Ever since boarding a cruise ship several years ago, Paul Thornton has been hooked on high-seas adventures. And, not surprisingly, many of his fellow voyagers told him they shared the same passion.

In fact, he found their stories so compelling, he decided to take notes and write a book. Now published, Thornton’s The Joy of Cruising chronicles the tales of 32 travelers from around the world who pursue their wanderlust with gusto.

“I take my grandkids on a cruise each year, and in the process of doing consumer research over the years, it became clear to me just how passionate many cruisers are,” says Thornton, whose day job is executive director of Continuing Education and Off-Campus Programs at Florida Gulf Coast University.

Among the individuals profiled in the book are millennials, 90-somethings, a Grammy Award winner, poker hall of famer, winner of the TV series Last Comic Standing and a cruise ship “godmother,” he says. He spoke with 22 travelers from the U.S. and 10 from Europe. And then there’s the Fort Myers Beach woman who has taken 113 cruises.

“The Joy of Cruising will fascinate anyone who has ever cruised, aspires to take a cruise or just loves travel,” Thornton says. The book is available at all the major online retailers such as Amazon, and he says he’s approached the Fort Myers Costco, Sam’s Club/ Walmart and Barnes & Noble, and is awaiting responses from regional offices. “I believe (hope!) The Joy of Cruising will be popular here,” he says.

In July, the book earned a medal for Adult Nonfiction from the Florida Authors and Publishers Association President’s Book Awards.

And now he is planning another trip, but this time with just his wife, Cheryl. The next adventure: The Mediterranean.