Meet our very own, Wandering Mouse! From Aruba to Japan, and everywhere in between, my adventurous companion has accompanied me and many other travelers around the world, experiencing the sites, sounds, and delicacies of the world.
Follow along Moya’s adventures below!
I flew to Istanbul for the holiday and my very first thought was wow, there are cats everywhere, and my second thought was how kind a place this must be to care for them so well. At first I tried to count how many cats I saw, but that plan quickly fell apart because they were truly everywhere, lounging on steps, watching from corners, and calmly sharing space with everyone passing by.
What surprised me most was that although most of them live freely on the streets, they aren’t feral at all, because they are clearly loved, respected, and cared for by the Turkish people who make sure they have food, water, and safety. Even the cats themselves seemed to understand this kindness, because they were curious but gentle, calm but watchful, as if they knew they belonged exactly where they were. Wandering through Istanbul with cats as my quiet companions made my mouse heart very happy, because it showed me that a city can be busy, historic, and grand, while still being deeply soft at its edges.
One of the best parts of wandering is the people you meet, and on my second day in Istanbul I was lucky enough to explore with Coşkun, whom I met at the Bricks Hotel where I stayed. From the very beginning, the hotel staff were thoughtful and kind, always making sure I had everything I needed, which made this little mouse feel very welcome far from home. Coşkun works at the hotel, but he is also a highly educated and experienced guide, and he took me beneath the city to the Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnıcı), where cool water, ancient columns, and quiet echoes made history feel alive under my paws.
We also explored Topkapı Palace, walking through courtyards and gardens where centuries of rulers once lived, and everywhere we went he shared facts, stories, and context that helped me truly understand Istanbul’s rich and layered past. I am deeply thankful to have met him, because he turned places into stories and moments into memories, and I hope very much that this wandering mouse and her friend Coşkun will stay in touch long after my whiskers have moved on to the next adventure.
My final stop on the Majestic Princess was Bonaire, and it quietly became my favorite of all, because it felt like the island was inviting me to slow down and breathe. I took a water taxi out to Klein Bonaire, the small uninhabited island just offshore that’s famous for snorkeling, and even the ride felt like part of the adventure, complete with a cool drink in my paw and a snorkel rented and ready.
Once I reached the island, I waddled into the water and swam out to where the sand suddenly drops away into deep blue, and there I could see coral clinging to the edge before it faded into the vast sea where turtles, fish, and other creatures moved freely below me. Floating there was peaceful in a way that made my whole mouse body relax, even my whiskers, which seemed to enjoy the salt air as much as I did. As I dried off on the quiet beach, I promised myself I would come back someday, because Bonaire feels like the kind of place meant for a longer stay and maybe even a magical night snorkel under the stars.
Aruba” sign, I understood why everyone loves it here: Aruba is joyful, welcoming, and full of surprises, and for a wanderer like me, that’s the very best kind of place to be. I boarded another ship with a happy little hop, knowing that while I wouldn’t be crossing big oceans this time, I was headed for beautiful places in the Caribbean, starting with Curaçao in the ABC Islands, which made my whiskers twitch with excitement. There’s something extra special about being at sea during the holidays, when it’s warm outside but the ship sparkles with lights, trees, and festive cheer, so of course I pulled on my holiday hat and scarf for photos among the decorations.
Walking through the glowing atrium felt cozy and grand all at once, with music drifting through the air and everyone smiling a little more than usual, and I loved that mix of sunshine and seasonal magic. As the Majestic Princess carried me onward, I felt grateful for how travel keeps finding new ways to surprise me, because even a wandering mouse can celebrate the holidays in sandals, surrounded by lights, warmth, and the promise of island adventures just ahead.
My first stop in the ABC Islands was Curaçao, and it instantly felt like a place made for wandering, with its bright colors, layered history, and creativity around every corner. I explored Rif Fort, a historic fortress that once guarded the harbor and now stands proudly as a reminder of the island’s past, and I loved how old stone walls and modern island life coexist so happily there.
As I wandered through Willemstad, the street art completely stole my heart, with murals bursting from quiet alleys and sunny streets, each one feeling like a secret waiting to be found by a curious mouse. I also made sure to try pastechi, the beloved local snack, and let me tell you, holding something warm and flaky while exploring made everything better, especially just enjoying the moment. Curaçao made my mouse heart very happy, because it celebrates color, culture, and the joy of discovering something wonderful simply by wandering along.
