Why Our Two Most Avid Cruisers Just Can’t Stop

2 sisters. 12 years. 17 cruises. Sandy Stapleton and Judith Hughes are two of Inspiration’s most enthusiastic passengers. In the past decade, they have cruised more places than most ever will. It all began in 2006 when they received a call that there was room for them aboard the Gaither Caribbean cruise. They had no way of knowing this was just the beginning of countless adventures to breathtaking destinations like Alaska, Canada/New England and Hawaii as well as many wonderful relationships with fellow cruisers from around the world.

So what is it that makes these two come back again and again? What tips and tricks do they have up their cruising sleeves? And moreover, what gold nuggets of truth have they taken away from the times of both teaching and worship?

An Extended Family Reunion

Sandy and Judith feel that Inspiration cruises are unique in ways you won’t find elsewhere. When children of God gather together for times of worship and teaching, a unique shift occurs. Strangers cease to be such and instead become brothers and sisters. Sandy and Judith, who live in separate states, absolutely love the opportunity to spend time with each other while building relationships with like-minded Believers.

The best way to make new friends?

Get in line early for events! Sandy says that although it isn’t necessary, some people arrive an hour or two before the concerts begin. The sisters love to get there in plenty of time to fellowship and start conversations with other passengers. “That’s basically where we have met our best friends,” she says.

Judith recalls singing, “I’m So Glad I’m a Part of the Family of God” on a Gaither cruise when everyone stood, held hands and sang together, creating a picture of solidarity. “It just gave me chills that night… You really felt the Holy Spirit there with us, all of us not really knowing each other and really able to share that union.” She says that moment gave her a taste of what heaven will be like.

Breathtaking Sights Speak of God’s Glory

Every cruise destination has its own magnificent sights to behold with history and culture playing an integral part. The sisters love soaking up all the beauty these locations have to offer.

During a 2011 Gaither Homecoming cruise, all the passengers gathered on the back deck of the ship to record a Gaither worship DVD entitled “Majesty” with stunning Alaskan views serving as an awe-inspiring backdrop. The passengers sang as the ship moved steadily through the pristine waters of the Tracy Arm Fjord. “...It was amazing…out there in God’s wonderful Creation seeing the mountains and the waterfalls. It was an awesome feeling,” shares Sandy.

Their Favorite Things

Those are a few of the sisters’ broad appreciations of Inspiration travel. But with so many years of cruising tucked away in their memory bags, we wanted to know some specifics as well as any recommendations they might have for other passengers.

The Sisters’ expertise from more than a decade of Inspiration Cruising:

• Favorite Cruise Food: Judith loves the lobster, but Sandy can’t get enough of Holland America Line’s lunchtime specialty, breadpudding. On cruise departure days, even though they don’t have to be on the ship until 3pm, they like to arrive at 11:30am to have lunch and get some of that tasty bread pudding. “My mother used to make it... This is the next best thing to my mom’s.”
• Favorite Cruise Accommodations: Enthusiastic cruisers like Sandy and Judith wake up early for devotions and get back to their room late at night. For this reason they choose interior cabins as lodging because, according to Sandy, “The only thing we’re in there for is to sleep.”
• Favorite Cruise Destination so far: Hawaii. A place you’ve heard about your whole life, Hawaii doesn’t disappoint. Dramatically sculpted beaches, tropical green forests and tantalizing, clear waters make this destination the sisters’ favorite.

Getaways-with-God that sustain your life

The sisters have made many wonderful travel memories over the years. They have come to know the amazing Inspiration staff personally and, as Inspiration Diamond Elite Travelers, they even receive special benefits from cruising so often. They have laughed with new friends, explored new (and now familiar) places and had many special moments with the Lord, some of which have occurred in the midst of difficult life circumstances.

In 2008, Sandy was cruising with us in Alaska when she received news that her daughter had passed away. The night before, she recalls getting chills when Michael Booth sang (at her request), “Look for Me at the Feet of Jesus.” The next morning she received the news.

Inspiration staff immediately made arrangements for her and Judith to depart for home early. On the way back, all Sandy could do was keep repeating to herself, “Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.”

The sisters, along with so many of our passengers, have experienced that the songs and messages shared during these events carry with them power and truth—the kind of truth that, even when life is taken, give us hope for tomorrow. “I don’t know how anyone gets through anything like that unless they know the Lord,” she says.

Over the past decade, Sandy and Judith have become part of the Inspiration family. And the thing about family is that we share life together, both its joys and its sorrows.

Lasting Relationships

These amazing sisters are two of our most dedicated passengers. We love them and are so thankful for their commitment to cruising with us, as well as their dedication to the family of God and the welcoming presence they always bring. The two just returned from an Inspiration Israel tour with the Gospel group The Isaacs—setting foot in the Holy Land for the very first time. It was their first tour with us, and was long a heart’s desire for them both. They can’t wait for their next getaway and neither can we. Maybe you’ll even meet them on your next Inspiration travel experience!