Around the World in 80 Days . . . make that 101 days!

We will shortly be setting off on a Holiday of a Lifetime.  Having read of the recent anniversary (1873) of Jules Verne’s famous novel ‘Around the World in 80 Days’, we discussed what fun it would be to follow such a route.  To our delight, we discovered that Fred Olsen was offering a Round the World Cruise, setting off in early Jan 2024 and taking 101 days to circumnavigate the world.  Given that 50th wedding anniversaries fall once in a lifetime, and we’ve decided to spend the kid’s inheritance (I’m told this is SKI – ing!) and fulfil our dream. 

A holiday blog is a must for me, as it’s the only way I shall ever remember where I’ve been (the memory cogs are getting a little rusty these days!) – so please join us on our journey.  Postings are bound to be intermittent, not least because we will be jolly busy enjoying all the activities that the ship offers – both onboard and ashore! 

Our ship is the Borealis – if you’d like to have an early ‘nosey’ at what we’ve let ourselves in for, google it.    We board in Southampton and head east – the itinerary is very exciting so I will keep that part as a surprise!  In the meantime dear reader, you should know that we have NEVER been on a cruise before, and I do NOT ‘sail’ well!  However, we are assured by absolutely everyone that we will LOVE cruising and my darling ex-marine husband promises that I will quickly find my ‘sea legs’  – here goes . . . . . . . . . .

30 thoughts on “Around the World in 80 Days . . . make that 101 days!”

  3. Have an absolutely fabulous time. Jack was also a first time cruiser and he’s so happy cruising we’ve booked another one for 2025!! I look forward very much to reading about your progress !! ¡Feliz Viajes!

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  5. You will love ❤ it. I’m a bad sailor but with the band’s and quells I weathered all the storms and have done a part world cruise plus another 10 cruise ‘s to carribean etc. Looking forward to your blog and am totally jealous already

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  6. Hi you two!

    So exciting!

    I’ve done 2 ‘round the world’s’ one solo….one with Julie.

    Ours were both by plane and road……so very different.

    <

    div>We are both looking fwd to the blog/vlog……bring it

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  8. Oooh, I’m jealous. We spent our 50th in May 2020 in the first round of lock downs in Ontario. Memorable, but not in the right way. I wish you well and look forward to your blogs.

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      1. Only a dusting that arrived yesterday morning. Not enough to play in. Winter & the cold weather are just plain dreary without the snow. Enjoy the trip.

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  9. Have a wonderful time, Marilyn (and Peter). I think you’ll love your time on board. I look forward to hearing about your adventures. Bon voyage from Linda Townsend

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  13. It would be lovely if you keep us posted Marilyn and Peter, regarding your round the world adventures. Look forward to reading your updates….! Have a great time
    Jean and Alan….Xx

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  14. Hi Marilyn,

    that certainly is an adventure – a trip-of-a-lifetime for sure. And people thought WE were brave when our first cruise was 28 days!

    We will be following your blogs with great interest. I already checked out the Fred Olsen website – it sounds like a really nice ship, and a very attentive company, if they execute as promised. (But, to be picky – it seems to say that you head West “to the Americas”)

    Have a wonderful trip.

    Or, to be properly nautical – Bon Voyage!

    jane

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    1. Jane! Thanks so much for pointing out how bad my sense of direction is – and always has been! You’re correct, we are heading WEST of course.
      Marilyn

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  16. Happy New Year and what an exciting one for you! Your trip sounds absolutely amazing and what an adventure to do it on a first cruise.

    You mentioned motion sickness and I will share my experience with you. Normally I can handle the motion on rough days with either a wrist band or a ginger gravol but last trip I had a real problem on a not very rough day. As I read google I realized it could be vertigo as I had had some minor ear issues prior to sailing so I took an echinacea (my favourite for sinus and ear issues) and within an hour I was up and at em again. So remember to bring a full spectrum of drugs that you use with you to help you get through whatever affects you during the trip.

    We were on the Zaandam last summer which was in the same class as your ship which Olsen purchased from Holland America during the pandemic. We loved the size of it and how you got to have so many more “friends” because of it without feeling that you were cramped in the common areas. Hope you have a similar experience.

    Thanks for your Christmas letter. Really enjoyed reading it. We took a Christmas card rest this year as life became overwhelming in the days coming up to the holidays and I resolved to write in the new year.

    Jenn came up on the 23rd and will be leaving this Friday and Bart, Naomi, Kiseki and Kuma came up for the 27th and 28th. Kiseki was working in Ottawa over the holidays so Bart’s family came to her this year and were able to fit in the visit to us based on her schedule. It was fun to have everyone together.

    We loved our Panama Canal cruise in October from Seattle to Fort Lauderdale and are busy getting ready for our February Caribbean – Amazon cruise in February which is also on the Zaandam.

    We are looking forward to getting your newsletters when you have time and insights to share

    Hope you both have a healthy and happy new year
    Rose

    Sent from my iPad

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  17. Happy New Year! I will be looking forward to reading of your cruising adventure. I am just starting to organize myself for my six week trip to Costa Rica and Mexico. Even though we haven’t had any snow to speak of or cold I am still looking forward to getting out of Ontario,

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  18. Wow sounds like a fantastic trip. Have fun and enjoy x

    Sent from my iPad

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  19. Oh, that sounds wonderful!! Jack and will be following your progress and “travelling along” with you. All the very best re the mal de mer; I hope that you will be fine.

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  21. Hi Marilyn and Peter
    Thanks for sending word of your next adventure. We really enjoy hearing all about your trips. Hope you get this.
    Microsoft has changed it’s format as of Jan. 1st and it is taking us awhile to get used to it.
    We are still plugging along. Some days better than others.
    Happy New Year
    Lorne and Jeane

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