A sea day at the end of a cruise is a curious thing. It’s neither the excitement of setting sail nor the anticipation of arriving somewhere new. Instead, it’s a gentle winding down, a chance to catch your breath, reflect on the journey, and reluctantly accept that tomorrow it’s time to return to the real world.
With Yokohama waiting for us in the morning, there wasn’t a great deal on today’s agenda. Most of our efforts were focused on the less glamorous side of cruising: preparing to disembark. By 9.00 pm our luggage had to be outside the cabin door, ready for the porters to work their magic overnight and have it waiting for us on the pier tomorrow. There’s always something slightly unsettling about handing over your suitcase and hoping it reappears on the other side, but after nearly two weeks at sea, the process is a well-rehearsed operation.
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| Sometimes you rewarded by looking up! |
As we packed, it gave us time to reflect on another wonderful cruise. Once again, the crew were outstanding. On every ship there are staff who do their jobs well, but there are always a handful who go above and beyond, remembering your name, your favourite drink, or simply greeting you with a smile each day. Those small touches make a holiday feel special and remind you just how much the crew contribute to the overall experience.
Of course, cruising is about more than just ships and destinations. One of the great joys is meeting people from all over the world. A casual conversation in a lift, over dinner, or while watching a show can quickly turn into a friendship. You never quite know who you’ll meet next, and some of the most memorable moments often come from those unexpected encounters.
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| A little rougher today |
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| Our sea journey |
For our final dinner, we returned to the Crown Grill for a second visit. Having learned our lesson the first time, we (Cos learnt) opted for a smaller steak rather than attempting to conquer one of the larger cuts. It turned out to be an excellent decision. The steak was cooked perfectly, absolutely delicious, and left us satisfied without feeling as though we needed a forklift to leave the restaurant afterwards. On reflection we have never bad steak at sea over our 11 cruises.
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| Crown Grill steakhouse |
As the evening drew to a close, the ship settled into that familiar last-night atmosphere. Passengers exchanged farewells, final photos were taken, and we made our way around saying goodbye to some of the crew members who had helped make the cruise so enjoyable. A few tips were handed out where we could, along with plenty of thanks and good wishes.
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| Packed ready for Kyoto |
There was no grand finale, no frantic rush to squeeze in one last activity. Instead, it was simply a relaxed and fitting end to a very enjoyable cruise. Tomorrow we arrive back in Yokohama, but tonight was about appreciating the journey, the people we met, and the memories we’ll be taking home with us.
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