico.”

Staying in the Caribbean longer than anticipated wasn’t ideal. I’ve been to these ports numerous times, and missing my first trip to Hawaii was a huge disappointment—at least initially. Sitting here today and reflecting back, I realize it really does all happen for a reason.

This week, I was asked what I like most about cruising. I succumbed to the traditional answers: my morning routine of coffee and the hot tub, the quiet time on the ships, and living less expensively than life on land in the U.S. The answer I got back, though, was about meeting people and making connections. Duh. Obviously, that’s what I should have answered. I’ve said so many times that the connections and new friendships around the world are the story, with the world simply serving as the backdrop.

The last few weeks have been filled with reflections and reminders of who I am, where I came from, and what I’ve accomplished—and sacrificed—to be here.

Chatting with Valentine on Instagram back in Colorado, they reminded me that maybe I am an inspiration to others. Instead of having an unfair advantage, I simply saw an opportunity and took it. Others can join this lifestyle, too, if they so choose.

Ditching societal norms while living my best life and doing it my way are now pillars of my life. After all, I’m Cole from Colorado. Uniquely me.

Perspective is crucial to understanding and “getting by” in life. I’ve been listening to the audiobook Let Them by Mel Robbins, and so many of my recent life lessons are reaffirmed in the book. Let them think what they want. My life and my choices are mine, just as your life and your choices are yours. I also try not to pass judgment on others.

Getting back to cruise ship life, I realized this morning that I’m already living a dream I’ve always had. It was a pinch-me moment—one that brought so much resolution to a time when I thought I was floundering or just “getting by.”

I’ve always dreamed of living in a city. In a high-rise. No car.

The realization hit me: “my city” floats around the world. The current one is 17 stories tall, holds 6,500 passengers at maximum capacity, and is staffed by another 1,700 crew members. I sold my truck back in November before setting out on this journey. I am living my dream—it just took me eight weeks to realize it. And there again, perspective hits you in the face.

Reflecting on the week, I remember my conversation on the first day with ChuChu (like a train, with a “u”), who was elected “mayor of the gays.” Think of him as the homo cruise director, arranging happy hours at various bars, organizing dinners for groups of 10 to 13, acting as the group photographer, and—last but not least—being a comedian. He’s spectacular at his job and will be a connection that sticks

Every once in a while, you encounter someone who causes you to pause, engage in deeper conversation, and form a meaningful connection. Steven, a 26-year-old Ecuadorian, is wise beyond his years. He immigrated to Miami at 16, attended nursing school, and is going back in the fall to finish his third bachelor’s degree. He’s also a GREAT dancer. We probably spent the most time together—some of it by design and some by chance—but I’m glad I recruited him over from a nearby table at the LGBTQ mixer. Our friendship and conversations have been memorable beyond measure. He’s an amazing man, and I can’t wait to see where life takes him. I know I’ll be there supporting and cheering him on wherever it may lead him.

Zach and Buck will sail with me again in September 2025 onboard the Carnival Luminosa on a 22-night sailing from Seattle to Sydney. That’s a trip where multiple cruise ship families will collide. My dear friends Kiran (FTF) from my 2023 Tokyo-to-Singapore sailing and Shawn from the more recent 2024 Panama Canal sailing are also already booked. To say I’m looking forward to that trip is an understatement.

Josh, Gabe, Jonathan, David, Christian, Terrance, Jeff, Michael, Raymond, and Zachary round out the rest of the core group from this sailing. The connections, friendships, and debauchery are ones for the memory bank, and I am forever grateful for them.

A week filled with reflection, growth, work, sacrifice, fun, some martinis, and a LOT of laughs.

Perfection.

Cole from the Cruise Ship.

This is my city.