So we sailed on the final cruise of this historic ship! We saw the end of an era! How great was that! How many people get that kind of chance? There will never be another opportunity like that.

Well... actually... there will be.

In October, I received this message:

To: "Latitude Subscriber" <listmaster@nclspecials.com> From: "NCL Listmaster" <listmaster@nclspecials.com> Subject: CELEBRATE THE RETURN OF S/S NORWAY! Date: Fri, 5 Oct 2001 14:33:03 -0400 NCL Welcomes back "the Grande Dame" of the Caribbean! As a Norwegian Cruise Line loyal past guest, we are very pleased to announce the return of S/S Norway! We have an exquisite offer for you, and the good news is she will return to cruising her well-known 7-day Eastern Caribbean itinerary in time for Christmas and New Years! Book the December 23rd or December 30th New Year's celebration cruises at enticingly low holiday prices, beginning at $599 January 6 through March 31, 2002 - superbly priced from just $399! That's right! A 7-day cruise on the beloved S/S Norway for the price of a 4-day cruise! Offer Ends October 20, 2001 Request Program Code DNZ

So, after all the hoopla, they brought her back. At the end of this season, will there be another "final" cruise? Or... will that even be the "final" cruise? When will the "final final" cruise be?

But, you know, it doesn't bother me that my cruise wasn't the "final" cruise. Because while we were on it, we all thought it was the final cruise. We acted like it was the final cruise. We had the feelings and emotions of a final cruise. So, for us, it was the final cruise. It was the experience that mattered.

And maybe we'll sail on the Norway again!

Bon voyage!