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. 

MSC World America Cruise - B2B - August 23, 2025

MSC World America Cruise - B2B - August 23, 2025  (photo from May cruise while docked in OSJ)

Just the Facts

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

Captain: Giuseppi Galano (Italy)  —  Cruise Director: Everson Beville (USA)

Ports:  Miami FL, USA - Costa Maya, Mexico - Isla Roatan, Honduras - Cozumel, Mexico - Ocean Cay Marine Reserve, Bahamas - Miami, FL, USA -  Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic - San Juan, Puerto Rico - Ocean Cay Marine Reserve, Bahamas - Miami FL, USA

I’m cruising as a solo on a B2B (two) cruise, and I have good friends (Snoozemates) on these sailings.  This is my second & third cruises on the MSC World America, having just sailed in May.  Also, my 27th and 28th MSC cruises, and my 224th and 225th cruises overall. 

Saturday, August 23rd - Embarkation Day - Miami, Florida - Day 1 

I woke early, finished packing, and met my Uber driver at about 4:45 a.m. for my 7:00 a.m. flight from TPA to MIA.  The trip was smooth and I arrived in Miami just after 8:00 a.m.  My shuttle bus to the ship left at about 9:30 a.m. and arrived at the Miami MSC port facility at about 10:20 a.m.  Embark and Security went quickly, and I dropped my backpack in the cabin at 10:38 a.m.  My cabin is located between the aft elevators, so it's a great location.  I went up to the Brasserie Buffet on Deck 19 for knch and the Pork Chops were excellent.  Much better than the Roast Beef from the Carving Station.  I then did a walkabout, ending up at the All-Stars Sports Bar on Deck 8 Aft, just a deck below my cabin.  Once inside, I spotted my long-time cruise friend Mike sitting at the bar.  Small world.  I also saw Mirela (Brazov, Romania), a Bar Supervisor whom I met in May.  I enjoyed a few Strawberry/Mango Spiced Rum Daquiris while it rained outside.  It was actually lovely to cool the outside air.  We later went down to the Masters of the Sea Pub, where the Bartender recognized me and prepared an Elderflower Martini for me.  I will return for cocktails.  I returned to my cabin to rest this afternoon, and at about 3:15 p.m., Gusti, my Cabin Steward, delivered my luggage.  I then settled into the cabin for an extended B2B cruise.  At 5:00 p.m., I did a walkabout and then met Mike at the Masters of the Sea Bar/Pub.  I enjoyed cocktails until I went to Les Dunes Restaurant for dinner at about 6:30 p.m.  This restaurant is part of the MDR, exclusive to Blue-Diamond and Aura guests, and offers anytime dining.  We chose to eat outside on the promenade, which provided interesting people-watching opportunities, but was also very noisy.  The food was good.  I ordered two Shrimp Cocktails, the Pasta Bolognese, the Prime Rib entrée, and a Catalina Cream for dessert.  Afterward, I retired to the cabin due to the very long day.  It was an easy and rewarding embarkation day on the World America.

 

Sunday,  August 24th  - Day at Sea - Day 2  

Smooth seas overnight, and I slept very well, waking just after 9:00 a.m..  I went up to the very busy Buffet on Deck 19 for some Bacon and Fruit and ate on the aft-facing outer deck.  It's already heating up on this sea day.  I'm sure all the pool decks will be very busy.  I went down to the All Sports Bar, where Sandy (St. Lucia) made sure I had my morning Coca-Cola.  At 11:00 a.m.  I went to the Champagne Bar for the Blue Diamond Reception.  Most of the ship's Senior Officers were there, and I again met many familiar faces.  Aside from the officers and excellent cocktails, the two most extraordinary aspects of the party were the solo entertainer and the food provided by Hola, my favorite restaurant on the ship.  I enjoyed a Coca-Cola, a Martini, a Bloody Mary, tortilla chips and guacamole, four soft Tacos, and Entertainment.  By request, the entertainer Chris (South Africa) sang Vincent by Don McLean; he said it was for the first time, although he had a Starry Night guitar strap.  He will know it by heart by the time the cruise is over.  Afterward, I retired to the cabin to update this blog and relax.  I consider today a relaxing recovery day from all the recent work we just completed at the Florida Villa.  When Gusti came by at about 3:15 p.m. to clean my cabin, I went down to All-Stars, and soon Mike came by as well.  My bartender, Danilo, prepared some excellent Daquiris for me, so I was happy.   At 5:00 p.m.  I went to the Pub for cocktails before dinner, then to the Les Dunes Restaurant again for dinner.  We sat at the same table, which had an interior view of the promenade, with the same waiter. Excellent Captain’s Night dinner menu.  I ordered a Shrimp Cocktail, Eggplant Parmesan, both the Lobster & Shrimp entrees, and the Filet Mignon entree, as well as a Fruit Plate for dessert (photo).  It was one of the best meals I have had on a cruise ship in a long time.  Excellent, and for my friends still sailing on Carnival, the white item under the plate is called a tablecloth.   We then went back to the Masters of the Sea pub, and when Chris, the Solo entertainer, arrived, he started his set with Vincent for me.  I enjoyed my Zambucca on ice, which was a very lovely digestif.  After Chris’s set, I retired to the cabin to enjoy my recovery day and update this blog.  It was a wonderful full sea day on the MSC World America.

