Busy Month - January

As I mentioned before, I have a major To-Do List. Each month contains tasks I either must or should complete. There were about twenty items on it for January. I actually accomplished about half of them. I'm not freaked out, however, as several tasks from future months were also checked off my list.

Staying flexible helps maintain my sanity and keep anxiety at bay, at least for now. I saw two of the doctors on my long list. I had a check-up and told them about moving. They were more than willing to help me with a treatment plan for the future. My optometrist told me he'll be sad to see me go. We've become friends over the last fifteen years, chatting at each appointment.

He loved my plan and asked for details. He was very interested when I told him that in my new state and on the ship, I wouldn't have to do most of the daily tasks that I have to do now. I want to eat, just tired of cooking. I enjoy a clean house, but cleaning is not fun. All the planning, shopping, checking on things, gone. They're someone else's responsibility. 

I'm taking one of these emergency lights with me when I leave California. I like it very much. It operates at the touch of a finger, is rechargeable and pleasant in appearance. Check it out, CLICK HERE  #ad.

He asked for contact details for the ship, and information about the state I have selected as my home base. I was happy to provide them. Heck, maybe he and his wife will join me. That would be fun. Nice guy.

I found and made reservations for an apart-hotel in my new state. What's an apart-hotel? Think apartment building with furnished rooms. Consider also, how a hotel operates, cleaning, changing linens, including sheets. Take the best of each type of property and put them together. That's an apart-hotel. It is so much less expensive than California. Life will be even better there. 

I also did something unexpected. When I made the reservations for my ride to the ship, the owner of the company asked me if I was selling my furniture. It seems he loves going to estate sales, and finding treasures. Yup. I promised I'd give him the dates and times once those are finalized. He then asked about my car. It seems someone he knows wanted a car for their seventeen year old son. 

So that issue, a biggie, is solved. This is about four months before I had planned to do something with it. No problem, however, I need to get comfortable using Uber, since that is how I intend to get around from now on... no car. I'm done. 

I then did something I find unpleasant, set up a new credit card and new bank account. Neither was difficult, I just do not enjoy the process. My email account is full of messages from both, telling me various things I need to do, once my cards arrive. Oh, goodie. More tasks. 

But one thing I did in January was lots of fun. I had new luggage tags made. I took the photo you see in the banner of this blog, my one and only "selfie", and had it made into tags. The flip side of the tag includes my name and contact details. I ordered four of them to fit my luggage. They will come in handy when flying to my new state, and whenever I'm on the cruise ship. 

Here's one of the pieces of luggage that will be sporting a brand new, super cute luggage tag real soon. Check it out for yourself, CLICK HERE #ad. 

Most of the January items I have yet to complete, have to do with the new bank account and credit card. Both have been approved, and my cards are "in the mail". Let's hope so, I have to move lots of charges from my old ones to the new. Then I'll close the California bank account, and the credit card I have been using here. Yes, I know this will have an impact on my credit score, but I really don't care. It's high enough, it won't matter.

The cards should arrive some time this week. I'll be able to catch up on the actions I had to skip last month once they do. In the meantime I'm canceling my California library cards, transferring my California Teachers Association membership to my new state, and figuring out how to handle my phone both in my new home, and while traveling internationally on a cruise ship. 

More to come. In the meantime, feel free to check out my YouTube page, Elizabeth Endorses, CLICK HERE #ad, where I do reviews of my favorite Amazon products that simplify my life.  They could simplify yours too.

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Planning Ahead to Avoid Future Issues - December

Once I decided to move to a safer location in the Mid-West, and to buy a cabin on a residential cruise ship, finding insurance was next most important step. That was made much easier by the cruise line setting up a relationship with a company, and Congress finally rescinding the much hated WEP. I was able to find and fund an insurance policy to cover my needs when out of the country. Medicare will continue to cover me when I'm in my Home Base in the Mid-West.

The next major hurtle was to find a company to hold an estate sale and sell most of my belongings. This was surprisingly simple, since a good friend knew of such a company. She highly recommended I contact the owner, which I have done. It looks great. She handles just about everything. I don't even need to sort anything, or rearrange my belongings. Her crew is used to selling from a home where the owner has died, so no help is necessary. Simple.

As with many in my age group, those over 65, I have been assigned a covey of doctors by my medical group. Unfortunately they are needed. Happily though, they are excellent at their jobs, and have helped me stay upright. I made a list of my doctors in December, and spent several days lining up appointments so I can be seen by each of them. Since some are specialists, it's not easy getting an appointment.

