Our Day of Disembarkation: Farewell, but not Goodbye!

After disembarkation in San Francisco and a stop in Denver, we arrived safely home!

We sailed under the Bay Bridge 
as we approached the San Francisco pier.

We were counting down the minutes
until we had to depart the Mariner.

The balcony was sterile, 
no comfy cushions on the chairs.

No chicken wings on the table
nor room service's fancy-fare.

The hangers were all empty, 
and the bed? It stayed unmade.

Our carry-on backpacks held
what Luggage Forward forbade.

The closet was naked, the rods were bare,
not a single thing was left.

We walked the halls, said our goodbyes, 
and we nearly were bereft.

The counter that we’d lined with drinks,
my gin and Sherpa's brews

Was cleared as best as we could,
to bring home any more, we must refuse.

We’ve watched this screen each morn and night,
it's told us where we are.

We've noted wind and temperature,
and destinations near and far.

We grabbed an early shuttle bus
and got to the airport early.

But security was a bear;
everyone was sour and surly.

Already, we were missing the crew
who had met our every need.

Then we went to the bar, ordered two drinks,
and they expected to be paid! 

There were children playing at the gate,
running and having fun.

How dare they be so happy 
when we were feeling so undone!

But never mind, it was time to board
the plane and head back home.

It's time to settle down and stay,
no longer shall we roam!

We flew above the mountains, 
we crossed half a country, and

Eventually we landed
in the place we think so grand.

We walked 'round our house and garden
caught up on family news.

And now we're paging through the catalog
searching for our next Regent cruise!

Apologies for the terrible poetry—my attempt at iambic pentameter—to mark the end of our fabulous 150-day World Cruise aboard the Seven Seas Mariner. There is still much for me to unravel and continue to write about—there will be more beer reviews from Sherpa and more “Art is Everywhere” posts from me. Plus, I’ll be writing more in-depth about world cruising, but first, Sherpa and I need to catch our breath and unpack those suitcases that Luggage Forward just delivered.

Next on our Regent travel agenda: cruising the Mediterranean in autumn 2025, the Grand Arctic cruise in 2027, and the World Cruise in 2028.