Monarch Baroness River Cruise - May 3-10, 2026

Monarch Baroness River Cruise - May 3-10, 2026

This is a continuation of our 2026 Europe trip, following our wonderful Gate-1 Discover Northern France tour.  This ship is owned by Gate-1, and this is only our second River Cruise in Europe.  I am traveling with my Dear Wife (DW).  

Day 1 - Sunday, May 3rd, 2026  -   Travel Day - Embarkation - Budapest, Hungary

We woke in Versailles, France, and took an afternoon Air France flight from CDG to BUD, arriving at about 6:40 p.m.  We landed about an hour late due to thunderstorms in the Paris area, but the flight was smooth, and our seats were excellent. We were pleased to see all of our baggage on the luggage carousel, as one luggage tag was unclear.  So, a nice, uneventful flight.  We took a local taxi ($42) to the riverfront on the Buda side until we came to the Monarch Baroness (MB).  It was about 7:00 p.m and we could see through the picture windows that dinner had started as we came down the gangway.  We were checked in and stowed our luggage, then were seated for dinner, only fashionably late.  Super!  Milos, our very helpful Serbian waiter, got us caught up on the servings, so I didn’t really see the menu for proper names, but I had a vegetable-based soup, a very nice Beef entree with fresh vegetables, and a super Horseradish, then a Fruit plate for dessert.  We obviously missed the orientation at 5:00 p.m., so I did a walkabout to familiarize myself with our home for the next seven days.  The MB had arranged for some local Hungarian folk singers and dancers.  I caught the end of their routine in the lounge. It was a talented group.  I had taken my travel glass with me, so I enjoyed a nice Coca-Cola from the bar at the lounge entrance.  Our cabin is located only 50 feet away across the upper gallery.  Cabin 401 is the first cabin on the starboard deck on the upper deck.  An excellent location.  Upon my return, we enjoyed the beautiful view of the Hungarian Parliament Building from our balcony (photo) and watched the local sunset cruises on the Danube River.  We have previously stayed in Budapest, so we were familiar with the various sites and bridges.  We set up our cabin, and the storage is quite adequate. We are pleased not to be living out of our suitcases as we have been for the past 12 days.  We retired and reflected on how blessed we are to have experienced Paris, France, and Budapest, Hungary, in a single great day of travel.

Day 2 - Monday, May 4th, 2026   - Departing Budapest, Hungary

We both slept very well.  We were originally scheduled to sail at midday, but left at about 3:00 a.m. due to concerns about low water levels.  At about 8:00 a.m., we docked at a small port, Solt,  approximately 60 miles downstream, near Dunaföldvár, so that guests could take a bus back to Budapest for a city tour.  We passed on doing that, as did many other guests. I assume many came early and had already toured Budapest.  Breakfast is served from 6:30 to 8:30, so I had the best Eggs I have had on this Europe trip, also the Hot Milk was perfect.  The DW has been sleeping in, so I took Crosaints back to the cabin.  I did another walkabout, found the ice and water stations, and then went up to the massive Sun Deck above us.  This is larger than our previous riverboat.  The crew has been very friendly and helpful everywhere I go.  When DW woke, we took another walkabout, and our cabin attendant did our cabin.  Half of the guests on tour arrived back at 1:15 p.m., just before the dining room opened for lunch at 1:30 p.m. Lunch was excellent; the spaghetti carbonara was the feature, with a Chef serving, but to me it was undercooked.  The Hungarian Goulash on the buffet was excellent, especially with the mashed otatoes an fresh vegetables.  I had the ice cream selections for dessert.  Also, Coca-Cola, wine, or beer is included at meals.  After lunch, I took a very nice nap. Note to self: keep shades closed during afternoon sun.  The cabin warmed up fast while asleep.  DW passed on dinner, and I sat with a nice couple from Minnesota.  Still a Hungarian menu, I ordered: the Magyar Appetizer (salami and kolbas), the Hungarian Soup (Gulyas), the Beetroot Risotto entree, and Tiramisu for dessert (photo).  The food was great. I’m trying to learn some Balanise words for the waiters and used Suksma (thanks) tonight…I had extra Coca-Cola all evening.  It was a very relaxing day with great food, so perfect.

Day 3 - Tuesday, May 5th, 2026   -  Vukovar and Osijek, Croatia

We are sleeping well on this riverboat, and we were up early as we are now fully rested.  We are docked in Upper Croatia this morning.  I have a friend who lives in Osijek, Miro, who many of my cruise friends will know, but will miss him by a day, as he is in Bratislava until tomorrow,  so close. Bright and sunny this morning as we prepare for a tour.  We went to breakfast when it opened at 7:00 a.m.  I tried the scrambled eggs on the buffet, and they were very good, unlike the ones in France.  Pastries, Bacon, and Hot Milk were also good.  Our tour today left at about 8:30 a.m., and we walked through Vukovar, which has been rebuilt to 75% since the Yugoslav Wars, but many buildings are still in ruins, with more showing the scars of war.  Ground zero here with Serbia across the river.  Really very sad.  We then drove for about an hour to Osijek, the 4th-largest city in Croatia (photo).  War ruins and monuments here as well, but a booming city with streetcars and large churches.  We had a 45-minute walking tour, then 45 minutes of free time.  We visited the large church, then had a quick Coca-Cola and Fries from McDonald’s.  Between the two was the American Bar, where I had the local Antique Pelinkovac, a traditional drink often claimed to have medicinal qualities. This is also the bar location that my friend Miro was associated with.  A good visit.  We then returned to the ship, where lunch was served at about 1:30 p.m.  Great BBQ Pork Ribs were the feature today.  We rested and watched a new movie, Housemaid (2025), in the cabin.  It was great.  We had an earlier-than-usual dinner featuring a Minute Steak as we docked and cleared customs in Novi Sad, Serbia.  The Cruise Director was doing a walkabout, but due to a delayed arrival and longer customs clearance, we passed as it was already 9:00 p.m.  We did go outside and enjoyed the city & river views before retiring. It was an interesting day in the Balkan ports.

Day 4 - Wednesday, May 6th, 2026   -  Belgrade, Serbia 

I slept very well, but I woke at about 2:00 a.m. when we were casting off from the floating pier in Novi Sad.  And I was awake for the day when we sailed into the Sava River at about 6:30 a.m. to access the city center and the Belgrade river pier.  Sunny with some clouds and cool this morning, but warm this afternoon.  I had a nice hot breakfast in the MDR and brought back Croissants for the DW.  At 9:00 a.m., our three buses began the City Tour of Belgrade, going up the hill to the original location of the Belgrade Fortress. (photo) located atop the escarpment at the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers.  Originally built by Celtic Tribes in the 3rd century, it became a Roman Fort, then a Byzantine Fort, then a Slavic, Bulgarian, Ottoman, and Austrian Fort, and then finally Serbs.  A very strategic site.  Many different walls and Gates over the years, too.  Now a Park with monuments, and scenic overviews of the area.  Next to the Fortress is the original old town, now home to the main pedestrian street with shops, restaurants, bars, bookstores, galleries, and more.  On our way to the Tito Museum and Mausoleum, our local guide pointed out various landmark Hotels, Monuments, Churches, and government buildings in the upper and lower towns.  The guide was really hilarious in his constant commentary on the incompetence of the local government, both now and over the years.  Really clever stuff.  The Tito site was not worthwhile, poor maintenance, trash, many steep steps without railings,  IMHO: not worth the visit.  In another two generations, no one will care.  We went back to the ship for lunch, and in the afternoon, shuttle buses were arranged to take guests to the High Street.  As the temperatures were now very warm, we decided to relax on board.  However, the temperature in our cabin became unbearable, so I took my laptop to the lounge, just next door, which was cooler.  For some reason, the cabin never cooled.  When DW went to the Desk the second time, she insisted that the Hotel Director or a senior follow her back. Once they observed the cabin at 83 degrees, they realized the seriousness of the situation.  Bottom line, we moved from 401 to 301 just below.  So that was our afternoon.  Same cabin attendant, still a short walk, but now to the dining room, front desk, ice, and exits.  We went to dinner at 7:00 p.m., and I enjoyed tonight’s featured entree: Pork Tenderloin.  When we returned to the new cabin, it had cooled.  They offered some local Serbian folk dance in the Lounge, but after some WiFi & TV, we tried to retire, only to have a face-to-face with Serbian Border Control at about 10:30 p.m. when we left port.  An interesting day in Serbia.

