Harmony of the Seas - Galveston, Texas - November 16, 2025

 

Harmony of the Seas - Galveston, Texas - November 16, 2025

Just the Facts:

Ship:  Royal Caribbean Harmony of the Seas (2016) - 226,000 tons - 5480 pax

Captain: Mike /  Hotel Director:  /  Cruise Director: 

Ports: Galveston, TX -  Isla de Roatán, Honduras - 

Costa Maya, México - Cozumel, Mé

xico - Galveston, TX

I’m cruising solo, doing an S2S (side to side), going from the MSC Seascape to the Harmony of the Seas.

This is my 2nd cruise on the Harmony of the Seas, my 37th Royal Caribbean cruise, and my 228th cruise overall.  I have Diamond+ status on Royal Caribbean.

Sunday, November 16, 2025 / Galveston Embarkation / Day 1. 

No travel involved other than the 15-20 minute walk from Terminal 14 to Terminal 16

, where I checked my bag with the first porters I encountered—easy peasy travel day.  I entered the new Royal Caribbean terminal at about 10:20, and it was so smooth that I was sipping a Painkiller in the beautiful ship’s promenade deck by 10:35.  Not crowded at all, I had time to purchase a 3-night dining package, the Voom Wi-Fi, and attend to the muster station all within 20 minutes.  I had a Hot Dog on the Boardwalk and looked up to find my balcony at the end of deck 9.  I then went up to the now-busy Windjammer for watermelon and my favorite oatmeal-raisin cookies.  I then went down to Deck 9 to drop off my backpack, and my Cabin Steward, Andri, welcomed me, saying he was finished with my cabin so that I could stay.  They usually open at 1:00 p.m.  I wanted to try this particular cabin, located on Deck 9, far aft and above the outdoor Aft stage, where they host diving and other outdoor production shows (I have marked it with an arrow in the large photo above).  I do have a good view of the center stage and a fair aft view of the sea and wake.  I’ll report following the first show I watch.  The cabin is nicely furnished, featuring two wardrobes, a small couch, a large-screen TV, a desk area, and a spacious bathroom. An interesting difference is that the cabin doors open outward.  I went to the Promenade Deck (5) to enjoy a Curacao Cosmo and listen to the house band, The Flashback Band, performing.  Afterward, I made my way to Deck 8 and the Central Park area to eat at 150 Central Park, the featured premium dining venue.  It was the best dinner I have ever had on a cruise ship by far.  My waitress, Wu (from China), brought me the following: Roasted Organic Beet Salad, Seared Honey-Glazed Scallops, Lobster Thermidor, Pan-Seared Halibut, and a Hazelnut Passion Fruit Bar for dessert (photo).  My favorites were the salad and dessert.  I also had their featured cocktail, Urban Garden, which is made table-side.  150 Central Park was a wonderful experience.  I retired after dinner, without taking a walkabout, although I needed to.  It was a great first day on the Harmony of the Seas.

Monday, November 17, 2025 / Day at Sea / Day 2 

Smooth seas overnight, and I slept well.  I woke up early but had a full night's rest.  At about 8:00 a.m. I went down to the MDR on Deck 3 for breakfast.  I ordered three eggs over easy, and they were cooked perfectly.  I think the key is ordering three eggs so that the plate doesn't come from the heat lamp.  The Bacon, Toast, Hot Milk, Danish, and Juices were also good.  When I returned to the cabin, Andri had already cleaned my cabin, so I'm good for the day, other than ice.  I did a mid-morning walkabout down one deck to the Central Park area.  The small bar there had not opened as yet, but in the lovely Park Cafe, I got fruit and ice with my large mug for the cabin.  Cabin time allowed me to update this blog, stay up to date in the Market, and watch the news.   At about 1:30 p.m.  I went back to the Park Cafe for roast beef sandwiches and chips and ate in the park area on this beautiful day.  Cabin/Balcony time until I went for cocktails in the Trellis Bar in Central Park while listening to the Harmony Orchestra playing popular Band Music.  It was like a local band performing in a bandstand in a hometown park.  To complete my Central Park day, I dined at Chops Grill, the steakhouse located in Central Park.  I ordered the Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail, the Filet Mignon entree, Creamed Spinach, Potato/Cheese Tots, and Key Lime Pie for dessert.  It was good.  When I got back to the cabin, I watched the final acts of the production show in the Aqua Theater.  As I hoped, I have an excellent seat to view the show.  Since I was so high, I also had a great view of the divers and the high-wire acts in the show.  Very interesting.  The cast for the show is twenty+ people, not counting all the support needed. They have aerialists, dancers, and divers, and everyone needs to be able to swim.  Quite a production, and the production booth is opposite my balcony, so I have basically the same view as the directors.  A nice, restful day at sea.

Tuesday, November 18, 2025 / Day at Sea / Day 3 

Smooth seas overnight, and I slept well.  I was awake early and had room service delivered.  Ate on the balcony, and there is always something going on below me on the Boardwalk.  Johnny Rockets has already done two routines/dances by 9:15 a.m.  I had more balcony time when Andri came by to clean the cabin, so much activity below me, yet still the aft view of the sea.  Watching the rehearsals on stage or in the water is very interesting as well.  I went to the Windjammer for lunch for the first time when it opened at 11:30 a.m.  It’s been a favorite of mine because of the various cutlets they always seem to have, and they didn’t disappoint.  Today I had the pork cutlets, mashed potatoes, broccoli, fried flounder with tartar sauce, and iced tea.  It was excellent.  I did a walkabout the ship to familiarize myself with the layout.  Basically, from the first Oasis class to the present, they all have a similar design, which does make it easier to maneuver around the ship.  At about 5:00 p.m.  I went to the Diamond Lounge located on Deck 4 forward.  It’s an ample space with no visible bar but plenty of bar servers.  I enjoyed several excellent Elderflower Martinis.  Tonight I had a 7:00 p.m. reservation for the Izumi Tappenyaki.  It was very lovely, and you could customize your menu items.  My main items were Beef Filet and Scallops, served with Rice, Vegetables, a Salad, and Green Tea ice cream.  The Chef was entertaining, the service was good, and the featured spicy martini cocktail was good (photo).  It was a filling meal and a fun experience.  Once back at the cabin, I watched more of the Aqua Theater show from the balcony.  It was a good sea day with good food on the Harmony of the Seas.

Wednesday, November 19, 2025 / Roatan Island, Honduras / Day 4 

Smooth seas overnight, and I slept well.  I was awake well before we docked in Coxen Hole, just after 7:30 a.m., and it’s a beautiful day in Roatan.  We are docked next to the Grandeur of the Seas.  I wish I could hop on and go directly back to Tampa.  Room service breakfast was delivered, and I ate on the balcony. The hot milk and pastries were great.  I had some online business to do before leaving the ship at about 10:45 for a walkabout on the pier and town.  Most guests take a tour or a taxi from this port, and the legitimate tours have a Kiosk inside the official pier area.  Most do zip lines or the beautiful West End beaches.  Once you pass through the port gate, you’re confronted with many people selling anything.  There is a walkable petting zoo nearby.  It was a hot, clear day, and you could easily see the Honduran mainland to the south.  I usually stop at a local dive bar that has cold beer and free WiFi, among other things.  They have upgraded tables since my last visit.  After a few Salva Vida beers, I went back on board to eat lunch at the Windjammer.  No cutlet today, but a nice Meatloaf with the consistently excellent mashed potatoes and broccoli.  I had some cabin time before going to the Diamond Lounge for cocktails.  I returned as they do a lovely Elderflower Martini.  At 7:30 p.m.  I went to my assigned table in the Main Dining Room on Deck 4 (middle level) for the first time.  One other solo Canadian gentleman who had been dining alone was at the six-top table.  It was Caribbean Night, and the guests and crew wore Caribbean shirts.  The Caribbean menu is not a favorite of mine, but I ordered the spicy coconut shrimp, the jerk pork chop entree, and ice cream for dessert.  The food was only fair, but the service was excellent.  I did a walkabout and noticed fewer guests this evening, even though there were many activities.  Once back in the cabin, I watched rehearsals on the Aquastage for tomorrow's show…it will be a musical.  I retired to update this blog and review the day's news on television.  It was a fine port day in Roatan. 

