Day 7 – January 1, 2026
At Sea
(Day 5 on the ship)
Happy New Year, everyone! 🥂
Here’s hoping 2026 is a great year for all of us 😊
Today was another day at sea as we cruised through the Strait of Magellan on our way to Punta Arenas, Chile—and the ship definitely let us know we were moving.
We woke up to a bit more motion than usual and could tell right away that the seas were rougher. Breakfast around 9 am came with a show as we watched waves hit the windows—equal parts fascinating and humbling. I headed off for my pedicure (which thankfully went ahead as planned), while John stopped by the Destinations Desk to talk about booking yet another future cruise… imagine that 😂.
We met up with Catherine and Scott around noon for a light bite and spent some time watching the waves. The seas continued to build, but the ship’s stabilizers handled it beautifully, and honestly, we kind of enjoyed the added excitement. It’s hard not to think about Ferdinand Magellan navigating these waters in a wooden ship—now that must have been something. Thankfully, it stayed sunny most of the day, which helped a lot.
Back in the room, I showered and worked on getting the blog caught up while John headed to the gym. He said he had to hold on with one hand while walking on the treadmill due to the ship’s pitching—so his workout didn’t last long! Afterward, he settled in to get some work done instead.
We had canapés delivered again in the evening and invited Catherine and Scott down to join us. From there, we all headed to the Observation Lounge for pre-dinner drinks before making our way to Compass Rose for dinner. I started with dumplings, followed by pork roast, and finished with a slice of Key lime pie.
After dinner, we stopped by the Constellation Theater, where entertainer Salvatore Hasard—a vocalist and multi-instrumentalist—was performing a tribute to legendary musicians who shaped music history and influenced his career. We arrived about halfway through his set, but he had a fantastic voice and put on a great show.
The night didn’t end there. We popped into the Meridian Lounge to listen to the Regent Signature Orchestra playing ’70s music and enjoyed watching some impressive dancing. Then it was off to the Splendor Lounge, where guests can choose from thousands of songs on a DJ iPad and hear their selections played. Such a fun concept!
It ended up being another late night filled with laughs and good times. Tomorrow, we arrive in Punta Arenas around 4 pm, and if timing allows, we may hop off the ship for a short walk around town.
One final note—once we officially entered the Strait of Magellan, the rocking and rolling completely stopped. This historic 350-mile natural sea passage connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, separating mainland South America from Tierra del Fuego. First navigated by Ferdinand Magellan in 1520, it’s known for its dramatic scenery, wildlife (including Magellanic penguins), and famously treacherous weather—making it a vital and fascinating maritime route even today.
Time to turn in. Good night! 🌊✨
