J&B Travels

The Christmas elves had indeed been out overnight — and the ship looked wonderfully festive this morning. Garlands, trees, twinkling lights, wreaths… like stepping into a floating winter wonderland, despite the warm Indian Ocean sun. I’ll take some photos tomorrow to share this lovely transformation. I woke naturally at 4:30am to a breathtaking sunrise . The sky was glowing with soft golds and pinks — such a beautiful start to the day. It’s amazing how easy it is to get up early when the sun greets you with such radiance. (Although I suspect those dark winter mornings in Gibraltar will not be quite as forgiving!) Today promised calmer seas and uninterrupted sunshine — a welcome contrast to the rocking and rain of previous days. I headed straight to the gym , which was surprisingly busy. Clearly, more passengers on this leg of the voyage are committed to their morning workouts! Afterwards, I enjoyed my veggie juice and breakfast on the pool deck, basking in the gentle warmth of...

The seas continue to be choppy as we make our way across the vast Indian Ocean , with the ship rolling and lifting in long, steady sweeps. We woke to rain this morning , soft but steady, so after heading to the gym , I grabbed my veggie juice and decided that today was definitely not a day for sitting outside. Instead, it became a gorgeous rest day . I spent the morning tucked away in the library and Coffee Connection , doing my crossword and sudoku while sipping a warm drink and listening to the rain tapping softly against the windows. I read for a while too — the perfect setting for being still, reflective, and cosy while the waves moved beneath us. The afternoon was even more peaceful. I curled up in our cabin, letting myself rest while gazing at the endless ocean , mesmerised by the swell and fall of the water. While reading my current book, "When It Is Darkest," a sentence struck me deeply: “There comes a beautiful point where you have to stop trying to escape ...

Today marked the beginning of our next four days at sea , and the ocean certainly made its presence known. The ship has been very choppy and rocky , swaying with the kind of dramatic rhythm that reminds you just how powerful and awe-inspiring nature really is. There’s something strangely comforting about it — the sea reminding us who’s truly in charge, yet rocking us along our journey all the same. I began the morning with my gym session , followed by my usual veggie juice , keeping to the habits that help me feel steady even when the floor is moving beneath my feet. Joe headed off for a haircut , and naturally (in true cruise-spa fashion), he was sold hair serum before he escaped the salon — much to his amusement. Afterwards, I settled into my favourite quiet morning rhythm: crossword, sudoku , and a cosy hour of reading in the library while the ship creaked and swayed around me. Lunch at Compass Rose Joe and I met for lunch at Compass Rose , where he declared the poached halib...

Another stunning sunrise greeted us this morning as we sailed into what was formerly known as Port Elizabeth , now renamed Gqeberha . Soft light glowed over the coastline, giving the day a golden, expectant feeling — perfect for our chosen  safari day . Because we had an early start and the gym wasn’t open yet, I headed to the walking track , doing a few laps and stretching out my body before grabbing a quick breakfast. Despite our best efforts… we were, of course, the last ones onto the coach . Some things never change! There were 40 of us on today’s excursion. Our guide was brilliant, offering a steady stream of history, stories and wildlife facts during the 90-minute journey to Pumba Game Reserve . His enthusiasm set the tone beautifully. When we arrived, we had a quick refreshment and toilet stop before being loaded onto the safari jeeps . And then the best stroke of luck for Joe: He got the front seat next to the ranger . Given the early chaos, Joe had forgotten his hea...

We woke up to a stunning sunrise this morning as the Navigator sailed gently into the tranquil waters of Mossel Bay . The sky was awash with pinks and golds, the mountains silhouetted in the distance — the kind of morning that reminds you just how magical this trip truly is. I was up early and at the gym by 7 a.m. , followed by a fresh breakfast on deck. Then it was time to get ready for our tender disembarkation . The waters were a bit choppy, so boarding the tender required a little agility — a careful jump and a steady hand! Joe was in luck today: we were first to reach the minibus , which meant he finally got his beloved front-row seat , ensuring maximum comfort and viewing pleasure. Our guide for the day was excellent , full of insight, humour, and deep knowledge of the local area and history. It’s amazing how much richer a place becomes when someone passionate is explaining it. Jakkalsvlei Winery – Jackals Valley Delight Our first stop was the picturesque Jakkalsvlei Winery...

