Category Archives: Cruising

The last day

Posted on 2026-04-29 by Holly

And this is my final evening on the Celebrity Summit. I’ve packed and my carry-on is outside my cabin door. I have my clothes for tomorrow and everything in my backpack except for this laptop and my phone.  I have … Continue reading →

Posted in Cross-Stitch, Cruising, Travel | Leave a comment

Really ugly art

Posted on 2026-04-28 by Holly

I was going to label this post “Bad Art” but then thought better of it. The crafted pieces are incredibly detailed, superbly constructed,  But, hello? Whomever chose them as art on a ship either works for Park West (the scamming … Continue reading →

Posted in Cruising, Travel | Leave a comment

Fishing 4 Condiments

Posted on 2026-04-27 by Holly

  What I should be doing is telling you about Mazatlan today. About the ship sailing into harbor this morning. About docking in a commercial port. About all the cars, buses, and trucks staged & the huge Solar Hybrid transport. … Continue reading →

Posted in Cross-Stitch, Cruising, Travel | 1 Comment

Puerto Vallarta

Posted on 2026-04-26 by Holly

Mexico, in case it wasn’t obvious. The ship docked about 0700 with clearance shortly there after. The usual early birds streamed down the gangway. I heard grumbling from more than a few later that nothing was open. Hello? Mexico? Sunday … Continue reading →

Posted in Cruising, Travel | Leave a comment

Cruising in the Rain

Posted on 2026-04-24 by Holly

This is a sea day. I am planning on spending the majority of my day sitting in the Sky Lounge relaxing & stitching. Then about  0830 we started sailing thru massive downpours.  The lounge has been filling up steadily. It … Continue reading →

Posted in Cruising | Leave a comment

Backstage tours

Posted on 2026-04-20 by Holly

Like many ships & cruise lines, a certain amount of behind the scenes glimpses are offered. Sometimes these are free, sometimes available for a fee. Those that are free (at least on the larger ships) are normally associated with various loyalty … Continue reading →

Posted in Cruising | Leave a comment

through the Panama Canal (again)

Posted on 2026-04-19 by Holly

  There is an order and rhythm to passing through locks. But first – for the history of the original locks – please see your favorite reference or a quick but thorough overview courtesy of Wikipedia which covers both the … Continue reading →

Posted in Cruising | Leave a comment

too many trivias

Posted on 2026-04-18 by Holly

The amount of “entertainment” provided on a cruise varies widely across the cruise lines. Also, what is offered as entertainment also varies. I am not talking about access to the fitness center or the sales pitches thinly disguised by merchants … Continue reading →

Posted in Cruising | 1 Comment

Cartegena, Columbia

Posted on 2026-04-17 by Holly

As you might suppose, I have been to this port city more than a couple of times. I won’t say that I really know it – I don’t think that is possible for a tourist in port for a few … Continue reading →

Posted in Cruising | Leave a comment

and another Sea Day

Posted on 2026-04-16 by Holly

Looking around the ship today, there seems to be an inordinate number of people just laying around in the sun, For hours on end.  I wish I could believe that they are all using sunblock.. Me? I just rove the … Continue reading →

Posted in Cross-Stitch, Cruising | 1 Comment

George Town, Grand Cayman

Posted on 2026-04-15 by Holly

Ok, now that I have told you where we were anchored today, anyone who knows me well can guess how I spent my day. Besides our ship, there was also the Celebrity Silhouette & a Virgin Lines ship at anchor. … Continue reading →

Posted in Cruising, Travel | Leave a comment

Skipping the formal stuff

Posted on 2026-04-14 by Holly

One thing that happens if a person has taken more than a few cruises is that you start to know what to expect out of the various loyalty club activities.  My perspective is probably not similar to many people’s. For … Continue reading →

Posted in Cross-Stitch, Cruising, Travel | Leave a comment

West Bound Panama Canal

Posted on 2026-04-13 by Holly

In case it wasn’t obvious, I really enjoy cruising through the Panama Canal. Or sailing across the Atlantic, or the Pacific. Any trip that is at least 14 days which makes the flight portion of the trip a bit more … Continue reading →

Posted in Cruising, Travel | 1 Comment

the “final” cruise day

Posted on 2026-01-12 by Holly

Today doesn’t officially count as a sea day as we docked in Freeport. I spent the morning again in the Yacht Club lounge in my favorite location. One of the night staff has been absolutely wonderful and turns on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Cross-Stitch, Cruising, puzzles | Leave a comment

Early morning quiet

Posted on 2026-01-11 by Holly

At 0500 it seems that I am the only passenger up and about. First stopping for a latte courtesy of the WMF machine on Deck 4 – I wind up taking the elevator up to Deck 7 for no other … Continue reading →

Posted in Cross-Stitch, Cruising | Leave a comment

Blinding flash of the obvious

Posted on 2026-01-10 by Holly

As it turns out, there is a very simple and obvious reason for the stop at Freeport in the Bahamas. This is a new ship. A new ship on her first voyage with a cruise line office in Miami. But, … Continue reading →

Posted in Cruising | Leave a comment

Know your geography…

Posted on 2026-01-09 by Holly

Why? sometimes it is as simple as knowing what city to plug into your electronic device in order to have it give you the correct time as you sail across an ocean or fly from one continent to another. But … Continue reading →

Posted in Computers & Software, Cruising | Leave a comment

Port opening plaques

Posted on 2026-01-08 by Holly

Yes, I totally agree that commenting/complaining about wall materials is most definitely a first world problem.  The following is not a problem, nor is it limited to the high income countries. There has been a long standing tradition, at least … Continue reading →

Posted in Cruising | Leave a comment

Non-magnetic walls

Posted on 2026-01-07 by Holly

Ok, up front, this is definitely a first world cruiser’s complaint. There is nothing earth shattering or life destroying about this particular complaint. But anyone who has cruised a number of times will understand. Background (in this case almost literally). … Continue reading →

Posted in Cross-Stitch, Cruising | 2 Comments

Sailing in the dark

Posted on 2026-01-06 by Holly

And tonight night we will have yet another time zone change. According to my calculations this change takes us to the same time zone as eastern Brazil. That just leaves us  two hours to go; first to the Canadian Maritime … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Tapes, Cross-Stitch, Cruising, Cruising, Travel | 2 Comments