Thursday, November 20, 2025 / Puerto Costa Maya / Day 5 

Smooth seas overnight, and I slept well.  Had only a Banana for breakfast as they washed the balcony this morning.  I called home to review some new HOA rules for our Village and did some business online.  Most guests are off the ship today, and I’m relaxing until lunch time.  At about noon, I went up to the Windjammer for lunch.  I tried a variety of items: turkey breast, mashed potatoes, broccoli, Asian-style pork, watermelon, and took several of my favorite oatmeal-raisin cookies back to the cabin.  They certainly have a variety of foods, including burgers, salads, and deli items.  No plans to get off today, but I did a walkabout the ship.  It’s a Royal Caribbean day as all ships are RCL, including the huge Icon of the Seas.  Of course, this is the future here, as Royal Caribbean has purchased the entire port to develop it as a destination in itself.  A nice dress rehearsal (photo) on the Aquastage, as I spent an afternoon on the balcony today.  Since it’s Mexican night, I wore my Senoritas shirt, and at about 6:00 p.m.  I went to Boleros for cocktails.   I tried a new-to-me cocktail, a Coconut Mojito.  I liked it and had another until time for dinner in the MDR.  It was a Mexican night menu, but I started with some basics since I have not been eating in the MDR.  I ordered the Escargot a la Bourguignonne, the Chilled Shrimp Cocktail, the Paplano Pepper Soup, the Pulled Pork Enchiladas, the

 Carne Asada, and Flan for dessert.  I’m always suspicious of Mexican food on a cruise ship, but it was a fair go.  After dinner, I returned to the cabin and watched the production show at the Aquatheater.  It was an easy, restful day on the Harmony of the Seas.

Friday, November 21, 2025 / Isla de Cozumel, Mexico / Day 6  

Smooth seas overnight, and I slept well.  I woke early, before we docked at the International Pier at about 6:45 a.m.  I had room service breakfast delivered before leaving the ship at about 8:00 a.m. (9 a.m. local) for the 10+ minute walk to Del Mar Latino Beach Club.  

 I always try to go to Del Mar when my ship is docked here, as it is walkable from the ship.  Today is a perfect beach day, and I immediately hopped into the pool to cool off.  Jazzy brought me several Coca-Cola Lights, and I remembered to bring my silicone glass for ice.  Great start to a Caribbean Day.  I relaxed, enjoyed the view, used the fast WiFi, and had snacks all day, including a Shrimp Cocktail (photo), Guacamole, Tortilla Chips, Pico de Gallo, Coconut Shrimp, an old-fashioned Cheeseburger with Fries, and an Ice Cream.  I eventually switched from Coca-Cola to Mojitos, too.  The service is excellent too.  It was a perfect weather day, too.  Jazzy asked about my pink hat, which was covered in a previous review.  I did hit the pool before leaving to be cool for the walk back to the pier, arriving back at about 3:00 p.m.  Cabin/Balcony time until I went to the Diamond Lounge for cocktails.  Then at 7:30 p.m.  I went to the MDR for Lobster Night.  It used to be the 2nd formal night, but it really isn’t special now, and few dress for it; other than that, they serve lobster, so it’s the informal theme.  I ordered the Escargot a la Bourguignonne, the Chilled Shrimp Cocktail, the very nice Lobster entree, and the Filet Mignon from the Chops menu ($20).  It was a delicious meal, and three new assigned guests joined us.  The service was again outstanding too.  Just a short walkabout tonight as I’m making arrangements for tomorrow's big football day.  It was a wonderful time in Cozumel with delicious food all day.  

Saturday, November 22, 2025 / Day at Sea / Day 7 

Smooth seas overnight, and I slept well, although I heard the Alpha-

Alpha-Alpha code announced at 1:40 a.m. (Medical emergency).  I had been watching the Johnny Rockets crew dance all week from my balcony, and this morning I was down there by 8:00 a.m. when they opened for breakfast.  I ordered both the breakfast bowl with the chili on the side & the buttermilk pancakes.  It was good and very filling.  I was glad I got the chili on the side; it was Yankee chili, far from the good Texas Red.  Andri brought extra ice and cleaned the cabin before my 11:00 a.m. kickoff of Oklahoma vs. Missouri in Norman, Oklahoma.  I had pre-stocked Coca-Cola and snacks, so the temporary man-cave is ready.  The game was exciting.  I was worried in 1st quarter, but OU’s defense won it for them again, 17-6.  The other football games today were fair, and  I did get some premium Hot Dogs & Oatmeal Cookies for snacks.  So it was a good Cabin TV football day.  At about 6:00 p.m. I went to the Diamond Lounge for a happy-hour cocktail or three.  It is a large lounge with many servers and H’orderevs.  I then went to the Main Dining Room for dinner at 7:30 p.m.  It was a good menu tonight, I ordered: the Mediterranean Tapas Medley, two Shrimp Cocktails, Speghetti Bolognaise, the Braised Lamb entree with Mint Sauce, and the Crema Catalana dessert.  It was all excellent, as was the service.  Upon returning to my cabin, I finished packing and placed my luggage out for pickup tonight.  I usually roll mine off, but I’m following the instructions for the HOU airport shuttle in the morning.  At 9:30 p.m., the big Aquastage production Big Daddy’s Hideaway Heist began its 2nd show of the evening (photo).  I’d seen the rehearsals and knew it was a big, colorful show, not about water per se, but more of a theatrical production.  Great seats from my balcony and a great show.  A good way to end my cruise. 

Sunday, November 23, 2025 / Travel Day at Sea

Smooth seas overnight, and I slept very well.  I woke early and checked in for my noon flight from HOU (Houston Hobby).  Then I watched us in the turning basin and docked by 6:45 a.m.  My airport shuttle meeting time is 8:00 a.m. this morning in the theater.  

MSC Seascape - Inaugural Texas Cruise - November 9, 2025

MSC Seascape - Inaugural MSC Texas Cruise

Just the Facts:

Ship:  MSC Seascape (2022), 4th and newest of the MSC Seaside Class. 170,000 tons.  5900 pax

Captain: Vincenzo Miele (Italy) /  Hotel Director: George Nelson (USA) /  Cruise Director: Ryan Rose (USA)

Ports: Galveston, TX - Costa Maya, Mexico - Isla de Roatán, Honduras - Cozumel, Mexico - Galveston, TX

I’m cruising solo, but as a part of the former Snoozemates group on this inaugural MSC cruise from Galveston, Texas.  This is my first cruise on the relatively new MSC Seascape, my 30th MSC cruise, and my 227th cruise overall.  I achieved the new 2025 Blue Diamond status, the highest level in the MSC Loyalty Club.  I wanted to be on this cruise as I had lobbied MSC hard for this, as I was initially based in Texas.

Saturday, November 8th  /  Travel Day /  Day 0 

I rescheduled my original flight for one day earlier to allow for flexibility due to the U.S. government shutdown and potential flight delays.  I now leave mid-day and not early on debark day.  My Uber picked me up at the Villa at approximately 10:45 a.m., and I arrived at Tampa International Airport (TPA) at around 11:20 a.m.  I checked my bag at Southwest Airlines and went to the main terminal to eat at Chick-fil-A for a hearty lunch.  Many friends were experiencing flight cancellations, but I was unaffected, thank you, Karma.  My direct flight was also not full, with only a few people in the middle seats.  We landed at about 3:40 p.m. local time, and I took an Uber from Hobby Airport to my accommodation in Galveston.  I made it to the Mansion on 17th just in time for complementary cocktails.  I met four lovely couples, all of whom are sailing tomorrow on various ships.  I enjoyed two Shiner Bock beers and some cheese and crackers before heading to my room.  Aaron, the Concierge, took me up to Room #5 on the top floor.  My room, The Hendley Room, was originally a children's room, so I had an extra bed that I used for my luggage.  Wifi and TV are nice and modern, so I decided to stay in this evening and relax, watching some NCAA football.  It was an easy travel day, and I feel fortunate, as it was a difficult day for many.

