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Author Archives: Helga
Canary Islands – Fuerteventura – Ajuy Caves
Tuesday Dear Elsie Today was the day we arrived in the Canary Islands. Our port of call was Fuerteventura, one of the largest islands making up the archipelago. One of the sweetest things on arrival was being met by 2 … Continue reading
Posted in Cruising, Day to Day Blogs
Tagged Ajuy Caves, Canary Islands, Cape Town to Rome MSC Magnifica, Fuerteventura, MSC Magnifica, Teddy Travels
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Boats and Birds
Monday Dear Elsie Today was the day we saw boats and birds. Not a lot of both, mind you, but it does indicate we are closer to the coast than previously. In the Captain’s message at 12 noon today, he … Continue reading
Posted in Cruising, Day to Day Blogs
Tagged Cape Town to Rome MSC Magnifica, MSC Magnifica
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Wind, Wind, Wind and Sunshine at Sea
Sunday Dear Elsie Today was the day I chatted to your Mom for an hour. It was good to catch up and to hear all about you and all the things you all have been doing. This is our location..we … Continue reading
Posted in Cruising, Day to Day Blogs
Tagged Cape Town to Rome MSC Magnifica, Mountain fires, MSC Magnifica
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Dakar, Senegal
Saturday Dear Elsie Today was the day we arrived in Dakar, Senegal. We did get off the ship and had a 6km walk around town. It is very much in keeping with north-west Africa, but it was worth the walk … Continue reading
Posted in Cruising, Day to Day Blogs
Tagged bioluminescence, Cape Town to Rome MSC Magnifica, Dakar, MSC Magnifica, Senegal, Walking around Dakar, Walking off a cruise ship at Dakar
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A Very Decadent Day at Sea
Friday 25/4/25 – 8 months til Christmas! Dear Elsie Today was a deliciously quiet day at sea. When I woke up this morning and looked outside, the moon and Venus were one above the other. This was 7.22am. Not quite … Continue reading
Posted in Cruising, Day to Day Blogs
Tagged Cape Town to Rome MSC Magnifica, Lazy day at sea, MSC buffet, MSC food, MSC Magnifica
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Thunder and Lightening at Sea
Thursday Dear Elsie This month (and especially Easter) has been a pivotal time for you. After almost 7 years of dairy allergies, today you had scrambled eggs for the first time. And over Easter, you had marshmallow Easter Eggs. Both … Continue reading
Posted in Cruising, Day to Day Blogs
Tagged Cape Town to Rome MSC Magnifica, Cruising, MSC Magnifica
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In the Doldrums
Wednesday Dear Elsie Today was the day we entered the doldrums. First when we woke this morning, I went up to pick up coffee and as my cell phone connected to maps, I saw we were on the equator. It … Continue reading
Posted in Cruising, Day to Day Blogs
Tagged Cape Town to Rome MSC Magnifica, In the doldrums, MSC Magnifica
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Easter Sunday on the Ship
Sunday Dear Elsie Today was Easter Sunday 2025 and we spent it on the ship. There are a lot of Italians, so there was the entire crossing to the Vatican being played on the TVs in the public areas. Christ … Continue reading
Posted in Cruising, Day to Day Blogs
Tagged Cape Town to Rome MSC Magnifica, MSC Magnifica, Starlink, Tennis
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Discovering the Pods
Saturday Dear Elsie Today was the day we discovered the pods. Because this cruise is part of the Round the World one & this balcony cabin was the only one left for the 18 nights from Cape Town to Rome, … Continue reading
Posted in Cruising, Day to Day Blogs
Tagged Cape Town to Rome MSC Magnifica, MSC Euribia, MSC Magnifica, Pods
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Visiting Walvis Bay & Swakopmund
Friday Dear Elsie Today is Good Friday & it was the day we arrived in a very grey & misty Walvis Bay. We needed to get our passports stamped. While all the Europe, UK & US passengers had to pay … Continue reading
Posted in Cruising, Day to Day Blogs
Tagged Cape Town to Rome MSC Magnifica, Cruising, MSC Magnifica, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay
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First Full Day at Sea
Thursday Dear Elsie Today was our first full day at sea. Last night, we were due to leave at 6pm, but there were passengers that had not arrived back from their excursions. They were in touch with the ship so … Continue reading
Posted in Cruising, Day to Day Blogs
Tagged Cape Town to Rome MSC Magnifica, Cruising, Leaving Cape Town by ship, MSC Magnifica
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On the Ship in Cape Town
Wednesday Dear Elsie Today was the day we boarded the ship at Cape Town cruise terminal. It has been a lot of months of planning. We have missed 2 cruises due to the unrest in the Red Sea so we … Continue reading
Posted in Cruising, Day to Day Blogs
Tagged Cape Town to Rome MSC Magnifica, Cruising, MSC Magnifica
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The Ship is Coming!
Tuesday Dear Elsie, Today was the day we truly began to believe we will get on the ship! After 2 cancelled cruises, we were never 100% sure that this one wouldn’t be cancelled as well. The difference was it is … Continue reading