EXCLUSIVE OFFERS

Travel Blog

Meanderings of a Working Travel Agent

Sea Days

Regular cruisers love sea days – and as a regular cruiser I must say that I absolutely love them. Don’t get me wrong – I love visiting new ports- and old favourite ones – but there is something about being in the middle of the ocean with the whole day ahead of you that I adore.

There is usually lots to do on a sea day – most cruise lines put together numerous activities so if you want to learn to cha cha, take part in a quiz or a crossword challenge here’s your chance. Some ships will have cooking classes, lectures by experts or you can just hang out on the top deck and watch a film on the big screen. I just love relaxing as you can see from this recent picture taken while I cruised last week on the Celebrity Solstice.

blog sea days 01

While going on a long cruise from Durban, South Africa, to the Seychelles we had a long stretch of sea days so that we could visit the Bassas da India – an uninhabited atoll in the Mozambique Channel. Apparently there are loads of wrecks around this area because the atoll is not always visible – so it is in effect a watery graveyard. As we sailed past the Captain ordered drinks for everyone on board and we stood in silence in tribute to those brave sailors.

Then there are the foggy days where you cannot even see where you are going. There is something so magical about the sound of the foghorn as you pass through the mist. I felt I should be hopping out to the front of the ship to sing a song. Alas it was barred to passengers and I cant sing anyway.

blog sea days 02

So I think on my wishlist I should include a transatlantic sailing. Lots of time at sea and little places to visit that you wouldn’t normally get to like the Azores – or even Madeira. I think perhaps this is one where I would revisit Cunard and do a transatlantic on one of the Queens. Southampton to New York. How emotional that must be sailing into New York, seeing the Statue of Liberty, and imagining the feelings of all those immigrants from all over the world. I think my heart would be with the Irish as I am half Irish and many of my mom’s friends took that route to see a new life in America.

Mind you – my wishlist is quite long when it comes to cruising. Apart from doing a transatlantic I would love to do the Scottish Isles in the far north, Iceland – oh yes, and the Corinth Canal. I can’t say why this idea grabs me like it does but I really think that would be interesting. Of course the number of ships you can do this on is less because only small ships can get down the canal.

So many places on my list …. what about you?

SHARE

4 Responses

  1. Sounds like a relaxing vacation! I love to sail and could stare at the ocean all day. Funny that you mentioned Seychelles as it has been on my bucket list for years and I am finally going to cross it off. Can’t wait! Thanks for all the inspiration!

  2. There are so many interesting places to go, including some that would be worth a second trip. I’ve been looking at a Star Clippers trip from Malta to Las Palmas which I believe has an ‘at sea’ time but I need to work any trip around my future (date unknown) hip replacement. So not this year.

    1. I love Star Clippers so have to say that is a really good choice. There is something about the feeling when they hoist the sails and switch off the motors!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

The Travel Lady Blog

The Travel Lady

Lesley Keyter is the face of travel in the fast growing city of Calgary. Every week since 1997 she has has featured live on the Morning News Global TV.

More Travel Posts

Blog…Is AI a Good Thing?

So is this really me writing this blog or is it AI? This has become so popular now and I am reading about it all over the place. I’m not really sure if I should call it AI or chat box or GPT.   It seems to have so many different names

READ MORE »

Are You a Verified Traveller?

That’s what you have to be if you don’t want to unpack your briefcase …. And everything else.

We have all been through that rigmarole.  Before you even enter security you start getting ready by taking off your belt and fiddling in pockets.

READ MORE »

In the Zone

Do you do this?  The minute I get my boarding pass I check which zone I am in.  I hate being in zone 4 or 5 because that means you get on last and you know how hard it can be to find a place to stick your carry on.  Of course, if I wanted to be in zone 1 then I should just book first class or business, right?

READ MORE »

Obnoxious Fellow Passengers

I have read lots of stories about having to sit next to or near a fellow passenger on a flight who just doesn’t know how to behave in the air.  But my flight from Calgary to Newark last Friday was a first hand experience.  I settled into my seat and while we were waiting to take off the “lady” behind  me had a long loud telephone call with someone who I gathered from the call was her “loved one”.  You know there are ways you can have a telephone call in a crowded place – and you can do it discreetly but this word was not in this woman’s vocabulary.

READ MORE »

In the News

The Travel Lady
CONTACT
HOURS
CONNECT