Sunday, November 9th  /  Embarkation /  Day 1 

This is the Motorcycle Rally weekend in Galveston, and I heard loud motorcycles until 1:00 a.m., so sleep wasn’t ideal.  I really only got a few hours, and I was ready at 8:00 a.m. for the opening of breakfast service.  They offer a nice selection of breakfast items to choose from, and the eggs are made to order.  I did the scrambled eggs, avocado toast with balsamic vinegar drizzle, and crispy bacon.  It was all excellent.   You can actually see the new Pier 14 terminal from the front of the Mansion, but I already paid for car service; in the future, I will walk it.  VIP guests have a separate entrance with their own security and check-in area, as well as a guest lounge with toilets and refreshments.  I arrived before 11:00 a.m. and I went straight through.  We also had our own escalator to the ship, and I really appreciated that it was entirely separate from the general boarding process.  Easy peasy.  I was in my cabin by 11:20 a.m.  I performed some cabin preparation and then proceeded to my muster station as required.  I then went to the Green Wave Restaurant (MDR) just as it opened at noon.  I enjoy a set-down dining venue on embarkation day, if one is available.  They were only receiving between 12 and 1:00 p.m., so it was limited.  I had a Cobb Salad, the Steak entree, and a nice dessert.  All was very good.  I then watched the second half of the Tampa Bucs NFL football game in the Sports Bar on deck 8.  I really needed a nap, but our 5:00 p.m. assigned dining time won’t allow that today.  I don’t like dining that early, but it was a request from some in the group.  I believe they/we have organized a 4:00 p.m. meet for cocktails in the Loft Bar for the week.  It went well today.  We all then went to dinner in the Green Wave MDR at about 5:00 p.m.  We have two six-top tables for our little group.  Tonight, I ordered: Tomato Creme Soup, Greek Salad, Shrimp Cocktail, the slow-roasted Prime Rib entrée, and Crème Catalana for dessert.  Everything was excellent, as was the service.  I retired to the cabin very early, as I was tired from a lack of sleep.  I do have a very nice, larger balcony cabin on an outer curve of the ship's superstructure.  That gives me a unique, large balcony and additional space in the cabin.  I also have a unique forward view.  I don’t usually get a balcony when sailing solo, but when I saw this special cabin available, I took it.  It was a fast, straightforward embarkation day on the MSC Seascape.

Monday, November 10th  /  Day at Sea  /  Day 2 

Rolling seas overnight, and I had an excellent night's sleep.  The bedding and pillow choices —two soft & two firmer — are ideal.  Antonio, my cabin steward, had left me ice last night that lasted through the night, so a beverage for my morning caffeine.  I went to The Butcher's Cut for breakfast at about 9:00 a.m. and was seated at my favorite table there immediately.  I ordered the Steak & Eggs with sides of Hash Browns, Bacon, and Sausage.  It was excellent.  I saw several from my group on the way out; they read the blog, so they know the secret venues for breakfast.  I then found a machine to register my credit card to my ship account, and in the process of coming down the beautiful Swavorsky staircase, I saw friends in the Deck 5 lobby area.  It became a Bloody Mary party for the next hour and a half.  At about 1:00 p.m.  I went to the cabin and had Balcony Time the rest of the afternoon, only taking a break to get a delicious Pizza slice and Coca-Cola from the Marketplace (buffet) one deck up.  I really like this balcony with the unique view, and I was in the shade the entire time; it was perfect.  At about 4:00 p.m., I went to the Loft Lounge for our meet-up cocktails.  The service was the worst I have experienced on MSC.  Of course, our 5:00 p.m. dining time reflects our earlier cocktail hour.  Once we acquired a server, things improved somewhat.  At 5:30 p.m., six of us went to Kaito Tappenyaki for dinner.  It was an excellent experience.  They served the same food as last week when on the MSC Seashore, but in a different order.  So, the lobster and scallops came earlier in the courses, followed later by the Wagyu Beef in the last course.  Better, I think.  It was a great experience, always more fun with a group.  I did a short walkabout before returning to my cabin.  It’s a great help that the MSC Seahore and MSC Seascape are identical, I feel comfortable walking around the ship.  It was a great day on the ship.

Tuesday, November 11th  /  Day at Sea  /  Day 3 

Continued rolling seas overnight.  I left the balcony door open overnight and could hear the waves breaking on the ship.  I love the sound of water when sleeping and have a sleep channel on TV with various sounds that I use every night, it was live last night.  At about 8:45 a.m.  I went to Hola’s Cantina for breakfast.  I ordered the Mexican Scrambled Eggs, Bacon, Sausage, Guacamole & Hot Milk.  It was a good change.  I then did a walkabout and ran into two friends from my Carnival Cruise days, who later joined me at the Diamond and Blue Diamond Reception.  Blue Diamonds arrived at 10:30 a.m. and Diamond guests at 11:00 a.m., allowing me to have some one-on-one time with the Hotel Director.  I received a direct answer regarding the room service trays in the passageway protocol, as well as other changes made for Texas guests on the MSC Seascape.  Afterward, I had cabin time until time for our 4:00 p.m. cocktail hour.  My Elderflower Martinis have become a big hit among the group, and bar service was better.  My friends joined us for cocktails and dinner.  We had the table space, as two Snoozemates regretfully missed the cruise due to flight cancellations.  We had the Gala Night menu tonight.  I ordered the Lobster Bisque (which I will pass on in the future), two Shrimp Cocktails, the Filet Mignon, and the broiled Lobster Tail entrees, along with the traditional Baked Alaska for dessert.  It was a fantastic dinner, and the service was excellent.  The group split up for various events throughout the ship this evening, including the Theater Production Show and several music venues.  I did a nice walkabout before retiring to the cabin.  Tonight I conducted some business, updated this blog, sat on the balcony, and remembered to put my room service menu out before going to sleep.  It was another great sea day on the MSC Seascape.

Wednesday, November 12th  /  Costa Maya, Mexico  /  Day 4 

Rolling seas until we docked very early at Costa Maya.  I slept well.  At sunrise, I had a great view until the Norwegian Encore docked opposite us.  At about 8:30 a.m.  I had my room service breakfast delivered to enjoy on the balcony, and I could watch the crews lash down the ships as the wind was coming up.  I have been stuck on this pier twice due to the wind, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see it happen again today.  At about 10:00 a.m., I went up to the Jungle area on Deck 16.  I found a table, and many friends joined up during the course of the day.  The weather did improve, but my perfect view of the port area is as close as I will get to it.  I did book a few cruises, and using the laptop, we all wished the DW a Happy Birthday over the Ring doorbell camera back in Florida.  Bloody Marys, Rum Daquiris, Pizza, and Coca-Cola were enjoyed.  It was FUN.  I retired to the cabin for rest before our next get-together at 4:00 p.m.  We only had six for cocktails, but it was a port day and people were worn out in the wind.  We had all but two people for dinner, and we arrived before 5:00 p.m.  There were empty tables there, too.  During dinner, the Encore and Carnival Jubilee sailed, using our ship as a windbreak, which left us to fend for ourselves.  We really struggled to get away from the pier.  Guests stopped eating and watched the window as the engines and thrusters roared, struggling to gain momentum.  It took a while, but we finally got underway safely.  In my opinion, the menu was weaker tonight. I ordered the Pulled Pork Quesadillas, a Shrimp Cocktail, the Pasta Bolognese, and the Texas-Style Beef Brisket entrée.  Most Texans would probably disagree with the description.  The service was good, and we were out by 6:40 p.m.  Many went to the Comedy Show tonight.  I took a walkabout, always ending up at the forward elevators, which made it easy to get up to Deck 15.  The skies are overcast, and with the thermal flares causing the Aurora Borealis to be visible all the way to Florida, our WiFi is erratic at best this evening.  No news streaming tonight, but I did update this blog.  It was an easy relaxing day in Costa Maya.