Monday, August 25th - Costa Maya, Mexico - Day 3  

Smooth seas overnight, and I again slept well.  We turned our clocks back one hour overnight to be on local time for our following three ports of call.  At about 8:00 a.m. I went to the Hexagon Restaurant for breakfast.  I ordered Danish, Hot Milk, a Fruit Bowl, Eggs Benedict, Bacon, Hash Browns, and Juice.  The eggs were hard, which is not unusual for the large cruise ships.  Otherwise, breakfast was good.  Most guests are heading to deck 4 and the gangway to go ashore.  I had planned a relaxing morning, but the midmorning crew safety drill cut into my rest, so I headed to the Sports Bar for a refreshing Coca-Cola instead.  I enjoyed the aft view until clouds and thunderstorms arrived.  We saw a Carnival ship turn around as conditions worsened throughout the day.  The window seat area was nice, and I enjoyed a daiquiri.  Deck 8 aft is not fully covered, but I dashed back to the cabin at about 2:00 p.m.  Fortunately, Gusti had already made up the cabin, so I was able to relax until 5:00 p.m. Pub meet time.  Mike & I enjoyed cocktails and wine until going to Hola! Tacos & Cantina for dinner.  Hola! is one of my favorites, and it's only $24.99 for all-you-can-eat.  We just had the bring-it table-style, so we shared:  Guacamole & Pico de Gallo x 3, an excellent Tortilla Soup (new), Queso Fundido, Carne Asada Tacos, Al Pastor Tacos, Mexican Flan, and Frozen Mango Margaritas.  It was terrific, and our waiter was Annga, whom I met at the Blue Diamond reception.  After dinner, Mike returned to the Pub to listen to Chris, and I retired to the cabin.  It was an enjoyable rainy and cooler day in Costa Maya, Mexico.

 

Tuesday, August 26th - Isla Roatan, Honduras - Day 4 

Smooth seas and no rain overnight.  I slept very well and was up before we arrived in port; we then turned our clocks back another hour.   At about 8:00 a.m.  I went to the Hexagon MDR for breakfast.  I ordered the Mexican Bowl (revuelta eggs and chorizo) and the American Plate (fried eggs, bacon, hash browns).  They were excellent.  The new friends next to me ordered Eggs Benedict, and they were cooked perfectly, unlike mine from the day before.  I had cabin time until 11:00 a.m., when I went to the All-Star Bar for my morning Coca-Cola and met Mike.  We debarked the ship and viewed the new port buildings, pier, and swimming pool.  You could easily stay inside the port, although the beaches here are fantastic.  We walked into town, and I took Mike to a genuine local dive for the coldest beers in Roatan.  Interesting locals and Wifi were a surprising extra.  After a few Salva Vidas (photo), we took the short walk back, and I managed to get a straw hat in the proper color.  The ship was a relief from the outdoor heat, and we went straight to the cool Sports Bar for a Diet Coke.  I had a slice of Pizza, then retired to the lovely, cool cabin to rest the remainder of the afternoon.  I woke from my nap, thank goodness for the alarm, and met Mike at the Pub around 5:30 p.m.  Then, we went to dinner at  Les Dunes Restaurant for Caribbean Night.  Mike ordered the Lobster from the premium menu, and I had the Shrimp Cocktail, Coconut Shrimp, Penne Pasta with Chicken, the Red Snapper with Creole spices, and the Key Lime pie for dessert.  It was good, but the menu was weak tonight.  Mirela, the Bar Manager, sent us two very fancy cocktails from the Gin Project located across from the restaurant.  Thanks.  We returned to the Masters of the Sea Pub, where Chris was already performing, and true to his word, he sang Vincent when he saw me.  I haven't attended any production shows since I saw most in May, but I've been busy enough.  I soon retired as we lost an hour tonight, and I have a busy day tomorrow.  It was a great day in the Caribbean on the MSC World America. 

