The flight from Atlanta to Miami was delayed for a couple of hours. Tired and lonely, I finally got on the plane. Unexpectedly, I sat on my plane seat next to the two FBI agents and two prisoners who were probably transferred to another jail in Florida. I held a small prayer book and my wife and kid's pictures in my sweaty hand. 

Another eight-month contract onboard the ship in front of me, I thought about it unintentionally-it will take forever until I see my family again. While I was observing two handcuffed prisoners next to me, I realized that, just for my freedom, I was a rich man. I have a beautiful family waiting to return home after completing my eight-month contract onboard the cruise ship. Once again, I will have an opportunity to visit numerous tourist destinations, meet many great people, and expand my knowledge in various life areas. Therefore, life was beautiful. Maybe I just wanted to bombard myself with positive thoughts to prevent sadness caused by separation anxiety. After ten years of working onboard cruise ships, I have learned to trick myself into a good mood when it felt like crying. 

The plane landed in Miami. The new contract and new challenges were waiting for me. But I was ready. Work pressure is ok; I thought so. We only know what we are capable of once we are pushed to it. While disembarking the plane at Miami airport, I felt a new dose of positivity.

Drained and physically exhausted after several connecting flights from my home country to the US, I was on the edge of physical exhaustion. After the plane landed, my goal was to quickly find my luggage and get on the transfer bus to a hotel where the company booked my stay for the night. 

It was already 8 pm. Ideally, I planned to arrive at the hotel around 9 pm to grab some dinner and rest, but it could have been smoother. In the baggage pick-up area at Miami international airport, I found out my luggage was lost somewhere. That would not be a huge issue if I were not a crew member on the cruise ship. After 10 years working on cruise ships, I have learned the same lesson; we cannot control all events and things around us, yet, we can, and we should always control how we react to them. I was trying to remain calm. I slowly walked to the lost luggage office and filled out the form. They explained that there was a probability that luggage could arrive in Miami the following day and be sent directly to my hotel before joining the ship. Indeed, it was a complicated and uncertain scenario. Because the very next day, I was about to join the vessel for eight months contract, and with my luggage, it would be possible. 

What if my luggage and essential personal belongings do not arrive on time?

Finally, around 11 pm, I arrived at the hotel. Loud and friendly shuttle driver Claudio from Columbia wished me a bit of good luck upon arrival. The friendly staff at the front desk also made me feel welcome; they gave me a breakfast voucher for the following day and ensured that they would do whatever it took to help me with my lost luggage. The hotel staff provided me with a temporary shaving kit and a small toothbrush to refresh myself after a long connecting flight. 

The spacious, beautiful hotel room allowed me to rest before joining the ship. Complimentary room service and the comfortable king-size bed felt like a 1-million-dollar man at that moment. If I were not already an experienced sea wolf, I would get tricked by this modern, cozy hotel comfort for a moment. But I knew something else for a fact, the upcoming day would bring less sweet reality, and that was true, indeed.

Related Article: Crew Embarkation Part 2 - Joining a Cruise Ship

After a few hours of much-needed rest, I woke up with great news; my luggage was found and delivered in the hotel lobby. Sufficient to say that it made a huge difference. Being again in possession of my personal belongings gave me a sense of security and peace of mind. A polite staff member at the front desk and a proper breakfast rounded up my extraordinary hotel experience. That morning I was about to leave my comfort zone again for the next eight months. Inevitable challenges lay ahead of me, but I was mentally prepared for adversity onboard the cruise ship. 

While waiting for the shuttle bus, I encountered some deep thoughts. Almost ten years ago, I came to work on a cruise ship for the first time, and the night before joining my first ship, I stayed in this same hotel.

When I arrived, I had $5 in my pocket, and I was eager and determined to make it happen. Young boy at that time, brave but not smart enough. At that time, I wanted to come to work on a cruise ship to buy a super-fast car, a big house, and a fancy motorcycle. I thought that something "over there" would equate to the finishing line in our life, which I need to accomplish to be happy in this world. 

It took me nearly ten years to learn that happiness cannot achieve our imaginary material goals. Because even if we do so, that would just become an endless circle of our new expectations. We immediately set another one when we reached out for a specific purpose. And another one. It never ends. We often waste our lifetime focusing only on our future goals and sacrificing the present moment's beauty. I stood in the same hotel many years later and observed myself in front of the mirror while waiting for the bus to take me to the ship again. 

I have concluded that I am a happy man, even though I still did not achieve my dreams ten years ago. I have stopped running around and trying to reach any of those tangible goals. Suddenly, I realized I no longer needed a fast car or a big fancy house. While traveling worldwide, I have found a sense of inner peace and joy in helping others whenever possible.

Meanwhile, I have met my beautiful wife, my most significant support and inspiration. I became the father of two wonderful boys. I have also met some fantastic people on board the cruise ships, colleagues, managers, and leaders, unbelievable people who taught me a lot about real value. I was sincerely thankful for all those people because they helped me find my purpose, and they all became my greatest asset in this world. 

While waiting for the shuttle bus to take me to the cruise ship terminal, I realized that life is a journey, not a destination. 

And yet, I was thankful for the unforgettable journey up to that moment.