This is why I started the process in December. I want them all complete by mid-April. A few need lab tests to be completed two weeks before seeing the doctor. Timing is everything, especially with CT scans and the like. I was able to set up all the appointments I need, except for two of the specialists. I have to call back in January, when their calendars open up for the time frame I need.

This is an important part of moving. When establishing relationships with new doctors in new states, or when seeing a doctor onboard a ship or while visiting another country, documentation and a treatment plan are quite helpful. This way, doctors are not working in the dark. This is why, although I have not asked for a paper copy of my after visit reports in the past (I usually read them online), I am now. I intend to have a file with paper copies of all my visits, a plan for each specialty going forward, and test results.

I'm also going to request copies of CT scans, as I have a couple of ongoing issues. One is my lungs. They were damaged by working in a school where admin didn't take enough care to ensure the health and safety of those on campus. The other is my bones. Small boned women should have many important tests completed routinely on an annual basis going forward from thirty, but this was not done. I didn't know to ask, and no one bothered to tell me. Therefore, I was low in Vitamin D, Calcium and Magnesium for years, resulting in osteoporosis.

All of my medical issues are under control, and I follow the protocols established by my doctors to make sure they stay that way. Anyone who intends to move or travel, and may need to see new doctors, should visit their old ones before moving. Ask for an assessment for each chronic condition and a plan for future treatment. They will come in handy.

More to come. In the meantime, feel free to check out my YouTube page, Elizabeth Endorses, CLICK HERE #ad, where I do reviews of my favorite Amazon products that simplify my life.  They could simplify yours too.

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Getting Started - November

November was the month my friend who lives in Texas sent me the article about the cruise ship "skipping the next four years". She thought it was funny. I thought it was a clever marketing tool, since they created it before the election. Some people were offended, but then, some folks look for ways to be offended.

Personally, I recognized way too much of the article to treat it casually. It took just a few moments to realize this was the people I knew from the round-the-world cruise I signed up for in 2023. This time, they had far more control over the process, so there were more options.

I thought at first about renting, but quickly realized it would save money in the long run if I bought. Plus it gave me more flexibility. I can live on the ship until I get bored, and live in an apartment in the Mid-West, when the weather is nice. I like having the option of renting mt cabin to others. I can do this on my own, or they will do it for me, if I chose to go that route. If they do the work (don't you love it?), then they take half the rental fee. Not bad as long as it covers the monthly maintenance costs. Even better if there's a profit, which there no doubt would be, since prices go up all the time.

Since I didn't know about this happening months earlier, I didn't "get in on the ground floor". That cost me lots, but I wasn't really ready earlier. I was still bruised from the disappointment of the previous cruise not happening. I'm fully healed now, so the timing worked for me.

Once I decided to buy, I had to determine when I wanted to embark. This time, unlike last time, we are on our own in getting our "stuff" to the ship. If I was renting, and only staying a short period of time, I wouldn't have much to take with me. However, owning is different. Making it feel homey is up to me. They provide very nice furniture, TV, linens and the like, but decor items (which are super important to me) are up to us. I'm embarking in the summer, when the ship is visiting the U.S. 

While I was doing all the legal things necessary to buy my cabin, I assigned my subconscious the task of deciding what I will take with me, and what will be sold in an estate sale before I leave California. I decided to only take things I absolutely love and those which would be hard to replace for some reason. An example, I love a gorgeous aqua glass bowl I bought in Cape Town, South Africa, so I'm taking it with me. I have problem feet, small, wide, with very high arches. I've ordered shoes and am having new orthotics made to fit. Better do it now, before moving to the Mid-West or getting on a cruise ship.

The second most important item was a real deal breaker. I needed medical insurance since Medicare doesn't cover us when we leave the country (although we still must pay for it). The last time I tried finding health insurance for a long cruise, it was a fiasco. Everyone on the ship had to figure it out for themselves. Very difficult for my age group. Happily, however, the ship's management team did what I had hoped. They made arrangements with an international insurance company to give us good rates. 

I signed up for it. The damage to my budget? The same figure I was paying for extra coverage for my current U.S. HMO plan. I was stunned. I had figured it would be five times as much. This was a huge relief. Medicare (covered by my Social Security) and the extra policy I will buy for Part D will cost me an extra $40 per month. The international plan, which includes flying me somewhere should I need specialized medical treatment, will cost me only $200 per month. 

