The Accidental Sailor: A Cruise Ship Odyssey

Life at Sea / Maritime Adventures / Personal Transformation

Life at Sea

Maritime Adventures & Personal Transformation

Working on Ships

Working on Ships: A Real Life Saver

Journey across the world's oceans, discovering new cultures, meeting incredible people, and experiencing the transformative power of life at sea. From the Caribbean to Alaska, from the Mediterranean to the Pacific - every voyage is a chapter in the story of personal growth.

A Real Life Saver and Life-Extension
Life Saver

A Real Life Saver and Life-Extension

Working on ships has been more than just a career - it's been a journey of self-discovery, adventure, and personal transformation across the seven seas.

"I haven't been everywhere, but it's on my list." This was the psychology of my "future self".
People are works in progress who mistakenly think they are finished. Hint. That is not the case.
The power of time transforms our values and shapes our lives, profoundly influencing the people we are going to become. Young sailors pay good money to get tattoos removed that teenagers paid good money to get...
12+ Ships Sailed
50+ Countries Visited
Endless Memories Made
Life Transformed
Maritime Field Notes

Carpe Diem - Seize The Fish

Water holds endless mystery to me because it represents WYSIWYG: certainly there, but cannot be seen. The fish has quite a good track record in mythology and religion - fertility, eternity, creativity, femininity, good luck, happiness, knowledge, transformation.

Pool Infinity Dreamland
Item 01

Pool Infinity

Carpe Diem - Seize The Fish! Endless horizons of maritime dreams.

Fish Kiss
Item 02

Fish Freedom

The fish symbolize happiness, for they have complete freedom in the water. That's worthy of a kiss!

Disney Wildlife Conservation
Item 03

Disney Conservation

Wildlife Conservation Fund Onboard The Magic - Any fin is possible if you don't trout yourself!

Fish Island
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Perfect Island

If you can think of a better island for fish, let minnow!

Ships Comparison
Item 05

Oh My Cod!

Island Princess (left) The Panama Canal - Disney Magic Now (right)

Maritime Field Notes

"Bless Me Father For I Have Had An Awesome Life"

Putting the sin back into sincere, I decided to step into the English speaking Confessional to receive 'penance,' the place where sins are forgiven. In my own Catholic religion, fish are a metaphor of abundance and faith. There is Christ, making the apostles "fishers of men", and the biblical story of the fish and loaves.

Rome Saint Peters
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Vatican City

Rome Sweet Rome - Saint Peter's Basilica and spiritual reflections on an awesome life.

Rome Vatican
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Rome Sweet Rome

Summer 2009 - Vatican City, Florence, Pisa and spiritual discoveries.

Nostalgia Rome
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Nostalgia

The Greek word for "return" is nostos. Algos means "suffering." Nostalgia is the suffering caused by an unappeased yearning to return.

Pisa Italy
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Pisa Adventures

My Life In Ruins (Pompeii) or SE Alaska - scaling back the fish(ing) and going to Europe.

Maritime Field Notes

It Is Truly The King of Fish

I have been fishing all season but not for the fish, but what the wild salmon symbolize - the Pacific Northwest's natural splendor. There's a fine line between fishing and just standing on a bridge looking like an idiot unless you are in Alaska holding a salmon.

Alaska Salmon Fishing
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Alaska Salmon

There's a fine line between fishing and standing on a bridge looking like an idiot - unless you're in Alaska holding a salmon!

Salmon Run Alaska
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Ancient Salmon Run

The 1000 year-old salmon run is alive and well - witnessing nature's timeless cycle in Alaska.

Alaska Fishing Adventure
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Pacific Northwest

Alaska fishing adventure - experiencing the Pacific Northwest's natural splendor and wild salmon runs.

Alaska Wilderness
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King of Fish

Alaska wilderness and salmon fishing - truly the king of all fish in their natural habitat.

Maritime Field Notes

New York Adventures 2014-2016

I was born in New York but my hometown is the ocean - sailing any ocean. So I am not a NYer but I played one in real life this week. Driving in New York City was thrilling, with hours of boredom followed by moments of exhilaration.

New York City
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New York City

Born in New York but my hometown is the ocean - visiting the concrete jungle between voyages.

Central Park Jogging
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Central Park

Jogging in Central Park - a simple pleasure amidst the urban chaos.

Circle Line Tour
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Circle Line Tour

The Circle Line doesn't go in a circle or a line but it covers the whole of Manhattan island.

Queen Mary 2 Harbor Entry
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Verranzano Bridge

Our smokestack just cleared the Verranzano Narrows Bridge by a few feet - what a spectacular entrance!

QM2 New York Approach
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Queen Mary 2

Approaching New York Harbor on the legendary Queen Mary 2 - Atlantic crossing at its finest.

Statue of Liberty
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Lady Liberty

First sight of America after our Atlantic crossing - Lady Liberty welcoming us home.

Manhattan Skyline
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Manhattan Skyline

The magnificent Manhattan skyline from the harbor - the best view of the city that never sleeps.

Timeline

Blue Ocean Learning Journey

Navigate the world's oceans through epic cruise adventures - "You get there faster by plane but you get there farther by ship."

