Category Archives: Cruising

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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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

Less than 2000

Posted on 2026-01-05 by Holly

Stitches, not miles, kilometers, minutes, or arguments till I finish Fisherman’s Friend.  I have to connect the border, finish two Pegasus and a bunch more fish. I am going to then call it finished – but in reality, I will … Continue reading →

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Slowly calming seas

Posted on 2026-01-04 by Holly

It was a bit calmer this morning and even more so this afternoon. I expect that most people will be able to walk across the deck by tomorrow without looking like Lurch from the Adams’ Family. I spent another quiet … Continue reading →

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Star Seeker – Day 7

Posted on 2026-01-03 by Holly

We are at. sea, not lost. Just chugging our was across the Atlantic. I don’t have an excuse to mentally sing all the “lost at sea” songs that I have collected over the years. Sad? I don’t think so. But … Continue reading →

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Reel & Roll

Posted on 2026-01-01 by Holly

Starting just after coffee this morning the weather started to change. Also a factor; moving past the protection of most of the Canary Islands. So here we are, headed across the Atlantic with seas that probably wouldn’t bother one of … Continue reading →

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New Year’s Eve – 2025

Posted on 2025-12-31 by Holly

As I am writing this, my friends in Australia have already rung in the New Year and sensibly have gone to bed. It is only a couple of hours short of midnight here in Tenerife, Santa Cruz. The harbor, the … Continue reading →

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Cabin Upgrade

Posted on 2025-12-30 by Holly

When I booked this trip – which was when it was first released – I looked at the deck plan, looked at prices, looked at the ship size and decided that Deck 3 was where I wanted to be. Especially … Continue reading →

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The New Locks – Panama Canal

Posted on 2025-10-16 by Holly

There was a lot of information provided yesterday by various people that turned out not to be exactly accurate. 1) I had asked one of the managers of the Observation Lounge if the lounge would be open early because we … Continue reading →

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Not Acapulco either

Posted on 2025-10-09 by Holly

apparently Priscilla or whatever the storm has for a name is still an issue. I think it just might be Raymond following behind. In any case, the amount of wind, wave, and water being dumped from the sky caused the … Continue reading →

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Elephants overhead

Posted on 2025-10-04 by Holly

Last night as I was stitching & listening to an audiobook, I was also treated to thumps, bumps, percussion, and loud music overhead. The NCL Joy, unlike many of it’s sister ships doesn’t have a separate studio area for solo … Continue reading →

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the group grows smaller

Posted on 2025-04-13 by Holly

13 April 2025 – drawing down Today will mark the last day for several of those in the fiber get together group. Tomorrow will be Los Angeles. From what we have been informed, it will be the usual first entry … Continue reading →

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Puerto Vallarta

Posted on 2025-04-11 by Holly

We sailed in early with a 0700 gangway time. I can understand this from a ship planning point of view. And perhaps for the convince of several of the more distant tours. But otherwise? Seriously? Nothing is open at 0700 … Continue reading →

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Second/two sea days

Posted on 2025-04-10 by Holly

  10 April 2025 – The Second Sea Day between Guatemala and Mexico It was the usual suspects early morning in the Lounge. There is a certain number of people who seem to be early birds. One or two are … Continue reading →

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Puntarenas, Costa Rica

Posted on 2025-04-06 by Holly

Ok, first off – we docked in Puerto Caldera at what appears to be the major industrial port for the area. Unless my memory is completely full of holes – always a possibility – this isn’t the same place where … Continue reading →

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