Catholic & Single Why cruise with AMS?

Sep 15, 2010

Here is a brief interview I gave answering some questions about why everyone should join us on our Mexican Riviera cruise.　

Why should I go on an AMS cruise?

The AMS cruises, unlike our other trips, are specifically about taking a week off from work to go on vacation. Everyone gets vacation time from work, and they go on at least one week vacation (or they should, anyway). For a single Catholic person, it is not always that easy to plan a one week vacation to go somewhere that is relaxing and fun. With our cruise, you get to travel with lots of other single Catholics who share your faith. There is always the chance that you might meet your future spouse, but at the very least, you take a much needed vacation and you get to be with many other Catholics, attend daily Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, and you get to have a lot of fun! Many have said that these trips have helped them grow as a person, that it made them even better at the dating process and prepared for their future spouse.

Aren't cruises a little bit....boring?

Everything is what you make of it. And when you are with great people you enjoy being around, it really doesn’t matter where you are. So the cruise will only be as boring as you are. "Boring is as boring does." (Forrest Gump)

Well, what do you DO all day?

There is a lot of free time on the cruises, so you can take advantage of all kinds of different things, both on the ship and at the ports. There are always people in the Ave Maria Singles group to do things with. Whether it is playing shuffleboard, going to karaoke, dancing at the night spots, or just sitting around talking, there are many ways to enjoy the experience. Oh yes, there is the eating. LOTS of eating. It seems there is no end to the dining opportunities. So don’t eat for a whole week before you leave.

What kind of AMS sponsored events are there?

There are usually two or three "at sea" days, which means we don’t stop at any port that particular day. On those days, we typically have a couple of talks to go along with our schedule of daily Mass. Eucharistic Adoration is scheduled for several evenings of the trip so you can have an opportunity to spend a little quiet time with Jesus. And Fr. Morrow and myself are available the entire trip to schedule one-on-one time with, or specifically with Fr. Morrow to get spiritual direction or go to Confession.

What if I am concerned about traveling alone and not knowing anyone ahead of time?

I have yet to have a cruise, or any AMS trip, where people who were very concerned about traveling alone for the trip (and were seriously considering not attending because of this concern) did not tell me that upon meeting people in the group the very first day, it was like being with old friends. That is the amazing, wonderful thing about our trips; the people. And people go back home especially blessed because they got to spend a week with such nice, edifying people of faith. Often times, I hear stories of people whose own Catholic faith was strengthened as a result of the week spent with our group.

Am I able bring a friend or family member with me, or does it have to be AMS members only?

Absolutely! There is room for everyone. They do not have to be a member of Ave Maria Singles, nor single at all.

Do AMS couples ever attend these cruises?

Oh yes. I always encourage our married couples to join us for their vacation and be an encouragement to the singles in the group. And those couples who are dating and getting serious, this is an excellent way to spend more quality time with each other in the context of such a group and such an experience.

I'm not familiar with Fr. Morrow. Tell me a little bit more about him.

You’re not familiar with Fr. Tom Morrow? Well you should be! He is a one-of-a-kind, special, holy priest with a wonderful personality, perfect for our group. And he is a lot of fun, too! He has worked with single Catholics for many years, and he speaks and writes beautifully on topics related to singles and being holy. In fact, his latest book is called "Be Holy", which is a follow up to his wonderful and very important book called "Christian Courtship in an Oversexed World."

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He has a great website where you can learn more about him and his work. He loves coming on our winter cruises especially, because he loves the warmth, the tropic places, and the beaches. He is a special priest and you cannot help but love him when you experience him.

I've noticed that you consider "Trip Alumni" something to be proud of on the AMS website. Why is this?

Simple. Those who are attending the offline AMS events are really showing themselves to be even more serious about getting themselves out there and meeting people, growing as a person, and showing they really want to make the commitment to marriage. The veteran AMS trip attendees are the ones you know have received a lot of great spiritual direction from AMS directly. I know for myself, it is a singular joy to meet the many people who attend our trips, and I love to vouch for them as quality persons and great catches. So I guess that is another great reason to attend the trips; you get the founder of AMS to put in a good word for you from his own experience.

What makes you want to keep hosting them every year?

Because they really work! They are a great concept, and very needed. They do fill a void. I was skeptical the first time I was approached about hosting a cruise. I thought it was kind of a joke, and maybe even a waste of time. But I was blown away at how wonderful the group was, how much fun we had, and how edifying the experience was. There we were in the middle of the secular vacationing world, and we were a light of Christ giving witness to the ship as we prayed together, modestly enjoyed ourselves together, and that we could find ways to be holy in the midst of such typically Godless atmosphere as a cruise ship can provide. And most of all, it works for bringing together people for new friendships as well as future marriage. The people who meet on our trips often times stay friends long after the trip is over. They help each other as a network in their plight to get into their vocation to marriage. And for those fortunate ones, they get married and start a family. Most trips that we have hosted that has brought together at least one couple in Holy Matrimony. Our Alaska 2005 cruise had four couples! Amazing! But every trip (and I mean every single one) has had the majority touched by the Holy Spirit through the interaction with our group. That is why I must continue to do these trips, and why anyone who has a sense that they should come, belongs on the trip. The Holy Spirit brings every person on the trips for a reason, and that person is not denied the grace of the Sanctifier. That is for certain.