Lazy Days at Sea

Sea days are some of my favorite days. No rush to be anywhere, no schedule to keep, no plans—just the luxury of doing absolutely nothing. That’s what makes them so great: the complete lack of responsibility.

That said, I still managed a relatively productive morning… by sea-day standards, anyway. I definitely got my relaxation on. The weather was nearly perfect. A bit of fog rolled in during the afternoon, but it gave everything a cozy, almost mysterious vibe. The temperature was spot-on, and the breeze was just enough to keep things comfortable.

By dinner time, we hit some choppy waters. Personally, I didn’t think it was anything too rough, but a few of the other Minnesotans weren’t thrilled. I actually like the motion—it’s perfect for sleeping. So after dinner, I headed back to my stateroom, did a bit of reading, and was out cold by 8:45 PM, gently rocked to sleep like a baby.

Preparing for Arrival

As I’m writing this, I just watched the harbor pilots board our ship. These are the experts who guide us through the narrow channel in the reef surrounding Bermuda, leading us safely into port at the Royal Navy Dockyard.

If you glance at Bermuda on a map, it looks like an easy approach. But many captains throughout history have made that assumption and ended up in a classic FAFO scenario. The waters around the island are deceptively shallow, so modern practice calls for these local experts to board the ship—while we’re still moving—and take the helm for the tricky final leg.

To Plan or Not to Plan

I don’t have a packed itinerary today, but I’ve got a rough idea. I’m planning to head into Hamilton to explore some of the historic sites, including an old Catholic church known for its beautiful stained glass.

That’s as far as the planning goes for now. The rest of the day? We’ll see what unfolds.