 

Wednesday, August 27th - Isla de Cozumel, Mexico - Day 5 

Smooth seas overnight, and I slept well. I updated this blog and reviewed the stock markets and general news until debarking the ship at about 9:15 a.m.  We are docked at Puerto Langosta, so within walking distance of San Miguel.  I went first to ZensiSpa, where I got a nice pedicure, then I walked to Antonio’s Barber Shop, where Martin cut my hair.  For eighteen years, I have used him as my primary barber.  Afterward, I went to Woody’s Bar & Grill, where Mike was already holding table #7 for me.  It was already very hot and not too busy, but we have a fan and great WiFi, so I set up for business.  I had some guacamole and chips, a Coca-Cola, and enjoyed the live music, but it wasn't busy today.  I actually casually returned to the ship at about 3:00 p.m., stopping at a drug store along the way.  I cooled off and relaxed until meeting Mike at 5:30 in the Pub.  After enjoying some aperitifs, we headed to Paxos Greek Taverna, a specialty Greek restaurant, for our complimentary Diamond dinner.  Dinner was excellent, they started you with warm bread and two dips: Tzatziki and homemade Tarama.  Tonight, I ordered the Greek Salad, Moussaka, the Grilled Lamb Chops entrée, and Portokalopita for dessert.  I also had the specialty drink, Anise & Cherry Splash, which was terrific.  After dinner, I retired early; the heat of the day and the walk were a lot for this old soul.  It was a productive day on shore and an excellent meal on board the MSC World America.

 

Thursday, August 28th - Day at Sea - Day 6 

Smooth seas overnight, and I slept well.  We are now back on EST (Miami) time today, which will simplify things.  I slept in this morning and conducted some online business.  The Diamond event was held this morning, but I passed, and the Back-2-Back meet was at noon, but I still wasn't around yet.  Mike attended.  We've already reserved our MDR for the next cruise in the Les Dunes Restaurant.  At about 12:45 p.m.  I went to the All-Star Sports Bar for a Coca-Cola and ended up eating there, as I had skipped breakfast and only had the Macarons that were delivered the previous evening.  They have a selection of Bar Foods, including nice specialty Hamburgers.  I had the basic Bacon Cheeseburger ($9+), and it was cooked to perfection and very filling.  I took a walk around the ship and then returned to the cabin to relax and catch up on the internet.  The streaming works very well.  This is also the first time I have purchased the internet on two devices.  When I'm trading securities, I need security authorization on a secondary source.  I received one device free as a Blue Diamond perk and a discount on the second one, but I still pay $160, which is not bad considering that's the cost for one internet device on most cruise lines.  I went to the Masters of the Sea (Pub) at about 5:30 p.m. for cocktails and then to Les Dunes Restaurant for dinner.  It’s Italian Night in the dining room and one of the better menus.  I ordered the Caprese Salad, a Shrimp Cocktail, Chicken Parmigiana entree with extra Marinara, and Lemoncello Cake for dessert.  It was good, as was the service.  We have been fortunate enough to have the same table (812) and waiter each night.  We had a great view of guests dressed for White Night on the two levels below our deck.  When I saw that Chris was not singing in the Pub, I retired for the evening.  I was also able to stream the first Thursday night NCAA football game.  It was an easy and relaxing sea day.

Friday, August 29th - Ocean Cay Marine Reserve, Bahamas - Day 7  

Smooth seas overnight, but not a good sleep.  Kids were running in the passageways on decks 9-10-11 into the early morning hours, I assume, while parents were at the late White Night party.  They even knocked on my cabin door after midnight.  Security came by afterward.  I was in the MDR before 8:00 a.m. for breakfast.  Fortunately/unfortunately, I had a nice round two-top near the windows, but I had trouble when I sat here in May, and it was repeated today - no waiter was assigned to the table.  I suspected as much after one waiter ignored me, so I made a query.  One came, and I ordered Eggs Benedict, explicitly stating that I did not want them overcooked.  They came overcooked.  I was clever enough to have ordered a Mexican Bowl, but it too was dried out…just laziness on the part of the waiter pulling plates from the keep-ready lamps.  Not a good start to the day.  We were already docked, and we had a light shower earlier, so it will be as cool as it gets.  I saw Mike in the MDR and suggested he go for his walk straightaway.  I had a Coca-Cola and relaxed in the empty Fizz Champagne Bar lounge, as it had cushy chairs and a good view of Ocean Cay.  The island looks beautiful today.  I later went up to the Mercato Buffet for some Tacos before retiring to the cabin.  I tried to get some sleep — and I did.  At about 5:00 p.m.  I went to the pub for my cocktails and dinner at Les Dunes Restaurant.  Tonight I ordered the Stuffed Mushrooms, a Shrimp Cocktail, the Chicken Coq au Vin, & the Slow Braised Lamb Shank entrees, with Pistachio Ice Cream for dessert.  It was good.  Afterward, we went to the Gin Bar with a better view of the Pub stage to hear Chris sing Vincent for me.  Thanks, Chris.  Then a walkabout visiting the photo gallery, Paxos, and the Aft railing to view the ship’s wake.  It was a fine final day of the first cruise.

