12/7/23 Thursday

We finally arrived at the Intercontinental Hotel Miami about 12:30am EST. Avis had changed cars on me, and I had to upgrade to a small SUV to have enough cargo space for our four big suitcases and four carry-on size bags. Even though it was only 9:30pm at home, we were exhausted and went to bed. Roger realized his driver’s license was missing on our first flight.

We had a fabulous dinner at ToroToro in the hotel. One of the sides was lobster mac ‘n cheese, that we couldn’t finish because the entrées were too good not to finish. It was a good way to end a nice (enough) day.

12/8/23 Friday

Our day out started later than planned. We were going to go to the end of the Keys, but you need a boat to take you to Dry Tortugas National Park and it’s an almost four-hour drive from Miami. Instead, we visited Biscayne Bay National Park, traversing some really bad roads on the way (there and back). Plus, traffic and construction along I-95 made driving such a hassle.

12/9/23 Saturday

More energized than the morning before we started out to Everglades National Park. Normally, the park entrance is about an hour out of Miami, but traffic made it take longer.  After stopping at the visitor center, we headed toward Flamingo, FL at the end of the park. Those 50 miles are some of the flattest, straightest anywhere. There’s even an “Elevation 4ft” sign. We only saw birds in the park. Still it’s one more off our list.

I’d ordered a standard suitcase back in November that was delivered to a friend in Miami. Over the next few weeks, boxes were mailed with items to put in that suitcase. She’d brought them to the hotel Friday night and we filled suitcase #5 with the mailed items, then it plus our four big suitcases were taken to the cruise line’s holding area before we left to have dinner with her at Havanna Harry’s. Half a mile from the hotel we sat through four green lights without moving. We really aren’t used to urban traffic congestion.

12/10/23 Sunday Cruise Day 1

We had a 1:00pm ship boarding time and check out time was noon, so I went out early to do the laundry that had accumulated since Thursday. I dropped the clean folded clothes back with Roger at the hotel, then went back out to return the rental car. When I stopped to fill up the tank a flock of small parrots circled the station. Noisy group.

Once I’d returned the SUV, I sent a request for a ride back to the hotel via Lyft. They gave me an hour and fifteen minute ETA. Too long, so I took a cab back. We had about an hour till check out, so we gathered our stuff and called it good at 11:45am. Our shuttle to the ship left about 1:15pm.

Lots of hurry up and wait. Hundreds of people lined up outside and inside. Like the non-movement at the green light the night before, we didn’t move for over 30 minutes. We were released from the first line to another where we waited again until there were staff for the security machines, then again after that for actual check in. An RCCL rep came through the line to expedite check in for those of us doing all nine months. Better.

Our luggage was already in our stateroom. We met our room steward, Leo. The idea of unpacking and finding a place for everything was daunting. The suitcases were emptied, then put under the bed. All the clothes wound up on the sofa for the night.

We left Port Miami about 30 minutes behind schedule (not uncommon) and we were on our way! Since there was a 50% off sale at the onboard jewelry store, we looked and found gifts for each other for our (jade) anniversary.

12/11/23 Monday Cruise Day 2

Serenade of the Seas docked at CocoCay early morning. On the other side of the dock was the RCCL Wonder of the Seas, the second largest cruise ship afloat. We prefer our smaller, traditional ship.

It was overcast and gloomy for the Bahamas. Since it’s our last port in September 2024 and we’d been here before, we didn’t disembark.

After a few cups of coffee I took on the challenge of sorting and straightening our room. I found a place for everything and suddenly had open floorspace. Pretty satisfying when there’s such a visual improvement.

We’ve become acquainted with about ten passengers we see frequently. The youngest are in their early 30s and the more senior are in their 80s. Nice cross section of likeable people.

12/12/23 Tuesday Cruise Day 3

It was a cruising/sea day. Everyone relaxed. In the afternoon I found the passenger laundry room (even though we have laundry service) to wash everything since Sunday. Not very cruise-like, but it’s something I do everywhere I/we go.

We’ve chosen to eat at the buffet each night, for the casual atmosphere and large selection of food types and styles. Our first major dress-up night will be New Year’s Eve.

Tomorrow we’re at Cozumel, Mexico, where we’ll just wander until we’re done. I’m sure we’ll get to places of more interest, that will come with more descriptors and maybe even pictures! I also hope to make the internet work on each device as needed to make entries on a daily basis. Thanks for being patient. (D.)