Day 5 - Thursday, May 7th, 2026   -  Scenic River Cruise Day 

We set our clocks forward one hour overnight to Eastern European Time.  Good day to do so, as we have no ports today.  The cabin temperature was 66 degrees this morning…excellent.  I was among the first at breakfast this morning, as we’re just next door and the time change was in effect.  I had the Chef prepare three fried eggs over easy, and they were excellent with my bacon and croissants.  At about 9:40 a.m., we staked out a perfect spot in the lounge for the narrated journey, where the Danube cuts through the Iron Gates (mountains), creating beautiful formations and, at one point, a very narrow channel.  It was a beautiful area.  The bonus was that Bloody Marys were 50% off from 10:00-11:00 p.m.  It was perfect as it had become cooler on the outer decks. We reached the highlight of the area: a huge carving of King Decebalus, the last ruler of Dacia who fought the Roman Empire (late 1st–early 2nd century AD).  Our narrator called it the Romanian Mt. Rushmore.  It was very impressive.  We also saw a 2,500-year-old Roman Monument on the Serbian side of the Danube, honoring Roman engineers and soldiers who guarded the Iron Gates.  Lunch was very good; they served Serbian food that made Milos proud. I really enjoyed the Pork Belly from the Carving station.  I think I figured out the system: we had Hungarian food the day after we left, then Serbian food after we left Serbia.  IMHO, the Chef shops while in the ports.  If we have Bulgarian food on our last day, then that may prove it.  We had a relaxing afternoon in the cool cabin, and I updated this blog and reviewed the Markets.  We went through a huge double lock at about 1:00 p.m., always interesting. Then did so again in the late afternoon.  The dinner specialty tonight was Duck, but I’ve had a lot of it of late, so I had the Fish entree.  We skipped the gala show tonight and retired.  We are enjoying our cool cabin.  A great day as King Decebalus was on my bucket list.

Day 6 - Friday, May 8th, 2026   -  Vidin, Bulgaria 

 

Discover Northern France

Discover Northern France by Gate 1 Travel

This is my 7th land tour with Gate-1 Travel.  I am traveling with the DW (dear wife).  We visited the Provence area of France last June and really enjoyed it, so we wanted to book this tour as well.  

Day 0 - Tuesday, April 21st - Travel to Paris

We left the Villa at 11:30 a.m. and took a short Uber ride to TPA. The airport was not busy at all today, and we had time for a nice lunch at Chick-fil-A.  We took an AA flight to Charlotte, where we landed just as our trans-Atlantic flight was boarding.  We hustled to the International Terminal, where we soon boarded with Group 5 and headed to Paris.  

Day 1 - Wednesday, April 22nd - Paris, France 

Our uneventful overnight flight landed at about 8:00 a.m local Paris time.  We went directly through European Union (EU) customs, then were very pleasantly relieved to see that our luggage had made the flight.  We were met by a private Driver that we had booked online from the Tampa Airport through Booking.com.  He was excellent, meeting us with a sign as we exited the baggage area and had us at our hotel after an hour drive at about 9:30 a.m.  We are staying at the M Social Hotel on Boulevard Hassmann in the Opera District of the 9th arrondissement.  It was built in the 1920s in the Art Deco style and operated for years as the Millennium Paris Opera Hotel.  For a reasonable fee, we upgraded to a larger room with a view of the Boulevard. We took the early check-in option, so after a ten-minute wait and some complimentary croissants, juices, and fresh fruit from the Members Club in the Lobby, we were in our room straightaway.  The bed is huge, the same as the one we're used to at home in Florida, and the room is classic.  We rested until about 1:00 p.m., then walked for six minutes to the premier shopping gallery in Paris: Galeries Lafayette Haussmann, a grand, century-old department store with a steel-framed Art Nouveau dome ringed by loggias.  On the upper terrace, they have a viewing area with the beautiful Palais Garnier Opera House (photo) directly in front and The Eiffle Tower beyond.  It was packed with viewers from all over the world.  I had hoped to tour the Opera today, but it was sold out for several days forward. I underestimated the demand, but I understand why after reviewing the interior photos—next trip.  I do love this area of Paris, with its architecture and so many dining options.  We stopped at Cordial Cafe on the way back to the hotel for a light meal. I had the Croque Monsieur, a very Parisian hot ham & cheese dish served with Frites and Salad, DW had an excellent Vegetarian crepe.  We then took a nap and settled into our room.   At about 7:00 p.m., we took a walk on the Avenue, heading in the opposite direction, and passed a block of American food places, with Five Guys, KFC, Chipotle, and McDonald's side by side.  My goal was to make it to Bouillon Chartier Grands Boulevards (1896) for dinner.  This is a very popular French restaurant with three locations in Paris.  We ate at the Montparnasse location on our first night in Paris last year.  We were tricked by what looked like a short line on the sidewalk, but it turned out to be much longer once we entered.  They even had a stand midway selling Sangria.  After half an hour, we were sitting in the original dining section.  The food was excellent. I ordered the Avocado & Shrimp Salad, the Foie Gras, and the Duck Confit with baby Potatoes entree.  We split a Rum Baba for dessert.  It was excellent, and everything was fairly priced.  We walked slowly back to the hotel, and we were in the room by half past nine.  It was a great first day in Paris.  

Day 2 - Thursday, April 23rd - Paris, France - Our Personal Tour Day

I slept well, even with the sounds of the city through our open window (I later closed it).   We got around at about 9:00 a.m. and had a croissant on the way out of the hotel.  Our goal today is the wonderful Musée d’Orsay. We walked only one block to the 8 Metro Richelieu-Drouot station… then, three stations later, we exited at the Concord Station near the River Seine.  We walked through the Jardin des Tuileries to the pedestrian bridge across the Seine and the Musée d’Orsay on the left bank. We used our pre-purchased tickets for a side entry with access to the upper floors (via escalators) and the famous French Impressionist galleries.  We started with the best works and then worked our way through the other galleries.  Our favorites were works by Vincent van Gogh, Claude Monet, Édouard Manet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Édouard Degas, Camille Pissarro, Paul Cezanne, Paul Gauguin, Gustave Courbet, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec,  August Rodin, and more.  Of course, Monet and Rodin have their own museums in Paris.  Once we left the Impressionists on Level 5, we stopped in the Cafe Campana (also on 5) for some rest, a Carrot Cake, and Coca-Cola. Following this, we entered the lower galleries in the original d'Orsay train station.  What an impressive, massive gallery this was converted into, and our first impression was from above.  Beautiful.  Once on the main floor, we visited the special Exhibit: Renoir and Love, featuring their own collection as well as Renoir's masterpieces on loan from museums around the world, including Pierre-Auguste Renoir's Luncheon of the Boating Party (my photo above). We were able to get seats directly across from it in the viewing area, so we sat and really enjoyed this masterpiece—the highlight of our visit.  Others I appreciated seeing were Van Gogh’s Starry Night Over the Rhone and Self Portrait.  We were going to walk to the St. Germain area, but chose to return to the hotel after doing a lot of walking inside the huge museum. We did stop for a wonderful street Crepe when we returned through the Jardin des Tuileries.  This morning, I added Metro tickets to my Metro Card in my iPhone wallet from last year, and it worked flawlessly coming and going.  The Metro cars were packed both times, too.  Once back at the hotel, we rested the rest of the afternoon.  At about 4:00 p.m., I walked to Bouillon Chartier for dinner.  No line at all at this time of day.  I ordered the Avocado Shrimp again, the Steak with Fries entree, and Rice Pudding for dessert.  It was great.  At 6:00 p.m., we meet our Gate-1 group for orientation.  I discovered that they were also furnishing a group meal at 7:30 p.m.  We walked three blocks to Les Noces de Jeannette, a very lovely French Restaurant. Wines were offered, and a set menu with two entree choices.  I had a wonderful Crayfish Salad with Citrus and the Duck à l’Orange entree, with a traditional Parisian Opera Cake for dessert (I passed as it has coffee flavors).  My second dinner was perhaps better than my first dinner.  We retired after dinner.  Another wonderful day in Paris.

