This week, our guest host Egidio asked us how we refresh, or as he put it, recharge our batteries. He writes, “What is your go-to activity (or activities) that allows you to recharge your batteries? Is it in nature or in the city, alone or with friends and family, reading a book?” You can read his entire challenge post on his site Through Brazilian Eyes here.
It is probably no secret to this blogger’s regular readers that my wonderful wife, Lynn, and I are avid fans of ocean cruising. The image above was taken on October 24, 2021, on the occasion of our 51st wedding anniversary. On that day, we celebrated a return to cruising after the cruising hiatus due to COVID-19. We boarded the Norwegian Bliss for a sail on the Mexican Riviera out of Los Angeles.
We enjoy the stability and many functions and features of the larger cruise ships from the shows and musicians to the quiet time in the various venues offered in these large cities on the water.
On two of our cruises, we enjoyed the nightly music and vocal talent of Jim (whose last name escapes me) at the piano bar on the Norwegian Pearl. His mix of humor and musical talent was so much a source of relaxation and recharging.
I am an early riser and find it the best time for me to work on my writing projects. On the other hand, Lynn prefers to sleep in. I usually head for a ship’s restaurant or buffet area, grab a cup of coffee, and work on my latest project using my laptop. I’m often early enough that there are very few people around to disturb me. When she is ready, Lynn joins me for breakfast and I put the laptop away for the day.
Sometimes, instead of writing, I use the early morning hours to just walk around the upper decks and enjoy the day’s beginning, maybe taking a photo or two. There are times when these large ships seem crowded, but they are big, and unless you feel the need to be with a crowd for a specific venue, you can choose to find a quiet space to refresh and reflect.
In the evenings, the atrium on the ships we’ve been on have live music for dancing or just plain listening. We used to spend lots of time listening to music and dancing, but these days, we enjoy the peace and quiet of our balcony or other quiet place on the ship.
Towel animals have been a regular fixture on cruise ships for years. Upon the second visit of the cabin steward, a towel animal would be found, maybe on the bed, on a window ledge, or even hanging from the ceiling. The second daily visit is a casualty of the pandemic. As cruise companies are dealing with the mountain of debt created by the maintenance of ships during an 18-month cruising hiatus, staff reductions have led most cruise companies to eliminate the evening “turn-down” where the cabin steward would clean up any last-minute dishes or trash and leave a towel animal.
I understand that people can request a towel animal be left, but that would be after the single morning visit by the cabin steward. From our perspective, it’s a minor loss, but one that delineated cruising from other types of vacations.
Well, one of them, anyway. One of our favorite places to hang is no longer named the 5 o’Clock Somewhere bar, but on our latest cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line, the bar has simply been renamed. Though one might think it’s related to a Jimmy Buffet reference, (as well it could be), the name disappeared long before Jimmy’s recent passing on.
It is with a tinge of disappointment that all cruises must end, but we have completed all packing, set aside our departure clothing, and await the call to disembark the ship. Refreshed and recharged, we look forward to our next cruise.
Lynn and I started cruising to visit new places and destinations, but in recent years, we’ve found ourselves taking fewer and shorter shore excursions to enjoy the relatively open spaces on the ship while everyone else is in port. We have two cruises in the upcoming calendar, one in November, and another in February. Our November cruise will be our third trip through the Panama Canal and in February, we sail out of New Orleans toward the Caribbean islands.
Thanks to Egidio for guest hosting and for his challenge topic this week. Don’t forget to tag your post in your own response and link to his post (noted above) to participate. Thanks also to Donna for last week’s challenge, and next week Tina will host the challenge at noon Eastern time on Saturday. If you’d like to join in, but aren’t quite sure how to get started, check here.
John Steiner
Flare Legend Adventures
Love the 5 o’clock somewhere bar 😂
One of my favorite bar names. Too bad it’s been retired. 🙂
That’s a shame 😩
Somewhere bar?
An interesting name.
