Should We Stay or Should We Go

We were sitting in a specialty restaurant on our recent cruise, looking forward to a less hurried, quieter meal than some of the larger dining venues offer. A chance to relax, enjoy a nice dinner, and have a conversation without too much background noise. What we didn't count on was a little table-side entertainment. At a table behind us, six Americans were having a great time. There was lots of laughing and talking, and they were doing it rather loudly. It was becoming a little annoying, and very distracting, but we figured we'd just have to put up with it. Then, several minutes later, we heard the familiar sound of a cell phone speaker coming from the table beside us. We turned around to see a man and woman, speaking with Scottish accents, enjoying a video call with someone. And by enjoying, I mean having the conversation on speakerphone for everyone within earshot to enjoy as well. It continued for several minutes. We were trying our hardest to ignore it, but it was bec...

You know you're retired when… You have absolutely no idea what day of the week it is, but you know exactly what time the grocery store puts out the fresh bread. A doctor's appointment at 10:30 means the entire morning is pretty much spoken for. You plan your errands around avoiding rush hour, school buses, bad weather, and basically anyone else who might be out at the same time. You consider going somewhere on a Tuesday morning a real treat because, well, you can! You look at the calendar and realize you have a busy week ahead. Two appointments, lunch with a friend, and a trip to Costco. How will you fit it all in? Getting a good deal on something has become a competitive sport. Senior discounts? Absolutely. Early bird specials? Don't mind if we do. Staying up until 10:30 feels like a late night. You can spend an entire afternoon doing absolutely nothing and still feel like you've had a very productive day. You have to make an appointment to see your friends ...

  Well, all good things must come to an end, and after five weeks away, we're home! It's always a little bittersweet when a long trip comes to an end. On one hand, we're sorry to see it over. We've had a wonderful time, travelled to some beautiful places, spent time with family and friends, enjoyed cruising, and made plenty of memories. On the other hand, there's something pretty nice about sleeping in your own bed again. I always find that coming home after an extended trip takes a little getting used to. For weeks, our days have been filled with new places, different surroundings, deciding where to eat, what to see, and what adventures the day might bring. Suddenly, we're back to familiar surroundings and the everyday routine. And then reality sets in! There's the unpacking, which somehow never seems quite as exciting as packing for a trip. Laundry, groceries, mail, and checking in with elderly parents. The refrigerator is looking pretty bare, and aft...

  And just like that, our big adventure has come to an end! We landed in Galveston this morning, bringing our time aboard the Norwegian Viva and our five-week journey to a close. As I write this, we're making our way home to Toronto, probably with a few mixed feelings. It's always a little bittersweet when a trip like this ends. We've had such a wonderful time, and the Viva was a great ship to spend part of our adventure on. From travelling through Europe with our family, to exploring the Caribbean, to spending six and a half days crossing the Atlantic, we've made some pretty special memories along the way. We're sorry it's over all too soon, but I think we're also ready to go home. There's something nice about getting back to your own bed, unpacking the suitcases, and settling into a familiar routine. And after five weeks away, I'm sure we'll appreciate a little home cooking again! Our Trip in Numbers Now that the journey is behind us, I th...

Our last port of call on this trip was Falmouth, Jamaica. The weather was beautiful, and with this being our final stop in the Caribbean, we decided there was no better way to spend the day than enjoying a little more sunshine before heading back to sea and, in three days, back to Canada, where the weather is getting colder. Jamaica isn't one of our favourite islands to visit, and we weren't looking to fill the day with sightseeing or a busy excursion. We were only interested in a beach day. So we took a cab to a nearby beach and settled in to enjoy our last taste of the Caribbean. Falmouth is on Jamaica's north coast and is known for its historic town centre, with its old Georgian buildings, as well as its cruise port. There are plenty of excursions available for cruise passengers, but we were happy to keep things simple. After all, we'd had a busy few weeks, and a few hours in the sunshine sounded just about right. There was one more highlight waiting for us when w...

  We were looking forward to Cabo Rojo. We’ve spent quite a bit of time in the Dominican Republic over the past five winters, staying in Punta Cana from January until the end of March, but we had never been to this side of the island. It was a chance to see somewhere new, and we were hoping to get off the ship and do a little exploring. Cabo Rojo is on the southwestern coast of the Dominican Republic, in the province of Pedernales. This is a very different part of the country from the familiar resort areas around Punta Cana. The region is known for its beautiful coastline, clear turquoise water, and relatively untouched natural landscapes. One of its best-known attractions is Bahía de las Águilas, a long stretch of white sand backed by rugged scenery and protected as part of an important natural area. The region is also home to Jaragua National Park and Laguna de Oviedo, where flamingos and other wildlife can be found. It sounded like a lovely place to spend a few hours, and we w...