Day 3 - Friday, April 24th - Paris, France - Group Tour of Paris

I slept well overnight, and we were up early.  I had a nice hotel breakfast just after 6:30 a.m. There was a large variety of items to choose from, including Bacon, Cheeses, Eggs to order, fresh Breads, Juices, Coffees, and much more.  Our bus left at 7:30 a.m. for a mostly panoramic tour of Paris.  We did stop at the Arc de Triomphe, the Invalides area for Coffee or Cokes, and the Effial Tower for photo opportunities.  Our final stop was the famous Louvre Museum, a former Palace, where we had two hours on our own to explore its treasures.  This was identical to the tour we took this past June.  I have to say the Louvre was much too crowded to really enjoy.  We did have the option to stay longer or take the bus back to the hotel at 1:00 p.m.  We took the bus.  At about 3:00 p.m we did a walkabout and had lunch at La Creme de Paris, a highly rated creperie.  DW had a cheese crepe, and I had the ham & cheese crepe.  They were very good and filling.  We did some shopping and returned to the hotel for our 5:30 special tour in a vintage French Citroën automobile.  We went through several Paris neighborhoods and the Moulin Rouge area on our way to the famous Montmartre district, the highest area of Paris, and the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre. In the photo above, you can see the red Citroën we rode in last year and the Sacré-Cœur.  Here, we had an hour-plus to walk around in this amazing, very busy area.  I enjoyed several Heineken beers as well.  We then rode our Citroën back to the hotel.  It was the highlight of the day.  We then retired early for much-needed rest.  Another great day in Paris.

Day 4 - Saturday, April 25th - Paris, France - Champagne Region

I had the best full night of sleep of the trip, but was up at 7:00 a.m. for breakfast.  We were all off at 8:00 a.m for our day trip to the Champagne region today.  Driving through central Paris early, without crowds on a Saturday, was pleasant, then once past the Euro Disney area, the countryside was beautiful, pastoral farmland. Our first stop was at Nicolas Feuillatte, a nice, modern (think robotic) Champagne winery/distiller outside Epernay.  We viewed the bottling areas, huge storage vats, and the cellars where they age the product, and of course, had a tasting.  We then drove into Epernay on one of the most magnificent streets I have seen, the Avenue of Champagne, home to dozens of Champagne Houses (most are huge mansions) representing various champagnes.  We stopped at Brasserie de la Banque, a wonderful restaurant located in a former bank building.  The food was good, we had a set menu: Vegetable Cream Soup, a hearty Beef Bourguignon, and Chocolate Cream Brulee.  It was traditional, very plentiful, and good.  Wine was served as well.  We then drove to Reims to visit the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims, an awe-inspiring building dating to the 5th century.  Most of it was built in the Gothic style during the 13th century.  Most of the early Kings of France were crowned here, and the site has a significant history with Joan of Arc.  Very impressive.  We then drove back to Paris, arriving before 6:00 p.m.  It was a great day trip.  At about 7:30 p.m., we did a walkabout of the Galeries Lafayette Haussmann Food Court, located in a building of its own across from the main department store.  I was amazed by the amazing foods available.  Back in the hotel in time to listen to the Oklahoma afternoon softball game on internet radio before retiring.  It was a great last full day in Paris.

Day 5 - Sunday, April 26th  - Giverny - Normandy

We woke early to have our bags out by 7:00 a.m.  We then went down to breakfast and to check out.  The hotel was fair with me on the early check-in fee; it was closer to 11:00 than 9:00, so they reduced that charge and only charged the upgrade fee one day.  That was nice, and we were pleased with the hotel; the location and the neighborhood are exceptional.  The group and our tour bus were on the road by 8:00 a.m.  An empty Paris made travel easy, and soon we were passing the Arc de Triomphe heading west.  We arrived in Giverny just at the opening time of Claude Monet’s Home and Gardens (photo). Monet lived here for his final 30+ years and built the beautiful gardens and pond, which inspired his paintings, including his famous Water Lilies series.  The garden is quite beautiful, with a variety of flowers.  The pond is perfect,  reflecting everything, including the unique Japanese-inspired bridge.  Our early arrival was perfect, as it got very busy very fast in the first hours.  The House he built and lived in for many years can also be toured.  It was a memorable visit.  Afterward, we went to a unique local restaurant built at an old 18th century Water Mill nearby.  I’m not sure how Gate-1 finds these hidden gems. The food was good but not memorable.  We then drove an hour and a half to our home for two days, the historic seaside Le Grand Hôtel de Cabourg.   The hotel was rebuilt in 1907 and is famous for many reasons.  It has the sea and beach on one side and is surrounded by old, beautiful 18th-century mansions originally built as weekend shoreside residences for wealthy Parisians.  On Sundays, the High Street becomes pedestrian-only with a festival atmosphere.  Even a Ferris wheel on one side and a merry-go-round on the other.  We had a group dinner tonight in a room overlooking the sea.  Tonight I had the Burrata Cheese & Tomatoes, the Salmon on Risotto, and a Chocolate dessert that I wasn’t interested in, as I’m off chocolate.  We retired after dinner.  It was a good first full day of travel in France.

Day 6 - Monday, April 27th  - Normandy - Cabourg

The group is visiting the WWII Museum near Normandy’s Omaha Beach and Cemetery today, but we have already visited every site they will see, including Pointe du Hoc, so we will make a day of it in the beautiful town of Cabourg.  We slept later than usual, and I went to a nice breakfast overlooking the sea at about 9:30 a.m.  The dining room was elegant and the food delicious.  I took Madeleines back to the room for the DW and to snack later. This morning we walked to the local museum, Villa du Temps retrouvé. It was very nice and featured exhibits on "La Belle Époque,” or what Americans called the Gilded Age. We then went shopping on the High Street, getting some nautical-themed items. We had lunch at a creperie, then walked around the beautiful, restored 18th-century homes built for wealthy Parisians.  We then went back to the hotel to rest. In the afternoon, we walked along the long waterfront promenade, then went to Le Hastings Restaurant for a meal.  This was a wonderful meal.  I requested a specially made hamburger with the requested additions, such as local cheese, local bacon (similar to Canadian bacon), beef cooked to order, and what they call ‘salad’ on a brioche bun. It was amazing, and I praised the chef.  It was just what I needed as a break from all the French food.  We returned to the hotel and enjoyed our spacious room with a balcony for the remainder of the day.  I know it was a good day for the group at the D-day beaches, but it was a great day for us in Cabour.