Today was disembarkation day for many travellers, and the ship felt completely different. There was an unmistakable air of change — new suitcases lining the corridors, familiar faces saying their goodbyes, and a quieter-than-usual atmosphere floating through the lounges and dining areas. With so many having breakfast in their rooms , the usual breakfast spaces felt almost peaceful this morning. Because disembarkation starts early and luggage is collected the night before, the whole ship works on a different timeline . We found ourselves joining a rather long queue to disembark for our tour, which meant we were a little later getting onto the bus. As a result, instead of Joe’s preferred front-row seats , we ended up toward the back — not ideal for him, but at least we made it. Our guide for the day was excellent — warm, knowledgeable, and full of interesting facts about the landmarks, history, and wildlife we passed along our route. Cheetah Outreach – A Beautiful Encounter Our fir...

 As always, I began my day with a gym session followed by my fresh veggie juice — grounding rituals that help me feel centred no matter where in the world we wake up. After showering, I sat with a coffee , quietly working through my crossword and sudoku , enjoying those familiar moments of calm before the day unfolded. We arrived into Cape Town ahead of schedule , but had to wait patiently while immigration completed their clearance before anyone could disembark. The excitement in the air was unmistakable — a new city, a new energy, and for many guests, their final port on this leg of the journey. We had a quick lunch in Compass Rose , then made our way to the bus for our much-anticipated tour to Stellenbosch . As we drove out of central Cape Town, the guide shared the story of the city — the history, the culture, the contrasts. The sight of the shanty towns appearing alongside the sleek, modern architecture of the city centre was deeply striking. It offered a powerful remind...

Today marked our last sea day of this leg of the cruise . There’s a noticeable shift in atmosphere as we approach Cape Town — with many guests preparing to disembark and new guests soon to join us. The ship feels both full of anticipation and tinged with the soft emotion of goodbyes. As always, I began my morning with my gym session followed by my refreshing veggie juice — a grounding ritual that helps set the tone for the day. There was a full schedule of activities on board, as is tradition on the final sea day, but Joe and I decided to keep things quiet and relaxed . The seas were very choppy , and the morning air was cool and crisp. But by afternoon, the sun shone brightly , lighting up the waves in shimmering silver. The movement of the ship, however, told its own story — we learned that a storm was following us , so the Captain had decided to “step on it,” resulting in a very, very rocky evening. It was a challenge at times just to keep one’s balance! We enjoyed lunch in ...

We arrived in Namibia this morning to a cool, cloudy, grey sky , a gentle contrast to the brighter days we’ve grown used to. The crisp air had its own freshness and charm, as if welcoming us into a new landscape altogether. I began my day with my usual routine — the gym and a nourishing veggie juice — before heading back to shower and prepare for the rather serious but necessary immigration inspection . Every single passenger had to attend in person, presenting passports, landing cards, and yellow fever documentation . Only once this process was completed could anyone disembark. Joe opted out of an organised tour today. Instead, he grabbed a taxi and ventured into town on his own. His mission? New lightweight trousers and the elusive medication he’d been trying to replace since the start of our trip. Delighted to report: success on both counts! He found the trousers and, finally, a pharmacy with exactly what he needed. A very happy Joe indeed — and an enormous relief for both o...

This morning began much like the others — with my familiar routine of the gym followed by my refreshing veggie juice . There’s something grounding about these morning rituals; they help me feel anchored even when the ship itself is swaying beneath our feet. After a shower and a quick coffee, I headed to one of the events I’d been looking forward to: Ray’s life story . Our wonderful Cruise Director stood on the stage and shared stories from his extraordinary career — and what a life he has lived. From dancing with Ginger Rogers on the QE2 to hosting Nelson Mandela , his experiences span decades, oceans, and history itself. He even spoke fondly of his family home in the Lake District, where his brother runs an upmarket vegetarian B&B — somewhere I definitely want to visit one day. Listening to Ray was uplifting, entertaining, moving, and filled with the warmth of a life lived fully and joyfully. After the talk, I returned to my latest book and finally turned the last page of Au...

This morning the sea was noticeably calmer , with far less wind and cloud as the sun began to rise . The light shimmered across the ocean, giving the whole ship a peaceful, hopeful start to the day. I headed straight to the gym , followed by my usual veggie juice , easing into the morning with that nourishing routine I’ve come to love. When I returned to the suite, Joe was still fast asleep , so I quietly decided to give myself a little extra treat. I ran a warm bath , added the special bath salts Leah recommended , and let myself sink into the moment. As I soaked, I listened to my healing hypnosis , allowing body and mind to soften completely. It was blissful — one of those rare pauses where you feel deeply cared for. Afterwards, I grabbed a coffee and made my way up to Deck 10 for the much-anticipated Country Fair . The entire deck had been cleared of sun loungers, and in their place were stalls run by different crew departments , each offering its own little challenge or activity....