Saturday, August 30th  -  Miami, Florida  -  B2B Turn Around Day  -  Day 1/8 

Thunderstorms overnight, but calm seas, and I slept well.  We were already docked in Miami when I woke at about 6:30 this morning.  They began debarking early this morning, before 7:00 a.m., for self-debarks. I went to the La Foglia MDR on deck 5 for a nice breakfast of Eggs Benedict with bacon and Hash Browns as debark was happening around me.  Our B2B meeting location is at our MDR, the Les Dunes Restaurant, at 9:00 a.m.  At about 10:00 a.m., the approximately 60+ B2B guests went down to U.S. Customs, where we were held up waiting for two ghetto type stragglers before the ship cleared.  Then, facial recognition was fast, and we were soon back on board, but 20 minutes later than I had been on board last Saturday.  I made dinner reservations at Paxos Taverna before it got busy.  The meet-up was set for 11:30 at All-Stars Sports Bar for our small group.  It was great seeing more long-time cruise friends.  Because I wanted to watch NCAA football today, I went to Hola Taverna at about 1:30 p.m. for my big meal of the day.  I had everything that I had last week and more.  No entrees, just a selection of Street Tacos and several appetisers.  I watched Texas (1) vs Ohio State (3), then my team, Oklahoma (18), kicked off at 6:00 p.m.  OU had a dominant lead in the game, so at 9:00 p.m.  I joined the group to visit The Speakeasy, located in a secret location, accessible through a telephone booth on deck 6.  It was a Jazz club with vintage decor and cocktails ($22).  The entertainers and servers wore 1920s attire, and the show was very entertaining.  I enjoyed it, and it was my first late night on the cruise.

 

Sunday, August 31st - Day at Sea - Day 2/9 

Smooth seas overnight, and I slept well.  I woke in the Twilight Zone.  I always leave the forward ship camera on in my interior cabin, and it was still dark, so I’m trying to continue sleeping.  Fortunately, I looked at my iPhone, and it said 10:00 a.m.  I then checked the MSC App, and it also showed 10:00 a.m.  The house phone confirmed the same time.  I had plans, so I got up, and soon afterward, the TV screen went off.  When it came back on after a few minutes, it was daylight.  All was well. At 11:00 a.m. I attended the Blue Diamond Reception at the Champagne Bar.  Most of the ship's Senior Officers were there, and I again met many familiar and new faces, including Bar Manager Mirela (photo).  Aside from the officers and excellent Hola! food, the entertainer Chris (South Africa) sang Vincent by Don McLean for me (photo).  Afterward, I did a walkabout on deck 8 aft.  There were numerous sea day activities today, including the Dirty Dancing show matinee in the theater, but I spent most of the day in my cabin.  I took a walkabout, selected a photo, and stopped by the Master of the Sea Pub to have my cocktails before dinner.  We had a new four-top table outside on the Promenade of Les Dunes Restaurant with the same waiter, Mahrinda.  I ordered the same as I had on the previous Captain's Night Dinner: a Shrimp Cocktail, Eggplant Parmesan, both the Lobster & Shrimp entrees, and the Filet Mignon entree, as well as a Fruit Plate for dessert.  Again excellent.  The food on the MSC World America has really been excellent throughout the cruise.  In these times when cruise lines have been cutting back, I have not experienced that with MSC.  Additionally, the menus feature more European varieties than Americans are accustomed to seeing on a cruise.  After dinner, I retired to watch a top ten NCAA football game.  It was a great and restful sea day on the MSC World America.

Monday, September 1st  -  Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic -  Day 3/10 

Smooth seas overnight, and I slept well.  We were docked early, and at about 8:00 a.m. I went to Breakfast in the Hexigon MDR.  The Eggs Benedict, Bacon, Hash Browns, Juices, Danish, and Hot Milk were nice.  I went to the Sports Bar at about 11:00 a.m. and sat outside with an aft view, enjoying a couple of Coca-Colas.  At about noon, I went up to the Zen Pool area and met our little group.  For lunch, I tried the $20 lunch special at Paxos Taverna, which consisted of a large sample platter of Greek goodies.  The Shrimp, Fish, and Calamari were nice; there was also Cheese, a small Greek Salad, and more.  It was all very lovely, including the fish plate (photo).  I then had cabin time until cocktail hour at the Masters of the Sea, around 5:00 p.m.. Two went to the Butcher's Cut Steakhouse, and two to the Les Dunes Restaurant, where we had our previous two-top table from last cruise.  Tonight I ordered the excellent Spinach Salad with Walnuts and Bacon, a Shrimp Cocktail, the Penne Pasta Bolognese, the Broiled Swordfish entree, and Carrot Cake for dessert.  The salad was as good as I have had in many years.  After dinner, I picked up a photo from the Hub, then retired to the cabin to watch the TCU football game, wash a shirt, and update this blog.  It was another great, relaxing day on the MSC World.