Day 6 - Tuesday, April 28th  - Mont St. Michel - Malo

I slept well, and we had an 8:30 a.m. time to put out our luggage this morning. I then had a nice breakfast in the hotel dining room, and we boarded our bus at 9:30. a.m. for our trip to Mont St. Michel. It is almost a unique place in the world. Mont Saint-Michel  (large photo above) is a small tidal island off the coast of Normandy, France, crowned by a medieval abbey built between the 10th and 16th centuries. Perched on a rocky outcrop, it rises dramatically above shifting sandbanks and strong tides that can isolate it from the mainland; its narrow streets, ramparts, and Gothic monastery are both a historic pilgrimage site and a popular UNESCO-listed tourist landmark.  I wasn’t about to walk up the entire way today, so we stayed in the lower area and enjoyed a great meal at Le Mouton Blanc.  I ordered a litter of Cidar to share, a savory crepe with side salad, and a caramel dessert crepe.  They were excellent.  We then did a short walkabout among the many shops along the narrow passageways (photo).  We met our group at 2:00 p.m., took the shuttle back to the bus parking area, and began our one-hour drive to St. Malo.  We are staying at the Hôtel & Spa Oceania Saint-Malo, located on the Sea wall just outside the impressive old city walls.  We stepped off the bus into a gale of wind coming off the Atlantic Ocean just beside us.  We went directly to our rooms, then I took a short walk into the old town through the main gate.  Impressive old town atmosphere with flat cobblestone streets, many restaurants, bakeries, and shops.  I also found the smaller original area unaffected by WWII.  As I returned to the hotel, I saw why the old walls were built so high; they protected one from the Atlantic winds.  Those were probably refreshing in the summer.  At 7:00 p.m, we went to dinner at Brasserie Le Chateaubriand in Saint-Malo, just inside the walls.  Nice original building, but the food and setup were not really memorable (I had the fish & DW the vegetables).  We retired upon our return to the hotel. Another good day in France.

Day 7 - Wednesday, April 29th  - Loire Valley - Chateau Lunch - Saumur

I slept well, but got up at 6:10 a.m. to prep, pack, and have our bags out by 7:00 a.m.  We went down to a simple breakfast shortly afterward.  The crepes, crousanits, and hot milk were good. We were soon off for our four-hour drive to the Loire Valley, the area of châteaux, castles, wines, and more. Other than our convenience break, our first stop was at Château de Champchevrier at about noon.  The Lady of the Château greeted us and began a tour of the outbuildings, then joined us for a proper lunch in what was probably the storage room next to the old kitchen.  Low-barrelled roof, but a long table set beautifully with proper silverware and glassware.  We had Loire Valley Wine, Duck Parmentier, and Red Wine Poached Pear with local Vanilla Ice Cream.  Perhaps the best meal of the trip.    We then continued to visit the Hounds used for hunting parties, and the rest of the grounds.  It’s been many years since Scotland that I was given a tour by the direct descendant of the original owners, in her case, the 18th-century pre-revolutionary France.  The Loire Valley is beautiful, with the largest Apple Orchard I have ever seen.  They say there are over 300 historic châteaux located in the valley.  After an hour-plus scenic drive, we arrived in Sumur, where we toured the Maison Akerman Sparkling Wine Company.  We went into the caves carved into the limestone, where there is information about the company and displays by French artists.  We then had a tasting of Blac, Rouge, and Rosé wines.  Interesting.  We then went to the Château de Rochecotte, our base for the next two nights.  This is a beautiful Château and Grounds.  The rooms were classic period decor and rather large.  We are both very impressed with this place.  We had a cocktail before dinner, then had dinner in the atrium.  Tonight I had the Pate starter, the Steak entree, and a delicate Coconut Pastry for dessert.  Served with two wines and two bottled water choices.  It was a good meal, but the company was better.  We took a short walk on the grounds before retiring.  A very good day in the Loire Valley of France.

Day 8 - Thursday, April 30th  - Loire Valley - Chateau de Chenonceau - Chateau d'Amboise

I woke early, perused the news and weather, and went to breakfast at about 7:30 a.m.  It was a light buffetbut nice. At about 8:30 a.m we were off on our Loire Valley Châteaux tour.  After an easy hour and half drive, we arrived at the Château de Chenonceau, a French château spanning the river Cher, near the village of Chenonceaux.  It is one of the best-known châteaux of the Loire Valley.  It was built in the 16th century and has a fascinating history, including the King's mistress and the Queen. IMHO, it would make a great movie.  For more information, click here.  Following the morning tour, we had lunch at Gueuleton in a cave.  It was the storage facility of a sparkling wine company.  It was unique and very well done as a restaurant.  The food was also unique, we were served Charcuterie Boards with various Meats & Cheeses, then Potatoes, Cheese pasta au gratin, and bread.  Of course, as much wine as you wish…it’s France.  We then went to the Château d’Amboise overlooking the River Loire.  The town of Amboise has grown around the former Royal Château.  It dates back to the 9th century and underwent expansions.  It became a Royal site in the 15th century and was a favorite of many French kings.  During the Italian Wars, the French king was influenced by the Florentine enlightenment, even bringing Leonardo da Vinci to live in Amboise.  He died here and is interred at the Chapel on the Grounds.  That's basically why the Mona Lisa is in Paris and not Florence: the French king purchased it.  It was a beautiful day all day, with only light rain as we arrived back at Château de Rochecotte.  Dinner was at 7:00 p.m. in the Dining Room and was very good.  A nice table with new friends. For the set menu dinner, I had Cucumber rounds with whipped goat cheese and olive tapenade, a nice Sea Bass entree with whipped Potato & Chick Peas, and a wonderful Tart with mixed fruit. Also, a choice of wine was served with bread and butter if you begged for it (butter).  It was very good tonight.  We retired to pack, as we’ll be leaving early tomorrow morning.  A great Château day in the Loire Valley of France.

Day 9 - Friday, May 1st  - Loire Valley - Blois - Chambord - Chartres Cathedral

I slept well and heard the Cookoo birds this morning.  We had our bags out by 7:15 a.m. and then went to the light breakfast buffet in the dining room.  I made a breakfast sandwich with the wonderful local ham and fresh bread, and I had a few scrambled eggs. They also had the makings for Mimosas with champagne glasses and local sparkling wine.  Nice layout in a very nice room.  We were off at 8:15 a.m. for our drive to Blois.  The Castle/Château dates back to the 9th century and, with later additions, has all four primary styles of Château in the Loire Valley: Medieval, Gothic, Renaissance, and Classic. Only about 20% of the original survives, but all four are visible from the large Courtyard. It was a nice presentation by a local guide. We saw various Royal Rooms and Apartments in the Château.  We were then off to the largest of all the Loire Valley Châteaux: Château Chambord (photo).  This was only a Photo Stop, but with today being a National Holiday, the site was overwhelmed with visitors.  We did get to view it, and it is huge, one of the largest buildings of any kind that I have seen.  It would require a full day to visit IMHO.  Back on the bus and off to visit Chartres Cathedral, one of the largest Gothic churches in all of Europe.  Short visit time in Chartres, but we did get a cheese crêpe and a new thing for me:  a Brittany Hot Dog, basically a hot dog in a crepe.  After too short a time, we were off to our hotel in Versailles, arriving at about 4:00 p.m.  It’s a grand hotel and within view of the Palace.  At 6:00 p.m., the group met for a drink and a photograph as our Tour Manager will be leaving tomorrow before the farewell dinner.  We lingered with a nice couple with another French beer, so we didn’t get back to the room until 8:40ish.  We retired soon afterward after a busy day.  A great final day in the Loire Valley.

