For this first day at sea

I can say I had a pretty decent night… yes indeed… no more cart noises, no more early wake-ups. But that doesn’t stop the thoughts from slowly returning when I wake up.

Since the beginning of this cruise, I’m still trying to find my bearings. Everything is beautiful, everything is impressive… and yet, inside, I sometimes feel a bit out of sync with what I had imagined. And I’m not the only one—my friend from Montpellier feels the same way I do. Fortunately, there have been some wonderful encounters. Those two Canadian couples, so warm, who brought a real breath of fresh air to my journey. And then Michel, with whom I share many simple and precious moments.

Last year, everything seemed more immediate, more instinctive. I naturally thought I would find that same energy again this year. This has nothing to do with the MSC teams who, on several occasions, have been extremely attentive to making me feel comfortable—especially with that cabin change that really touched me.
It’s simply the overall atmosphere that’s different from what I experienced in 2025.
A calmer, more discreet clientele, with more German and French passengers, often older. Last year, the atmosphere was different, perhaps more spontaneous, with more Italian and Canadian travelers. These are small details… but over several months of travel, they inevitably make you feel a different energy.

I then wondered if you could truly relive a journey the same way a second time. And yet, the landscapes remain heavenly, the shows spectacular, the ports of call fantastic, the evenings just as lively… but emotions evolve too. I’m gradually understanding that this adventure is different. Deeper perhaps. More introspective too.
And then there’s this cold, this sore throat, which have been slowing down my energy and my enthusiasm for a few days. When the body gets tired, emotions sometimes take up more space. You think more. You observe differently. And ultimately, maybe that’s also what true travel is: learning to welcome what you didn’t expect to feel.

Oops… already 8:15!
I’m off to the spa where a Balinese massage awaits me—a lovely gift from MSC for the cabin. With this cold and sore throat, I’m not quite at my best yet… but I tell myself that a little gentleness in the middle of the ocean can only do me good. And tomorrow may be even more beautiful.