December 22, 2025

We are back on the beautiful new Oceania ship, the Allura. Two weeks ago, we were invited for a three day “inaugural” cruise so we got a preview and she is lovely. There are a few changes from the sister ship, the Vista, that we sailed on for the past two Christmas cruises with the family. One new addition that I will definitely try is the Creperie! It has, of course, many types of crepes but also Belgian waffles and gelato. What is not to like, I say! We didn’t get the chance to try it on our three day, so since we are on this trip for 2 weeks, it will be on the agenda for sure.

Mark, Adam and Ramsay arrived in West Palm Beach on Friday so we had a day to spend with them before arriving to the ship yesterday.

Since we all traveled to Miami together, our transportation service brought a huge van. The trip was an easy one and we boarded the ship fairly quickly, had lunch in the Terrace Cafe and explored the ship. It is beautifully decorated for Christmas and Hanukkah. They really outdid themselves with the gingerbread/village display – including trains, ferris wheel and ski lift. And there are plates of delicious cookies and cakes that are constantly refilled. Restraint is called for!

Our room has a large balcony and I know where I will be doing my reading.

Most of the football games are being shown on TV so with the NFL and the bowl games happening over this two weeks, we will be able to watch if we want to.

We did go to the Hanukkah candle lighting before dinner. Three passengers led the service for the 8th and last day of Hanukkah. The ship served the wine, mini challah and latkes.

We all chose to have a casual dinner outside at the Terrace Cafe and it was lovely to see the lights as we sailed out of Miami on our way to our first port, Aruba.

The casino manager is Tony – I met him on the last world cruise we did in 2023 and he recognized me immediately. I think that is because he plied me with Baileys and coffee as we sailed around Antarctica on that trip!

The show was the introduction of the entertainment team and various performers that we will see during the cruise. There are three shows by the team – I saw two of them on the three day cruise – and enjoyed them so will see them again. There are also guest performers that will join us during the cruise.

This morning during breakfast there was a beautiful rainbow. The picture really can’t do it justice but I am putting it in anyway.

Plans for the day – I am doing a 10 am class on using the iPhone for video. After lunch, I will play in the blackjack tournament and then we will join the family for 4 PM trivia. Tonight is the Captain’s cocktail party and then our dinner plan is in Jacques where Norm and I had the most wonderful fish on our 3 day cruise – will definitely repeat that tonight! It is sea bass in puff pastry for two.

Tomorrow will be another sea day and as usual, many things to choose from to keep us busy. I will schedule a massage one day soon. The spa deck also has the heated tile lounges – I spent several hours on them on our 3 day and look forward to relaxing on those soon.

It’s a great start to another wonderful family adventure.