What makes this all okay, is that I'll cancel what I have now, so the net increase is only $40 per month. Additionally, I will start receiving my entire Social Security benefits each month, thanks to WEP being repealed. On top of this, housing in my new state is about $1,000 less per month than I pay now. So cool. 

I did the math, (people who know me are laughing now). Over the next fifteen years, I will pay about $100,000 less than if I stayed in California. This is only for housing. It's an even bigger savings when you take notice of what I no longer will have to buy in my new state or on the ship, like food, cleaning services, linens, electricity, etc. 

Then, of course, there's the travel, built into the plan. I'll either be in my new state, exploring new places, or I'll be in one of over 400 new locations in the world. 

Like my T-shirts say... Life Is Good. By the way, taking lots of my Life is Good shirts with me when I move, CLICK HERE  #ad to check out more styles. 

More to come. In the meantime, feel free to check out my YouTube page, Elizabeth Endorses, CLICK HERE #ad, where I do reviews of my favorite Amazon products that simplify my life.  They could simplify yours too.

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Where Have I Been?

If you've been reading this blog, you may have wondered where I've been the last several months. Truth is, I've been researching my housing issue. I've always wanted to live in several places in retirement, staying in each when the weather is to my liking. That is a problem, as the climate has changed.

It's no longer "perfect" in Southern California, as it was in my childhood. Instead of a few days of temperatures over 100 degrees in the summer, it's now weeks. Instead of Santa Ana Winds for a few times in the fall, they now show up year round. I remember wildflowers growing in cracks in the pavement as a child, but now, there is rarely enough rain for them to survive, even in the mountains.

The worst parts of these changes for me, have been the overcast skies. When in school, I remember June Gloom. We didn't see our blue skies for the whole month. It was a tradition. Came in handy as it subdued the behavior of students just as the school year was ending. Then the gray skies expanded, and the phrase May Gray was invented. Next came Graypril, and lately July Why. I hate it.

Everything is more expensive in California mostly because of our glorious weather. Since we no longer have it, why haven't prices come down? Sounds like a joke, but it isn't very funny. We put up with high prices because we live in paradise. Paradise, however, was destroyed by wind, drought and fire a couple of years ago. Then came Lahaina in Hawaii. Last month it was Pacific Palisades and Alta Dena in Los Angeles County. 

It's no long paradise. It's not even safe. So, with this as a backdrop, did I finally find a way to live in three places? Will they be in Europe, Asia, South Africa, Canada, Mexico? Thanks to a friend who sent me an article about a residential cruise ship actually cruising the world right now, it will be all of them, and more.

If you remember the 3-year round-the-world cruise I signed up for in 2023, you won't be too surprised that I loved the idea. As I read the article, I realized this was the same people in the management team from the first, canceled cruise. I respected their integrity, when they sent us back our deposit money, and told us they could no longer trust their partners, so they pulled out of the venture.

This time, they found the funding, and bought a ship. It's on a maiden voyage of sorts now. I say "of sorts" because it's an older ship which has been renovated. Some may not like that idea, but I love it. Why? It's my kind of ship, much smaller than modern cruise ships, traditional in style and holds far fewer people. It's like living in a medium sized condo complex, but at sea.

There are many options if someone wants to cruise on this ship. I chose to buy my cabin. This way, I can stay in it when I like, and rent it out if I ever become bored. Where will I stay, if I'm not on the ship? I spent the last few months figuring that out. I wanted a location with very few natural disasters. If you've read The Big Ones by Dr. Lucy Jones, Click here to check it out on Amazon #ad, you'll understand what I mean.

Although she's a world renowned seismologist, she's an expert in natural disasters of all kinds. Since reading her book, I've been concerned about an atmospheric river becoming "stuck" over California as it did in 1861. It flooded the entire Central Valley and much of Southern California. If it happened again, it would be an epic disaster. I no longer want to live on the Pacific Coast in case it happens.

I also looked into hundred year rain events, tornadoes, and wildfires. I found an area in the northern part of the MidWest which hasn't had a natural disaster in many decades. Happily, the cost of living there is about half what it is where I live now. Housing is especially low. Plus, it's beautiful.

I'll be checking it out in person shortly, as I did when I decided to move to Cape Town, South Africa in 1997. But my decision is already made. I'm currently going through the arduous task of closing down my life in one state, setting up life in another, while planning to cruise some of the year. After I'm finished, life will be simpler. I'll live in my new state when the weather is to my liking and rent out my cabin on the residential cruise ship. When the weather isn't to my liking, I'll live on the ship, and see the world.