Day 10 - Saturday, May 2nd   - Palace of Versailles and Gardens

We slept well; however, the A/C wasn’t working for us, but it cooled with the window open.  It was very nice to have a free morning to sleep in and relax.  We went to the hotel MDR for breakfast at about 9:00 a.m. It was a light buffet with the usual.  Only scrambled eggs were offered the entire trip, interesting, but the bacon and coldcuts have been nice.  Croissants have been our staple.  We met our guide for today at 11:00 a.m. in our lobby, as we will walk to Versailles.  We quickly passed through the first gate and viewed the outer buildings until our entry time of 11:40 a.m.  We entered and viewed the Inner Chapel Area, the Queen's Apartments, the Hall of Mirrors, the Music Room, and much more.  There were many tourists visiting, so it was very crowded.  My previous visit came back to me, especially when I visited the long Heros Gallery, which features many of Napoleon’s victories.  It was a nice visit, and we had a nice local guide.  After the palace, we visited the famous Versailles Gardens, but cut that short to return to the hotel by 1:00 p.m.  We got sandwiches from a shop next door and ice and Coca-Cola from the hotel bar, then ate on the hotel’s patio because it was cooler than eating inside.  We were the trendsetters, as many in our group did the same upon returning from Versailles.  DW had a Caprese sandwich, and I had a traditional Ham & Cheese on baguettes.  Then ice cream for both.  The sandwiches were great, as well as the Cokes.  It was fun, and we didn't go into our room until about 3:45 p.m.  We rested, and I updated my blog.  It's nice to rest after walking in Versailles.  Hotel, although hot, is a perfect location.  At 6:40 p.m., we met for our final group dinner and did a 15-minute walk from the hotel to a small area of mixed restaurants. We ate at a classic French restaurant where we had previously preordered our menu selections.  I had the French Onion Soup, the traditional Duck entree, and French Toast with Ice Cream for dessert.  A nice final meal.  After walking back to the hotel, I listened to an Oklahoma softball doubleheader.  Oklahoma won both and thus the SEC Championship title.  A great final full day in France.

Day 11 - Sunday, May 3rd   - Versailles - Airport Transfer

I slept well and have plenty of time this morning, as I have an afternoon flight.  I updated this blog and reviewed flight information. We went to the hotel breakfast buffet at about 9:30 a.m.  It was nice and quieter later.  We put out our luggage at about 10:30 a.m. and an hour later went to the lobby to meet our airport shuttle.  Our Air France flight to Budapest is not until 3:30 p.m., so it was a relaxing morning.  This evening we will be in Budapest and on the Monarch Baroness.

Gate-1

Gate-1 did another good job. All of the hotels were well chosen for our itinerary.  Our Tour Manager, Sue (Soha) Elbadry, was a charming French lady originally from Egypt. She was assigned this group late, but everything was well managed and organized.  These dates are during a transition period when large hotels' HVAC systems are switching from heat to cool, so if one wants a cool room and the system is still on heat, it won’t happen.  Individual room systems will.  All the restaurants chosen by Gate-1 were good.  The bus was always clean.  It’s nice to be on a Discovery Tour with a max of 22 guests.  It was also one of the best groups of guests I have been part of.

MSC GRANDIOSA - March 28, 2026

 MSC Grandiosa - March 28 - April 4, 2026

This is a Family Spring Break sailing on the MSC Grandiosa, one of my favorite ships.  Myself, DW, DD, SIL, and 7-yr old Granddaughter (her 2nd cruise).  This is my third cruise on The Grandiosa, my 34th cruise on MSC, and my 233rd cruise overall. 

Just the Facts

Ship:  MSC Grandiosa (2019) - 181,500 tons - 6300 pax

Captain: Danilo Cha (Italy)  /  Hotel Director: Anthony Bandini (USA)  /  Cruise Director: Jose Ventura (DR)

Ports: Port Canaveral, FL  - 

Nassau, Bahamas - Ocean Cay, Bahamas, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

Day 1 - Saturday, March 28, 2026  -   Embarkation - Port Canaveral, Florida 

We woke early, finished packing, and we were on our way, picking up the kids at about 7:30 a.m. for our 2+ hour drive to Merritt Island, Florida. We parked at Park-N-Cruise, my favorite parking lot, arriving around 10:15 a.m.  They were loading the first bus, and my karma has been perfect this morning, so we took the second bus, allowing time to potty.  We arrived at the port, went through security, and checked in at the Yacht Club for boarding. Within a few minutes, we were on my way and were actually among the first groups on the ship.  The first stop was the Bistro on deck six, where you can make reservations for specialty dining.  I didn’t purchase any dining packages this time, but booked the Butcher’s Cut Steakhouse for our complimentary Diamond dinners. We then dropped our luggage in our Cabins on deck 9, then went to the Purple Crab MDR on Deck 5 for a nice, quiet luncheon.  Everyone was relaxed, and there were few guests in the MDR.  Everyone had something different. I ordered the Cobb Salad, Steak Frites, and a Sundae.  All very good and the waiters were very attentive to all of us, especially Lily-Rose. While on deck 5, DW and I went to the Excursion Desk to find out what our Cabana assignment would be on Ocean Cay.  Cabana 22, not the best location, but far from the worst.   We then joined the others at the Infiniti Bar, DW and I had Hugo Spritzers, and saw my friend Mirela, the Beverage Manager (photo). Afterward, I returned to deck 6 for my Muster Station check-in.  My first-day must-do list was completed by 2:00 p.m., so it was time to relax and unpack in the cabin.  We relaxed and watched sail away from the cabin balcony, and our cabin attendant, Ari (Bali), made sure we had all we needed, including ice. Lily had a great day; she went swimming and enjoyed the hot tub, then checked into the children's area at about 6:00 p.m.  This allowed us to have an adult-time dinner at Il Campo Restaurant on deck six at about 6:30 p.m.  This is my first time eating in the MDR on embark day. I usually do one of the specialty restaurants’ first-day specials, so it's a new menu for me.  I ordered the Mozzarella-stuffed Meatball, a Shrimp Cocktail, and the Prime Rib entree served with Baked Potato, Broccoli, and Horseradish.  It was a good meal. Dessert was great, I had the Coconut Pistachio Dacquoise and the wonderful Pistachio & Almond ice cream, a delicious combination.  Service was good.  And I took two Cokes back to the cabin for a nightcap.  We were all tired after a very busy day, so we retired early.  I just hope the DD remembers to pick up her child :-)

Day 2 - Sunday, March 29, 2026  -   Nassau, Bahamas

Smooth seas with just enough rocking for a wonderful sleep.  I woke early and updated this blog.  We have a late arrival today and have ordered a light room-service breakfast to eat on the balcony.  A carafe of Hot Milk, Danish, and a fruit plate selection.  We were docked at about 10:00 a.m next to the Disney Dream, and Lily spotted both Mickey & Minnie taking a shortcut on the outer decks.  She was lucky to see them.  I discovered early that tonight was my favorite MDR menu, so I was able to change our steakhouse reservations to tomorrow… actually works better, as DD was able to book a Magic show for tonight.  I stayed aboard the ship to watch a softball game, while the others went ashore at noon.  At 1:15 p.m. I went up to deck 15 with my game on my laptop for Pizza and a Salad.  I enjoyed my usual Pepperoni and a slice of Hawaiian with a fresh green salad, one of my favorite go-to MSC meals (photo).  I also scored some Coke for the cabin.  I had a relaxing time in the cabin in the afternoon. The family had a good time in Nassau, and the DD & GrD returned with braids in their hair.  At about 6:45 p.m., the DW and I went to the Champagne Bar for cocktails.  The Hugo Spritzers, Elderflower Martinis, and bar service were excellent.  Lily went to the children's area this evening, and her parents joined us after their show.  It was a nice Happy Hour for us.  At about 7:45 p.m., we went next door to the Il Campo Restaurant for my favorite meal. They have great appetizers on the menu, and I ordered five: the Escargot (as good as the Bistro), the Seafood Newberg (with great scallops), the Beetroot Salad (as good as the steakhouse), the Broccoli/Cheese soup, and a Shrimp Cocktail.  My entrée was a Tenderloin Steak with Vegetables.  All was great, as was the service. After dinner, I retired to the cabin, and the others did a walkabout and picked up Lily.  It was a great day on the MSC Grandiosa.

