Chasing Summer –

October 2024

A few people have requested that I show them the boat, the Odyssey. Travels are fine, but they want to see my living conditions when I’m not out exploring.

I put together a piecemeal of what a day could or does look like when the ship is sailing and there is nowhere to get off.

Each days activities are posted on boards around the ship, and fellow passengers also take photos of them and post them on our Whatsapp group, so it is easy to see what we can do that day.

Typically, I head up for breakfast around 7-8 and before the sun has risen so that I can get a shot of sunrise, and it is calm and quiet in the buffet room. Breakfast is available from 7-10am.

On sea days at 9, there is a morning stretch class that I participate in, and then another activity at 10. It rotates between yoga, pilates, and core and balance. If the weather cooperates, we have it out on the deck.

From about 10:30 to 11:30 I usually head to my cabin for time to organize my writing, pictures and plan future stops. Today, I even went to do a load of laundry. Yes, the cruise will do laundry twice a week for free for us, but it takes a couple of days to get it back, and I would rather do my own delicates, so I ended up doing everything.

The laundrymat is located on the 2nd floor and is free and open 24/7. They even provide soap. My only complaint is that the dryers take forever. Today, after 3 hours, I gave up and brought my clothes to my room to finish drying in open air.

Some people are diehard pickleball fans, and there are tournaments pretty much all day if the weather permits. We have a court on the eighth floor as well as a pool area that we are hoping opens next week.

At 11:30, I headed to the Nepture Lounge to catch a port talk about the next port that we would be visiting that just hit our itinerary.

After the port talk, I headed to the Morning Light Lounge to chat with some friends before going up to lunch. Lunch is from 12-2, and I try to go after 1.

After lunch, I again head down to my room to do whatever I need to do or just to read. I could go and watch an afternoon movie or the pickleball tournament if I’m bored, but usually I’d prefer quiet time on my own. Port days have been so busy that I like the day here and there to recharge. On the ocean crossing that is multiple days, I might change my mind.

Other people head to the library to play games, do puzzles, and read.

Around 4:30, I usually head back up to the Morning Light Lounge and join the groups chatting and doing the quiz game at 5. I hang out until about 6:20 when I make my way to our dining option of the night. Usually, it is the buffet, and outdoor seating is premium. If it is the Thistle sit-down meal, then it just takes a very long time, so early is better.

Sometimes there are special events like Employee of the Month.

Dinner is typically served from 6:30- 9:00pm.

If a good movie is playing, I will catch the 8:30pm show, and if it’s Saturday, we get popcorn.

After a movie or chatting, I go and get ready for bed. I am not a night owl, and some people are up till the wee hours of the morning drinking, playing cards, and other activities.

Some people are digital nomads and have work and meetings to attend during our time at sea. The ship has a business center where offices can be rented on a monthly basis or an open area with places to set up laptops, with printers available.

After a full day I head back to my cabin for bed.