12/13/23 Wednesday Cruise Day 4

We docked before sunrise, next to Mein Schiff 6. Most of our fellow passengers left early for day long excursions. We eased into the day onboard, then went into the shopping area around port. Every other store was for .925 sterling.

I was looking for something with jade, as it’s the 35th anniversary stone and there were tours to jade mines. None, anywhere. Oh well, we wandered around some more before going into a Starbucks. Most expensive and worst mocha frappuccino ever.

Back on the ship we spent an enjoyable, relaxing evening with our core group of fellow travelers. Two are a young couple, Mitch and Jo who recently relocated to England from New Zealand. Evie is from Belgium, but moved to Portugal two years ago. Gary & M(ichalet) are from Florida and have traveled a lot. Gil and Linda are from Alabama and brought more luggage than anyone else on the ship. Les and Karen are building a house in the Smokey Mountains. Steve and Reese sold their house on the Big Island of Hawaii two years ago and have been traveling ever since. John is from Colorado and is at Pinnacle level with RCCL. CJ (Colorado) & Nancy (Florida) were employer and employee, respectively, and now cruise together. Ruth is from London and only on for the first segment. Brad and Laurie are from Kansas City and are leaving then rejoining the cruise three times. Leslie is from Sheboygan, WI. Steve and Leah are both ex-military. 

12/14/23 Thursday Cruise Day 5

Up at 5:00am, for unknown reasons. This is a sea/cruising day, so there won’t be much to add. I still haven’t figured out uploading pictures, but there are some and I will get them online!

We went through several squalls in the morning. Roger took a morning nap and I took one in the afternoon. Oh, to be able to have daily naps again may yet happen.

The big event of the day was Kit rescuing the little dog she found a couple weeks ago near the office. He was chipped, but the owner never answered the calls, so he was taken by county animal control. He became available and Kit was trying to figure out how to adopt him, but not initially keep him in their (no yard) apartment. A “foster” plan was developed and Cooper came to Paso. I love happy endings.

12/15/23 Friday Cruise Day 6

I had a very relaxing birthday, cruising. Nothing really to write about.

We did dress for dinner to go to the Japanese restaurant and I had my favorite sashimi: ahi tuna.

12/16/23 Saturday Cruise Day 7 - Aruba

The port is mid-island, between the built-up hotel/condo area at Eagle Beach and the airport. We went ashore and wandered around the port touristy section. Although not the best picture, I was finally able to add the one below. Our ship is in the background.

12/17/23 Sunday Cruise Day 8 - Curaçao

I looked through the available excursions and found an island tour at 1:30pm. The best part was that it was by air conditioned bus. Being Sunday, most everything was closed. The picture below is from the Queen Julianna bridge. 

12/18/23 Monday Cruise Day 9 - Bonaire

The three islands, Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao are the "ABC" islands, all with Dutch influences. All are very much alike in climate and lifestyle.

Roger went ashore early and took some pictures. Later another passenger and I went into Kralendijk. We walked the four blocks up, one across and then four down back to the entry gate. There was no "Welcome" or "heart" Bonaire sign, so this picture is just at the dock with the waterfront and our ship showing.

12/19/23 - Tuesday Cruise Day 10

Today is a sea day. Only water, and an occasional seagull to look at.

I signed us up for basic waltz lessons. Roger was a good sport about going, but didn't like anything about the practice steps, so we only stayed 15 minutes. Oh well, at least he tried (for me).

Cruising days are meant to relax. Nothing else planned for today, so we'll just hang out with our group and wait until tomorrow and seeing Barbados. 

12/20/23 - Wednesday Cruise Day 11 Barbados

Another Caribbean island so much like the rest. That doesn't sound very appreciative of visiting. It's just that the weather, towns, ecology, shops and residents in this region are so similar. 

It was a hot, muggy day and cabs were needed just to get into Bridgetown. I am glad to have visited, but the ocean breeze felt wonderful once we were underway. Below is the seafront city at dusk.

12/21/23 - Thursday Cruise Day 12 Grenada

St. George's is a city of colorful people and buildings, founded in 1498. You have to wind yourself through the port shops before getting to its square and then the main street. The cruise passengers added to the many pedestrians/residents along the narrow, powerline bordered streets. Roger took some artsy pictures (posting the sunset on the UWC facebook page).

I didn't feel threatened, but this was the first place people were actually rude. One older guy walked at an angle across the street just to show us he was number one, indicated by his middle finger on his right hand. Locals pushed, bumped into and blocked entrances. Maybe some don't like the constant foreigner invasions. Oh well, we walked, shopped and left.

12/22/23 - Friday Cruise Day 13

Another sea day, so no picture. We lost another hour overnight, going east.

