Celebrity Summit still had a few things to show Jeannie and Skip before delivering them back to Florida. Some involved stage lights. Some involved bartenders demonstrating skills best left to professionals. And some required nothing more than stepping onto the balcony and looking at the sky.

Unfortunately, two uninvited traveling companions had also settled in: matching colds.

Your roving reporter checked the itinerary. Those were definitely not included.

October 16 — Taking It Easy, Until the Music Started

Friday moved at a gentler pace. Jeannie and Skip made their way to the spa for a scheduled body composition analysis, but otherwise, ambition took the day off. With a stuffy head and low energy, balcony time and rest held considerable appeal. The elevators also enjoyed a renewed appreciation.

An overcast sea day can be a perfectly good day to slow down. The ocean keeps moving, the ship handles the transportation, and a comfortable chair asks very little of its occupant.

An easy day at sea, with the horizon doing most of the work.

Their final specialty dinner brought them back to Tuscan Grille for a 6:30 reservation. They shared burrata and antipasti, followed by lasagna for Skip and ricotta gnocchi for Jeannie. Tiramisu and fig gelato rounded out the meal.

Everything was very good; however, their appetites weren’t quite keeping up with the kitchen. Waiter Ely performed another magic trick featuring Spoony and Forky. It was fun to see them again

Outside the restaurant window, the evening supplied another course: sunset over the water.

The kitchen prepared dinner. The Lord provided the view.

Somewhere in the evening’s entertainment lineup, the Martini Bar turned into a stage of its own. With “Gangnam Style” by Psy playing at full volume, the bartenders juggled and stood on the bar and poured multiple martinis in a lively display of coordination, creativity, and remarkably steady hands.

Jeannie and Skip had no alcohol that day, but enjoying this performance required only a good view.

Your correspondent’s beverage service generally involves one cup and a firm grip. This was clearly an advanced course.

A little “Gangnam Style,” a lot of talent, and considerably more coordination than your reporter possesses.

At 9 PM, Rockumentary delivered what Jeannie considered the best show of the cruise. That distinction came with some serious competition after more than two weeks of entertainment.

There was a farewell tucked into the music, too: the orchestra would be leaving in Tampa, making this their final performance together. Knowing that gave the evening an extra measure of appreciation for the musicians behind so many memorable nights.

One final performance together—and a cruise favorite for Skip and Jeannie

October 17 — The People Who Made the Journey

Saturday began with a sunrise that deserved everyone’s full attention.

Orange light blazed beneath the clouds, spilling a golden reflection across the sea. Their last full day aboard had arrived, and the Lord had given it a glorious opening.

One last sunrise at sea, with enough glory to stop the packing before it started.

Jeannie and Skip spent some time in pool loungers before retreating to their cabin and balcony. Both were feeling the effects of their colds, and a quiet ocean view was about the right speed.

There would be plenty to do soon enough. For a while, they could simply sit and enjoy the place that had been their floating home.

At the evening’s farewell, Captain George stood onstage with his officers and thanked the passengers for choosing Celebrity Summit. Then roughly 100 crew members walked through the theater to the audience’s applause.

The captain offered his thanks, and the audience had plenty of gratitude to return.

Those crew members had done far more than keep a ship running. Again and again, they had made Jeannie and Skip feel noticed and special. This was a chance to applaud the people whose daily work had become part of the pleasure of the journey.

Trenyce returned for the 7 PM show, Dancing to Disco, bringing another excellent performance. Jeannie preferred the Diana Ross and Whitney Houston music from her first appearance, but the talent was every bit as evident the second time around.

Trenyce brought the sparkle for one more evening in the theater.

Dinner plans were quieter. Rather than join their main dining room table and risk sharing their colds, Jeannie and Skip chose freshly made ramen bowls at Oceanview Café around 8:45.

But there were important goodbyes to make. Jeannie took extra tips to Satya and Dennis to thank them for their service and said farewell to Terry squared.

After so many evenings aboard, familiar faces had become part of what they would miss.

Then came the final packing assignment.

Suitcases had to be outside the cabin by 10 PM, while clothes and toiletries for an overnight stay at Wesley’s needed to remain accessible. This required the sort of careful thinking that becomes surprisingly difficult when all anyone wants is to lie down.

The suitcases, regrettably, offered no assistance.

Still, amid the farewells and packing, one balcony photograph held a thought Jeannie wanted to carry home. Beneath a broad covering of gray clouds, sunlight found its way through and stretched a silver path across the water.

He is there when the skies are gray, too.

It was a fitting reminder at the end of their days at sea. God had been present in the brilliant sunrises, the rainbows, the wide ocean, the remarkable places, and the kindness of people along the way. His presence didn’t depend on clear skies—or on two travelers feeling their best.

Tomorrow would bring Tampa and the next part of the journey.

For tonight, there was gratitude for all they had seen, all the people who had cared for them, and one last evening aboard Celebrity Summit.

Written in part by Lumen Aid, roving reporter

Editor in Chief: GOD