Day 26 Friday February 9, 2024, Apia Fiji

Change in World Cruise Itinerary so we are officially on the Magical Mystery Cruise #2.

There has been talk understandably throughout the ship regarding the conflict in the Middle East and the travel through the Red Sea. Other reports on the internet indicated that cruise ships were adjusting their itineraries to reflect the conflict in the Middle East and that it was not safe to sail through the Red Sea or to any other port close to the Mediterranean Sea.

Last evening we received a letter from the Captain and the General Manager to this effect. The Around the World (ATW) cruise would be re-routed around Africa, with new ports in the Seychelles, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, and Namibia before heading north up the Iberian Peninsula.

We have not been to the west coast of Africa or to some of the Spanish Islands. The Destination Services Team is looking at an optional Mid-Cruise Overland Packages and a Safari might be in our near future again.

The consensus is that the increase in seadays from the original planned 16 to 31 for the period May 14 to July 12 is too many. However the safety of the ship, crew and passengers is always the main priority of the Captain and the General Manager and it is also not easy securing ports at the last minute.

We were provided with 2 optional itineraries, but it looks like they've already made a decision on the one we will travel on.

The Preferred Revised Itinerary leaves La Coruna, Spain on June 26 as planned but excludes Bordeaux, Southampton, Ireland, and Iceland. From the period June 27 to July 12 there would be nine sea days mixed between ports of call in Greenland (2), Newfoundland (1) and Nova Scotia (2). Not ideal but Janice will have 9 more days to perfect her bridge.

We will have an overnight in New York on July 11 followed by disembarkation on July 12 as originally planned.

Time will tell what will happen… the magical mystery cruise 2024 continues!! Stay posted.

Tonight, February 10 we received another letter from the General Manager addressed to all ATW passengers. Due to unforeseen logistical challenges the ATW events scheduled for Cairns and Shanghai have been cancelled.

The only remaining ATW event Royal Evening at the Hue Royal Citadel is confirmed when we call in Chan May, Vietnam on April 12.

A new ATW event will be held in Dubai on May 13.

Again, stay posted for further details.