In both places, my life will be easy, as I will no longer have a car to worry about (Uber works almost everywhere). I won't have to do housework. I won't have to cook on the ship, or shop for food. I will stateside, but nothing in my little apart-hotel kitchen will be my responsibility to clean or repair. My linens will be provided and washed for me. Many day to day tasks will no longer be mine to do. Best of all, while living this way,  travel is part of the process, again, without my efforts.

More to come. In the meantime, feel free to check out my YouTube page, Elizabeth Endorses, CLICK HERE #ad, where I do reviews of my favorite Amazon products that simplify my life.  They could simplify yours too.

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Standing in Two Hemispheres

If things had gone as planned with the 3-year cruise I signed up for in March 2023 (The cruise was cancelled), I would be beginning a month log exploration of various ports in Brazil today. We would be landing in Macapa, Brazil, which is a major population center and the capital of the state of Amapa, in the northern part of Brazil.

Speaking of location, the equator passes through the center of the town of Macapa. I never expected to be this close to the equator, let alone be able to stand on both sides of it at the same time. This is definitely on my to-do list. 

The temperature today is expected to be 91 degrees, 70% humidity and partly cloudy. Although this doesn’t sound great, the forecast for the days before and after was for more heat. Later in the week thunderstorms are expected. So, all in all, not bad for the tropics.

An interesting thing about this town, it’s on a peninsula, and is only accessible by sea or by air. You cannot drive to Macapa from anywhere. This affects everything here. There’s so much water, not only because it’s on the coast, but it’s also at the mouth of the Amazon. I’d wear the mosquito retarding clothing I bought for the trip, light colors, a hat, and gloves, despite the heat, CLICK HERE (ad).

My must-see list is very short due to the weather and the bugs. I’d visit the Fortaleza de Sao Jose de Macapa, since I understand it’s beautiful, well-kept, and directly on the coast. It’s the largest Portuguese fort outside of Portugal. Lunch would be at one of the riverside restaurants.

Although I don’t speak Portuguese, both English and French are taught in the schools here, so I shouldn’t have any trouble communicating. Since I have food allergies, I’d take a laminated 3x5 card with me with a list of foods I must avoid translated into Portugues. I’ve taken such cards with me when I’ve dined in foreign countries in the past. It eliminated problems. A real Life Lesson.

The Centro de Pesquisas Museologicas Museum would be an interesting destination, but I’ve been warned about standing water there, and lots of mosquitos. Since the number of plants and animals it contains is limited, for me, it’s not worth the risk.

Marco Zero is a landmark showing the Equator line, where the Northern and Southern Hemispheres meet. There’s really nothing to do there, except marvel that you’re there. However, experiences is why I decided to sign up for a 3-year cruise in the first place, so I would visit, bask in the novelty of the moment, and take way too many photographs. There’s a gift shop that’s receives great reviews, so although I probably wouldn’t buy anything there, I’d visit, nonetheless.

Although there are several other things to do in Macapa, none of them outweighs the tropical weather and all that comes with it for me. For the more adventurous, however, there are other museums and attractions.  I'd spend the rest of the day onboard, taking full advantage of the air conditioning. 

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Trinidad and Tobago, Lots of Sunshine

If things had gone as planned with the 3-year cruise I signed up for in March 2023 (they still don’t have a ship), I would be arriving in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago today. As I mentioned when blogging about Puerto Rico, I’ve been to the southern Caribbean, but not the northern islands.

So, this is my first trip to Trinidad and Tobago. It rains a great deal in the tropics, and it’s usually rather hot for my taste. It rained on Thursday, and is forecast to rain again tomorrow, but we would be in luck. The temperature predicted for today is 89° and partly sunny.

I always take sun protection when I travel, especially when visiting the tropics. I have a few sun hats from which to choose. My favorites are wide brimmed hats made from ribbon, CLICK HERE (ad). The company I buy from the most is Coolibar, which makes sun protective gear. I also bring sunblock, but not just any brand. I use one that does not damage wildlife or coral reefs. It wasn’t easy to find, but this is what I bought, CLICK HERE (ad).

I looked over the large number of tours available. They range from about $50 - $100+, but most of them are far too long for a one-day stopover, which is what this was planned to be. There are plenty of excursions for athletic types, but that’s not me. I don’t have the level of fitness I once had, so I’m careful what I select. I decided I wouldn’t buy a tour or excursion but would go it alone.