Video
Blue Ocean Learning Journey
Voyage 01

First Voyage - Hawaiian Islands

SS Constitution - American Hawaii Cruises
1994

SS Constitution - American Hawaii Cruises

My first ship experience aboard "a glorified ferry with a lot of heart" - the beginning of a lifelong love affair with the sea.

Key Milestone: First taste of life at sea - discovering that the ship IS the destination.

Sea Legs Island Hopping Ship Life Pacific Ocean
Voyage 02

Let The Orinoco Flow

Bora Bora - Let The Orinoco Flow
2009

One Year at Sea

The beginning of serious blue ocean cruising - discovering that traveling by sea offers a unique perspective on the world.

Key Milestone: Realized that "the days went by slowly, but the months fast, and the years even faster."

Extended Voyages Global Perspective Ocean Life Cultural Immersion
Voyage 03

Norwegian Fjords Discovery

Geirangerfjord - Norwegian Fjords
2010

Mother Nature and Father Time Are Effin Special

Exploring the dramatic fjords of Norway - where "Mother Nature lives" and experiencing the raw power of natural beauty.

Key Milestone: Witnessed the "persistence of memory" in the ancient fjord landscapes carved by time.

Geirangerfjord Scenic Cruising Natural Wonders Photography
Voyage 04

Epic World Cruise 2011

Full World Cruise 2011
2011 - 364 Days

Los Angeles to London in 110 Days - Plus More

The ultimate adventure: 364 days at sea, circumnavigating the globe. From Tahiti to New Zealand, India to Africa, and everywhere in between.

Key Milestone: "Once around without leaving the ground" - proving that home is a feeling, not a place.

World Cruise 6 Continents Cultural Immersion Digital Nomad
Voyage 05

Alaska & Beyond

Ed at Glacier Bay Alaska
2012

The Great Land - Alaska Action Plan

Another full year at sea exploring Alaska's wilderness, Caribbean blues, and continuing the permanent travel lifestyle;

Key Milestone: Mastered the art of "mini-retirements" and location-independent living.

Alaska Glaciers Inside Passage Caribbean Islands Adventure Travel
Voyage 06

Panama Canal Crossing

Panama Canal Crossing
2013

Epic Grand Voyage - 7 More Months

Managed to "ride the wave" for another 7 months, featuring the incredible Panama Canal crossing and continuing the blue ocean lifestyle;

Key Milestone: Witnessed one of the world's greatest engineering achievements from sea level.

Panama Canal Engineering Marvel Pacific to Atlantic Extended Voyages
Voyage 07

The Blue Ocean Lifestyle

The Blue Ocean Lifestyle - Oasis of the Seas
Ongoing

Permanent Travel & Digital Nomad Life

"We call it planet Earth but it's mostly covered in blue ocean... You get there faster by plane but you get there farther by ship."

Key Milestone: Realized that "luck is probability taken personally" and that the journey itself is the destination.

Time Millionaire Location Independent Cultural Curator Ocean Philosophy
Fleet

Fleet of Adventures

Costa Atlantica
Item 01

Costa Atlantica

Who is driving the ship Capo (Schettino) if you are here toasting champagne? Va Veni-Microsoft!

Celebrity Solstice
Item 02

⭐ Celebrity Solstice

That's Greek To Me - Exploring the Mediterranean with luxury and style aboard this magnificent vessel.

Pacific Pearl
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Pacific Pearl

P&O Australia - Cruising the South Pacific and experiencing the beauty of Australian waters.

Crystal Serenity
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Crystal Serenity

Why Pay Less? - Luxury cruising at its finest, with unparalleled service and breathtaking destinations.

Azamara Journey
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Azamara Journey

Check Please - Intimate voyages to unique destinations with personalized service and cultural immersion.

Golden Princess
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Golden Princess

Nature is More Cruise Ship Less - Alaska's Inside Passage, where nature's grandeur meets maritime adventure.

Princess Cruises Alaska
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Princess Cruises

Alaska The GR8 Land - Witnessing glaciers, wildlife, and the untamed beauty of the Last Frontier.

Oasis of the Seas
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Royal Caribbean Oasis

An Embarrassment of Coconuts - The world's largest cruise ship, a floating city of endless possibilities.

Disney Magic
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Disney Magic

As John DeLorean said "I'm going to Disneyland." - Where dreams set sail and magic comes alive at sea.

Disney Wonder
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Disney Wonder

On The Disney Wonder looking at last year's ship that I was on, The Carnival Splendor that caught fire .

MSC Poesia
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MSC Poesia

The YOUniverse - Italian elegance meets global adventure in this beautiful Mediterranean vessel.

Nassau Bahamas
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Nassau, Bahamas

Today Docked In Bahamas - Paradise found in crystal blue waters and endless Caribbean sunshine.

Fleet Note 01

Atlantic Crossing

Queen Mary 2 Atlantic Adventure

Fleet Note 02

Maritime Journey

Life at Sea Adventures

Fleet Note 03

Ocean Voyages

Sailing the Seven Seas

New York Harbor - Queen Mary 2
Harbor

New York Harbor Adventures

From the ocean to the concrete jungle - every port tells a story

(c) 2025 Life at Sea - Maritime Adventures & Personal Transformation "Wherever I go, there I am"

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