Not much to report from today’s port stay in Southampton—just a quiet and calm day before we head back to sea. Unlike the usual hustle and bustle of a busy port, things feel quiet. The Balmoral is the only cruise ship here. No other floating hotels in sight—just us, taking up all the attention. No crowds, no rush, just the usual embarkation routines ticking along. It almost feels like we have the whole place to ourselves.
Earlier, I watched a massive Hapag Lloyd container ship (Al Safat) slowly move out of the port and heading toward the open sea. Watching these big vessels come and go is always fascinating. They might not have the same excitement as a cruise ship, but their presence is commanding in its own way.
We will leave at 5:30PM today, with new guests joining us for the next cruise. Our next stop: St. Mary’s, Isles of Scilly. A beautiful and somewhat hidden gem, it offers a quieter, more scenic experience compared to larger ports. Let’s see what that brings!
A ship in port is safe, but that’s not what ships are built for.”
–Grace Hopper
Seafarer and Family Man
I'm Dexter— a seafarer by profession, a traveler by passion, and a homebody by choice.
