There’s a number that’s been sitting in Rocky and my hearts lately: 20,000. Not because it’s flashy. Not because it’s about ego. But because it represents something so much bigger than a subscriber count.
It represents a community. It represents joy. It represents proof that positivity in the cruise space matters.
And we’d love your help getting there.
Why 20,000 Matters
When I started This Cruise Life, I didn’t start it to chase subscribers. I started it because I genuinely love cruising. I love the ocean. I love the sense of belonging. I love exploring new ships and new ports. And I love sharing it with you. Turns out, Rocky loves all those same things and we’ve been sharing our journey for several years now.
But here’s the honest truth:
Growing a YouTube channel takes momentum. Momentum comes from subscribers. And subscribers unlock reach.
Reaching 20,000 subscribers isn’t just a milestone; it’s a signal to YouTube that our content deserves to be shown to more cruise lovers. It means more people finding our ship tours, “Loved, Didn’t Love, Hated” ship reviews, and our funny meals we share together. It means more positivity in the cruise community.
It means this dream keeps growing.
The Real Cost of Living This Cruise Life
I want to share something transparently, because I think it matters.
Out of the 150 cruises we’ve sailed… we’ve paid for every single one of them with the exception of a couple ship visit invites.
150 and counting.
Cruising is our passion, but it’s also our investment.
Beyond the cruises themselves, there’s:
- Website hosting and maintenance
- Video editing software
- Camera gear and upgrades
- Travel costs
- Social media tools
- Insurance
- And the biggest cost of all… time
Time researching ships. Time filming. Time editing. Time writing. Time responding to comments and emails.
This Cruise Life is a full-time commitment built on love for the industry and a belief in this community.
A $20 Reminder
This week, we received a $20 donation through our Support button.
It honestly caught me off guard.
Not because of the amount, but because it reminded me that someone out there believes in what we’re building enough to contribute.
And then I realized something…
The Support PayPal button had only ever been mentioned once, buried in a newsletter.
That’s it.
So this morning, I added it to the main header of the website to make it easier to find. And I wanted to share it here too.
Not as an obligation.
Not as pressure.
But as an invitation.
If our videos have helped you pick a cruise…
If our reviews have saved you money…
If our positivity has brightened your day…
And you’d like to support the work that goes into this… you now can.
Every bit truly helps.
How You Can Help Us Reach 20,000
If you want to support us in free ways (which are incredibly powerful), here’s how:
- Subscribe to our YouTube channel
- Share a video with a cruise friend
- Comment on videos (engagement matters!)
- Like and save our posts
- Forward our content to someone planning a cruise
And if you’d like to support financially, you can use the Support button now featured in the header of the website.
It helps offset cruise costs.
It helps pay for editing software.
It helps keep the website running.
It helps make more content possible.
Most importantly, it helps us keep saying “yes” to this life.
The Bigger Vision
20,000 subscribers isn’t just a number.
It’s validation that positivity wins.
It’s proof that cruise content can be honest without being mean.
It’s a reminder that joy spreads.
We believe in this industry.
We believe in the magic of cruising.
And we believe in the power of community.
If you’ve ever felt like part of This Cruise Life, that’s because you are.
And if you’re willing to help us reach 20,000… we’d be incredibly grateful.
Whether that’s by clicking subscribe…
Sharing a video…
Or tapping that Support button.
We see it. We appreciate it. And we don’t take it for granted.
Here’s to 20,000.
And here’s to the ocean.