April 26, 2026

If you placed a map of Japan over a map of the North American east coast, the eight Japanese ports we visited would stretch from Miami to Nova Scotia. Most maps — whether printed or on Google — distort the size of many countries. That’s why Africa might look the same size as Greenland, even though it’s about 14 times bigger.

Last Monday we sailed out of Hakodate on Hokkaido (the northernmost of Japan’s four main islands), leaving Japan and heading into eight sea days – and seven-time changes – on our way to Alaska.

The ports on Hokkaido are known for fresh fish, and we started our day Monday wandering through the Hakodate Morning Market just off the cruise pier.

Over four-square blocks, we saw 250 food stalls selling live fish in tanks (they’ll cook any fish you purchase on the spot), giant steamed crab claws, slivered and smoked squid, and lots of fish and other foods that were unfamiliar to me.

As we left the market, we passed by a park and saw a few early flowering cherry blossoms. After arriving in the previous seven Japanese ports too late for the showiest blossoms, we are here about four days too early for the full bloom.

Our route across the North Pacific Ocean is taking us close to the Kamchatka Peninsula of Russia, but not close enough this time to see land.

Instead of skirting the south side of the Aleutian Islands, we ducked into the Bering Sea on the north. Normally the Bering Sea isn’t the preferred route for smooth sailing (see any episode of The Deadliest Catch), but during our transit a low-pressure system had parked itself in the North Pacific, and the islands provided some cover from the winds and swells.

Most days, I forget that I am on a cruise ship. It just feels like a big floating hotel. I am amazed that this 14-deck structure with dining rooms, entertainment venues, pools, gyms and health clinic floats cross the world. But the last few days we had 15-plus foot seas which creates some movement on the ship. (I actually like being rocked to sleep at night) Those of us who have the Windy app and know sea and weather conditions realize what an amazing job Captain Diego Perra, with 25 years’ experience, did in threading the needle to find the smoothest seas.

We moved the clock forward each of the seven days at 1 p.m., which immediately became 2 p.m. I think it helped me adapt better than if the time change occurred during the night.

Most passengers call it Groundhog Day (movie reference), we repeated Monday, April 23 twice as we crossed the International Date Line. Our calendar looked like April 23, April 23, April 25. We are making up for Feb. 27, the day we skipped when crossing the line going west. I was reminded that some years ago when I also crossed the International Dateline, I tried to explain to my grandson Oliver, who was 6 at the time, that PaPa had lost a day. He innocently asked: “PaPa, why can’t you go back and find it?” I was honored that he subscribed me such superpowers, but the date of the day was already gone.

Truth be told, although I actually didn’t lose a day, I have learned that every single day we are given is precious.

That’s a good thing for me to remember.

Thanks for traveling with us…