I looked over Queens Park Savannah but ruled it out. It looks beautiful, which I enjoy, but may have far too many fine particles in the air for anyone with asthma. My lungs rarely limit what I do, but going where the humidity is already high means I must pick and choose wisely or pay the price.

The Royal Botanic Gardens ais a definite number one pick for me. I love seeing beautiful plants and flowers. I would take lots of photographs. Photography is a hobby of mine, and I bought the iPhone 14 Pro specifically for the camera.

If there was enough time and if I wasn't not too tired after visiting the gardens, I’d visit the Emperor Valley Zoo. I’m usually able to find a great deal of shade in zoos. They plant many trees to create the right ambiance for the animals, we humans benefit from them too. This is why I’d visit the gardens in the morning, and the zoo in the afternoon, even though I know I risk the animals napping. That’s why, weather permitting, visiting zoos in the morning is a far better idea. For me, however, weather trumps pretty much everything else. I admit it. I’m a weather wimp.

Back onboard the ship, there would be calypso music and tasty seafood. Great place to relax after a warm day exploring the island. 

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Puerto Rico, My Heart's Devotion

 

If things had gone as planned with the 3-year cruise I signed up for in March 2023 (didn’t happen), I would be arriving in San Juan, Puerto Rico today. Every time I hear the name, Puerto Rico, I’m a child again listening to Rita Moreno sing in West Side Story. This is the album I had as a child, CLICK HERE (ad). So, I was really looking forward to visiting. Sadly, it’s another place I may never see, as my 3-year cruise didn’t go as planned.

I have visited the southern part of the Caribbean several times, always while on a cruise. I’ve never visited the northern part nearer the US. We were scheduled to dock in San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico.

I would have spent most of my time in Old San Juan, where there are cobblestone streets and Spanish colonial buildings and landmarks. I would have taken a guided tour to see the Castillo San Felipe del Morro, a citadel built between the 16^th and 18^th centuries. It boggles my mind that such old buildings still exist. After all, I’m from Southern California, where anything old is usually torn down, and replaced with a new soulless building.

I’m sure the crew on our ship would have arranged Salsa lessons for the passengers. Although I used to know how to dance the Salsa, I’ve forgotten. So, I would have taken advantage of the lessons, CLICK HERE (ad). It’s fun learning new dances and refreshing those long forgotten. It’s good exercise too and allows me not to feel guilty about sitting on deck while others do something physically challenging.

Cave and waterfall exploration are two such activities. I wouldn’t do either at my age, but when younger… nope. Wouldn’t do them then either. I know Murphy personally. You know, Murphy from Murphy’s Law fame? Whatever can go wrong, will go wrong. I’m far too wise to risk a sprained or broken ankle when spending a fortune to go on a round-the-world cruise.

There are also private sailing excursions offered from San Juan. Depending upon price, I would have selected one to experience. I gave myself a budget for excursions. So far, my spending would be below my budget, so it’s likely I would have taken advantage of one of the lower cost sailing trips.

A free activity would be walking through the town, enjoying the art and culture. I find little shops are often full of artwork and jewelry. In the past, I brought back such items when on shorter trips. I wouldn’t have while on this trip. My plan was to collect experiences, memories and photographs, not souvenirs.

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Back in the USA, Temporarily

 

If things had gone as planned with the 3-year cruise I signed up for in March 2023 (not the case), I would be arriving in Miami, Florida today. This was planned to be a short stay, just one day, to pick up more passengers. Personally, I was planning on flying to Istanbul and starting the cruise at the beginning. It would have saved me money since I wouldn’t have had to pay rent on my home. I also would have been able to visit Istanbul for the first time. That was exciting.

I’ve never been to Miami before, although I have been to Key West three times. Love it there. My favorite place being the Butterfly Conservatory. Because our time was short on this cruise, I planned to visit very few places. I wasn’t sure if we would be able to leave the ship for long, since our “pods” were being loaded onto the ship while at port.

These pods are shipping containers about the size of a small closet. The plan was to pack our clothes and other necessities in the pods at home. They would be picked up and shipped to Miami for loading. This would eliminate the need to bring lots of luggage on board. I did buy a new backpack to carry all of my tech, CLICK HERE  (ad). I thought using pods was a brilliant idea, although it would cut into shore time in Florida. There’s a trade off for most things. I didn’t mind this one.