Thursday, November 13th  /  Roatan Island, Honduras  /  Day 5  

Still rolling seas overnight, and I slept well.  The WiFi worked much better this morning, and we were docked early in Coxen Hole, Roatan, at the new pier.  The new RCL ship Star of the Seas is docked at the original pier next to us (photo).  At 8:30 a.m.  I went to the Butcher’s Cut Steakhouse for breakfast.  I had the wonderful Pastries, Hot Milk, Fried Eggs, Hash Browns, Bacon, link sausage, and a NY Strip Steak.  All outstanding as well as the service.  At 11:15 a.m., I went up to the Jungle Pool area for a Coca-Cola before leaving the ship, but it began raining, so I remained on board.  It became a repeat of yesterday with friends dropping by, so we made a day of it.  The Pizza was again excellent for a light lunch.  Busier today due to the rain, and the Jungle area is covered, so guests preferred the ship’s pool today.  I then had cabin time before our 4:00 p.m. cocktail hour in the Loft Lounge on Deck 8.  The bar service was significantly improved today, although they had been out of Elderflower for the past two days.  I got my cocktails at the sports bar.  We went to dinner a bit early, as requested by our waiter on Tuesday, when we were a bit late due to poor service in the Loft Lounge.  It does make it better for him as he has a 7:00 p.m. and a 9:00 p.m. seating behind us nightly.  Excellent selections for dinner tonight.  I ordered the Escargots a la Bourguignonne, Broccoli Cheddar Soup, Shrimp Cocktail, Beetroot Salad, the Roasted Beef Tenderloin entree, and Dulce de Leche Cream Cake for dessert.  My second favorite menu night on MSC cruises.  They don't serve my favorite MSC Salad, Baby Spinach with Walnut Dressing, on this ship, not sure why.  After dinner, the group split up for various activities, including Casino, the Production Show in the Theater, and Live Music venues.  I did my usual post-dinner walkabout, finishing my Hugo Spritzer cocktail.  The ship is again rocking in the ocean, and music this evening.

Friday, November 14th  /  Cozumel Island, Mexico  /  Day 6  

Rolling seas continue, and I usually enjoy it, but it is getting somewhat repetitive.  I woke early, but I’m in no rush today; we were already docked at Puerto Langosta before I got around.  I left the ship at about 10:00 a.m. and went to Zensi Spa.  They were waiting for me, and I received the deluxe pedicure at the regular price, as they weren’t open when I visited two weeks ago.  Now I’m spoiled and will want the deluxe from now forward.  It was great.  I then stopped at the Iglesia de San Miguel church (photo)  as always, before ending up at Woody’s Bar & Grill.  Several friends were already there.  I enjoyed several Bohemia Clara beers, Guacamole, & Pico de Gallo.  The live music and fast WiFi are great features at this great bar in downtown San Miguel.  I did some shopping for Mexican dresses for the granddaughter on the way back to the ship.  I was back aboard by 3:30 p.m., just before a light shower occurred.  A very productive day in Cozumel.  I passed on cocktails and went directly to the Green Wave for dinner.  Just a fair menu tonight IMHO.  I ordered the Stuffed Mushrooms, Shrimp Cocktail, the Penne all’Amatriciana pasta course,  the Lamb Shank entree with Mint Sauce, and the Coconut Cake for dessert.  The MDR has been disappointing, adequate, but not outstanding, as on my recent sailings on Seashore or World America.  I did the usual long walkabout on the way forward, and some guests dressed for White Night, but it will catch on with the Galveston sailings.  This is the first cruise on MSC for the vast majority of guests.  It was a good, productive day in Cozumel.

Saturday, November 15th  /  Day at Sea  /  Day 7  

Finally, smoother seas overnight.  I slept well, but I woke up earlier than intended.  I was waiting for my 8:30 a.m. room service delivery, but it didn’t arrive until 9:30 a.m.  My first clue that I had not changed my time last night.  We changed the ship's time four times in a seven-day period.  Very confusing for guests and crew.  The good news is that the weather has improved significantly, and it's perfect, in fact.  I had breakfast on the balcony, and it was delightful.  I stayed out enjoying the weather and sea air while Antonio cleaned my cabin.  I went up to the Jungle Bar on Deck 16 and had Bloody Marys with the group, and discovered my error in time; I had mentally thought we were on Tampa time, but we were heading to Galveston.  I had a reservation at Holas! Cantina at 12:15 p.m. for a big meal, as the rest of the day will be cabin time and College Football.  I really enjoyed Holas! and the service was excellent.  I had a great table on the outside window and watched the Harmony of the Seas, my home for the next week, sail alongside for the entire hour (photo).  Guacamole, Pico de Gallo, Queso Fundido, four different Street Tacos, Flan, and two frozen MangoRitas made for a great and filling meal.  I was in my cabin streaming the OU/Bama game when I discovered that it was on ESPN Caribbean on the cabin TV (thanks, Mike), which had a bigger screen for sure.  Very exciting and close game all the way to the very end … Oklahoma 23, Alabama 21 in Tuscaloosa.  I had prepared the cabin as a man cave today with Cokes & snacks and enjoyed several football games.  I did some prepacking during the later games, then retired early to stream the news before bed.  It was a great sea day on the ship, doing precisely what I wanted.

Sunday, November 16th  /  Debarkation Day

I was up early and finished packing, then went to the MDR for a nice early breakfast.  I was back at the cabin to pick up my bags, as we are supposed to be out of them by 8:00 a.m.  I went up one deck to the Jungle area, and only a few guests were waiting up there.  I took a lounger, relaxed, and made some telephone calls.  At about 10:00 a.m., they made the first final announcement as all debark numbers were called.  Since I was on Deck 16, no problem getting an elevator, and basically, few guests were left on Deck 6.  They were actually taking down the exit signs.  Perhaps it’s best to wait, as I did, as it was so smooth.  It only took 15-20 minutes to walk to the Royal Caribbean pier, where I checked my bag with the first porters I encountered.  Easy Peasy.

MSC Seashore - 2025 Halloween Cruise

 MSC Seashore - 2025 Halloween Cruise

Just the Facts:

Ship: MSC Seashore

Captain:  Marco Colonna (Italy) / Hotel director: Paul Cernat (Romania) / Cruise Director: Jose Ventura (Dominican Republic)

Ports: Port Canaveral, USA - Ocean Cay, Bahamas (overnight) - Costa Maya, Mexico - Cozumel, Mexico

I’m cruising as a solo on this 7-day cruise.  This is my 7th cruise on the MSC Seashore, my 29th cruise on MSC, and my 226th cruise overall.  I again have the newish Blue-Diamond status, which is now the highest level in the MSC Loyalty Club, and this is a repeat of my spring cruises.

Sunday, October 26 / Port Canaveral / Embarkation / Day 1  

I was assigned an early boarding time, so I planned accordingly and left the Florida Villa at about 8:30 a.m. for the drive to Port Canaveral.  I arrived at Park-N-Cruise at about 10:45 a.m.  Another change in operations is that we again leave the car keys with them.  They have changed systems three times now, yet remain very efficient. I soon boarded a shuttle bus to the port terminal.  We arrived at Pier number 10 just after 11:20ish. As the bus arrived, I noticed a very short line for boarding.   The new Blue Diamond status benefit made it very easy for me.  I rolled my single-rolling duffle bag to the nearby Yacht Club kiosk, and was confirmed as Blue Diamond, and went straight up the escalator.  Then, a special line through security and to the Priority Booking area for final check-in.  Sweet.  I was in my cabin to drop my bag within minutes—very smooth embarkation. Since the cabins don’t officially open until later, I went to my muster station located in the casino, then to the Marketplace Buffet on Deck 16 for a light lunch.  I then went to the Brooklyn Lounge, met a friend,  and had a few Elderflower Martinis until cabins were announced ready at about 2:30 p.m.  I have a standard Fantastica interior on Deck 15 near the forward elevators.  I hung my clothes in the wardrobe and prepped my cabin for the week.  At 6:00, I returned to the Brooklyn Lounge for cocktails before our 7:15 p.m. dining assignment in the Central Park (Main) Dining Room on deck five aft. I had a nice dinner, ordering the Creme of Tomato Soup, a Shrimp Cocktail, the Prime Rib Beef entree, and a nice Pistachio dessert.  Dinner was good.  I did a brief walkabout, and there weren't many Halloween decorations as I expected, but it's not really a big holiday in Europe.  After such a busy day, I retired early after dinner and went to sleep.  It was an easy embarkation day on the MSC Seashore. 

