WORLD CRUISE 2025 

FULL CIRCLE,  

LAST NIGHT,

FAVORITE PEOPLE & PLACES!

Thursday, May 8, 2025, 6 AM, Temperature 75 Degrees, Humidity 75 %, W – ENE @ 8.1 mph

We’re ending like we started, with 6 Boxes waiting for pickup by Luggage Forwarding! They have a representative who came aboard in Lisbon and supplied all the packing labels and documentation. We weren’t sure it would all fit since my suitcase is now dedicated to treasurers and mementos picked up along the way – who knew t-shirts and refrigerator magnets could be so heavy! John told a friend they were “baubles and booty”. I’ve promised John I won’t bring as much next time – the laundry service was great, and I don’t think anyone cares if you repeat outfits! I can’t remember what I wore, how can they? In my defense, it wasn’t all mine! I brought quite a few “Jimmy Buffet” shirts for John he never wore (said it was too cold) and there were a number of theme night requiring special attire plus eight formal nights (John got his money’s worth out of his James Bond tuxedo this trip and his dress kilt too).

We’re not gamblers, although we did buy a couple of Scratch-Offs on board to win “Cruising for Life” but didn’t win! John was fascinated by a set of machines that reminded him of the games at the County Fair. You put in a quarter, they pile up and eventually push quarters over the edge and into the tray at the bottom where you collect your winnings! Didn’t win here either but lost more slowly – John played for over an hour on $10.00. It was fun, several people stopped to watch. A lot of people were interested in the machines.

On the last night of the cruise, the waitstaff and kitchen staff do a “parade” through the dining room, some waving flags from their native country! All the guests clap and wave their napkins over their heads in the crew’s honor. They did a wonderful job the whole Cruise. On Sunday, the Captain hosted a farewell luncheon for departing guests – two seatings (11 AM and 1 PM) and 900 total attendance (425 and 475) – Menu: Seafood bisque, Steak and Lobster, Sea Bass or vegetarian, and apple pie ala mode! There was also a crew talent show on Wednesday afternoon on the World Stage – amazing talent! What a special group of people they are! On this long cruise, you get to know them (and the families they have left behind on their 8–9-month contracts). They are always smiling and positive, but they work very hard, and it is difficult to be away from home and family (we know how that feels from John’s Navy days). Many have told us they make the sacrifice to provide a better life for their families. One said, if he worked at home, he would only be able to send one son to college, because of his work on HAL, he could send all three. We are all the same in wanting the best for our children! We are including pictures of just a few of the people who have made our World Cruise so special – Josephine, the front desk “Matre de ess” in the dining room with two of our favorites, Alexi and Winda! Cute, personable and always smiling – John wants to bring one home with us as a souvenir. “Angi”, our assistant waiter, did a different card trick for us almost every night! We were a great audience – we never could figure out how it did it! He even showed John how to do three card tricks! John’s still practicing, not ready for his debut yet. Crew rotates frequently; our current waiter came aboard in Cape Town. He made a small origami animal (or two) for us every night. We have over 70, not sure how well they’ll make the trip home! Raizel and Alif, the “Juice Guy” and the “Muffin Man” made us smile at breakfast every morning – hard to resist those smiling faces! Finally, our two room stewards who were with us the whole time! Always smiling, always helpful. They’re the ones I’d like to take home – who’s going to clean the bathrooms and make the bed? Guess who?

This was a wonderful trip! We’ve been blessed with great weather (only 2 rainy days the whole time) and smooth seas (except for two 36-hour periods with minor “rock and roll” that made walking “challenging”). We have made every scheduled port, which is not always the case. When we started out 124 days ago, we weren’t sure what to expect but now, it’s over too quickly. A HAL Grand World Cruise is quite an experience, like no other! It has spoiled us for short cruises – 7-10 days is not going to “cut it” anymore. It’s special in so many ways. There are all sorts of planned events (almost every day, sometimes too many for us but some people do everything)! Most involve decorations, food and sometimes live music on the Lido pool deck. Some are small (Ice Cream Socials and Let Them Eat Cake), some are large, pool side events – we’ll be talking about the Seafood Extravaganza and the enormous lobster tails (only part of the unlimited fare) for a long time. There are many classes and guest lecturers and clergy and religious services (Catholic, Jewish and Protestant). The protestant pastor & his wife were great; they were from Canada. They are “regulars” on the Cruise & World Cruise circuit! They also provide strong support to the crew with nighttime services to accommodate the crew’s schedule. We had an unforgettable (and chilly) Easter Sunrise Service on the ship’s fantail. And there are gifts! In the beginning we received a tote bag full of “goodies” (told you about that) including portable chargers for phones, umbrellas and rain ponchos, sun hats, and small shoulder bags to carry on Excursions. A couple of days ago, a collapsible, rolling tote bag was on our bed (along with our regular chocolates) when we came back from dinner! Guess it’s to carry all the stuff people have accumulated that won’t fit their suitcases. Last night, there was a beautiful blue and white 2025 World Cruise delft plaque – I know just where it’s going! HAL is based in Rotterdam and the Netherlands is know for their porcelain. On our Panama Canal Cruise last year and on this one, we received a smaller tile with a picture of the Ship and the names of the other ships in its “Vista” class.

Although home is always best, we’ve seen a lot and learned a lot. We’ve seen places where people live under challenging conditions but also modern, shiny cities like Singapore and Kuala Lumpur that are safe, clean and could teach us a thing or two.

We’re closing out this Blog with pictures of places that will always be special to us – but they all are great memories!

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US ON THIS JOURNEY! Sue & John