When we met with very rough seas leaving Columbia, the Captain announced that we would be forced to skip our last port of Key West and, to avoid the impending storm, take a longer route farther to the east around Cuba. So, the last days of our long voyage would be spent captive at sea, en route to our final destination of Miami. The ship’s staff held a farewell luncheon for the world travelers, when we shared our collective written memoirs of our experiences and said our goodbyes. These ending days gave us time to reminisce with friends, enjoy last suppers, make fond toasts, and promises to meet again.

“The Parting Glass”, a bittersweet Irish folk song often sung at the end of a gathering of friends, expresses that special quality of joy and sorrow, both sad and uplifting, that we felt from this extraordinary life experience we have shared with good friends, old and new. We appreciate you coming along…and look forward to future travels together soon.

“In the beginning, we were all pretty much equal.
We were challenged by a trip to places never seen,
sights beyond our imagination,
distances never perceived as possible.
We committed, then spent months discussing, planning,
and finally, became totally prepared.
DISASTER STRUCK
Some picked themselves up, recommitted to the original,
and began their journey 71 days late.
Now, in the final days
of the most amazing chapter of my life,
I realize that the great memories
will have nothing to do with temples, gardens, art,
places visited, or distances traveled.
Rather, they will be woven with the camaraderie
of fellow passengers and the wonderful Insignia staff
that made each day’s passing a pure joy.
To all of you who read this, thank you.
Always your friend,”

~Dean Lawrence

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