And we are on the way to Cartagena,Columbia.

We would be docking on Friday 24th January.The port of Cartagena is the most beautiful port I have ever been to and I hope this time nothing has changed for the worse.

The sea days when sunny can be utterly wonderful. Today has been one of those days.

This is me on the 11th floor terrace, one floor above the Queen's grill restaurant where we eat.

Every afternoon at 3 tea is served. I love cucumber sandwiches. There are various cakes, too. Very civilized.

Tuesday 21st January we docked in Miami.

My only wish was to see Everglades. It is something we do not have in Europe.The contraption we sailed on was handled magnificently by an amiable captain.

 

There was a massive croc swimming.

Even a bigger one sunbathing.

There was a show. Three crocs heavily sedated for our benefit, I found it uncomfortable to watch and was happy when the charade ended.

But the most unpleasant shark was the tour guide telling us it was a "service industry" and to give her and the driver money. I did, $5, she did not  thank me obviously expecting more and I regretted instantly giving her  even that.

The weather was glorious.

18 th January 2025 we docked in New York.. in Brooklyn.

It should have been 17th, we had a tour of the Big Apple booked for Friday and Saturday was going to be spent shopping, walking along the Madison Avenue and just enjoying the city, but the atrocious weather put paid to that. It was a taxi to Times Square, pictures taken, a taxi to Rockefeller Centre,pictures taken, a taxi back to the ship.

But the weather was good ( the forecast was snow and rain) and we left New York content.

And here I am on Queen Anne again.

Sailing to New York, our very first stop on a world cruise from 9th January,2025 to 27th April, 2025.

This time my sister has joined me on this adventure of a lifetime for her,the second time around the world for me.

Queen Anne is a Cunard ship, brand new, having sailed for the very first last May.

We are in a Queens Grill,6243 stateroom.

The Atlantic ocean when good can be very good, when bad, can be awful. Today it is awful, last night unbearably so,the wind strong, the waves high, up to almost  10 meters, the ship creaking, heaving, sighing.

And worse is to come.

Sailing to NY from Southampton in winter is not for the faint- hearted, but if you hold tight when moving around the ship, everything is manageable.