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Exploring Lima: Markets, Culinary Delights and Water Shows

Posted on January 20, 2025July 7, 2026 by Jo Johnston

Day 12, 2025 Grand World Voyage Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025; Lima, Peru. I seldom spend the evening ashore, even when we stay overnight in a port. I always say I’ll go back at night, but it doesn’t usually happen. I’m either tired after a day of touring and exploring or

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2025 Grand World Voyage, Peru
5 comments

Archeology, Horses, Food, Pisco Sours Fill First Day in Lima

Posted on January 17, 2025July 7, 2026 by Jo Johnston

Day 11, 2025 Grand World Voyage Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025; Lima, Peru. Peru deserves more time – two weeks, I would say. As it is, this is my second time here and we have two-and-a-half days. I still feel I’m only scratching the surface. This typically is an overnight port

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2025 Grand World Voyage, Peru
6 comments

Beer, Ceviche on Beach Highlight Manta Port of Call

Posted on January 13, 2025July 7, 2026 by Jo Johnston

Day 8, 2025 Grand World Voyage Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025; Manta, Ecuador. Given the choice between standing in a line and relaxing with a beer on the beach, it’s obvious which I will take. One of my favorite cruise memories was drinking pisco sours on an Easter Island terrace while

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2025 Grand World Voyage, Ecuador
4 comments

Grand World Voyage Comes With Its Own Rhythm of Routine

Posted on January 10, 2025July 7, 2026 by Jo Johnston

Day 5, 2025 Grand World Voyage Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025; Puerto Limón, Costa Rica. Five days in and we’re settling into a routine on the world cruise. To be honest, my routine doesn’t change greatly from cruise to cruise, but – like a new year – there’s something about the

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2025 Grand World Voyage, Cayman Islands, Costa Rica
12 comments

Even Without My Sisters, World Cruise is a Family Reunion

Posted on January 5, 2025 by Jo Johnston

Day 1, 2025 Grand World Voyage Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025; Fort Lauderdale, Fla. I remember the excitement of returning to college after a summer away. Certainly not for the classes, assignments and exams. But rather to reunite with my friends from the previous year. I always wanted to get there

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2025 Grand World Voyage
18 comments

Island Serenity Before Excitement of Another Sail Around the World

Posted on January 3, 2025July 7, 2026 by Jo Johnston

Day 14, 2024 Holiday Tropical Caribbean Friday, Jan. 3, 2025; Half Moon Cay, Bahamas My social media is full of excited posts from friends who will be joining the MS Zuiderdam tomorrow for Holland America’s 2025 Grand World Voyage. Part of me misses being at the Fort Lauderdale hotel where

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2024 Caribbean Holiday, Bahamas, US Virgin Islands
28 comments

Packing for 14 Days or 181 Days – All About Personal Preference

Posted on January 2, 2025July 6, 2026 by Jo Johnston

Day 13, 2024 Holiday Tropical Caribbean Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025; At Sea. What to pack? It’s always a personal decision – do you like a lot of variety or a basic wardrobe? Is it more important to you to pack light or for comfort? There’s no right or wrong answer.

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2024 Caribbean Holiday
25 comments

Sometimes It’s Wonderful to Have a Cruise Ship to Yourself

Posted on December 31, 2024July 7, 2026 by Jo Johnston

Day 10, 2024 Holiday Tropical Caribbean Monday, Dec. 30, 2024; Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos. You know that feeling when your family or friends have just left after a visit (perhaps staying a day or two too long) and you have the house to yourself? You miss them, but really

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2024 Caribbean Holiday, Turks and Caicos Islands
11 comments

Enjoying Nassau’s Solitude Despite 20,000 Cruise Passengers

Posted on December 25, 2024July 7, 2026 by Jo Johnston

Day 2, 2024 Holiday Tropical Caribbean Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024; Nassau, Bahamas. I surprised myself this morning by being perhaps the first passenger off the Zuiderdam. I woke up early and was waiting for the buffet to open as the Zuiderdam pulled into the empty Nassau, Bahamas, cruise ship harbor.

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2024 Caribbean Holiday, Bahamas
7 comments

Jumping Ship Is a Breeze – From One Home to Another

Posted on December 24, 2024July 7, 2026 by Jo Johnston

Day 1, 2024 Holiday Tropical Caribbean Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024; Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Joining the Zuiderdam earlier today really was like coming home, and yet totally different. I saw friends from previous cruises in the terminal waiting room. Once on the ship, it was hug after hug with team members

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2024 Caribbean Holiday, USA
21 comments

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I’m a writer in love with the sea, sailing, travel and sketching.

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