Day 3 - Monday, March 30th, 2026  -   Ocean Caye Marine Reserve, Bahamas

Smooth seas overnight, and I slept well.  All of us went to breakfast this morning at Il Campo at about 9:00 a.m.  I ordered two entrees: Eggs Benedict and French Toast with Bacon and Hash Browns.  Also Hot Milk, Danish, and Tomato Juice.  We took our time as it was raining as forecast.  It was a short rain, but it stayed windy all day.  We debarked at about 10:30 a.m and walked to Cabana 22, located on the south beach of the lagoon.  The cabana has cushioned seating, four loungers, two floaties, and cold water.  The water here is beautiful, and Lily-Rose loves the beach.  At about 1:00 p.m., the DW and I stood in the very long line for the Island Buffet. I had the Plantains, Jerk Chicken, BBQ Ribs, Chicken Empanada, Slaw, Bahamian Bread, Pasta Salad, Sliced Mango, and Pineapple (I had two plates).  It was just OK; it was not worth the wait in line.  Food trucks would have been a better choice.  Wind and scavenging birds didn’t help the atmosphere.  We returned to the Cabana and, at about 3:30, began heading back to the ship.  A Yacht Club Cart picked us up (just to fill itself), so we were back on board by 4:00 p.m. Ari had the cabin looking good, but I know we still had sand we couldn't get off before boarding.  Champagne and Macaroons were delivered, so a sweet dessert along with a Coca-Cola while resting.  At about 7:00 p.m., the DW and I went up to the Sky Bar for cocktails, some Jazz, and the sunset.  It was nice.  This is 70’s night, and many guests were dressed in 70’s clothes, especially hippies, including the DD and GrD. We all ate at the Butcher’s Cut this evening.  We all ordered different items. I had a variation of my usual: Beetroot & Burrata salad, a Shrimp Cocktail, a Lobster tail entree, and the DW’s Filet Mignon.  Excellent food and great service by Edys tonight.  After dinner, we retired after a busy day and evening.  

Day 4 - Tuesday, March 30, 2026  -   Day at Sea

Smooth seas overnight, and I was up early, but had had a full night's sleep.  Room service of Hot Milk and pastries this morning after a late evening meal.  The girls came over to play, then at about 11:30 a.m., we all went to the Sea Day Brunch on deck 6.  I had French Toast dipping sticks & Bacon from the children’s menu and a wonderful Cheeseburger with Fries.  The burger was excellent with beef, brisket, bacon, fried onion, tomato, pickle, and lettuce.  The Carnival Magic cruise ship sailed past us, offering a lovely view from the MDR.  We had a lazy day but did a walkabout, I think my first day on deck 19.  Too windy for many outdoor activities today.  Spend some time in the Sky Bar in the afternoon, watching guests on the pool deck below lose hats and towels to the wind.  Interesting new activity.  At about 6:30 p.m we went to the Sky Bar on deck 18 for sunset and cocktails.  The Solo entertainer whom I saw on a previous cruise performed two sets, which was a refreshing break from the Jazz groups.  At about 8:00 p.m., we all collected Lily-Rose from the children's area on deck 18 aft and went to the Il Campo Restaurant on deck six for our Gala Night dinner.  The MDR was packed for Gala Night, even though it was late; Europeans do eat late. IMHO, it’s the second-best menu of the cruise. I ordered a Caesar salad, two Shrimp Cocktails, the Filet Mignon entree, and double pistachio ice cream for dessert.  We were actually lucky to get a table in a corner adjacent to the glass wall to the cooking area.  It could be considered the Best or the Worst table, depending on the criteria.   We could stand and watch all the chefs working in the Kitchen, a very interesting and fascinating view.  The coordination is amazing, you can see the waiters on the left side.  The food was very good, as was the service.  I retired to the cabin and went to bed straight away.  Both a relaxing and tiring day on the MSC Grandiosa.

Day 5 - Wednesday, April 1st, 2026  -   Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

Choppy Seas overnight, and I slept very well.  I had room service again this morning, delivered at about 8:15 a.m., very convenient.  Our arrival was delayed from the scheduled 10:00 a.m. due to the winds.  As soon as a Tug arrived, it continued.  There are two large ships following us into port, too.  The girls came over to play again, so it’s a lazy morning, and the DW and I are planning to stay on board the ship anyway.  At about 12:30 p.m., we went up to the Marketplace for lunch.  Salad and Pizza again, but I tried some other items; the fried perch was very good.  We did an afternoon walkabout and discovered a new quiet place that we will use on the next two sea days home.  We spent time on the balcony as the wind was blocked and the weather was very pleasant out of the sun and wind, with a great view of the Fortaleza de San Felipe fortifications at the harbor entrance (photo).  Afterward, I updated this blog and followed some news on Spectrum on the laptop.  The kids spent the day at the Taiano Bay waterpark, and then stopped by our cabin for sailaway. They are doing the MDR tonight, but the Caribbean Menu is my least favorite, so we did the Marketplace Buffet.  They had a really nice Pork Loin on the Carving Station, and the Pistashio Cream Puffs were also fantastic.  We retired early and had some TV time before retiring.  

Day 6 - Thursday, April 2nd, 2026  -   Day at Sea

Rolling seas overnight, and I slept well.  I enjoyed my room-service breakfast and updated this blog.  At 11:00 a.m., the DW and I went to the Blue-Diamond gathering in the Champagne Bar.  It was good seeing all the Ship officers, most for the 2nd or 3rd time. There were about 14 guests, so more Crew and  Officers than guests.  It was nice with light snacks and complimentary drinks.  The Il Campo Restaurant, located next door, opened at noon, so we had a great window table for lunch.  I ordered a specialty Salad and a Hamburger & French Fries since the Brunch Hamburger was so good.  This one was a bit different, but also very good.  I did ask for mustard, catsup, and mayo to add to the burger.  After lunch, we did a walkabout the ship before returning to the cabin and balcony time.  At 5:00 p.m., we went to the Carosel Stage on deck 7 aft for the Diamond Party hosted by the Cruise Director Jose.  They had the Hotel Director and junior Staff officers, as well as a solo entertainer from Oklahoma and an aerialist from a production show.   We then went up to the Sky Lounge for cocktails, all dressed in white.  The group went to dinner and ship activities, including all of the White Night fun.  I went to the buffet and got Pizza slices for the cabin as I was watching/streaming the Oklahoma vs. Kentucky Softball game at 7:30 p.m.  The game went fast as the Sooners won by run rule in 5 innings.  DW returned, and they all enjoyed the White Night activities, and Lily had her face painted as well (photo).  It was a great day on the MSC Grandiosa.

Day 7 - Friday, April 3rd, 2026  -   Day at Sea

Rolling seas overnight, and I slept well.  I enjoyed my last room-service breakfast of this cruise this morning.  Lily came over to our cabin this morning to play while the DW packed early. We then went to lunch at the Marketplace at about noon.  I had some Pork Belly and BBQ Short Ribs, and they were very good.  The food from the Marketplace has been very good, and of course, the Pizza is the best at sea.  The girls went duck hunting, and I went to the Futures Cruise area to get two open (no sailing picked) certificates.  Actually, the girls came by while on their duck hunt and had found several.  I returned to the cabin to watch/stream today’s OU v. KY Softball Game, which began at 2:00 p.m. Ari had cleaned the cabin, and I requested extra ice for the Coca-Cola I had stocked for the game.  The Sooner again won by run-rule in 5, so another quick game.  I updated this blog, then had balcony time the rest of the afternoon.  At about 6:00 p.m., we went up to the Sky Bar for cocktails.  It was nice, and we were soon joined by the others.  At about 7:15, we went down to our MDR, the Il Campo Restaurant, for our Italian Night dinner.  I ordered a Caprese Salad, Shrimp cocktails, and the Chicken Parmesan with Marinara.  It was very good, as was the service and our table.  Italian night is one of my top 3 MSC MDR menus, and I like the special decorations and special uniforms.  It was a very nice final dinner experience.  I returned to the cabin to begin packing.  I rarely leave my bags out for pickup, but I rarely sail with five family members, so that’s the plan for debarkation.  A great last day on the MSC Grandiosa.