There are several butterfly gardens along the coast in Miami. I intended to pick the one closest to the dock where the cruise ship tied up and visit it as early in the day as possible. The Roots Collective Butterfly Garden, the MLK Butterfly Garden and the Wings of the Tropics Butterfly Garden are the closest to where the ship might land. I bought a cane with a seat, CLICK HERE (ad) so I could sit down if I became tired.

If there was enough time after visiting the butterflies, I intended to go see the Art Deco district. I love this type of architecture and was looking forward to seeing it in person. I would have taken a tour, if available, or hired an Uber.                           

                                   

I don’t think I would have been able to do more, but it would also have been nice to see Little Havana. I know there are tours there, and would have taken one, to have control over my time. Then a quick ride back to the ship would be necessary. Unpack the pod, and go have dinner. I believe the ship would be setting back out to sea by nightfall. I might have gone up on deck to watch the sunset. It was fun to do in Key West, and would also be enjoyable in Miami, I’m sure. 

The next stop would have been this coming Tuesday, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, also part of the U.S. I’ve never been there either, so it was something I was looking forward to seeing. Better luck next time.

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Sea Days, the Atlantic

 

If things had gone as planned with the 3-year cruise I signed up for in March 2023 (they didn’t), I would be cruising the Atlantic, on my way to Miami, Florida right now. Sea days are my favorite part of cruising. I love the motion of the ocean and the smell of the salt air. It doesn’t take much to make me happy when it’s a sunny day, even better when that day is spent at sea.

Whenever I picked a cruise, I made sure there was an outside deck circumnavigating the ship. I love walking outside and feeling the breeze. One place that’s especially enjoyable is the bow. It’s great to see where we’re going (and to be King/Queen of the World). But I also love the stern. You can see the power of the engines churning up the wake. It’s less windy there, and peaceful.

There are times when wildlife is attracted to the ship. I’ve seen turtles up close. For more on sea turtles CLICK HERE (ad). They don’t seem to be afraid. Despite the obvious size and power of the ship, they come near, and we are able to get a good look. Birds also come along for the ride. I think perhaps there’s an air current created by the movement of the ship. I’ve seen birds glide along and skim the surface of the sea. Sometimes they do acrobatics for us. It’s thrilling.

If I tire, and the wind isn’t too cold, I find a deck chair or chaise longue, to relax and enjoy the scenery. I don’t need to do anything, or chat with anyone, although that’s fun too. Since I enjoy traveling to and from foreign countries, I have met lots of people who are not from the U.S. Since I speak several languages, I’m usually able to communicate with them.

Sometimes, however, it’s too cold or windy for me, so I go inside. There’s usually a comfortable spot with a view where I can read. This one was in a passage between two restaurants and a lounge/bar. Another convenient location is inside nightclubs. They’re usually unlocked when not in use during the day, and passengers often go there to read, play cards, or board games. For board games suitable for travel CLICK HERE (ad). It’s quiet and peaceful, often with a great view out picture windows.

I’m sure if my 3-year cruise had gone as planned, I would be doing all these things this week. While others onboard would be looking forward to land days, I’m happiest at sea. From what I’ve learned, the proposed ship hasn’t been purchased yet, despite November 1 having been our scheduled departure date. I’m sad for those passengers who didn’t cancel. Imagine having sold your house and most of your belongings, and the cruise company can’t even give you a date certain as to when you will be leaving.

My first inkling something was wrong was when I learned the company didn’t provide trip cancellation insurance, and no outside company would sign us up. My second bad feeling was when I discovered the cruise line didn’t make arrangements with a medical insurance carrier to sell us a 3-year policy at a reasonable price.

The coup d’état was the management group deciding not to collect our first large payment. They had lost faith. I trusted them, so that was it for me too. When they pulled out, so did I. It’s sad, as I said, sea days are my favorites, but the mountain view out my living room window isn’t half bad.

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Barcelona, Spain

If things had gone as planned, I would be in Barcelona, Spain right now. I know this because my iPad told me so this morning. I remember, one of the tech savvy passengers on the 3-year round-the-world cruise I signed up for this past March took our itinerary and formatted it for our iPhones and iPads. I uploaded it to mine. 

So, when the location popped up on my calendar, I realized I can still take my blog readers on a 3-year cruise. I'll tell everyone what I have seen on previous trips to the places I have already visited, and explain where I was planning to go on my now cancelled 3-year cruise. 

I've visited Barcelona before, also ironically while on a cruise. I was taking a 3-week long cruise of the Mediterranean Sea out of South Hampton. We stopped for the day in Barcelona. It was nowhere near enough time. 

