I took one of the new 7-day cruises that leaves out of Philly. Here’s how it went.

For several days earlier this month, I got to experience pure bliss. I was at peace. I didn’t spend much time scrolling on my phone like I usually do. There was nowhere for us to go. There was no waking up and hearing about whatever fresh hell President Donald Trump had dreamed up while rage-tweeting overnight on Truth Social.

My husband and I spent seven relaxing days earlier this month aboard the Norwegian Jewel as it sailed to Bermuda and Charleston, S.C. Our trip marked only the ship’s fourth sailing out of Philadelphia since its inaugural voyage on April 16. This was our first time on a cruise since pre-COVID-19, and we were excited about being able to board a ship in Philly as opposed to flying to Florida.

This is big. We’re talking roughly 2,000 new jobs and $300 million in economic output, according to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s office.

Our embarkation was only slightly marred by the fact that construction of the new PhilaPort Cruise Terminal is still underway. That meant that, instead of going straight to the terminal, cruisegoers checked in at the nearby Clarion Hotel Philadelphia International Airport in Essington.

On May 7, the date of our departure, the scene outside the hotel was one of controlled chaos, with buses idling, drivers looking for parking spaces, and vacationers dragging their luggage. Our check-in process was somewhat expedited because we had reserved a suite. But we still were instructed to have a seat in a conference room and wait for our bus to take us on the short ride to the cruise terminal.

Once there, we lined up again, this time to get through security before finally being allowed to board. Our suitcases hadn’t arrived, so we did what passengers do a lot on cruises — we headed to Cagney’s Steakhouse, one of the Jewel’s 16 dining options.

Afterward, we stood on our private veranda overlooking the ship’s bow and watched as the megaship drifted under the Delaware Memorial and Commodore Barry Bridges. Philly’s shoreline slowly disappeared from view as a raucous sail-away party took place on the lido deck.

Before long, we were completely surrounded by endless sapphire waves. The tension in my neck and shoulders eased. The ship’s gentle rocking lulled us to sleep.

We woke up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee delivered by our butler. Being catered to felt so good. Lobster tail delivered to our stateroom? Sure, why not? Dessert after dinner and lunch? Yes, please! Onboard entertainment options ran the gamut from Broadway-style reviews at the Stardust Theater to karaoke, or maybe an animal towel-folding demonstration in one of the lounges.

We didn’t pay for an internet package, which made it easier to disconnect from the worries of the world. Unless I brought it up, I didn’t hear any talk of the deadly hantavirus, which killed three cruise passengers aboard the MV Hondius after the ship stopped in Argentina. The only reference to communicable diseases came from the repeated singsongy exhortations from members of the “Washy Washy Crew” stationed at the Garden Cafe buffet to remind diners to wash their hands.

We didn’t disembark the second day we were in Bermuda. Instead, we had lunch on the nearly empty deck near the pool while our fellow cruisers were exploring off-ship.

While in Charleston, we walked around a bit before catching up with friends, who were also on the cruise, at the International African American Museum. We got to spend some real quality time with people we don’t get to see often enough. I mean hours just hanging out on a quiet deck or in one of the restaurants, catching up.

Now that the cruise industry has returned to Philly after a 15-year hiatus, more locals will likely do the same. “To be able to drive your car right down the street in your own community, even if you’re coming from Jersey, and park and then board a ship, there’s a certain comfort with that,” said Pamela Thomas of Pathfinders Travel and Tours, who organized a group of 70 cruisegoers to board the Jewel.

Being around thousands of people from different backgrounds, all managing to coexist in relative harmony in tight quarters aboard a cruise ship, felt like a momentary ceasefire in America’s discordant political climate.

If there was any drama on board the ship, I was oblivious to it. Crew members went out of their way to be hospitable. Cruisegoers did as instructed and waited in really long lines to get on and off the boat. Half-dressed people from all backgrounds sunned themselves on lounge chairs closely lined up next to one another on the ship’s decks. I witnessed MAGA folks partying with left-wing progressives.

To paraphrase the cruise director addressing us from onstage one night: Wouldn’t it be nice if it were like this in real life? Watching in the audience, I applauded that thought loudly.