December 31, 2025

This is our fourth visit to Antigua and as much as we love the island and have done a lot of exploring here, we opted to relax on board during the day since we booked a sunset cruise for later. If you want to see more about Antigua or what you might do if you are coming here, use the search button on the blog and all previous trips will be available to view.

Here is our first view of the island. I am usually at baristas when it opens at 6:30 AM to get my cappuccino in my Yeti mug. The sunrise this morning was really beautiful.

We enjoyed our balcony and booked the same room with the extended balcony and lounge chairs for our trip next year! I had a relaxing time on the spa deck and I love the heated tiled loungers there as well as the therapeutic spa pool. Very few people use that area so it is usually quiet and restful.

Our trip today was a sunset cruise. Mark and Ramsay also booked it so we had fun together. The crew was fun and entertaining with a music playlist to match. They pointed out places of interest, including the Armani estate, many of the 365 beaches and the lovely hotels. The rum punch and appetizers were very nice.

We had to get our evening outfits ready before we left because we were invited to dinner in the private Privee with Dominique, our general manager. I have mentioned before how hands on he is. No matter where we go, we see him assisting guests, pushing wheelchairs, etc. If it needs to be done, Dominique is there to do it.

Corey Kahaney was our evening entertainment in a new show, then we went up to the pool deck for our NY Eve party. The band played and we were actually surprised that it was such a big crowd. Norm opted to skip it but Adam, Mark, Ramsay and I were there for the whole thing. We had the hats, the noisemakers, the champagne and the sweet treats. The culinary staff made ice sculptures of 2025 and when the countdown to 2026 ended, the 5 went in the pool and the 6 was hoisted.

My hope is that 2026 will be a more peaceful year.

Tomorrow we arrive in Philipsburg, St. Maarten.