Today was stateroom cleaning day (I chose once a week), so things had to be put away before our steward, Leo, arrived. 

I went to hear our captain's talk about the Arctic vs Antartica, but mostly he talked about his yacht and home in Norway, north of the Arctic Circle. He also mentioned a far away cruise ship had been damaged by a rogue wave several hours before. 

As the day progressed I watched indoor competitive archery, went to have our visa paperwork reviewed, observed a small stakes Texas Hold 'em tournament, had chicken cordon bleu for dinner and started watching Papillon, the 1973 Steve McQueen version, but it was on the outdoor screen and I couldn't understand what was being said. Every other movie they've shown has had closed captioning. I've seen it before, but it's preemptive to our proximity to Devil's Island tomorrow.  

No visuals for today, so the picture below is from Grenada. Those of you who know Roger will know why it's funny.

12/23/23 - Saturday Cruise Day 14

Two weeks in and we were so ready to visit Devil's Island, but the French Navy told our captain our ship couldn't anchor as planned, due to ocean conditions. It was a disappointment to everyone planning to take a tender to Royale Island, with the hope of finding a local to get us across the channel between it and Devil's Island.

The French government has just realized they have a place tourists want to visit. At some point they'll provide a dock. Still, it's doubtful we'll come back this way again for future travel.

12/24/23 - Sunday Cruise Day 15

Another day at sea. They aren't boring, per se, we just prefer having the option of standing on land every other day or so.

12/25/23 - Christmas Monday Cruise Day 16

One more day at sea, with a lot of holiday activities all over the ship. We crossed the equator about 9:00am ship time.

It was the first Christmas we've spent since 1988 without at least some of our kids and other family. And it just didn't feel much like Christmas surrounded by metal, wood, glass and water. Still the crew and staff made it as pleasant a day as possible. 

We hope everyone had a wonderful day. We also know we'll be home this time of year in 2024.

12/26/23 - Tuesday Cruise Day 17 - Fortaleza, Brazil

Fortaleza has a population over two million, making it the most urban place we've visited so far. We signed up for a panorama excursion. Passengers waited in the theater for their groups to be called about 45 minutes. Outside, on a bus to the terminal to get on another bus. 

 We were first driven past a beach with only the foundation walls of former buildings or empty lots on the opposite side of the road. A right turn took us through some sad neighborhoods, before getting to downtown. Lots of high-rise apartment and condominium buildings, a couple shopping malls, a cathedral and a long stretch of beach on the way back. It was a two and a-half hour tour with no stops. Ours was also the first cruise ship to dock since 2015, so the tours should get better in the future.

The gangway was retracted at 5:00pm and we headed out around 6:00pm. It was nice to be on land again, but we weren't sad to leave.

12/27/23 - Wednesday Cruise Day 18 

Another sea day (there are a lot when you go around the world). Find the cargo ship.

12/28/23 - Thursday Cruise Day 19 - Recife, Brazil

We docked at the cargo port, so the first glimpse of the area was industrial. Beyond was another large metropolitan city. Other pictures were taken during the day, but they aren't mine to upload. * Happy 25th anniversary, G&M *

12/29 & 30/23 - Friday & Saturday Cruise Days 20 & 21

Another two sea days. The ocean is really big and blue. See if you can find the birds (boobies).

On our way to Rio de Janeiro for the biggest New Year's Ever party we'll probably ever see.

December 31, 2023 - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Cruise Day 22 - Our day started at a relaxed pace. We waited for the majority of passengers to go ashore, while we watched the ebb and flow of people just outside the dock. With a population of almost 13 million we expected the city to be overflowing with many more coming in to celebrate New Year's Eve along the beaches.

We walked out of the ship around noon, with another couple, to find a caipirinha, the official drink of Brazil, for her. Being a Sunday and the last day of 2023, hardly any place was open. Certainly no bars. The wide streets were empty of people, until we got back to the road fronting the port. Lots of touristy items to buy, but nothing else of interest.

This picture is from our balcony, showing the Rio–Niterói Bridge across the bay.

Below is an empty main boulevard. The Christ the Redeemer statue is in the distance at the point of the hill. Also an older building directly opposite where we relax on Deck 11, with modern architecture behind.

After the exertion of our long trek, we relaxed until it was time to get ready for dinner at specialty restaurant, Giovanni's. The service and entrees were excellent. Not only was formal the evening's attire, we would have dressed up anyway, being our 35th anniversary. At midnight the whole city helped us celebrate! HAPPY 2024!