The 5 o’Clock Somewhere Bar. From an idiom referencing that after 5 pm is the time to drink alcohol. You can justify drinking before 5 pm with the phrase, It’s 5 o’clock somewhere.
Ooo! I get it.
It’s fun and a good excuse 😀😀
cool post 🙂
Thanks!
Great post on cruising John. I enjoy it as a moving hotel. No unpacking or repacking. Also it’s nice to be served and the food is usually great. You have shown us some wonderful images of the ship. Enjoy your next one.
As we road travel a lot, I have really come to appreciate packing and unpacking only once for the journey. 🙂
My husband and I enjoyed cruising too, but I understand that they create havoc with the environment. It was an amazing way to see the world
They are moving cities, so they certainly have an impact. Ships are being converted to a much cleaner method of propulsion which will help in the long run.
We, too, enjoy cruising! Beautiful, fun photos, John. Love your choice for recharge. 🙂
Thanks, Amy! We are looking forward to two upcoming cruises and planning for more in the future.
wonderful photos John, i gifted my parents the Mexican Riviera cruise and they loved it so much that my friends and I are thinking of doing it too. It’s a wonderful way to recharge
We have visited communities along the western coast of Mexico on both land and cruise vacations. I prefer the cruise trips these days.
The sunset at sea image is magical
It was a lucky capture. Sometimes luck trumps skill.
Much as many could have guessed my response the week John, I could surely have guessed yours! Beautiful post – the cruise companies would love it! You two have created an excellent getaway calendar and a relaxing way to see the world. Kudos to you both!!
Thanks, Tina! We really enjoy the time onboard those giant floating resorts.
What a beautiful cruise! Your sunset pictures are magnificent. Cruising hasn’t been our go to. Vince, my Navy Vet guy hates being on a boat even though we cruised for our honeymoon a million years ago. Maybe he’d think twice about it if he read this post! 🙂
I have a Navy vet or two in my family who will never set foot on a ship again. I understand the emotion.
I tease him about it. He was stationed on land in Puerto Rico. He was a translator and sat at a desk all day wearing ear phones – the reason he’s deaf today.
Saling the seven seas – what a way to recharge one’s battery, especially in the company of a loved one. Thanks for this lovely post and journey, John. I had a blast guest hosting the Lens-Artist challenge. It was an honor.
I am glad you enjoyed the telling of our journey and thanks for guest hosting. I know it can be a bit of a challenge to put it all together.
Lovely to see the two of you enjoying the time together doing something you so dearly love!
We are still thinking about a future adventure on a continent that is new to us. A cruise would top off such a journey nicely.
I am glad to hear that, John! 🙂
John, we are new to cruising but I can relate to recharging on a cruise ship. Wishing you many more happy cruises!
Thanks! We truly enjoy the cruising life and feel very fortunate that we’ve been able to travel on so many ocean journeys.
Never been on a cruise. But I enjoyed your full description of your day. Looks like a wonderful way to recharge!
It is, indeed! Thanks Marlene.
Well, even a wonderful post like yours won’t change my view on cruising. It’s not for me but, I definitely suits you John, and I can see in your photos how much you enjoy the experiences. I love your photo with Lynn, your early morning ones and that exquisite sunset.
Each to his or her own, as they say, Sofia! I won’t try and sell you on the experience. >grin<
😀
Well, for someone like me who has just been on my second cruise in life, it was fun to read and recognise! I had only cruised Yang-tse-kiang, some years ago, and it was not really my thing. Finally I realised my best hiking days are over, with one diffcult foot and knees not as good as new anymore. It had to be a cruise to Alaska instead of my dream hiking. Ageing.
We also went with Norwegian, and I coped a bit better this time as there were great shore excursions to attend. Shorter hikings and much to see.
Thank you for some eye candy and possibilities to compare!
We enjoyed our Alaska excursions as well on our journey there via NCL. We want to go back again sometime, but there are so many other places to see!
There are. We seldom go back, but there are exceptions, like Iceland and Madeira.