Monday, October 27 / Ocean Cay - private island, Bahamas / Day 2  

Smooth seas overnight, and I slept well.  I woke at about 8:30 a.m. and decided to go to the MDR for breakfast.  I had a custom breakfast of three fried eggs, ham, bacon, sausage, and hash browns.  Also, a fruit bowl, Danish, and hot milk.  It was good.  The weather is excellent considering there is a Category 5 hurricane just south of us near Jamaica. I was having cabin time until my steward came to clean, so I went up to the Jungle Pool area and scored a great table overlooking Ocean Cay (photo).  My bar server, Erick from Kenya, really took care of me, and later, my friend Mike joined me.  It was a great day with Coca-Colas, a few Daiquiris, and Pizza for lunch.  I also did a lot of travel business including changing a flight, booking an annual Insurance policy, and booking hotel rooms.  Most of this relaxing day was spent there, enjoying the view of Ocean Cay.  From about 4:00 p.m., I had cabin time until meeting for cocktails at 6:00 p.m. in the Brooklyn Bar.  At 6:45, the Diamond Party was held in the La Caberet Rounge, and I enjoyed a Hugo Spritzer and saw the senior staff of the ship introduced.  Then it was time for our 7:15 p.m. reservation in the dining room.  Tonight I ordered the excellent Spinach Salad with bacon & walnuts, a Shrimp Cocktail, the Short Ribs entree, and Carrot Cake for dessert.  It was good with the salad as the highlight. I’ve seen the lighthouse light show many times, so I will pass on that and retire to the cabin early. I watched a bit of television and updated this blog before lights out.  It was a wonderful day on the MSC Seashore.

Tuesday, October 28 / Ocean Cay - private island, Bahamas / Day 3 

We were docked overnight, so no rocking to sleep, but I did sleep well and got up very early.  With an early walkabout, like magic, today the ship is fully decorated for Halloween, and it’s very well done.  There are also some well-decorated guest cabin doors (photo).  I planned a cabin day and had a good start by going back to bed and sleeping until 10:00 a.m.  One advantage of an interior cabin.  I went to the Central Park MDR for the special Italian Luncheon.  I beat the crowd by arriving as they opened at 11:30 a.m..  I had a lovely table and watched us sail away from Ocean Cay a bit early, too.  I was surprised that we actually stayed the second day due to the hurricane south of us.  No rain this morning, just an overcast sky.  My lunch was excellent; I had the Antipasta Plate with lovely Cheeses,  hot Vegetables, and Italian cold cuts.  I then had a Ziti al forno, a ragu that reminded me of Bologna, then the Pollo alla Cacciatora in a tomato sauce.  The Tiramisu dessert was excellent.  The best meal of the cruise so far.  I returned to the just-cleaned cabin with some Coca-Cola, so I’m set for an afternoon online for both browsing and business.  BTW, the premium streaming WiFi works perfectly.  At 5:00 p.m.  I had cocktails in the Brooklyn Lounge, then went to the Tappenyaki Restaurant for dinner.  I ate there in April and it was good, but not impressive.  Tonight I went with the premium Shogun Dinner, and it made all the difference in the world.  We began with Sushi & Sashimi, then Miso Soup, a Teppan Salad, Garlic Fried Rice, Lobster with Scallops, and Wagyu Beef from Japan.  It was well worth the $75 menu price, especially since $55 of it was covered by my Diamond dining benefit.  The chef and waiter were excellent, making for a wonderful evening.  After dinner, I did a walkabout and noticed more Halloween Decorations.  There were lots of activities this evening, but I retired early.  An effortless, restful day with two excellent meals for me on the MSC Seashore.

Wednesday, October 29 / Day at Sea / Day 4  

Smooth seas overnight, and I slept well.  We also turned our clocks back one hour overnight, so most were up early this morning.  It’s Brunch Buffet in the MDR, but we had breakfast at the Butcher’s Cut Steakhouse.  Not busy and very enjoyable, with a table by the window that allowed us to view Cuba clearly on our port side.  I ordered the Steak & Eggs, a Fruit Bowl, Bacon, Hash Browns, Sausage, and Toast, as well as a unique Pastry platter, which was complemented by hot milk and juice.  Our waiter was the same one from the Tappenyaki last evening, so the service was excellent.  Three great meals in a row.  I did a walkabout and acquired some Coca-Colas from the Sports Bar for my cabin.  I conducted business the rest of the day until I did an afternoon walkabout.  It was a beautiful day, especially considering there was a Category 5 hurricane just south of us.  I did enjoy a Daquri and the sea air on Deck 18.  BTW, there is no Deck 17 on MSC ships; we go from Deck 16 to 18.  I went to the Brooklyn Bar around 6:00 p.m. for my Elderflower Cocktails and enjoyed a beautiful sunset (photo).  Tonight is the Gala Night Dinner, and it’s about 50/50 on whether guests will actually dress up or go casual.  I went casual, although I brought pants and a dress shirt; it's just easier to dress in nice, casual clothes.  The menu was excellent, and I ordered a lot: Lobster Bisque, Eggplant Parmesan, Shrimp Cocktail, and both entrees —the Filet Mignon and Lobster Tail.  It was delicious and very filling.  Four great meals in a row over the last two days.  I did a walkabout afterwards, then retired to the cabin.  I received a lovely Blue Diamond pin, along with a message from the incoming Captain/Master, whom I have spoken with twice during this cruise.  He wants to get together tomorrow —perfect, as I’m not keen on Costa Maya.  I’ll update then.  I haven’t attended any shows this cruise as I’ve seen them all, but I’m really enjoying my free time.  It was a lovely sea day on the MSC Seashore. 

Thursday, October 30 / Costa Maya, Mexico / Day 5  

Smooth seas overnight, and I slept well.  I had a quiet morning before heading to guest services at about 11:30 a.m. and was escorted to the Venchi 1878 Chocolate Bar, where I was seated in a private booth.  Soon, I was joined by Shail, the Guest Relations Manager, and the new Captain/Master, Marco Valero Colonna.  I wasn’t in trouble; they just wanted to spend some very special time with the senior Blue Diamond guest.  I very much appreciated it too.  Afterward, I went to Hola! Cantina for lunch.  I actually beat the All-inclusive price of $24.99 by a dollar, but ate all I could.  I had the Classic Guacamole, Pico de Gallo, Queso Fundido, and four different street Tacos (photo).  I also had a PineappleRita and a Mexican Flan for dessert.  All was very good.  It’s a beautiful day with three ships docked, and I watched the NCL Escape sail away while dining.  Hola is located next to the Infinity Bridge, on the port side deck 8, offering a great view of the cruise ships while they are docked.  I stopped at the Brooklyn Lounge for my Coca-Colas to take back to the cabin.  I had cabin time and a wee nap this afternoon, then went to the Brooklyn Lounge for cocktails.  The servers & bartenders there really take care of us.  There were four large ships docked, one more than usual due to rerouting caused by the hurricane.  That’s just too many people for this port.  I did the right thing staying on board.  Dinner tonight was good, with the best selection of starters of the week's menu.  I had the Escargot à la Bourguignonne, Beetroot Salad, Seafood Newburg (with Scallops), Shrimp Cocktail, the Roasted Beef Tenderloin entrée, and the Dulce de Leche Cream Cake.  All excellent, so now six great meals in a row.  Tonight is the White Night Party, and many guests are dressed in white, which is good to see the participation.  I later had a Coca-Cola and retired.  It was an enjoyable day on board the MSC Seashore.

