Cruise The World With Us

Friday – February 14, 2025 – Valentine’s Day

Well, the featured image says it all. We signed up for the 2026 World Cruise and Priscilla agreed to take a photo with us. We’ll be leaving from Genoa on January 5, 2026 and returning there on May 3 2026. You can read about the itinerary at this link. We didn’t know about the 2026 cruise until we had lunch with a couple from Melbourne, Florida. The man is on his 3rd world cruise and the woman on her 2nd. We worked with the Future Cruises rep onboard and she was able to find a balcony cabin and an interior cabin for us. Ship is the same as this year – MSC Magnifica. The itinerary is what really grabbed us. I think you’ll see why if you follow the link above. Some of the ports of call are ones we were to have visited this trip but because of the change in route won’t see them this time (Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Aqaba, Suez Canal).

Following breakfast we went to a Future Cruises presentation (discussing Mediterranean cruises). Priscilla caught us and said she had some good news. She was able to find the type of rooms we wanted so we set an appointment to meet her later and discuss it. We left the lounge at the stern of deck 7 and headed to the World Cruise games on deck 13 by the outdoor pool.

Today’s World Cruise game was World Trivia – True or False. Jan captured some of the questions and answers and they are in the media for today. Once again Air didn’t fair well. We got a couple of the answers correct but were outscored by two of the other three teams.

At the end of the game the captain came on the P.A. system to give his daily status. He said the ship has traveled 11,900 miles since leaving Genoa and has 23,000 miles remaining. So we have come nearly one third of the total distance. When his announcement was complete (at least the English version) we headed to the restaurant for lunch. I think I’m getting a reputation in the dining area because I bring my laptop or iPad and show photos from the trip. Many of the wait staff don’t get off the ship so they are curious to see what we have seen. Sharon – Jan and I had perch with almonds, rice with white raisins and broccoli. For dessert we had one of Jan’s brother’s favorites – key lime pie. This one had a berry sauce on the side. Both were great.

Following lunch we checked the temps for Hanga Roe (Easter Island) to get an idea what clothes to lay out. Looked like the weather would be warm and maybe a quick shower. We returned to our cabin and found a surprise – a plate with two heart-shaped red cookies and a Happy Valentine’s Day card. Nice thought – the cookies looked better than they tasted. Looking out the balcony the water was the prettiest blue. I took a photo but it doesn’t capture the real look. We like the blue much more than the white people are seeing back in Iowa.

Next we went to the Future Cruises desk for our appointment with Priscilla. We waited for two people who were inquiring about cruises around Japan. When they finished Priscilla gave us the details of what she had found. Although the 2026 World Cruise if fully booked, those bookings are not confirmed until the people make the deposit required. There are some people who decide they don’t want to go and let their booking lapse. These do not show up until after midnight in Italy (MSC’s headquarters). Sarah checks to see what is available after midnight (Italy time) and before the European booking offices open so she can “grab” anything that shows as available. That is how she was able to snag our bookings. And because we booked on board, we don’t need to make our deposit until 15 days after we disembark this cruise – so middle of May. All in all we are very pleased with her service and that of all the MSC employees with whom we have had contact this cruise.

Dinner was next and was special because of Valentine’s Day. For starters, there was red bread in the shape of a heart. Kelsey took one and tore it open – red through and through. Kelly presented Karen with a hat she made in a craft class. Karen was overjoyed. Photos from dinner are my starter, entree and dessert – asparagus mille-feuille, sea bream (another fish, Sharon) with artichokes, potatoes and olives and for dessert valentine’s treat (I listed the ingredients with the photo). All were great tasting.

Tonight’s show was classical music themed for Valentine’s Day. The best part of the show (in my opinion) was the prelude. Our cruise director had two cupid searching the audience for her love. They found a man sitting in the theatre who happened to be the captain of MSC Magnifica! He came to the stage, lifted her off her feet and carried her up the stairs to the stage. When she suggested they have a relationship, he pointed out that he was married so she just gave him a kiss. The music was good but as has been the case with most of the classical presentations, the lyrics are not English so it is difficult to determine what is being said.

Kelsey stopped by the newest jigsaw puzzle on deck 7 and took a photo to show how much has been solved. Jan and I returned to our cabin. Kelsey was primed for something special on deck 13 that began at 10:30 pm – a Valentine’s Day chocolate buffet! There are several photos of the spread. I don’t know how they carve watermelons like you’ll see in those photos.

The media for today has a time-lapse of the sunset and our day ended with visions of the moai we would encounter on Saturday when we reached Hanga Roa, Rapa Nui.

You’ll find today’s video and photos here. Thanks for following along and commenting. It is great to have this connection with those we cherish back home!