A Birthday Worth Crossing the International Date Line For

Crossing the International Date Line meant Winnie quite literally skipped a day—going to bed Friday night and waking up Sunday morning. It felt like an appropriately surreal beginning to a milestone birthday spent in the middle of the South Pacific, surrounded by turquoise water, new friends and the easy rhythm of life at sea.

Cook Islands

Snorkeling in the South Pacific

Snorkeling quickly became a highlight of this stretch of the journey, with Winnie heading into the water three days in a row—once in Bora Bora and twice in Tahiti. Bora Bora stood out as her favorite experience. Traveling by small boat with a group of just nine, she snorkeled first in deeper water filled with beautiful fish before moving into a shallow lagoon. The day ended with an unexpected and memorable moment: a toast in the water with pineapple juice and rum, celebrating a perfect day on the sea.

Snorkeling in Tahiti offered a different experience. On one outing, spinning dolphins appeared alongside the boat, leaping and twisting through the air before diving back into the water. Another day brought strong winds and rougher surf aboard a large pontoon boat. While the boat made getting in and out of the water easy, the conditions kept Winnie’s time in the water brief—a reminder that every experience is shaped by the day’s conditions as much as the destination.

A Birthday Celebration at Sea

Winnie celebrated her 92nd birthday with a day designed for relaxation and connection. It began with a facial and massage, followed by an evening at her favorite onboard dining venue: the Chef’s Table. Known for its rotating themed menus and curated wine pairings, the experience feels closer to a tasting menu than a traditional cruise dinner.

On Winnie’s birthday, the theme was Japanese cuisine, served as a six-course meal with wines paired to each dish. The evening concluded with a surprise—an elegant mousse cake coated in chocolate ganache and a bottle of champagne—shared with friends she has come to know well over the course of the voyage. It was a celebration that felt thoughtful, unhurried and perfectly suited to the setting.

The People You Meet Along the Way

Life onboard has been just as memorable as the destinations themselves. Winnie has formed friendships with fellow travelers from a wide range of backgrounds: retired attorneys, teachers, engineers, nurses and others enjoying early retirement. Some are traveling the world for the first time, while others are on their third around-the-world voyage!

One particularly meaningful connection was with a woman whose eyesight is rapidly declining and who chose this journey while she could still see as much of the world as possible. These conversations, shared over dinners and days at sea, have become an essential part of the experience.

Favorite Corners of the Ship

Between ports, Winnie has found a comfortable rhythm onboard. One favorite spot is the pool deck, where rows of chaise lounges face the open sea, offering a peaceful place to read and watch the horizon. She also enjoys the forward deck, with its sweeping views and easy access to bars and casual snack areas.

Lectures on upcoming ports, ocean science and marine life add depth to the journey, while evenings sometimes bring films related to the regions the ship is passing through—even if those tend to run a bit late for Winnie’s schedule.

This stretch of the journey reflects a quieter rhythm of life onboard as the ship makes its way across the Pacific. With fewer ports and more time at sea, the days have been shaped by small rituals—reading with an ocean view, shared meals, lectures and conversations that unfold without rushing. It’s a pause that allows the experience to settle in, creating space for reflection as much as discovery.

That calm won’t last for long! Soon, the pace will shift as Winnie heads toward New Zealand, Australia and Southeast Asia, followed by an ambitious route that includes circumnavigating Africa. With more frequent ports, dramatic landscapes and culturally distinct destinations ahead, the journey is about to take on an entirely new energy.

Up next: New Zealand—where the scenery changes, the itinerary picks up speed, and the adventure moves firmly back on land.