I wanted to visit the Park Guell, designed by Gaudi. It's covered with colorful tile work. I had seen photos of it, and realized this would be a worthwhile destination. the park is situated on a series of hills, and is full of steps. If you start from the bottom and walk up, you better be in great shape. My decision was to take a taxi to the top of the park, and walk down. I intended to pick up a taxi at the bottom, and return to my cruise ship. Want to learn more about the park? CLICK HERE (ad).

Sadly, I didn't go to see the park. Why? I noticed there were no handrails at all. Several of the steps were pretty steep too. In my physical condition, walking down those steps seemed too risky for me to try alone. Life lesson, when travelling alone, check out who else wants to visit attractions you are interested in, and see if you can go together, split the costs and maybe have a shoulder to hold onto while walking up or down precarious steps. Wish I had. 

If I was in Barcelona today, I would spend much of my day on La Rambla, the most iconic street in Barcelona. It stretches inland from the port. My plan would be to walk the length of the street until I tired. Then I'd pick an outdoor cafe, have some wine and tapas (yummy small bites famous all over Spain). Want to learn more about Tapas? CLICK HERE  (ad). After I rested, my plan was to walk back to the ship in time for dinner. 

Barcelona was planned to be a short stop  in order to pick up passengers who didn't want to fly to Istanbul, which was the intended starting point of the 3-year cruise. The next ten days were meant to be at sea. While some might find land days the most enjoyable, I love being at sea. In the past, I intentionally chose cruises that had many sea days. This was the main reason the 3-year cruise was so appealing to me in the first place. 

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Woulda Coulda Shoulda

If things had gone as planned with the 3-year cruise I signed up for in March, I would be on a flight to Istanbul CLICK HERE (ad) right now. I was one of the lucky ones, as it turns out. I cancelled my trip once I learned the management team had a falling out with the cruise line with which they had been in business. According to a recent CNN article I read, (link below), the cruise line hasn’t even completed their purchase of the ship that was to set out on November 1.

One-way flights are more expensive than round-trip tickets, but that is what I had planned to purchase. Those who decided to stick with the cruise, instead of cancelling as I did, and booked their flights will find themselves in a jam. That is, unless they purchased trip cancellation/interruption insurance. I always do so when flying. It has saved me lots in the past.

Once such case was my three-week trip to Key West, Florida CLICK HERE (ad) a few years before Covid struck. I booked my flight and paid well in advance. This way my purchase price was much lower than it would have been if I had waited. This could have been a disaster for me, as the airline decided to move my connecting flight to Key West to several hours earlier than my arrival in Atlanta. There was no way I would have been able to make the flight, as I would have been in the air.

Since my flight was cancelled by the airline, my money was refunded. However, the new flight I needed to book was at a much higher cost. Since I had purchased the right type of insurance, the company paid me the difference between my original flight and the new one I had to book. I really hope those passengers still planning on taking the Life at Sea cruise protected themselves in this way.

The other expense they may be on the hook for is their hotel reservation. I always check the cancellation policy. I had booked my room for this trip long before deciding not to go but made sure the hotel would allow me to pay when my stay was concluded, rather than in advance. There was also no penalty for cancelling the reservation up to one week in advance of the trip. Life Lesson. Never pay in advance for hotel stays. Always make sure you can cancel without penalty, if necessary. The farther out a trip is, the more important this becomes.

Years ago, when taking students to Europe over Spring Break and over Summer Vacation, I used a travel agent. She looked out for our interests. Once, she called me at the end of the school day. She told me, if I could bring back the airline tickets we had already purchased, she would be able to refund over $300 for each participant on the trip. All we had to do was to spend an extra two days in a five-star hotel in Amsterdam. Because we had used a travel agent, she saved us enough money to pay for the extra two days, in which we toured the city via canal boat, and visited the Anne Frank House CLICK HERE (ad). Priceless. 

The passengers still booked on the 3-year cruise won’t need their hotel reservations in Istanbul. From the CNN article, I learned the cruise won’t be leaving from Istanbul for some reason. The new port is in Amsterdam. The cruise line representative mentioned to the reporter that this is just a short flight from Istanbul. That’s absurd. It’s an added expense for the flight and another hotel to be booked.

It looks more and more like the original management team was correct. They warned us the cruise line may not have a ship ready for the cruise to start on time. They were also worried about what they perceived as a lack of transparency. Both issues are mentioned in the new article as well. You would think six or seven months would be enough time to make such a purchase, especially since a ship had already been located and the process had begun.

