Thanks to Expedia (or Norwegian Cruise Lines) my 13 day cruise from Italy to the USA did not happen. When the $695.00 payment (for the single cabin) reached NCL, they cancelled the reservation. They never notified me or Expedia. I was already in Europe, on another Norwegian Cruise Lines ship, the NCL Star. When I used the NCL app, to check-in for the Italian cruise, my confirmation number didn’t work.

After my fourteen day Oslo to Southampton cruise finished, I flew back to the USA. The plan was to join a friend, in Charlotte, North Carolina. We would then take the Hickory Hop shuttle to Asheville. By the time my flight touched down, my friend was no longer coming. Hurricane Helene had hit and Asheville was flooded. I quickly made other plans.

I headed to Las Vegas. I cannot remember how many times I’ve been there. Twenty years ago, I would fly in for Holy Week. I’d arrive on Monday, buy a three-day hotel Spa Pass. Then, on Thursday, I’d head to Mass. In the 1970s, I was stationed at Norton Air Force Base, in California. I would drive anyone visiting me to Las Vegas.

Las Vegas was my first solo long distance trip. I was seventeen years old, when I took a Greyhound bus from Detroit, to see The Osmonds perform at The Tropicana.

Since my Italian cruise was a bust, I decided to book a few nights at Resorts World and say a second goodbye to The Tropicana Hotel!

I stayed at The Tropicana, in February, right before the hotel closed its doors. I was also in Vegas to be interviewed by Dale and Paula McKenzie for their YouTube channel. Their Meet Our Community video aired February 15, 2024. Here’s the link: https://youtu.be/oJ0iuTFVMeA?si=oJjZqzsKRE3H0bKQ

After Las Vegas, I flew to Los Angeles to ride the Southwest Chief to Chicago. It’s around a 50 hour train ride on Amtrak. I then flew to Ohio, voted, and flew back to Chicago. I took the subway from the airport to Central Station. Then, I took the Southwest Chief back to Los Angeles.

Once back, I headed to the Port of Los Angeles Cruise Terminal. It’s actually in San Pedro, California. A few passengers were unaware about the City of Los Angeles and the County of Los Angeles. I booked a last minute seven day Mexican Riviera cruise and traveled the short 25 miles to San Pedro. Other passengers figured it out and booked hotels in San Pedro or nearby Long Beach, a day of two before we sailed. Our cruise included stops in Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán and Puerto Vallarta. There were also three days at sea.

I attended the Military Appreciation Day event hosted by Norwegian Cruise Lines. We were offered cocktails, light snacks, and cake. Each military branch took a group photo. Then, each service person took a photo … with the cake. Family members joined in on the cake photo.

Once the ship pulled back into Los Angeles, I headed for the airport to catch my flight to Mexico City. What a year, Cardiff, London, Toronto, Las Vegas, Rapid City (South Dakota — my 50th State), Colombia, Panama, Curaçao, Bonaire, Aruba, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Belize, an Alaskan Cruise, a Northern Europe Cruise, and a Mexican Riviera Cruise!

I’ll return to the UK in December and head back to my AirBnB in Cardiff. It’s a wonderful place for me to rest and relax, before setting off on my next year long adventure.

Fingers crossed for South America, Antarctica, a Greenland cruise, and perhaps even a long 100 days on a ship! Wish me luck! XOXO—GGT