Greenwich, England

Alas, after four months the cruise portion of our trip is coming to an end tomorrow. We'd like to counter some misconceptions about this type of cruise.

1. Cruises are Sedentary

Actually, cruises can be quite strenuous. When in port, we are usually out and about for at least 8 hours. We regularly logged 10,000+ steps. On At Sea days there's the gym, walking on the deck, exercise classes, and the pools. In fact, the only negative experiences related to other passengers really not up to the activities who slowed the group or irritated us with their complaining.

2. Cruises don't afford enough time in each port

Viking did a great job of planning the time in each port, usually 1-3 days. Never did we feel our time was cut short.

3. Cruises are cramped and uncomfortable

The pampering and luxury is beyond expectation. The staff is amazing.

4. You gain weight from all the food

Before our Covid quarantine, where we basically sat in bed for five days, we had both lost weight despite all the proffered food.

It really was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

FUN FACTS:

Distance Travelled (LA to London) 28,341 miles

Cookies consumed 168,000

Eggs consumed 180,000

Filet Mignon consumed 17,000

Wine consumed 10,000 bottles

Toilet tissue used 35,300 rolls

We didn't go to a single evening show, preferring to retire to our room and read. We read 22 books, many taking place in the locations we visited. The lectures were fabulous, especially those by a speaker called Russell Lee, proving a great speaker can make any subject interesting - even wool.

We learned so much about the world, and how everything interconnects, about the senseless wars and aggressions throughout history, and how people everywhere are the same at their core.