Where do clean towels come from?

"Where do Clean Towels come from?" "How do I cook an egg?" These are the questions Michael Bayley says we'll be asking ourselves upon our return to "reality." We've been at sea for two days now, and Royal Caribbean is hosting a Homecoming Celebration for us. The event includes a fantastic video showcasing the places we've visited on our world adventure, a meet-and-greet with Michael Bayley, CEO of Royal Caribbean, a champagne brunch, and several other special activities.

During his address, the CEO spoke about the company's practice of hiring captains from within Royal Caribbean. He emphasized the crucial role captains play in making decisions to avoid severe weather and ensure passenger safety—something we've personally witnessed on our voyage. As Bayley put it, "Experience changes everything and everybody." There's no doubt that our world travel experience has changed and enlightened us.

Bayley also discussed the company's commitment to environmental sustainability, highlighting their advanced water and waste treatment systems, which he claims are superior to those in most cities where we live. He addressed the growing reluctance of some cities to welcome cruise ships, despite the significant economic impact of tourism. In the Caribbean, for instance, over 50% of tourism revenue comes from cruise ships.

The CEO went on to emphasize the positive impact the cruise industry, especially Royal Caribbean, has had on individuals' lives. He particularly noted how crew members can support their families through employment in the industry. We've seen firsthand the appreciation crew members have for Royal Caribbean—many proudly display the company's logo as a tattoo or place an anchor symbol above the doorway of their newly constructed homes. They often express their gratitude, saying they are forever indebted to Royal for the difference it has made in their lives and the lives of their families.

But the best part of the CEO morning session was when he announced our REUNION CRUISE!

You can imagine by now how many good friends we've made during our last nine months together so we're all terribly excited to reunite on September 7, 2025 on this same ship for an Alaska cruise together. It's a fitting continuation of our journey, as the great North was the one major region not included in our world tour.

In an exciting development, Michael Bayley revealed that Royal Caribbean is planning another world cruise. He promised that the details would be announced during our reunion cruise, with all of us "Ultimate World Cruisers" getting "first dibs." While we're thrilled at the prospect, we feel that one circumnavigation of the globe has satisfied our wanderlust. For us, this incredible journey was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. One and done as Jeff likes to say!

So now it's back to packing for us ... See you tomorrow on A Perfect Day in CoCo Cay