Hello friends,
I bet you thought Tim and I fell off the face of the earth 😁. Nope, we have simply been living our best life together, but have not done much traveling recently.
Outside of a trip to Colorado where I was blessed to attend the birth of my grandnephew – (what a beautiful gift that was), and a week spent in Illinois visiting Tim’s family, we have stayed pretty close to home in 2025.
Well, as much as I love where we are living now in Southern California, I did get a yearning to break out our suitcases and escape the holiday craziness. So, drum roll please, yesterday we loaded three overpacked bags in the back of the car, and in less than two hours we were eating lunch on board the Emerald Princess.
This morning we are snuggled up inside a comfortable balcony cabin and on our way to Hawaii!!! It will take us five “at sea” days to get there. Then one day each on the major four islands. That will be followed by another five cruising days going east, one day in Ensenada then back to Los Angeles. Grand total we will be gone sixteen days.
So, for anyone wondering what a holiday escape cruise looks like, I’ll post a few pictures along the way to give you a little insight.
We have chosen a set time (5 o’clock) for our dinner so that we can share a table with the same group throughout the cruise. We prefer eating early so that we are not rushed and will have plenty of time to attend the first show (7:30).
Last night, we had a window table for eight. One couple is still “almost newlyweds” who married three years ago, and two lady friends who are widows. We had another gentleman (also a widower) who prefers a table by himself, so he will not be joining us going forward. I’m curious to see who they will seat with us this evening.
Our evening entertainment was wonderful. Rechell Sears sang her heart out with a collection of classic rock, R&B, and Pop hits.
GRATITUDE MOMENT: Today I am especially grateful to have this time with my dear husband. Far too often we are caught up in our daily work, chores, and busy lives to just take a “time out” and simply “be together”. I’m so appreciative that we are both still healthy and able to life our lives to the fullest. Feeling blessed indeed. 🙏
A Note From Abroad 
Fabulous 🛳️⚓💙 Enjoy your Christmas Holiday in cruising style🚢😊
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Thanks so much. We are off to a nice, slow start 😁
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Good to hear from you! – Tom
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Thanks Tom ❤️
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I’m glad you two are traveling again. I enjoy reading about your adventures and look forward to future posts.
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Thank you so much! We appreciate your kind words ❤️
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Good to see you back!! Pete and I have been considering this same cruise. Please fill us in on the 5 days at sea. I have been hesitant at 5 days without kand to be seen!!
Fran
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Hi Fran,
The Emerald Princess is a smaller ship than some, so not quite as many onboard options on sea days. However, simply having time together, relaxing, reading, eating (way too much🤭), watching movies, going to the evening entertainment and finding interesting people to visit with is more than enough to keep us happy.
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Great to get your email, you have been missed. We met on Trans Atlantic Cruise, September 2014. Still waiting for you to visit Melbourne Australia. Don’t wait to long, Daryl is now, 84 and I am 83, still going OK. We have a Cruise booked for April, Sydney to Hawaii, Celebrity Solstice.
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Hi Gaye and Daryl,
Of course we remember you and all the fun we had night after night at dinner! I remember several words you taught us – I’ll probably butcher the spelling- Fair Dinkum and Dinky Die – or something similar 😁. We still chuckle when we say “quite nice”, and think of our Australian friends with joy, as it is a compliment for us. We are still hoping to get to Melbourne one of these days. Enjoy your cruise in April ❤️
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very beautifull 💯
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Thank you 😊
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So great to hear you’re both doing well. What a blessing to be traveling together. Do you still have the cabin? Jackie
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Yes, we do still have the cabin, at least for now…Merry Christmas to you and your family ❤️
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Great to hear from you. We love cruising and always make friends over dinner. Some we still keep in touch with may years later. Enjoy.
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Making new friends over shared meals is one of the highlights of a long cruise.
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Good to see you are out active again Joanne and Tim. What bette way than a cruise to Hawaii! Peggy and I spent a month on the Big Island last February renting a VRBO and exploring to our hearts desire. Enjoy!
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Thank you Curt! I love that you and Peggy were able to spend a month together on the Big Island. Nice adventure ❤️. Wishing you both Happy Holidays 🕊️
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Enjoyed your post AND all of the comments!
Years ago, my husband and I flew to Oahu and did the Norwegian Pride of America cruise. We fell in love with Hawaii. I have tried to get my husband to do the same cruise you are doing – but he does not like so many days at sea! Looking forward to your posts!
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