In three days, we will begin the familiar ritual of packing up our temporary life and moving on, this time for the four-hour drive to Hobart. There is always something positive about these transitions. No matter how many times we do this, there is a moment when I look around and realize that this place, which only recently felt familiar after a ten-year hiatus, has become so comfortable.
Our plan is simple, and that is exactly how we like it. We will drive to Hobart and spend one night at the Mantra Hotel Airport, a practical choice that removes any unnecessary stress from travel day. Once we arrive and are settled into our room with our luggage, Tom will head back out to return the rental car at the airport. I always feel a sense of relief when that task is completed. It marks the official shift from land travel to air travel, from driving ourselves to being carried along by schedules and departure gates.
While he is gone, I will set up our chargers and electrical needs. There is something comforting about a hotel room before the next leg of a journey begins. It is a pause, a small pocket of stillness before movement resumes. When Tom returns, and we unwind a little, we will head down to the dining room for dinner. Nothing elaborate, nothing rushed, just a simple meal that allows us to unwind from the drive and ease into the next phase.
We have learned over time not to unpack for a single night. Instead, we keep everything organized in our carry-on bags with just the essentials within reach. Fresh underwear, a few toiletries, and whatever we might need for the next morning are all easily accessible. It may seem like a small detail, but it makes the morning feel smoother, almost effortless. These little habits, developed over years of travel, create a sense of calm that we have come to depend on.
The following morning, the hotel shuttle will take us and our luggage to the airport. There is something reassuring about not having to think too much on departure day. No navigating unfamiliar roads, no worrying about parking, just stepping onto a shuttle and allowing someone else to handle the logistics.
Our flight to Brisbane departs at 1:10 in the afternoon, which gives us a relaxed start to the day. We will not bother with breakfast at the hotel. Once we arrive in Brisbane, we will take an Uber to the Brisbane Pullman, conveniently located near the airport. I always enjoy that first glimpse of a hotel that is clearly hosting fellow cruisers. There is a shared sense of anticipation in the air, an unspoken understanding among strangers that we are all about to embark on something special.
That evening, we will dine at the Apron Restaurant, which we read is quite popular. for which we made a reservation. I imagine the dining room will be filled with travelers like us, some excited, some tired, all standing on the edge of their next adventure.
Our boarding time on April 14 is scheduled for 11:30 am, with sailing at 4:30 pm, allowing for a leisurely, low-stress start. We will take another Uber to the port, keeping things simple. There is no need to complicate what can be easy.
We will skip breakfast once again and wait until we are on board for a small bite, followed by dinner in the main dining room around 7:00 or 7:30 pm. It’s a routine that feels familiar now, almost comforting in its predictability.
As always, it is not just about getting from one place to another. It is about the quiet moments in between, the small decisions that make travel feel manageable, and the shared understanding that this life we have chosen continues to unfold one simple step at a time.
“The Royal Caribbean Voyager of the Seas departs on April 14, 2026, for a 25-night Transpacific cruise from Brisbane, Australia, to Seattle, Washington. Highlights include stops in Papeete (Tahiti), Moorea, Hawaii (Honolulu & Kailua Kona), and Victoria, B.C., featuring multiple days at sea for a transpacific crossing.
Royal Caribbean - April 14: Brisbane, Australia (Depart 4:30 pm)
- April 15-20: At Sea
- April 21: Papeete, Tahiti (7:00 am – 11:59 pm)
- April 22: Moorea, French Polynesia (7:00 am – 8:00 pm)
- April 23-27: At Sea
- April 28-29: Honolulu (Oahu), Hawaii (Our dear friends Kathy and Don, who live in Oahu, will pick us up at the port, and we’ll have lunch and spend the afternoon with them).
- April 30: Na Pali Coast, Kauai, Hawaii (Cruising)
- May 1: Kailua Kona, Hawaii
- May 2-6: At Sea
- May 7: Victoria, British Columbia
- May 8: Seattle, Washington (Arrive 6:00 am)”
Hopefully, with all of our precautions in place, we will sail through this journey feeling healthy and strong. After the last experience, we are far more mindful, paying attention to the small habits that can make a big difference. Still, there is comfort in knowing that if illness finds its way to us again, we are prepared. With prescription medications and a well-stocked supply of over-the-counter remedies, we feel ready for whatever may come. It is not about expecting the worst, but rather about creating a sense of reassurance as we step forward into yet another adventure.
Tonight, we are heading out for one last dinner in Penguin at Neptune Grand Bistro, a fitting way to close out our time here. There is something bittersweet about a final meal in a place that has felt like home, even for a short while. From this point on, we will rely on what we already have on hand, with enough food tucked away to carry us through until Sunday, when we depart. It feels good to keep things simple now, easing into the transition while savoring these last familiar moments before the journey continues.
Be well.
Photo from ten years ago today, April 9, 2016:
