With French Polynesia behind us, we now head into another stretch of sea days — officially four, though it will magically become three once we cross the International Date Line. There’s something wonderfully strange about going to bed on one date and waking up having skipped an entire day, as if the ocean itself decided to fast‑forward time for us. It adds a little spark of fun to the journey ahead, a reminder that out here, time bends and the adventure keeps unfolding in its own rhythm.

Feb 8: Super Bowl Sunday at Sea

Our first full day at sea happened to land on Super Bowl Sunday, and the ship treated it like a holiday. By mid‑morning, the Lido Deck had transformed into a floating stadium — lounge chairs lined up like bleachers, the giant screen glowing over the pool, and passengers settling in with the kind of anticipation usually reserved for sail‑away parties.

Every imaginable beverage was flowing, from tropical cocktails to sodas to tall glasses of ice‑cold water, and the snacks appeared in a steady parade: nachos, wings, sliders, popcorn — the works. It felt festive and relaxed all at once, the kind of atmosphere where strangers become instant friends simply because they’re rooting for someone.

When the game kicked off, the cheers rolled across the deck, carried by the warm Pacific breeze. The sun was bright, the water sparkling, and the whole scene had a wonderfully surreal charm — watching football in the middle of the ocean, surrounded by people in swimsuits and sun hats.

During halftime, we took the opportunity to slip into the pool and enjoy the show. Floating in the water while the music played overhead felt like the most effortless kind of multitasking: part football fan, part vacationer, fully content.

The only thing missing were the commercials, which aren’t shown in international waters. Later, I looked them up myself. The Guy Fieri ad was interesting but I’m pretty sure my favorite was the Budweiser ad with the horses and the Lays Potato Chips ~ classic, dramatic, and exactly what a Super Bowl commercial should be.

We also just found out that our grandson Quinten was actually at the game — how fun was that.

And when the game wrapped up, it felt like the perfect finale to a day already full of sunshine, cheering, and easy joy. The Seattle Seahawks took the win, 29–13, a decisive finish that had the Lido Deck buzzing long after the final whistle.

Congratulations to all the Seahawk fans especially Daniel!

With two more sea days ahead, we’re hoping for calm waters, easy breezes, and maybe a few more surprises from the ocean — a whale’s tail in the distance, a pod of dolphins racing the bow, or one of those sunsets that feels like it was painted just for us.

Soon enough, we’ll be sailing into Samoa, and the thought of stepping onto those islands — rich with culture, warmth, and stories — gives these quiet days a lovely sense of anticipation.