Day 8 - Saturday, April 4th, 2026  -   Debarkation 

Smooth seas overnight.  I always have trouble sleeping on transition days, but I did get some rest.  We have luggage tags number 1, so an early leave time.  We went down at about 8:15 a.m. via the deck 7 gangway, and it wasn’t busy; however, luggage was delayed, so we had to wait for tag #1.  I’ve never experienced them not having 1-5 out by this time.  Some had to use the non-passport line, but we were soon on our way, on the shuttle bus by 9:00 a.m., and on the road at about 9:30 a.m.  Home by noon.

MSC World America - March 14, 2036

MSC World America - March 14, 2036

Just the Facts

Ship:  MSC’s flagship, the MSC World America - 216,000 gross tons - 6700+ pax capacity

Captain: Sebastiano Chrisam (Italy) — Hotel Director: Jamie Petts (UK) — Cruise Director: Everson Beville (USA)

Ports:  Miami, FL, USA - Isla Roatan, Honduras - Costa Maya, Mexico - Cozumel, Mexico - Ocean Cay Marine Reserve, Bahamas.

I’m cruising as a solo, and I have good friends (Snoozemates) on this sailing.  This is my 4th cruise on the MSC World America, having sailed three times last year.  Also, my 33rd MSC cruise, and my 232nd cruise overall. 

Day 1 - Saturday, March 14th - Miami, Florida - Embarkation Day

I met my regular driver at about 5:00 a.m. for the trip to TPA and the flight to Miami.  It was busy, but timing was good for my 7:00 a.m. flight.  After arriving, I checked into the MSC Cruise shuttle area and discovered that they no longer have a 9:45 a.m. shuttle, and I’d be on the 10:45 a.m. shuttle, so I had some time to wait.  For the first time ever, I went to a Starbucks, as it was convenient.  I had a very nice breakfast sandwich and a custom Mango Lemonade.  It was very good.  Once our bus arrived, we loaded, and the ride to the new MSC terminal was shorter than expected.  All facial recognition is now at both check-in and boarding.  Our timing was good, as the early arrivals were basically on, so I was able to proceed directly to the ship.  I was in my cabin by 11:45 a.m.  Amazing.  I dropped my bag and backpack, and with my cabin keycard, went straight to muster station C.  Here, I had my first surprise, as the attendant said: “I know you, I read your Blog”.  It was Itallo, who works in the Futures Department, that I met on the MSC Seashore last April.  I then did a walkabout, ending up at Paxos Greek Restaurant, where they let me order a Seaday Lunch special ($20) and the Ouzo/Cherry cocktail I enjoy.  So much easier than going to the packed embarkation buffet.  Eventually, all my friends ended up there as well.  Made it easy for me, and the food was good.  A couple of us went down to the Sports Bar, a popular spot on Saturdays, where I ordered a beer.  Later, a bartender recognized me and prepared two Elderflower martinis for me.  He knew my favorite cocktail on this ship.  It made me feel special.  Thank you, MSC.  Cabins were ready for guests at 2:00 p.m., so I returned to my cabin on deck 5 to watch my OU Sooners Softball team's 3:00 game.  My cabin is a Studio Cabin for solo guests and is very nice and larger than solo cabins on other cruise lines.  It has a nice, large porthole that I used to watch the various huge cruise ships sail past as they left Miami this afternoon.  After 5:00 p.m. I went to the Masters of the Sea pub to meet the group for cocktails before dinner.  They didn’t have Elderflower (No Mirella), so I had a Pilsner Urquell, one of my favorite beers.  At 6:00 p.m., we moved over to Hola’s Tacos and our birthday celebration for Don, one of the original Snoozemates (photo).  I ordered my favorites, and the guys pretty much ordered the exact same… so it was great:  Guacamole, Pico de Gallo, Queso Fundido, four different Street Tacos, and Flan for dessert.  The Mango-ritas were also very good, as was the service.  After dinner, I retired to the cabin, as it had been a very long day for me, and I enjoyed the nighttime view of a cruise ship sailing alongside us.  A great embarkation day and seeing good friends today.

Day 2 - Sunday, March 15th - Day at Sea

I slept very well and all through the night.  We set our clocks back one hour, so I was updating this blog at about 7:30 a.m. ship time…it’s usually in the middle of the night.  I had an easy morning, then at about 10:30 a.m., went to the Hexigon MDR for the Seaday Brunch.  This menu is perfect since I have an early assigned dining time of 5:00 p.m. this week.  I can just eat twice.  I had a hearty breakfast: Bloody Mary, small Filet Steak, two Fried Eggs, Potato wedges, French Toast, Bacon, and Hot Milk.  It was all very good.  I then did a walkabout, seeing some old crew friends and meeting new ones.  At about noon, I went up to the empty Gin Project Bar on deck 8 to stream my Oklahoma Sooners Softball Game at a nice booth table with a view of the sea.  The WiFi was great there, as was the game.  It’s been a beautiful day, and guests are having a great time, as usual, with a very large number of European and South American guests who love sailing on the MSC.  I went to the Masters of the Sea at 4:00 p.m. for cocktails, and most of the group showed up.  They did have a bottle of St. Germaine so that we could enjoy elderflower martinis.  Dinner was at 5:00 p.m. at the LaFoglia Restaurant. Not keen about the location, but it was the best MDR menu of the cruise on this Gala Night.  I ordered:  Two Shrimp Cocktails, the Filet Mignon & the Lobster entrees, and dessert.  It was very good.  They didn’t charge me for a second entree; sometimes they do, but usually not.  Afterward, I did a walkabout around the ship, which was very busy tonight with a lot of activities.  I scored some Coca-Cola for the cabin and retired early.  I enjoyed my cabin and the rolling seas this evening.  A great day on the MSC World America.  

Day 3 - Monday, March 16th - Roatan Island, Honduras

Nice rolling seas, and I slept very well.  We were docked at about 9:00 a.m., but I went to the MDR for breakfast before it closed at 9:00. I ordered both the American Plate & the Mediterranean Bowl, as I intended to skip lunch today.  They were good, with a good mix of items.  I booked my airport shuttle at the Excursion Desk and had an easy morning, updating this blog and checking the Markets on this Monday.  I met some of the gang up on deck 18 aft at the adult-only pool area, important on this spring break cruise.  There are many children on this cruise, but I have seen worse.  At about 1:00, I met my bud Mike, and we walked into town and stopped at our favorite place, a no-name dive bar located on the water.  The bartender recognized us and got our favorite table ready on the outer deck.  It was a truly hopping place today.  Lots of locals and a few tourists, and the sea breeze was ideal.  We have Salva Vita beers, and soon a local came by and took orders for a lunch plate of local items ($8), and I ordered one.  After another round of Salva Vita, he returned with a box lunch of Rice & Beans, Sliced Potatoes, Broccoli & Carrots, and two pieces of chicken, which were very flavorful (but not over-seasoned like the jerk style).  A perfect and unexpected lunch option.  I may come too often as locals now recognize me.  Fun and rather loud time.  I soon bailed and was back on the ship at about 3:00 p.m.  I met the group at the All-Star Sports Bar at 4:00 for a Coca-Cola, but I passed on the 5:00 p.m. dinner, just too early for me. I did a walkabout and took some Cokes back to the cabin, and booked some dinners and events for the rest of the week.  I suggest doing that on embarkation day if possible.  I had made reservations for a production show this evening, but passed on that as well. It’s going to be a streaming movie night in the cabin for me.  Another great day on the MSC World America.

