It Is Christmas Eve! Let the Packing Commence

 Like Santa, I've been checking my list.  Not for who's naughty or nice.  But for what I need to take for a two month trip.  Packing should be easy but I obsess over it.  I need to dress for weather that will range from equatorial to frigid (Japan is cold in February).  I'll be swimming, dancing and dining in fancy places so need clothes for all that.  And, I need the small things that make a cruise easier or just more fun.

Here are some examples of the incidentals I take on a cruise:

Thanks to my brilliant friend Heidi, I take a doorstop.  Why?  Ever done that awkward dance at the door with a room steward carrying a giant tray of food and a pitcher of boiling water?  This six dollar item allows me to just pull open the door and prop it open.  Fast and easy.  It makes the stewards smile every time they don't have to juggle that heavy tray.

I have a bedtime routine that involves LED candles.  I take just one small one for my cabin which adds to the ambiance.  

Normally, I miss having a variety of music on a cruise.  Not this time!  I'll be taking my small speaker and will have Star Link WIFI so I can enjoy Amazon Music.  And podcasts.

There's more but I've procrastinated long enough.  Off to pack!

Brazil or No Brazil - I'm Going on a Cruise!

 The last 24 hours have brought great news.  First, I heard that my guaranteed cabin had been assigned.  You'll be able to find me on the balcony of cabin 4133 for the next two months.

This morning brought even better news from HAL: 

"Holland America Line continues to make progress with government and port officials regarding visa requirements for Brazil.  We know this has been frustrating for many guests and we are sorry for the added stress so close to your embarkation date for this spectacular voyage.

While we are hopeful for a resolution either through the government suspending the requirement or through more efficient visa processing, we know you need certainty as the start of the voyage nears.  If this issue is not resolved, we will revise our itinerary to remove Brazil so no guests are denied boarding over this matter.  While it is our hope this won't be needed, it is important to us that you know you will be able to embark as planned in Fort Lauderdale."

Yesterday I spent about 4 hours helping a friend submit the requested documents to get her Brazil visa.  Today they were rejected with no explanation.  Just "resubmit".  Now, I can stop fretting about it.  I applied for my visa on December 5.  There is still no estimate of if or when I might receive it.

If we don't cruise up the Amazon, I will be disappointed.  But, I'll be cruising.  My boarding time was also assigned.  I'll be boarding at 11:00 a.m. in Ft. Lauderdale.

Most important, Buddy is all set.  He'll have two humans and two new doggie companions staying in the house with him.  

This is a VB category cabin.  I'll be in one similar, #4133.

On The Road Again - Another World Cruise

 I'm very excited to report that I'm departing January 3, 2024 on Holland America's Zuiderdam for a two month cruise.  I'll be sailing from Fort Lauderdale, up the Amazon River, through the Panama Canal and ending up in Tokyo on February 28.

The trip is mostly paid for with the Future Cruise Credit that Holland America generously gave me when the 2020 World Cruise was shortened because of Covid.

Sadly, Buddy won't be able to join me.  On the bright side, he'll be staying home with my cousin and her husband and their two pups.

Now, I just need to get my house in order, bags packed and visas complete.  

Be sure to stop back for lots of photos of sunrises, sunsets, clouds and food.  I will try to get a few photos of the ports I visit and people along the way.