A woman who has spent 3,000 nights at sea has revealed the destinations that every cruise passengers should try and sail into. 

Joy Howe, 78, from Malvern in Worcestershire, says her daughter led her to her first holiday at sea following the death of her husband, Michael, when she was just 49 – and she hasn’t looked back since. 

After tentatively boarding her first cruise 27 years ago, she swiftly found her sea legs and says that by the time she was halfway through her first voyage, she’d already booked her second trip – and has now visited six continents and 58 countries.

The cruise expert says her lengthiest voyage was a round-the-world extravaganza that saw her take in Japan, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam, India and Malaysia.

On April 9th, during her 144th cruise, Joy clocked up her 3,000th night as a Saga Cruises passenger – and put herself in the company’s record books. 

The company says while plenty of passengers have hit the 1,000 nights mark, Joy’s exploration of the world by liner – the equivalent of more than eight years at sea – is unmatched. 

Despite a love of being at sea, Joy approached her first sailing with a heavy heart.

She explains: ‘My husband Michael was a serving Royal Navy officer when he died aged 51. I was only 49 and threw myself into service charities, the War Widows’ Association, and pastoral work with the terminally ill.

Sea legs a go-go: Joy Howe, from Malvern, has spent the equivalent of eight years at sea – after first deciding to go on a cruise holiday following the death of her husband Michael nearly 30 years ago (Pictured: Saga Cruises’ Spirit of Adventure liner)

Take me to St Lucia: The cruise expert, 78, says the Caribbean island captured her heart most out of all the places she’s visited across 58 countries

During a recent Western Med cruise, Joy marked her 3,000th night at sea, celebrating with Saga captain Franko Papic

‘That was until my daughter Anna suggested a holiday – and she threatened to book one if I didn’t. I saw an advert for over-50s cruises with Saga so I booked to sail to the Caribbean.

‘I was nervous, but when I arrived at Southampton and stepped on board the crew made me feel so welcome. I needn’t have feared a thing.

‘Halfway through the voyage I booked another cruise, staying on to sail in the Mediterranean. Since then, I have only sailed with Saga. They are my family at sea.’

Fast forward to 2025 and the champagne corks popped when she marked her 3000th night on the ocean, while on the Spirit Of Discovery liner’s tour around the western Mediterranean.

She says of her most recent jaunt at sea: ‘I was very spoilt with lots of celebrations. The director of hotel operations, Horst Pint, who was on my first cruise, flew in to join me when the ship moored in Cadiz.’ 

What does she love about cruise holidays? Joy tells MailOnline that she particularly loves formal events, and crams her cases with evening wear and day outfits.

She says: ‘I enjoy getting dressed for dinner, especially at the Captain’s Table, and meeting the many great friends I have made.’

Saga has two 999-passenger ships, Spirit Of Discovery and Spirit Of Adventure, and Joy books either one depending on the itinerary.

VIP treatment! No other Saga Cruises passenger has racked up as many nights on the ocean waves as cruise fan Joy (Pictured from left: Hotel General Manager Arno Prem, Captain Steve James Joy Howe, Chief Engineer Michael Lescale, Safety Officer Gwyn Thomas and Guest services Director Diego Colletti)

Joy says that she really found her sea legs crossing Atlantic, saying the Transatlantic crossings is ‘really cruising’ 

The cruise holiday expert says she’s remained faithful to Saga Cruises, saying: ‘They are my family at sea’

She says: ‘To me, the Atlantic crossing, being right out on the ocean, is really cruising. Luckily, I have excellent sea legs.

‘I’ve now travelled the world, including a world cruise in 2012. However, it is the Caribbean that holds a special place in my heart, especially St. Lucia.’

More than 100 guests have sailed 1,000-plus nights with Saga Cruises – but chief executive Nigel Blanks says: ‘Nobody comes near Joy’s record.’

He adds: ‘She is part of the family. She has become a much-appreciated ambassador and trusted adviser, helping us fine tune our cruises.

‘Some might say she knows our cruises better than we do.’