Day 4 - Tuesday, March 17th - Puerto Costa Maya, Mexico 

Some rough seas early, and I heard music for the first time; it may have been the secret Speakeasy, but I slept well.  I was up early enough to see the sunrise, too; it was nice.  I plan to stay on board the ship today, the ships are so large now that the port can’t handle the number of guests.  Of course, this port is becoming an exclusive Royal Caribbean port in the future, so no incentive to improve or change anything at this time. I went to the MDR for breakfast early and sat with Mike, who wasn’t planned; we just arrived at the same time.  I had a Fruit Plate, Eggs Benedict, Hash Browns, an order of Bacon, and Hot Milk with Danish.  A nice meal.  Afterward, I met the group at the aft pool on Deck 18 for Mimosas and Bloody Mary cocktails.  Nice view of the other four ships here today and good company.  I returned to the cabin about noon to cool off and prepare for my lunch at Butcher’s Cut Steakhouse at 1:30 p.m.  It was another great meal. I ordered my usual:  Burrata Cheese & Beetroot, a Shrimp Cocktail, the Fillet Mignon with Onion Rings & Baked Potato.  My waiter, Kesuma from Bali, was very good, and I will see his wife, Mulasari, next week (3/28) on the MSC Grandiosa.  At 6:00 p.m., four of us attended the Blue Diamond Gathering in the Champagne Lounge, where most Senior Ship Officers attended; we were served nice Hors D’oeuvres, selected Beverages, and entertainment by Josh, one of the solo entertainers.  It was a nice event, and it was rare for me to have old friends attend.  We stayed after the event to visit before I retired for the evening.  Lots of St. Patrick's events on the ship, but I’ve done my share of those.  My cabin attendant, Tashia from Mauritius, refilled my ice this evening, so I could enjoy a Diet Coke while updating my blog and reviewing today's news online.  It was a nice stay-on-the-ship day on the MSC World America.

Day 5 - Wednesday, March 18th - San Miguel, Cozumel, Mexico 

Smooth seas overnight, and I slept well.  I was up early, so I went to the MDR just after they opened at about 7:30 a.m., and was soon joined by Mike.  I had my Hot Milk and Danish straightaway, then Eggs Benedict with Bacon, Potatoes, and a fruit bowl.  We began docking at Puerto Langosta during breakfast, so it’s easy to access the town today.  I debarked and began walking into town just before 10:00 a.m., slow and steady, to Woody’s Bar and Grill.  Within 20 minutes, all the Snoozers were there.  All enjoyed their delicious Guacamole, Pico de Gallo, & Chips.  The weather was overcast and breezy, so it was ideal.  We enjoyed the food, drinks, and live music for a few hours, then we all began our return to the ship by taxi or on foot.  I went by the Church for a short while, then found my friend Nelly’s new place, although I didn’t get to see her.  I took my time returning to the ship and arrived back before 3:00 p.m.  Short visit, no haircut or pedicure today.  I rested until I went down to the Dolce Vita Bar on deck 6 for cocktails.  Tonight is one of my favorite menu nights on MSC. I call it Appetizer Night as I ordered five: Escargots, Seafood Newburg, Beetroot Salad, Broccoli Cheddar Soup, & Shrimp Cocktail.  All fantastic!  My entree was the Beef Tenderloin with Vegetables and Horseradish as requested.  A great meal.  I returned to the cabin to watch/stream the Oklahoma softball game vs. the University of Memphis. I missed the first inning, but watched the rest, a 15-0 run-rule victory for the Sooners.  Tashia asked about ice, and I enjoyed some Diet Coke before retiring.  It was another great day on the MSC World America.  

Day 6 - Thursday, March 19th - Day at Sea

Mixed seas overnight, really rolling early, and I slept very well and had the latest wake-up after 9:00 a.m. Setting the clocks forward an hour attributed to that.  I went to the buffet for the first time for a light breakfast, then hung out in the aft viewing area and drank a Coca-Cola.  I was relaxing in the cabin and noticed how close we were sailing to Cuba.  MSC has always sailed closer than other cruise lines, but today I could easily see the beaches, buildings, and lighthouses.  At 1:30 p.m. I met friends at Butcher's Cut Steakhouse, and we had a nice 4-top out on the promenade deck.  I ordered the exact same items as I did on Tuesday.  The steak was very good, and the onion rings were much better.  I had cabin time the rest of the afternoon.  At 7:00 p.m. I met the group in Masters of the Sea for late cocktails (late for us older geezers).  They began the White Party on deck 6 at about 8:00ish.  I love how the crew participates. Being on Deck 7, I had a nice view of it all.  I did go to Paxo’s to make a reservation for tomorrow night. When returning, I had a different view of the White party from deck 8.  By this time, they had the entire deck 6 area covered with dancers.  The majority of guests were dressed in white, too.  I watched for a while, then retired to the cabin to update this blog and relax.  It was a rewarding and fun sea day on the MSC World America.

Day 7- Friday, March 20th - Ocean Cay Marine Reserve,  the Bahamas

Rolling seas overnight, and I slept well.  The thrusters woke me at about 7:30 a.m. when we were preparing to dock, so I decided to go to the MDR for breakfast. I ordered the Eggs Benedict, Bacon, Hash Browns, and a Fruit Plate.  It was good.  I had cabin time until meeting the gang at the aft pool area on deck 18.  It’s a windy day, but the sun feels good, and the water looks beautiful.  I had my first Pizza of the cruise just after noon, it’s always been great… still is.  I had a wee nap in the cabin this afternoon.  At 4:00 p.m., the group met at the All-Star Sportsbar for drinks.  We had a good time, and fortunately for me, they were skipping dinner at 5:00 p.m., so we had time for a nice farewell party.  I had a reservation at Paxos Greek Restaurant at 6:30 p.m., just across the way, and Mike joined me for dinner.  As it was breezy, we chose to eat inside, and Adrian was a good waiter, but Vernelle, our previous waiter, made sure we were taken care of this evening.  Dinner was wonderful.  I ordered: the Watermelon and aged Feta Cheese Salad, the Moussaka, the Lamb Chop entree, and Karydopita for dessert.  All was amazingly good.  I also had the special Ainse & Cherry cocktail. We did have some musical entertainment, but no Greek Dancers. After dinner, I retired to the cabin to update this blog. My plan is to sleep first and pack early in the morning.  It was a great day on board the MSC World America.

Day 8 - Saturday, March 21st - Debarkation

I had trouble sleeping, so I just got up super early to shower and pack.  I was at the meet location for airport shuttles early, too, before 7:15 a.m.  We were through debark and TSA Customs quickly, then on the airport shuttle bus by 7:45 a.m.  It left just after 8:00 a.m. as scheduled.  I used my experience to be the first in the AA outside baggage area, then entered the terminal and the not-so-bad TSA security lines.  I was actually in the secure terminal just after 9:15 a.m.  Amazing, but my flight was delayed by an hour, so I won't board until 2:00ish this afternoon.  There is an earlier flight in a different terminal, and I don't want to go through security again.  I had a nice breakfast and updated this blog.  Unfortunately, my flight had further delays and three gate changes, making it an ordeal.  We didn’t get away until about 5:00 p.m., arriving at TPA in an hour, but TPA had Spring Break congestion, so delays getting the plane to the gate and then awaiting baggage.  I had never seen so many people at the airport.  My regular driver got me home at 7:15 p.m.  Long day, I could have driven it in half the time.  No more Miami for me.