Friday, October 31 / Cozumel, Mexico / Day 6  

Smooth seas overnight, and I slept well.  We are docked at Puerto Langosta, and it’s a beautiful day.  At about 9:00 a.m., I debarked the ship and casually walked into San Miguel while it was nice and cool.  Looks like my Spa is taking the day off for Day of the Dead, so I went to Antonios Barber Shop for my haircut.  Martin has done a great job on my hair for seventeen years.  Afterward, I went to the Church, and it was busier than usual, as this is the weekend they honor their dead.  Mike was already at Woody’s, holding my usual table that’s next to the Day of the Dead altar on this day.  Nice DoD altar.  I ordered my usual Coca-Cola, then Bohemia Clara, and Guacamole with Pico de Gallo.  Lots of Halloween decorations are up, too.  I know they are having a big party this evening.  The Live Music began in the afternoon, and the weather is relatively cool…sweet.  I left for the return early enough to casually walk and stop along the way.  They did not have Mexican immigration security this morning, and this afternoon, only the Port checked cruise cards.  I have to remember the new Carl’s Junior on the main square for future cravings.  Lots of decor for Day of the Dead in the Main Square and Malecon (photo).  Always a relief to clean up after a day here in Cozumel.  At 6:00 p.m.  I went to the Brooklyn Lounge for the usual cocktails, then to dinner at 7:15 p.m.  Tonight, I ordered the Stuffed Baked Mushrooms, Shrimp Cocktail, Penne all’American Pasta, the NY Strip Steak entree (2), and the Coconut Cake for dessert.   It was all excellent.  Afterward, a short walkabout to see the many guests in Halloween costumes.   More than I expected, but fewer than on other cruises.  Still a fun Halloween turnout.   I then returned to the cabin to update this blog.  It was a great port day in Cozumel.

Saturday, November 1 / Day at Sea / Day 7  

Smooth seas overnight with a light shower in the early hours.  We are staying on Cozumel time, as tomorrow is the day we observe Daylight Saving Time.  Essentially, we will remain on the ship's time for a day, and we will arrive with the correct EST local time.  I was hoping they would do this, as it makes sense.  At about 9:00 a.m.  I went to breakfast in the Steakhouse and had the same waiter, sitting at a table by the window.  I again had the Steak & Eggs with extras (photo).  It was terrific.  Today’s plan is for a full day of NCAA football.  I stopped at the Sports Bar and got some Coca-Cola for the cabin.  I had great TV reception on my laptop and watched two excellent games.  I took a break during the mid-day games and went to Hola! Cantina for a great meal.  I received everything I ordered on Thursday, including Chicken Enchiladas and Pork Quesadillas.  It was very filling, and all the dishes tasted delicious.  The evening game featured my team, Oklahoma, vs. Tennessee, and it was a very entertaining and close game.  I was able to watch my Sooners win and also watch the extra innings of the World Series.  I did some packing and will be ready for an early debarkation in the morning.  I really didn’t do much cruise-related, but it was a good day on the MSC Seashore.  

Sunday, November 2 / Debarkation Day

Smooth seas overnight.  I roll off my own bag so I can leave the cabin early.  I believe it all started an hour early, as I was still in my cabin when they announced debark at about 6:30 a.m.  I was ready, so I made it to the elevator and made my way to Deck 6 straightaway.  I was off the ship and through Security by 7:00 a.m.  I took the awaiting shuttle to Park-n-Cruise and was on the road, stopped to wash the car and get fuel, and was home by 10:45 a.m.  Amazingly quick and easy.

Highlights

Teppanyaki Dinner

Hola! Cantina

Excellent Food and Service in the Main Dining Room

Private Meeting wth Captain

Diamond Guest Party

Cozumel Day

English Castles & Countryside Tour - September 18 - 30, 2026

 

English Castles & Countryside Tour  -  September 18 - 30, 2026

I am traveling on a Gate-1 12-day fall English Castles and Countryside tour with my Dear Wife (DW).  This is my 5th Gate-1 tour, although we have both been to the UK many times over the years.

Thursday, September 18th  -  Travel Day - Depart for England - Day 1

We don’t fly out until the evening, so I packed today and prepared for the trip.  At about 7:30 p.m., the DD took us to the Tampa International Airport for our 10:30 p.m. direct departure on Virgin Atlantic Airlines to London’s Heathrow Airport.  

Friday, September 19th  -  Windsor  -  Day 2 

Our flight gained one hour in time, and we arrived at about 11:30 a.m. local time.  The flight was uneventful, and we had Exit Row seats, so room to stretch.  Customs use facial recognition, so it was smooth.  The Gate One representative also arrived early and expedited our hotel transportation to Windsor.  We always try to use Windsor as our gateway city when we visit the London area, so we are familiar with the area.  In fact, we have stayed at the MacDonald Windsor Hotel previously.  The hotel is located on the High Street directly across from Windsor Castle, which only two days ago hosted the President of the United States at a formal State Dinner with the King of England.  The banner flags of the USA and the UK continue to adorn the roads and streets around Windsor—a lovely welcome for us.  We met our Gate-1 tour manager, David, and then settled into our room for a wee nap.  At about 4:00 p.m., we took a short walkabout on this beautiful day and ended up at the Two Brewers Pub (photo), established in 1792, although the building dates back to 1709. It is situated on Park Street, one of the most architecturally distinguished streets and one of the oldest in Windsor.  We sat outside, enjoyed our Coca-Colas and excellent draft Czech beer while observing locals, most of whom had dogs, and tourists entering the Long Walk Park—a perfect beginning to our trip.  At 6:00 p.m., we met our group of 16 at our host hotel for dinner, and David conducted an orientation, distributing name tags, baggage tags, and radios.  Dinner was fine; I had a Cauliflower Soup, the Grilled Chicken entree, and a fruit sorbet for dessert.  The DW had the Caesar Salad, the Gnocchi Pasta, and a lovely Chocolate lava-style cake.  We retired after dinner for much-needed rest.

Saturday, September 20th  -  Windsor Castle - Cambridge  -  Day 3  

We had a very nice English breakfast at the hotel's buffet this morning, then met for our tour of Windsor Castle.  We attended the Changing of the Guard ceremony and then entered the Windsor Chapel, primarily to view the new tomb of Queen Elizabeth II.  We then had a Coca-Cola on the Terrace before touring the Castle apartments and public rooms. We were most interested in the Rooms and Hall used during the recent State Dinner we had watched on Television just three days earlier.  We engaged two different room guides for interesting tidbits about the preparations for the state dinner.  The Tables were in the George III main dining room, but the State Dinner was held in the Great Hall, which is larger.  The China used was back on display as well.  We had previously seen Queen Mary’s Doll House, so we spent more time viewing the items/rooms from the two recent events.  It was a delightful visit to Windsor Castle.  We had time for some souvenirs and a quick lunch at Five Guys before meeting the group for the walk to the Bus/Coach Parking area.  A wonderful time in Windsor, we wish we had come a day or more early.  The drive to Cambridge took less than two hours, and we arrived at our hotel, the Hilton Graduate Hotel, before 4:30 p.m.  Our bags were delivered almost immediately, and our lovely room was decorated in a very British Empire decor.  The lobby and rooms' decor emphasize British Education, and even our room keys were Student IDs.  Very clever.  Our tour of Cambridge is scheduled for tomorrow, but at 5:30 p.m. David took us on an unofficial tour of Cambridge.  A historic college town with buildings dating back to the 15th-16th centuries.  Eventually, we ended up at the Regal Pub, located in the former Regal Theater. It’s a massive Pub in size and busy on this Saturday night.  I drank Leffe, a great beer I discovered on a trip to Belgium, and the DW had Pinot Grigio, which is actually served here on tap.  It’s an excellent spot for people-watching, and we had a good time.  We then walked, the longer way, back to our hotel.  Upon our return, I followed the OU vs. Auburn NCAA football game online.  It was late here, but it was still the afternoon back in Norman, Oklahoma.  It was a great day.

