LIFE AT-SEA ON THE AZAMARA JOURNEY

As I of recent haven't said much about world affairs, thought I'd at least show you what Google AI says about the U.S./Israel War with Iran:

The U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran is in a renewed stalemate after a temporary 60-day memorandum of understanding (MoU) expired. President Donald Trump states there are no active negotiations, while a U.S. naval blockade and maritime disruptions continue in the contested Strait of Hormuz. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Current Diplomatic Status

Collapsed Truce: The June diplomatic agreement framework expired without a permanent peace treaty.
No Negotiations: President Trump stated that no talks are ongoing or scheduled, demanding that Iran capitulate.

Stiffened Stance: Iranian leadership insists they will not accept a basic ceasefire, demanding a complete end to the war, the lifting of oil sanctions, and the release of frozen funds before changing maritime policies. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Regional and Military Developments

Strait of Hormuz: The critical shipping route remains a primary flashpoint with active U.S. enforcement and lingering security risks to commercial vessels. [1, 2, 3]
Regional Fallout: The United Arab Emirates suspended trade and financial dealings with Iran following detected ballistic missile activity targeting maritime navigation near its waters—an action Tehran denies.[1, 2, 3]
Escalating Posture: Iranian military officials have warned regional states against assisting U.S. operations and signaled a shift toward a more aggressive defensive posture. [1, 2]

When the Iran War is not going well, oil prices almost always rise.  This is what Google AI says about petroleum:

Oil prices rose for a fourth consecutive session on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, with West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude trading around $85.50 a barrel and Brent crude topping $91.40 a barrel. Prices hit a three-week high driven by supply concerns and an ongoing U.S.-Iran standoff affecting shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. 

Market Drivers

Strait of Hormuz Tensions: Continued shipping disruptions and a lack of a diplomatic resolution between the U.S. and Iran keep persistent risk premiums on crude.
Inventory Data: Recent industry figures showed a minor draw in U.S. crude inventories.

You can track live updates on the Investing.com Crude Oil Commodity Page or view official statistical data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. 

We arrive tomorrow at St. Johns, Newfoundland, which hopefully will improve WiFi speed.  A relatively good life continues on the Azamara Journey.

• You might have noticed that I never include anything about breakfast.  That is because we sleep till Noon.  We close bars at night.
• We tend to go to Windows Cafe for a buffet lunch.
• Dinner is split among two specialty restaurants, one for steak and the other featuring Italian cuisine, Window Cafe, a buffet, and Discoveries restaurant for sit-down and served service.
• We paid $65/person twice now, and most likely won't return.  Why, when other meals are free.
• The Windows Cafe has a nightly theme, like South American, Chinese, American, etc.
• Discoveries, depending on where we sit, can be awfully noisy and uncomfortable.  But this is where we usually end up for dinner, as our lunch is always a the buffet.

Let me pick up where I left off with dinner at Discoveries a couple of nights ago.  We have cocktails before dinner.

Dinner of soup and salad to start, with a glass of Cabernet sauvignon, and my drink from the bar.

Followed by a soup and two salads.

Jose on keys in the Den.

Next, Chris Bannister in the Cabaret Lounge.

Then up to the Living Room for dancing.  This video failed to unload, so I'll re-do this when the WiFi improves and later insert it.

Next, lunch.  That hot dog is a bratwurst.

My evening cocktail was a Grasshopper, followed by dinner.

Main dish of Chicken Karaage.  Didn't resemble what I remember of what it should be.

Dessert.

I would be more descriptive, but these meals today are from the past, and I just don't remember the details anymore.  I remember a setting sun.  We also took videos, but they can't at this time be processed.

Dancing.

Next day, and this was Monday, we arrived in Nuuk.

We have been on this ship for 10 days, and this is our first tour.  These cost too much for almost nothing  Including the one today,  Again, video could not process because of the limited WiFi.  Here is a You Tube Video describing what we saw,  But ours was a bus tour.

First stop was a lookout point topped by Hans Egge's statue.

Very few flowers and colorful trees.  This was the only one.

A lot of home photos, because they are colorful.  And there is nothing much else.

The University of Greenland.

More homes.

Not sure what this was.

A port.

An apartment complex.

Also have long names in Greenland.

Finally back to the ship and more meal photos.

Tomorrow we arrive in St. Johns, Newfoundland.  I hate cold weather.  Everywhere in and outside this ship is not warm enough for me.  St. Johns will have highs around 65F, while Montreal should be from 75F to 80F.

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