Tuesday, September 2nd — San Juan, Puerto Rico  -  Day 4/11  

Smooth seas overnight, and I slept well until 10:44 a.m. in fact.   I had a lot of business to do following the three-day holiday.  I also booked several cruises for myself and clients in the Futures Cruise department this morning.  I had a Coca-Cola with the group on the Deck 18 Zen adult-only pool area.  I had two slices of Pepperoni Pizza for lunch.  MSC is well known for its Pizza, and they do make their own Mozzarella on board.  I had cabin time and was busy with internet projects until 5:00 p.m., when I met the group at the Masters of the Sea and enjoyed Pina Coladas, as we are in San Juan, the birthplace of the drink.  We went to dinner at about 6:15 p.m., and there are very few guests in the Les Dunes Restaurant MDR tonight.  Many may be taking advantage of our late port call here in OSJ, as we didn’t sail until 11:00 p.m.  I ordered too much food tonight on this Caribbean night.  Our great waiter, Mahrinda, started us all off with a double portion of the Guadeloupe-Style Coconut Shrimp…that was a meal in itself.  I also had the regular Shrimp Cocktail, the Penne Pasta with Sausage, the Jamaican Pepper Steak entree, and two desserts: Key Lime Pie and Caribbean Rum Cake.  Very filling.  After dinner, I went off the ship to see the beautiful fountains, but it wasn’t lighted tonight, or at least perhaps that early in the evening.  On the return, I made the obligatory stop at Walgreens opposite our ship's pier.  You can see that Walgreens has gone private, as the prices are double what they used to be.  I only got a few necessities and returned to the ship before 9:00 p.m.  A short walkabout before retiring.  It was a relaxing day on the MSC World America.  

Wednesday,  September 3rd  —  Day at Sea  --  Day 5/12  

Smooth seas overnight, and I had trouble getting to sleep.  I suspect the late-night Coca-Cola with candy purchased at Walgreens.  After finally sleeping, I woke at 10:00 a.m. just in time to attend the Diamond Guest Reception @ 11:00 a.m. in the Panorama Lounge.  I’m sorry I skipped it last week, as it was very lovely with Entertainment, Cocktails, and more.  The beautiful room is located aft with lush theater seating and a lower stage floor that can simulate water or a dance floor.  When the backdrop is opened, it’s a great aft view of the ship’s wake.  Very impressed with the space.  The senior cruise staff was present, and Cruise Director Dr. E hosted the event (photo).  It was my first visual of him and the Captain, who later posed for photographs.  I won’t skip this in the future, as I was impressed.  Afterward, I went to the MDR for Seaday Brunch.  I had the English Breakfast with Fried Eggs, Potatoes, and the Filet Mignon, which was better than the steak at Sunday's Captain's Night dinner.  An excellent and filling brunch.  Walking through the Casino, I noticed an electronic Roulette Table, so I had to try that.  It was new to me and a lot of fun.  Gusti had my cabin cleaned when I returned, so I had some cabin time, updated this blog, and took care of some online business.  I took a walk around the ship, purchased my airport shuttle tickets ($22), and filled my Yeti with ice for my refrigerator so I’ll have some ice on reserve.  I dressed for White Night and met the group at the All Sports Bar around 5:00 p.m.  Then, we went to Paxos Taverna for a Greek dinner.  I ordered the same thing as last week, and it was again excellent.  Also had my Anise & Cherry Splash, a tasty cocktail made with Ouzo.  After dinner, I retired to finish up some business.  It was a great sea day on the World America.

Thursday, September 4th  -  Day at Sea. -  Day 6/13  

Smooth seas overnight, and I slept much better.  I didn’t get around until about 10:00 a.m. and had my complimentary macarons for breakfast before meeting the guys on deck 18 Aft, Zem pool area for Coca-Cola.  At about 1:00 p.m. I met the group at Hola! Tacos & Cantina for another excellent meal; I had all my favorites and tried the Frijole & Cheese Dip for the first time.  It was good, but there were many other better items on the menu.  Angga has been my waiter for 4 of the 5 times I’ve enjoyed my Hola! Meals on this cruise.  My two Mango frozen Margaritas were good, too.  I had cabin time the rest of the afternoon, although the others attended the second party for Diamond guests in the Theater.  I’ve been busy with not only investments, but also setting a record for the number of cruises and annual insurance policies booked for Bosque Travel clients while on a ship (7+1).  At about 5:30 p.m.  I met the group for cocktails at the Masters of the Sea, then we went to the Italian night dinner at the Les Dunes Restaurant around 6:15 p.m..  Tonight, I ordered: The Italian Antipasto, a Shrimp Cocktail, the NY Strip Steak from the everyday menu, and Butter Pecan Ice Cream for dessert.  It was good, but another option is the Buffet on Seafood Night, available on both decks 18 & 19; they serve Lobster.  After dinner, I went to the Panorama Lounge to see the production show: CineSonic featuring music from various popular movies (photo).  It was great and I like the venue much better than the theater.  Excellent seating, and I love the permanent set, including the backdrop and floor, which has theatrical lighting options.  I retired after the show and watched the season-opening NFL game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles.  It was a great sea day, complete with excellent food and entertainment.