Sunday,  September 21st  -  Cambridge, England. -  Day 4 

I was up a bit late following the football game online, but slept well in my comfy bed.  I had a nice buffet breakfast in the hotel dining room this morning, which included eggs with rashers, but unfortunately, no English bacon.  The weather is clear, so it's ideal for our walking tour, scheduled for 9:15 a.m. this morning.  Our local guide, Joan, took us on a tour of the area's most famous colleges.  We started at Pembroke College, the third oldest of the 30+ colleges, located here.  The Pembroke Chapel was the first project of Sir Christopher Wren, which was opened in 1665.  We saved the best for last as we visited the King’s College Chapel.  This is a colossal building with the largest fan-vaulted ceiling in the world, thus excellent acoustics.  It also has Rubeans' Adoration of the Magi (1633) as an Altar piece.  All quite amazing.  In between the two, we visited: Great St. Mary’s Church, The Eagle Pub, The Round Church, the Corpus Christi Clock, and Newton’s Apple Tree.  All very interesting themselves.  We then had a lunch break, and the DW and I returned to the Eagle Pub, known for its historic charm dating back to 1667, its connection to the discovery of DNA, and its use during World War II.  I ordered the Roasted Pork Belly from the Sunday Dinner Menu.  At about 1:45 p.m., the group met for an extra walkabout towards the River Cam, where we enjoyed a Punt along the river.  The view of the colleges was fantastic (photo).  I took a casual walk back to our hotel and enjoyed a Diet Coke upon arrival.  It was a busy day, and we had an early leave in the morning, so I retired as early as I could this evening.  It was a fantastic day in Cambridge.

Monday,  September 22nd  -  Leicester & York, England. -  Day 4  

I was up early to pack as we have a 7:00 a.m. bag pick-up time, then went to the hotel restaurant for a nice breakfast buffet to start the day.  We boarded our Gate 1 bus at 8:00 a.m. and arrived in Leicester, in the East Midlands area of England, at approximately 10:15 a.m.  We visited the Richard III Museum, where we learned about the life of King Richard III of England and the recent (2012) discovery of his burial site in a car park in Leicester.  A fabulous story of both.  We also visited the new tomb of Richard III inside Leicester  Cathedral.  We then had time for a walkabout, a snack, and a purchase of Coca-Cola for our drive to York.  We arrived at our hotel, Malmasion York, at about 3:30 and began our walking tour of Old York at about 4:00 p.m. with our local guide.  We walked to the Ouse River, crossing the Lindal bridge to the Park, where we could see the City Walls that were built on top of existing Roman Walls.  We then crossed through the Bootham Bar or old City Gates into the Old Town of York.  We made our way up the Medieval Street to the York Minster (photo).  Here we saw the recently dedicated memorial to Elizabeth II and one of the original Roman Columns.  Such a considerable span of history in one location.  Of course, the York Minster Cathedral is magnificent in its own right, dating back to the 7th century.  We continued our walk through the old streets to the Shambles, the most unique and original medieval street, characterized by its overhanging building facades.  Our local guide paused us in the Chocolate Area and shared Kit-Kat bars with the group, teaching us about the history of chocolate in York.  Who knew? And yes, the original Kit-Kat Bars were from here.  We then made our way back to the hotel, as we have a 7:00 p.m. group dinner at Malmasion.  We had a private dining room reserved for our group. I enjoyed the Buffalo-style Chicken Thighs, the fresh Whitefish entree, and York Bread Pudding with Vanilla Ice Cream.  A nice meal following a busy travel day.  After dinner, we reviewed the group schedule, which was always located at the front desk, then retired for the evening.

Tuesday,  September 23rd  -  Castle Howard and Witby, England -  Day 5 

I slept well, but it was warm for me, as the thermostat is locked at 21.5 °C, and no way to open the windows.  Our least favorite hotel so far.  I had a cold breakfast to save some time this morning, and at about 9:15 a.m., we boarded our bus for our day trip.  Our first stop was at Castle Howard (photo), which is really a very large Country Manor House, but it was built on the site of an old fortified castle.  The site is most famous as the home featured in the TV series Brideshead Revisited and Bridgerton.  It is an imposing house and property and the DW’s most anticipated stop on this tour.  She wasn’t disappointed; it’s a magnificent Stately Country Home.  The gardens are also amazing.  For additional historical information on Castle Howard, click here.  Just after noon, we were off to Whitby, a seaside town on the north Yorkshire coast.  We arrived at about 1:00 p.m., and our first stop was Whitby Abbey, a 7th-century Christian monastery that has been a ruin since Henry VIII dissolved the Monasteries.  Still the symbol of Whitny and sailors to this day.  Some in the group walked down the famous 199 steps to Whitby, but I took the bus to have more time in the city.  The DW and I ate a lovely sit-down meal at Hetty & Betty’s.  I had fish and chips, the popular item in Whitby.  We did some shopping at Boots, then met our group at 2:30 p.m. and boarded our bus back to York, arriving at our hotel around 4:00 p.m.  We then went into the old town to the old Chocolate area near the Shambles.  We picked up some chocolates at the Chocolate Museum for gifts, then went to York Minster Cathedral for Evensong, which began at 5:30.  It was great, the choir was excellent, and it was a good way to see the interior of the Cathedral.  We bought sweets, so we're skipping dinner tonight.  After returning to the hotel, we relaxed, and I updated this blog and watched the news from home.  We retired early after such a busy day, having seen such beautiful places.

Wednesday,  September 24th  -  Chester, England -  Day 6 

We woke early for our 7:00 a.m. luggage drop this morning, then went to breakfast in the hotel dining room.  We ordered the full English breakfast and a California breakfast (eggs & avocados), which was more than enough food to share.  At 8:00 a.m., we boarded our Gate 1 bus for the drive to Chester, England, arriving around 11:00 a.m.  We met our local guide, Liz, and began our three-hour tour of the historic city of Chester.  Whereas York had a Viking founding past, Chester has a very Roman founding past, and Roman Walls surround the old town.  We first walked to the center of the old town for an orientation view and toured the unique, two-level timber-framed medieval buildings found there.  We then toured the Chester Cathedral, first established in the 10th century and altered through the 16th century during the Viking/Catholic/Anglican periods.  An impressively large church building.  We walked along the old city walls to the site of the Roman Theater, then to the area overlooking the River Dee.  We also viewed: Story House, the Town Hall, the Eastgate Clock, Roman Gardens, Tudor House, and more.  It was an excellent tour, and this city is maintained better and cleaner than the previous two.  Over the years, I have learned to try to eat where the locals eat, and when I saw the new indoor Market area, I knew it was the place; it was full of local specialty foods.  We ate Mediterranean, and it was terrific.  I then enjoyed Staropramen beer while the DW looked around the shops until our meeting time of 4:00 p.m.  The bus then took us to our hotel, the DoubleTree by Hilton.  We have a spacious, modern room with a country estate atmosphere, and we were very pleased with it.  We had a group dinner at 6:30 in the hotel dining room.  I had the Beetroot starter, the Baked Chicken entrée, and the Ice Cream for dessert.  We retired after dinner as we had to leave early again in the morning.  It was a wonderful day in Chester.  Todays photo is of the rear view of Chester Cathedral from the City Walls.

Thursday, September 25th  -  Touring Wales - Blaenan Ffestiniog Railway - Anglesey  -  Day 7 

Another early day with 7:30 a.m. luggage collection.  I had a light breakfast at the hotel buffet before meeting our group at 8:00 a.m. for our journey into Wales.  We first stopped in the Village of Llangollen, where the Coach had a computer glitch, but soon a nice replacement Van came and took us on to Blaenan.  We missed our scheduled train, but we had Tea and Welsh Cakes (very similar to Scones) as we waited for the next train at 12:45 p.m.  The narrow gauge Ffestiniog Railway steam train was a treat, and the weather was clear and

 ideal for the beautiful views of the mountains and countryside (photo).  After about 45 minutes, we arrived at the Porthmadog station on the Irish Sea, where we were met by our original coach and driver, Grahame.  We then drove into Anglesey, crossing the Britannia Bridge to visit the Halan Mon sea salt factory.  It was my first experience with salt tasting.  My palate couldn’t discern the differences.  The view of the sea and mountains was spectacular, making the trip worthwhile.  We then made our way to our accommodation: The Quay Hotel & Spa in Conwy, located on a harbor with lovely views.  Our room was spacious and well-appointed, featuring a balcony with stunning views.  We relaxed until dinner at 7:00 p.m.  Tonight, I ordered the Soup, the nice Beef entree, and Carrot Cake for dessert.  We retired after dinner for some television, internet, and rest.  It was another busy day.  It was only my second trip into Wales, but my first to really see the countryside.  Another great day.

