Setting Sail with Royal Caribbean International

My insatiable love affair with cruising began 10 years ago at the age of 19. I was a second year uni student looking for a way to holiday that incorporated multiple destinations, relaxation, great nightlife, food worth writing about, a touch of luxury, and the ultimate disconnection from what I thought was a crazy study schedule. My 19 year old self suggested a cruise to my friends after seeing some amazing specials posted to a wall of a travel agent, and within a week, 12 friends were counting down to what we hoped would be the trip of a lifetime. And we were right - our cruise experience was wonderfully liberating and most definitely one of the best holidays we ever booked.

Since then, I have cruised 3 times more. My latest sailing stint was with my husband Kevin when we cruised with Royal Caribbean International from Miami to the Bahamas in 2011. I was so eager for Kevin to experience a cruise, and this was the perfect opportunity to lock something in. I had just finished teaching a wedding cake workshop in San Francisco, and I decided to add on some time for Kevin and I to holiday. I had harped on to Kevin about cruising so much, that I hoped I didn't set up unachievable expectations. But from the moment we boarded, we both knew that this experience was going to be nothing short of wow.

From spa experiences, wonderful dining, to stunning destinations and poolside naps, our time with Royal Caribbean was simply blissful. So we are so excited to share, with great thanks to our friends at Royal Caribbean International, that Kevin and I are leaving today to relive our wow moments on board Rhapsody of the Seas for 15 nights. We're joining Royal Caribbean devotees all over the world to celebrate the world's first #InstaFilmFest, and for those who jump on board with the competition, a life changing prize awaits.

Royal Caribbean International has upped the ante in the competition for the world’s first Instagram film festival. The winner of the competition will now be one of the first to sail on Royal Caribbean International’s much anticipated new super liner – Quantum of the Seas – complete with an array of game changing firsts at sea! Everyone who shares their WOW moments via #InstaFilmFest will instantly be in the draw to sail on the first ever voyage of Quantum of the Seas. Other prizes include two night cruises onboard Rhapsody of the Seas for the most popular WOW moment (People’s Choice). And for those who vote online for their favourite WOW moment will go into the draw to win a Black Edition GoPro camera.

Royal Caribbean’s InstaFilmFest was created to celebrate the moments in life that take your breath away – or even just make you smile. An unforgettable sunset, waves lapping at your favourite beach, indulging in a beautiful meal, a baby’s first steps, the look on the guest of honour’s face at a surprise party – the possibilities for a “WOW moment” are endless – and not just limited to cruising or exotic holidays. Since October, over 500 videos have been shared via the hashtag #InstaFilmFest