Friday, September 5th  -  Ocean Cay Marine Reserve, Bahamas  -  Day 7/14  

Smooth seas overnight, and I slept reasonably well.  We were docked at Ocean Cay early, and friends have a cabana to share, but I’m going to stay on board.  I conducted some business in the morning and then went on a walkabout, visiting Deck 20 and exploring the various slides and fun activity items.  I passed.  I did stop at the Marcato Buffet for a light lunch, and my timing was perfect for the freshly sliced watermelon.  While Gusti came to clean my cabin, I went to deck 8 and took my laptop to the Fixx-Champagne Bar for a great view of the island.  It was cloudy, but within half an hour, significant rain began to fall.  It was interesting to watch the guests head to the ship en masse.  I reviewed debarkation and travel plans before our final meet at the Masters of the Sea Pub for cocktails at 5:00 p.m.  All were there, so they survived the heavy rains today.  Tonight, for dinner at Les Dunes Restaurant, I ordered the Stuffed Mushrooms, Shrimp Cocktail, Pasta Bolognaise, and Grilled Chicken, with Banana Ice Cream for dessert.  It was good.  Everyone said their goodbyes and went off to different tasks.  I attended the Queen Symphoic Show in the Panorama Lounge.  It was one of the best shows I have seen at sea.  The venue was fantastic with multiple uses of lights, screens, and more.  Returning to the pre-Covid-19 MSC production show levels.  I received a big hug from Dr. E on the way out, the first time I had seen him that wasn’t from a distance.  I retired to the cabin to begin packing.  It was a rainy, but fun day on the MSC World America.

Saturday, September 6th. -  Debarkation  -  Miami

Smooth seas for the short trip to the Port of Miami.  We were docked at about 4:30 a.m., and my Airport Shuttle group meets at 7:15 a.m. in the Panorama Lounge.  I arrived early to ensure easy access to the elevator, and I'm glad I did, as we left at 7:15 a.m.  We debarked through the crew exit, which sped things somewhat.  I was among the first pax on the first bus, but we had to wait until it filled.  We departed at 8:00 a.m. and arrived at MIA around 8:45.  Once through baggage check and security, I was at my gate two hours before my flight.  Easy Peasy.  My 11:36 a.m. flight landed in Tampa in about an hour.  I had lunch at Chick-fil-A, then took an Uber home, arriving at 1:42 p.m.  

Highlights of the Cruise

The Food (overall) was very good

Our premium MDR: Les Dunes Restaurant

The Panorama Lounge

Cruising with old Friends

The Speakeasy

Blue Diamond Party

Captain's Night Filet Mignon & Lobster Dinner

Chris singing Vincent for me-every time he saw me

My Cabin location

Margaritaville at Sea Islander - August 3, 2025

Margaritaville at Sea Islander - August 3, 2025

Just the Facts

Ship: Margaritaville at Sea Islander (former Costa Spirit-Class-86K tons, 2652 max pax, 902 crew) 

Captain: Theo — Cruise Director:  Ms. Zee-Jay

Ports:  Tampa, FL  -  Key West, FL  -  Isla Cozumel, Mexico  -  Tampa, FL

I’m sailing solo on Margaritaville at Sea’s new Spirit Class ship, Islander, on a five-day cruise out of Tampa.  This was my first time on a Margaritaville at Sea ship, but my 223rd cruise overall.

Sunday, August 3rd, 2025 - Tampa, Florida - Embarkation - Day 1.  