Perhaps my fellow travelers should have pulled back when I did. Some sold their homes, quit their jobs, retired early, and took money out of their retirement accounts. I’m saddened our dream was put in jeopardy. I hope they did the things mentioned above, bought trip cancellation insurance, and worked with a travel agent. This might help them recover some of their funds if the cruise doesn’t happen. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for them, as I know how important this trip is to them. It was to me too. At least, for me, there is no longer any risk to my finances or health. I wish them all a bon voyage.

CNN Article: CLICK HERE

 Photo Credit: Google Images

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Getting Ready for a Lengthy Trip: Six Months Out, Part II

During the month of April, I started keeping a list of expenses. I put them in one of the lovely notebooks I ordered to use while cruising, CLICK HERE  (ad). I know that putting off recordkeeping makes it a brutal task. Keeping a running list and making entries once a week keeps it simple.

On April 10, I signed the contract for the cruise. I kept a copy online, of course, but also printed it out, so I would have a hardcopy. I kept all my cruise documents in a large plastic envelope,  CLICK HERE  (ad). Life lesson. This made it easy to locate anything I might need going forward.

Once I decided not to go on the cruise, I added my cancellation documents to the pile of others in the envelope. I’ve used colorful, clear plastic envelopes like these for years. They come in handy, especially for planning trips.

The next thing to take care of was my car registration. Although I had not really decided what to do with my car, I knew it had to be registered. My three choices were to sell it, store it, or give it to my nieces. Eventually, I decided to sell it. Leaving a car in storage for three years just leads to problems. Giving it away, although generous, was not wise financially. It was fortuitous this was my decision, as I still had it when I decided to stay put in California.

During the month of April, the Management team at Life at Sea made a portal available to passengers, so we could communicate with them, and with each other. This proved to be quite valuable. Many of us were concerned about how to receive mail and packages while aboard ship. The Management team took care of this for us. They set up a once-a-month delivery system, but it wasn’t inexpensive. However, one of the other passengers contacted me with an idea. We would find two others to join us and sign up for the service. All our packages and mail would be sent to him, and we’d pick up our items once they were received. Brilliant. This would cost us a few hundred dollars each, instead of thousands.

The next thing to happen turned out to be great fun and resulted in my starting this blog. One of my Twitter followers sent me an article about two sisters who took a tour around the world. The article had been published by CNN Travel. I read the article and responded to the question at the end. They asked if we had ever had a unique experience while cruising. I responded to the article and told them my plan to take a 3-year cruise around the world. (Typing this makes me sad, as I was so looking forward to the trip.)

Briefly after sending off this reply, I received an email from a reporter with CNN Travel. She asked if I would participate in an interview about the trip. I agreed and the article was written. When it came out, I was surprised. It was more about me than the cruise itself. What happened next was an out of body experience. The article bounced around the world, was reprinted in several languages, and reporters and podcasters used it for the basis of articles and podcasts of their own.

My 15 minutes of fame lasted far longer than that and spread to several million people all over the world. (That was a shock.) It led to another interview, this one for a television station in Germany. People I knew saw one of the articles, as did people I met that spring. They were excited for me both about the adventure, but also about being “famous”, if only for a short while.

Sometime after the debacle that resulted in my pulling out of the trip, I was contacted again by CNN Travel. They wanted to do a follow up interview about the unpleasant situation that led to my decision. I was happy to participate. This is because I had learned several people signed up for the cruise because of my initial CNN interview. (This was very cool.) I didn’t want my initial enthusiasm to continue to convince people to sign up for the cruise, since the situation had changed. I was no longer sure it was safe and didn’t want their future happiness or safety on my conscience.

As you can see, when planning a long trip, or moving to another country, there’s lots to do. Some of it you can plan for, some things, however, pop up unexpectedly. Life lesson. This is why planning is so important. If you act in a spontaneous manner, and something unplanned happens, you may not be able to roll with it, or take advantage of the situation. 

The interview with CNN Travel, and the resulting international buzz online resulted in a message landing in my inbox. It was from someone I did not know, but he did me a big favor. He suggested I strike while the iron was hot and do something with the attention I had received. He’s the reason I started my journal, which led to this blog. Even though I’m no longer taking a 3-year cruise to 300+ destinations, the knowledge I have gained can encourage others to travel, whether as a family, couple, or even solo. This is a good thing. I’ve done all three types. I know the ropes and am happy to share them here.

Photo Credit: Google Images

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