I'm a firm believer that your home should be your all-year-holiday-place. I know that sounds strange but during the Pandemic our home was the place we could spend our free time and during that days the craft stores made a lot of money: We all wanted to have nice homes. Places where we could feel save and leave all the bad news outside. I think this is important today as well. When you turn on the news you don't wanna hear all that stuff - you wanna take some time off. And where could you do that better than at home?
So here is an example how we are doing that.
At the end of March '25 hubby and I went on a cruise to Italy and Malta. It was wonderful and we definitely loved the days when we took a trip in the morning and came back around lunchtime to spend the rest of the day on the sun deck with a drink and a good book. So I thought:
Why not do that at home as well? Yes, there is some prep-time but I think that's time well spend for a day off!
So let's dive in.
Home Cruise Day
Imagine, when you go into your garden or onto your balcony you are actually not in the garden or on the balcony but on the deck of a ship. Can you imagine to be somewhere else? Of course it doesn't only work as a home cruise day. You can dream to be in a nice cabin (aka on your sofa 😉 or in a 5 Stars Hotel where you have a pizza coming to your door - it's all about your imagination!
The Idea Behind a Home Cruise Day
A Home Cruise Day is a gentle reminder that rest doesn’t have to be booked, packed, or rushed. It’s the art of pretending you’re on a ship somewhere along a warm coastline—while you’re actually at home, wrapped in sunlight, comfort, and calm.
No schedules.
No pressure.
Just the soft feeling of being away.
You recreate the atmosphere of a cruise day: a sunbed instead of a deck chair, your balcony or garden as the ocean view, a slow drink in your hand, YouTube quietly playing coastal scenery, and a book you’ve been waiting to read. It’s intentional escapism—and it works beautifully.
How to Set Up Your Home Cruise Day
1. Choose Your “Destination”
Decide where your imaginary ship is today:
Amalfi Coast
Greek Islands
Scandinavian fjords
California coastline
Caribbean turquoise waters
Search YouTube for “coastal cruise view,” “ocean balcony ambience,” or “slow sea waves 4K” and let it play in the background. You can keep the music of the video or turn the sound off and play some nature sounds in the background. Relaxing music is also nice!
2. Create Your Cruise Atmosphere
Small details make this feel special:
- A soft towel* or blanket on your sunbed
- One decorative pillow* (nothing cluttered)
- Sunglasses, even if you don’t need them
- A light linen shirt or dress
- Calm music* layered quietly under the ocean sounds
This is not about perfection—it’s about comfort.
3. The Ritual: No Multitasking Allowed
This is important.
A Home Cruise Day has one rule: you don’t “do” anything productive (and put your mobile far away!).
You may:
- Read a book* (here is one of my favourites!)
- Daydream
- Watch the sea
Snack slowly
Close your eyes
You may not:
Answer emails
Clean
Scroll aggressively
Think sea day, not to-do day.
Sweet Strawberry Iced Tea (Cruise-Style)
A fruity, refreshing drink that feels like summer in a glass.
Makes: 4 glasses
Prep time: 10 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 liter (4 cups) water
- 3 black tea bags (or green tea for a lighter version), you can also use decaffeinated tea
- 250 g fresh (or frozen) strawberries
- 2–3 tbsp honey or sugar (adjust to taste)
- Juice of ½ lemon
- Ice cubes
- Fresh mint (optional)
Instructions
- Bring the water to a boil and steep the tea bags for 5–7 minutes. Remove tea bags and let the tea cool slightly.
- Wash the strawberries, remove the stems, and blend them into a smooth puree.
- Stir the strawberry puree, honey (or sugar), and lemon juice into the tea.
- Chill in the fridge for at least 20 minutes.
- Serve over ice, garnish with mint and a strawberry slice.
Cruise upgrade: Add a splash of sparkling water right before serving.
And now an afternoon snack!
Easy Oven-Baked Nachos (Perfect for Sharing)
Warm, comforting, and ideal for slow snacking.
Serves: 4
Prep time: 10 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
Ingredients
- 150 g nacho chips
- 80 g green olives
- 100 g cherry tomatoes
- 400 g baked beans in tomato sauce
- 150 g sour cream
- 6 tbsp salsa sauce
- 100 g grated cheese (cheddar or mozzarella)
Instructions
- Slice the tomatoes and olives.
- In an ovenproof dish, layer:
- Nacho chips
- Beans
- Tomatoes & olives
- Sour cream & salsa
- Repeat layers once more.
- Finish with grated cheese on top.
- Bake at 180°C (fan) for 20 minutes, until bubbly and golden.
Serve warm—and eat slowly, like you have all afternoon.
The Perfect Home Cruise Afternoon Schedule (Optional)
- 14:00 – Set up your space & start ocean video
- 14:15 – Pour iced tea, settle in
- 14:30 – Read or rest
- 16:00 – Nachos go into the oven
- 16:30 – Golden-hour snacking & sea watching
No alarms. Just gentle flow.
A Home Cruise Day isn’t about pretending life is perfect.
It’s about pausing long enough to feel like it already is—just for today.
And tomorrow?
The ship can sail again.
Printable Idea “Home Cruise Day Voucher”
A printable coupon you can gift to your spouse—or yourself.
Want a “Home Cruise Day Voucher”?
Join the Pepper Printable Club!
The Pepper Printable Club
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It's a lovely place to be to relax from the everyday life!