My designated boarding time was 10:30 a.m., so the DW, DD, & Granddaughter and I left Meadow Oaks at about 9:30 a.m.. Sunday traffic was light, and we arrived at Tampa Port Authority’s Pier number 6 before 10:15 a.m.   Security and check-in were super quick, and I was on the ship gangway by 10:30 a.m.  I’ve never boarded a ship this early that wasn’t a B2B … Amazing.  The ship has Margarittavilla's pastel colors and themes throughout.  I dropped my carry-on bag in my Lido Deck interior cabin and was enjoying a Cheeseburger in Paradise Hamburger with Fries before 11:00 a.m..   As cabins don't officially open until 1:30, I casually checked out the buffet areas and specialty areas, sampling a very nice Pizza before going to the Landshark Bar for the drink of the day, a Margarita.  I then went early to my stateroom and met my attendant, Elsie.  I set up my tastefully decorated cabin, and my first concern was alleviated as it was nice and cool.  Three wardrobes, a large bed, a desk, surfboard shelves, a lighted wall mirror, and an adequate bathroom.  Plenty of room, especially as a solo.  I did a walkabout, and the layout is familiar to Carnival Spirit Class ships, with decks 2 and 3 being the public areas with a central atrium.  Another throwback is the old-fashioned muster drill held outside on deck three with the external boat deck at 3:00 p.m. (photo).  I knew to go late and lucked out being on the shadier side on this hot summer day.  Afterward, I went to the Bubbles Bar for a lovely Elderflower Martini and had a nice cool window view of our 4:00 p.m. sailaway.  It was a little different sailing from the upper pier, but there were no other ships today, so it was smooth sailing.  It was well past nap time, and I knew sleep would be good in the cool interior cabin, so I decided to eat early and retire early.  I watched some of the sailaway activities on the Lido Deck and had another burger as it was conveniently on the way to my cabin.  I updated this blog and checked out the program of events for the cruise before retiring.  One advantage of being a frequent cruiser is that I’m free to do as I please, including nothing.  The day was nice on this retro embarkation day.

Monday, August 4, 2025  -  Key West, Florida. -  Day 2 

I woke early and had breakfast in the Fins MDR on Deck 2 aft.  I had my usual first-day breakfast of Eggs Benedict with Bacon and Hash Browns.  They prepared the eggs in an egg poacher, so the consistency was perfect (I could tell by the shape).  No hot milk, but the Guava Juice was delicious.  We've been sailing in circles as we don’t arrive in Key West until 1:00ish, so I got a lovely small table on the pool deck with a picture window view and near my cabin.  A serious people-watching location, and I enjoyed a couple of Coca-Colas in the morning.  They began a 2015 Jimmy Buffett concert from Key West on the large outdoor screen that everyone enjoyed.  Parrot Heads are much older now.  I was now in the mood for a specialty drink in a Blender glass,  not a Margarita, but a Mango Daiquiri with spiced rum.  It was both tasty and large.  Sailing into Key West on Margarittaville at Sea, watching Jimmy Buffett on the outdoor big screen with Booze in the Blender.  Sweet.  After the show, I finished my drink and had lunch at the Mexican Cutie Cantina.  I had a street Taco and a Taco Bowl.  It was excellent.  I then returned to my cool cabin as we arrived in Key West to rest a bit before heading off the ship.  I plan to do a Key Lime Pie tour/crawl and skip dinner tonight.  I left the ship at about 2:15 p.m., and it is miserably hot in Key West at midday.  I went first to Mattheessen's Homemade Bakery for my first slice of Key Lime Pie ($7).  I then strolled to Kermits' original location (they have three) for a second slice of pie.  Kermits makes the pies for most of the restaurants in Key West and is probably the most popular Key Lime Pie in town.  I then moseyed back to the First Flight restaurant located in the original Pan-Am Airlines flight headquarters.  It has been a favorite of mine for many years, and they still have the 4:00 p.m. Happy Hour.  Currently, pints are $4, a bargain, and close to the ship, and not very many cruise guests.  I was back on board ship by 5:15 p.m. and a nice shower felt so good on this HOT day.  I updated this blog and relaxed until Elise came at about 6:30 to clean the cabin.  I guess she was allowed off the ship today.  I did a walkabout, and it was still hot on the outer decks.  I’m enjoying the various Margarittaville/Jimmy Buffett themed signage…it is very clever and makes me smile.  It was a great day on board the ship and in Key West.

Tuesday, August 5th, 2025  -  Day at Sea  -  Day 3 

Smooth seas overnight, and I slept well.  At about 8:30 a.m. I went to the Fins MDR for breakfast.  A repeat of yesterday, but with the addition of fresh melon, which was very good.  I plan to avoid the open decks today, although since I’m on Lido, there will be some pass-throughs.  I returned to the cool cabin for some internet time this morning, then went to the atrium to watch a French-Canadian fiddle player, people-watch, and play some online games.  I also picked up my five complimentary drink coupons that were a part of my booking (as was the WiFi).   The MDR is not open midday, so at about 12:45 I went to the Lido for Lunch.  Salad and entrees were fine, but the Cakes were outstanding.  I had a slice of Hummingbird and a slice of pineapple.  These are layered cakes with moist frosting between.  Sweet.  I returned to a nice, clean cabin around 2:00 p.m. and found a giant Elephant on my bed, made from a pillow and towels.  I did internet work the rest of the afternoon.  At about 5:00 o'clock, I went down to the Hemisphere Dancer Cocktail Bar with an early 1940s era Seaplane theme.  This would be the Alchemy Bar on Spirit Class ships.  I met Maria from Macedonia, and she prepared some very nice Elderflower cocktails for me.  It was a first for her, and they were perfect.  She is a good bartender.  At about 7:00 p.m.  I went to the Stars on the Water Theater for the big production show of the cruise: Conky Tonkin’ at Sea with a country theme.  It was a good show featuring enthusiastic Singers and Dancers, along with some impressive acrobatics.  The Dancers were excellent.  Many of the other ship musicians have solo spots during the show, too.  I would see it a second time.  Western Boots was also the theme for the evening on the ship, and a large number of guests dressed the part, especially the ladies. A bit surprising for a new ship.  I did a walkabout as it’s actually my first late night on board.  Lots of activities and shows on deck two and three.  I again passed on dinner this evening and was back at the cabin by 9:00ish.  Updated this blog before retiring and was able to reserve a spot at Del Mar Latino for tomorrow.  It was a good sea day on the Islander.

