The adventure begins...
December 6, 2023 in the United States
Headed to the airport in a few hours. After two and a half years of planning this thing, we can't believe this day is here.
Made it to the airport.
December 6, 2023 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 50 °F
Amsterdam for a few hours...
December 7, 2023 in the Netherlands ⋅ ☁️ 32 °F
The KLM lounge has self-serve Heineken on tap. It's 10 AM but it had to be done!
Porto!
December 8, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 55 °F
Enjoying dinner and drinks on our balcony in Porto.
Nazare
December 9, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 64 °F
The legendary surfing location and some amazing seafood.
Nazare, by Ann
December 9, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F
Beautiful day, but no giant waves.
Sintra
December 9, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 61 °F
Sintra is where the ultra wealthy would escape to during the hot Lisbon summers. It's filled with palaces, castles and chateaus from the 19th century and before. It's truly magical.
Sintra by day
December 10, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 63 °F
I'm at a loss for how to describe Sintra. "Magical kingdom from a fairytale" I suppose. It has to be experienced to be understood.
Off to Lisbon tomorrow and then on to the boat Tuesday!
Sintra to Lisbon
Dec 11–12, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 63 °F
Good bye to the Chateau Saudade, Sintra and hello Lisbon. We embark the Viking Neptune tomorrow and sail to the Azores.
Lisbon Cavernous en Suite
Dec 11–12, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 64 °F
Staying at Lisbon Calling Hostel & Rooms. Our en suite...😳
Photos from Lisbon
December 12, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 66 °F
Belem Tower and the Monument to the Discoveries
On board!
December 12, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 64 °F
Our first, of many, drinks in the explorers lounge. The ship is simply amazing, just one year old. I want to see it all today, but I have to remember we'll be living here for the next five months.
Lots of blue water
December 13, 2023, North Atlantic Ocean ⋅ 🌬 63 °F
The first of many sea days. I thought I might really get tired of sea days but this is pretty nice. I'm already very impressed with Viking. We went to a daily journal writing discussion this morning,Read more
Snow Grotto!
December 13, 2023, North Atlantic Ocean ⋅ 🌬 61 °F
Yep, the spa has a snow grotto in addition to a thermal pool, hot tub, steam room, two saunas with plunge pools, and a device that dumps a bucket of cold water on your head when you pull a chain. IRead more
A day in the Azores
December 15, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ 🌬 64 °F
Spent the day visiting the largest of the Azores. Visited a small village in the bottom of a caldera, saw some amazing scenery, and wandered the streets of Punta Delgada. Now for another four sea daysRead more
Scenes from Sao Miguel Island, by Ann
December 15, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ 🌬 64 °F
Scenes from the Azores, by Ann.
Sea Daze
December 17, 2023, North Atlantic Ocean ⋅ 🌬 66 °F
Plenty to do on sea days. Lots of "enrichment activities," one of the reasons we chose Viking. The photo shows a talk on the Bayeux Tapestry given by the resident historian. The tapestry is reproducedRead more
The most glamorous place on the ship
December 18, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 45 °F
One of the many nice things about Viking, self-serve laundry facilities (including detergent) on every deck.
Bermuda Canceled
December 19, 2023, North Atlantic Ocean ⋅ 🌬 72 °F
We were informed yesterday afternoon that it is not possible to port at Bermuda due to gale force winds and high seas. We have turned south for smoother water and headed for Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. ARead more
Medical Emergency Stopping Nassau
December 21, 2023, North Atlantic Ocean ⋅ 🌬 68 °F
A passenger requires medical assistance so we are diverting to Nassau, Bahamas and arrive 11 am and depart 3 pm. Very sorry for our fellow traveler but glad Viking can make this happen and we get toRead more
Docking in Nassau
December 22, 2023 on the Bahamas ⋅ 🌬 72 °F
The big white Norwegian Cruise ship in the photo has over 4200 passengers and nearly twice as many crew as we have passengers.
Little Havana, Florida
December 23, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 75 °F
Fun exploring the little shops and some time off the ship. Dominoes Park was busy with avid players.
Traveler
Love the Chicken. Happy Holidays. I am at the coast visiting with family and having a great time. I am especially enjoying following you and Terry on this wonderful trip. It's wonderful getting your updates I look forward to them keep them coming and have a great Christmas. Sheryl
Cuba!
December 24, 2023, Gulf of Mexico ⋅ 🌬 79 °F
We passed about 20 miles to the north of the island, around the western tip on our way to Cozumel.
Merry Christmas🎄, Cozumel, Mexico
December 25, 2023 in Mexico ⋅ ☁️ 84 °F
Getting hot and humid already! We better get used to it or move into the snow grotto full time.
TravelerMerry Christmas Terry and Ann 🎄🎁🎅🤶 You are obviously having a great time. One of our favorite memories at Cozumel was eating at The Lobster Shack and walking on the beachfront, the week before Christmas in 2018. Fun to experience the Christmas spirit in a warm climate like Cozumel. Enjoy!
Sea Day #2 on way to Cartagena, Colombia
December 27, 2023, Caribbean Sea ⋅ 🌬 84 °F
Getting used to grilled salmon salad for lunch. Hitting the gym, sauna, and spa pool almost daily too to combat the great food abundance😳. Nice walking ring on board too. Looking forward to a dayRead more
TravelerThat grilled salmon doesn't look like what I got when I was at sea. Maybe I needed to go all the way around the world. Looks like a fantastic trip so far; keep the pictures coming. Enjoy!
TravelerCan you get good coffee beans in Sumatra? They grow some great coffee there.