Ajaccio: A Day Aboard for Rest and Pampering

29 October 2026 — Ajaccio, Corsica, France Aboard Explorer of the Seas

I woke up at 6:00 a.m. and decided to stay on the ship today. After all the activities of the last couple of days, I was ready to rest and relax. Ajaccio was our port of call, but my destination for the morning was the spa.

This was going to be my big spa day.

At 8:00 a.m., I had booked an Aroma Spa Seaweed Wrap with Massage. There was just one problem: the spa had run out of seaweed powder.

I was disappointed. One has to live with changes, so I had to settle for a 75-minute hot-stone massage with Japanese oil. Such is life.

The treatment combined heated stones, oil, and massage. All in all, Megan gave me an amazing treatment. My change of plans worked out very well.

Megan and me aboard Explorer of the Seas. She gave me an amazing hot-stone massage.

At 9:30 a.m., it was time for my Ultimate Men’s Tech Facial & Shave. Ivan, my barber, is a total professional. When he finished the treatment, my face and skin felt very smooth and clean.

I enjoy being pampered, and I certainly had a full morning planned.

A detail from the salon: a floral ceramic jug surrounded by treatment products.

At 10:45 a.m., I went for my manicure and pedicure with Jolene. She had been aboard for about half of the Ultimate World Cruise, and I was very glad to see her again.

We talked about the world cruise, her life in Africa, and my future adventures. I have to admit, I truly enjoyed the experience. It was a pleasure to catch up with her.

Jolene, a familiar face from the Ultimate World Cruise. It was a pleasure catching up during my manicure and pedicure.

The nail-care part of my big spa day.

Around noon, I had a light lunch and then went back to my room. It was time to give my body a break from all the activity of the last couple of days.

Café Promenade aboard Explorer of the Seas.

I woke from my nap around 3:30 p.m. feeling extremely refreshed. Then I pulled out my computer and got to work on software updates, email, and general computer maintenance. Even on a restful day, there are a few things to catch up on.

Chops Grille, where I’ll meet Robin and Sherman for dinner.

At 7:45 p.m. tonight, I’ll have dinner at Chops Grille with my Ultimate World Cruise friends Robin and Sherman Johnson. I’m looking forward to a good meal and catching up on their lives and future plans.

Robin Johnson, my Ultimate World Cruise friend. Tonight, I’ll join Robin and Sherman for dinner at Chops Grille.

Inside Chops Grille aboard Explorer of the Seas.

I’m glad I didn’t take a shore excursion today. It was a day of pampering, familiar faces, and time to rest.

These cruises can be hectic, and I’m getting to the point where I need to hit the brakes sometimes, relax, and reflect on what’s going on in my life. Today gave me time to do that.

Tomorrow, we’re due in Marseille, France, and I’m looking forward to a planned food-themed excursion to Aix-en-Provence. I’ve never been there before. I hear it’s a lovely city, and I’m ready to kick back and learn something new.