Wednesday, August 6, 2025  -  Cozumel, Mexico  -  Day 4 

Smooth seas overnight, and I slept well.   At about 8:00 a.m., I had a very nice Breakfast Burrito from Mexican Cutie, which was excellent.  We are one hour ahead of local time, so at about 9:00ish, I walked over to Del Mar Latino Beach Club.  There are only four guests today, so we have lots of room and excellent service.  Jazy is still here; I enjoy her service, and she likes seeing return guests.  I bought a new straw hat on the way over since I had given my old one away in Guadalajara during my last trip, and I was wearing my sunglasses at the time.  Once I took it off at the club, I discovered that my new hat is pink.  Oh well, I guess I make a statement.  I jumped into the pool to cool off from the walk and enjoyed several Coca-Cola Lights with ice to start.  I ordered Guacamole & Pico de Gallo and my favorite Coconut Shrimp, both of which were very good.  I finished the day with several refreshing Mojitos and a scoop of Coconut ice cream.  It was a hot day, but I stayed comfortable in the shade all day, thanks to numerous coolings in the pool.  Fortunately, it clouded up as I leisurely strolled back to the cruise terminal at about 2:15 p.m.  I assume I was on board by 3:30, and most guests had already been aboard as we sailed by 4:00 p.m.  The Beach Club is ideal if your ship is docked at the International Pier (see photo).  After returning my beach towel, I cleaned up and did a walkabout of the interior of the ship.  I did go to the Fins MDR for the first time tonight.  I had a lovely two-top table in the center of the beautiful dining room. I loved the Parrots and Fish flying across the ceiling. No tablecloths on the lower level, but I noticed there were on the upper level.  I had a nice Cajun Gumbo as a starter and ordered two entrees ($7 for extra).  Antiqua Shrimp and Tuscan Porchetta, unfortunately, I didn’t enjoy either.  My waiter noticed and brought me the recommended Huli Chicken, which was better.  The dessert was nice and the service was excellent.  I listened to a bit of music before retiring early.  I updated this blog and took care of some travel business.  It was a fun day in Cozumel.

Thursday, August 7, 2025  -  Day at Sea  -  Day 5 

Smooth seas in the Gulf of America, and I slept well.  At about 8:30 a.m. I went to Mexican Cutie for a couple of Breakfast Burritos, which were very convenient for me being on the Lido Deck, or as on this ship, it’s called the 5 o’clock Somewhere Deck.  Early enough, I could get my two-top table to lounge a while after eating breakfast in the cooler sea air.  When it warmed up, I returned to the cool cabin to do some internet business and review future travels.  I did a walkabout and stumbled upon the buffet, where I had a plate of BBQ Ribs that were delicious, probably the best food I had on the ship.  I visited the shops before returning to the cabin for a wee nap.  At about 6:30, I went to the Hemisphere Dancer Cocktail Bar, where Marie prepared an excellent Elderflower Martini for me.  I then went to the Stars on the Water theater for the second major production show: Caribbean Heat Remix.  It was a good show with music and dance from various Caribbean islands introduced by a colorful electronic Parrot.  I then had a late dinner in the Fins MDR.  I ordered a lovely Spinach Salad, a Caribbean Soup, and the Beef Short Ribs entree,  which was much better than the previous night.  Same dessert, Pina Colada Lush, but with vanilla ice cream.  I soon retired after a short walkabout.  Not as busy tonight, I think guests are packing for tomorrow's early debarkation.  It was a restful sea day on the Islander.

Friday, August 8, 2025. -  Debarkation Day

I woke early to pack and went down to Deck 2 just after 7:00 a.m..  By 7:30, the self-debark guests were on their way off, and with facial recognition at Customs, I was on the street before 8:00 a.m. and with the good Uber driver at home before 9:00 a.m.  Easy Peasy.

Comments

I felt like I was on a ‘blast from the past’ cruise from 15 years ago with the class of ship, old-fashioned muster drill, newspaper schedules, and basic activities.  The beautiful nautical decor and Margaritaville names for events and locations wowed me.  It was a fun cruise.