 

Friday, September 26th  -  Touring Wales - Conwy and Caernarfon Castle  -  Day 8 

 

I slept well overnight.  I went to the hotel's dining room for breakfast, where the cold food and bread were served buffet-style, and you ordered hot food from a menu.  I ordered my usual favorite items.  We left at about 9:30 a.m. to drive across the harbor to Conwy Castle and the old town of Conwy.  We conducted a walkabout and then visited the Smallest House in the U.K., located adjacent to the old city walls and St. Mary's Church, known for its association with William Wordsworth’s poem “We Are Seven."  Soon, we left for 

Caernarfon Castle (photo) and the surrounding town of 

Caernarfon.  We spent two of our four hours of free time in the Castle itself, which was very interesting.  King Edward I (of Braveheart fame), who attempted to consolidate England, Wales, and Scotland, built upon an existing castle, the new, larger current Castle in 1283.  I always try to eat where the locals eat, and today we went to the Castle Pub, where we were the only English speakers in the place.  So successful in finding the locals.  I had the Fish & Chips plate with Salads and garden Peas as well as a Pint.  We then did a walkabout and joined the group at 4:00 p.m. for our return.  We took the longer mountainous scenic route through Snowdonia National Park back to Conwy.  It was a fantastic drive with incredible sights and landscapes.  Once back at our hotel, we relaxed until dinner at 7:00 p.m.  Tonight I ordered: the Pate, 

the same nice Beef entree, and Carrot Cake for dessert.  We sat with David at a three-top table and had some great discussions about British Television and travel.  We retired after dinner.  I updated this blog and reviewed news & weather from America.  It was an easy and enjoyable day in Wales.

Saturday, September 27th  -  Touring the Cotswolds - Woodstock -  Day 9 

 

We had an early wake-up as we had a 7:00 a.m. luggage pickup time.  Afterward, we went to breakfast in the hotel dining room.  I had the same as the previous one: Eggs, Hash Browns, Sausage, English Bacon, Toast, and Juice.  At 8:00 a.m., we left for our long drive south to the English Cotswolds.  We enjoyed the beautiful views, took two comfort breaks, and watched a documentary on the Royal Family before arriving at Boyd Farms, a private family farm, at 1:00 p.m.  We met the family and employees, and watched a brief history of the Farm while they served us a meal straight from the farm to our table.  It was essentially a Shepherd's Pie, accompanied by Green Beans and Cherry Tomatoes, and they prepared a Vegetarian version for the DW.  We had Fruit Crumble for dessert.  It was excellent.  We then loaded up in a wagon pulled by the tractor and took a tour of the farm and incredible views of the rolling pastures of the Cotswolds.  It was a lovely experience.  We left at about 4:00 p.m. for a beautiful one-hour drive to our hotel in the Village of Woodstock, located just north of Oxford, England.  The Macdonald Bear Hotel is an old Coaching Inn dating to the 13th century.  And our personal room was one of the original, old English upper-level timber-framed rooms (photo) located at the front of the hotel and facing the road.  I did have to duck in several locations within my two-room suite.  It was terrific - both authentic and modernized.  I just had a sandwich & chips this evening as I had my main meal on the farm today.  I did a walkabout in the small town this evening before retiring.  It was a very unique and enjoyable travel day today.

Sunday, September 28th  -  Oxford  -  Day 10  

We both slept well, the best sleep of the trip.  We were also able to sleep a little later.  I had breakfast in the hotel dining room, then the group met at 9:30 for our short drive to Oxford.  

Just as Cambridge, the university is composed of many Colleges, each with ornate Buildings and a Chapel.  As a group, we took an orientation walk, beginning on the north side, where we entered from Woodstock, and ending at the center of town.  We passed by St. John's College, Trinity College, Blackwell’s Bookshop, the Sheldonian Theater, the Bodleian Library, the Radcliffe Camera (an iconic round-domed library), and the Carfax Tower, a 12th-century tower considered the center of Oxford.  From here, we were on our own until we all met for a tour of the monumental Christ Church at 2:00 p.m.  The two of us went to the Covered Market, a 1770s indoor bazaar.  Many of the vendors were closed on this Sunday, but we discovered the oldest mailbox of the trip from the Queen Victoria era.  Our mailbox scavenger hunt has been a lot of fun on this trip.  We also ate at Brown’s Cafe.  I had an excellent double cheeseburger; it was a small-town Texas cafe, acceptable (meaning very good).  We then went to the Ashmolean Museum, the principal museum of Oxford, with an extensive eclectic collection of ancient and period Art and Items bequeathed to the University since 1683.  The highlight for us was the Alfred Jewel, dating to Alfred the Great in the ninth-century Anglo-Saxon era and rediscovered in 1693.  At 2:15 p.m., we began our group tour of Christ Church College, founded by Henry VIII in 1546.  We saw the Tom Tower, Tom Quad, and the Great Dining Hall (photo), which was the seat of the parliament assembled by Charles I during the English Civil War.  The other highlight is the Christ Church Cathedral, which also serves as the College Chapel.  It was a fantastic visit.  Afterward, we returned to our quaint hotel in Woodstock.  The DW and I enjoyed a visit to the hotel bar before our group dinner in the hotel's interesting dining room.  We appreciate this old hotel.  We soon retired to our room, and I updated this blog.  It was a great tour of Oxford today.

Monday, September 29th  -  Blenheim Palace - Hartwell House  -  Day 11  

We were able to sleep later this morning, but early to bed and early to rise for me.  I had a nice breakfast in the hotel dining room and then had our luggage out by 8:45 a.m.  Glad I don't have to maneuver them down two flights of old stairs.  Today, we only have to go around the corner to Blenheim Palace; its property adjoins the village.  We entered when it opened at 10:30 a.m., and it was a self-guided tour with docents in most rooms.  It’s a beautiful place with many formal state rooms and lounges.  We especially liked the Library that happened to have many first editions of Charles Dickens.  Additionally, the Winston Churchill birthing room, which featured a dozen original W. Churchill paintings.  We had all morning, so we paced ourselves while viewing the rooms, and we engaged the docents for information.  The DW was very impressed with the Horse Stables and how they were presented.  They offered a Basement Tour to see the Staff Quarters as well as the Kitchens, Laundry, and more.  They also had a special exhibition featuring the entire life of Sir Winston Churchill.  We enjoyed that very much.  At 1:30, we met for our special Cream Tea in the Orangery (former estate Kitchens).  It was nice and well presented, small Sandwiches, Scones, and various Sweets. It was a lovely English experience.  Afterward, we had a short drive to Hartwell House, a beautiful country manor house now serving as a hotel.  By far our best accommodation of the trip.  Most, including the DW, took a walk around the stunning grounds.  I found a terrace with a beautiful view and enjoyed a pilsner beer.  We had group cocktails in the Library, and the Manager gave us a detailed history of the House, which had served as the HQ of the de facto Royal French Government at one time.  Then, our Farewell Dinner was served in a private room.  It was the best meal of the trip, too. DW loved her special Vegetarian Dish, and I had an excellent Goat's Cheese Mousse, as well as the Chicken Breast thyme entree with Rosemary Pomme, Artichokes, and Leeks.  For dessert, we had Lemon Posset, with blueberry gel, crème fraîche, and meringue.  It was terrific with outstanding service.  I retired soon after dinner.  An amazing day on the final day of the tour.

 

Gate-1 Travel

Again, we had an amazingly well-organized tour.  Only 16 in the group with a full-size bus and our driver, Grahame.  Our tour manager, Mr. David Short, was both a perfect English gentleman and an excellent guide.  He was very knowledgeable, humorous, and accommodating.  He provided his own useful maps of our stops and added personal anecdotes of English life.  Best manager I have had on Gate-1.