After nearly 7 days at-sea, we arrived in Kodiak, Alaska during lunch.  Never snowed, but I don't think the temperature once hit the 40's during that period on the ocean.  Kodiak?  45F high.  Some thoughts about cruising on the Oceania Riviera. The problem I had on our previous trip going east, last year for that 39-day Norwegian Encore from Seattle to Southampton, then two weeks on the Viking Tir for a Christmas cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest, that of not being able to sleep, has largely disappeared.  My body remembered that trauma, and kept me sleepy thoughout this current journey. The Oceania Riviera. Entered service in 2012. Capacity of 1250 passengers in 625 staterooms.  800 crew members.  Quite adequate. 15 levels.  We are in 8000, right up front on the eighth deck.   If we had any chance to get a similar cabin on a future cruise, this would be ideal.  This way we can see both port and starboard, with the same view as the c...

Pope Francis died at the age of 88 on Easter Monday.  He made a valiant effort to modernize the Catholic Church to make it relevant for the 21st century.  Promoted unity among Catholics and called upon the church to embrace its global diversity.    Comments are mixed about his actual effectiveness . From  Time  magazine: T he film   Conclave   begins with the death of the Pope. It then follows the chain of events from that moment to the election of a new Pope, following a few characters—portrayed by a cast that won the top honor at the Screen Actors Guild Awards. A 2024 film based on the 2016 novel by Robert Harris, stars Ralph Fiennes as the cardinal who organizes the  conclave , Stanley Tucci as a liberal American cardinal candidate, John Lithgow as a moderate Canadian cardinal, sort of the villain, and Isabella Rosselini, a sister who serves as the conclave's head caterer and housekeeper.  Earned 93/86 ratings from  Rotten Tomato...