Ready to Go, Not Ready to Leave

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 we returned to the ship. Our sister ship, the Norwegian Prima, was also in port, and she pulled away just before we did. As she headed out, the two ships had a horn sound-off. Passengers on both ships were out on deck, cheering and waving as the Prima sailed away. It was such a fun moment, with everyone on both ships joining in, yelling back and forth and even breaking out in song.

After a lovely day in the sunshine, it was a great way to end our final port of call in the Caribbean. We couldn't have asked for a better send-off before heading back out to sea.

It's a funny thing about travelling. You can spend months looking forward to a big trip, counting down the days and planning all the places you want to see. Then, before you know it, you're on the last port of call and the end is getting closer.

I have mixed feelings about that. It's always sad to see a trip come to an end, especially when it's been such an amazing experience. We've seen so many new places, spent wonderful time with the boys, enjoyed the cruises, crossed the Atlantic, and had plenty of adventures along the way. There is a lot to look back on.

But five weeks is also a long time to be away from home. We've eaten out every day, and while cruise food is certainly convenient, I'm getting to the point where I'd be quite happy not to see another restaurant menu for a while. I'm ready for some normal meals, a little routine, and the comforts of home. Even if getting back to normal means doing the grocery shopping and cooking dinner myself!

For now, though, we still have two days at sea before we reach Galveston. We'll enjoy what's left of life aboard the Norwegian Viva, spend time with our friends, and let the trip wind down in its own time.

Jamaica was our last Caribbean stop, and between the sunshine, our beach day, and that unexpected farewell from the Prima, it was a memorable way to close this part of the journey. There's still a little more of this adventure to come, but the journey home is getting closer.

And I think I'll be happy with both things: a few more days of cruising, and then the chance to sleep in my own bed and decide for myself what's for dinner.