The Brunette Mermaid

18/08/2026

My verdict on my Virgin Voyages cruise: long post but worth it!
Because this was the eclipse cruise, I think the age skewed older than usual. We had a great time, there’s all kinds of activities, but it was a bit difficult to find a quiet spot. Lots of confusion among the crew. Would try it again though.

17/08/2026

Reykjavik! The capital of Iceland and where 2/3 of the population lives. Of course we went to the Blue Lagoon which I thought might be a tourist trap, but it was actually great and I highly recommend it. If you were flying into Reykjavík, plan on stopping here, storing your luggage and enjoying the Blue Lagoon for a while before you check into your hotel later in the day. It will help with your jet lag and it’s a wonderful stop. We toured the city and got out and wandered around. It’s a lovely city, especially on a sunny day. Lots of cats and friendly people. And in the evening we enjoyed one of the game shows onboard and we celebrated a special birthday! The cruise line provided a bottle of champagne for the birthday girl.

16/08/2026

The Westfjords, Iceland’s oldest and most remote area. 13-14 million years old. They’ve built tunnels through the mountains to make the villages more accessible. Still remote though! Just below the Arctic Circle.

15/08/2026

12/08/2026

We saw it!

12/08/2026

Eclipse update. Cross your fingers

12/08/2026

Eclipse countdown 😢

11/08/2026

Belfast, Northern Ireland. We had a fantastic tour guide who took us into the neighborhoods and told us of his childhood during The Troubles. There is a measured peace in the working class neighborhoods, with threatening murals and the “peace wall” still in place. In the middle class suburbs, friends cross the barriers of religion and politics. Disturbing but important to witness. Then we headed up to the northern coast, overflowing with scenic destinations. Beautiful beaches and golf, and the Bushmills Distillery. We had such a great time I’m putting together tours for this area. Please let me know if you’re interested.

10/08/2026

Pilgrimage to ground zero of the British Invasion! Liverpool, England. We drove down Penny Lane, saw Strawberry Field(s), John and Paul’s childhood homes, and spent time with The Fab Four on the waterfront.

09/08/2026

Dublin! A beautiful day exploring and drinking Guinness. The Long Room at Trinity College and some fun entertainment onboard.