As I spent more time in Tokyo, I discovered that this city knows exactly how to balance wonder and comfort, which suits a wandering mouse like me just fine. I bravely tried a small open air onsen, tucked away and peaceful, where warm water and quiet air soothed my travel weary paws and made me feel wonderfully cared for. Another day brought me to the Pokémon Cafe, a place so cheerful and imaginative that I nearly forgot to sit still, as adorable treats arrived looking almost too magical to eat, though I did admire them very closely.
One of my proudest moments was standing near Nihonbashi Bridge, the historic spot that marks point zero for distance measurements across Japan, and I felt very important knowing all roads begin there, even for a tiny mouse. Tokyo kept surprising me with its kindness, creativity, and thoughtful details, and my little mouse heart was delighted by how much joy can fit into one very big city.
My final days in Japan were sprinkled with pure magic as I explored Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea, wearing my very own pair of Disney ears and a Lost Boys hat that made me feel especially brave and adventurous. What I loved most was how kind and thoughtful everyone was, with guests sitting neatly on blankets for the parades so every mouse, child, and grown up could see, which made my heart feel warm and safe. I soared over Tokyo’s version of the Soarin ride, where the scenes felt like a bucket list of places I hope to wander to someday, and I tucked each one away as a future dream.
When night fell and the lights of the parade shimmered past, I felt a wave of nostalgia wash over me, because it reminded me of SpectroMagic at Disney World from when I was just a little mouse, standing wide eyed and believing completely in magic. Tokyo Disney showed me that wonder can grow with you, and as I watched the lights dance, I knew this adventure would stay with me forever.
My final moments in Japan were quiet and thoughtful, just the way endings should be, as I found myself at Haneda Airport watching the world through a big airport window and trying to remember everything at once. I visited the Priority Pass lounge for a few last bites, savoring simple, comforting food that felt like a gentle goodbye, and then I carefully spent the very last of my yen on duty free treasures.
I always choose my souvenirs thoughtfully, so I picked a magnet to remind me of what I saw and a perfume made right here in Japan, because scents have a way of carrying memories better than anything else. As the plane lifted off and the coastline slowly slipped away beneath me, I felt proud of myself for crossing oceans, losing a day, finding so much joy, and knowing that even though I was heading home, a little piece of Japan would always travel with me.
My very last day on the ship carried me from Hakodate all the way to Tokyo, and I arrived on November 3, which I quickly learned is a National Holiday, making everything feel extra lively and important for a small wandering mouse like me. I followed the buzz to the fish market, where the air smelled like the sea and breakfast and excitement all at once, then tiptoed through a shrine where foreign dignitaries had gathered to celebrate, and I felt very honored just to be there with my tiny paws on such historic ground.
The next day might have been my favorite yet, because I visited Edo Wonderland with my wonderful guide Tadashi, who showed me a world full of history, costumes, and stories that felt like stepping straight into the past, and then we finished with the most delicious ramen I have ever tasted, warm and comforting and perfect after so much wandering. Tokyo made my mouse heart feel full in a different way, busy and joyful and deeply thoughtful all at once, and I knew as I licked imaginary broth from my whiskers that this was an ending and a beginning all wrapped together.
I finally stepped onto land in Hakodate after eight whole days of nothing but ocean, sky, and thinking very big thoughts, and somehow I arrived fourteen hours ahead of my home in Kentucky and missing an entire day, which feels like something only a wandering mouse could manage. Crossing the International Date Line made my whiskers tingle, and even though my paws were tired, my curiosity woke right up as soon as I saw the quiet streets, stone steps, and temples tucked gently into the hills.
Hakodate feels calm and thoughtful, like a place that doesn’t rush to impress you but waits patiently for you to notice it, and I loved reading signs I couldn’t yet understand and standing small beneath gates that have welcomed travelers for centuries. After the wide, empty Pacific, Japan felt beautifully detailed, full of history, order, and surprises around every corner, and even though I lost a whole day somewhere at sea, I think I gained something much better, which is the feeling that a brand new chapter has truly begun.
Alaska greeted me with cold noses of wind, deep blue water, and views so big they made me feel extra small in the best possible way. In Ketchikan, I stood by the water watching mountains rise straight out of the sea, learning that this town grew from fishing, rain, and stories passed down like treasures, which made my wandering paws itch to explore every dock and boardwalk.
At Icy Strait, I climbed up high and looked out over wild, quiet land where nature still feels in charge, and my mouse heart thumped happily at the thought of whales, eagles, and the kind of silence you can almost hear. Skagway felt different again, full of gold rush echoes and bold dreams, where signs and old buildings whispered about humans who once rushed north chasing adventure, something I understand very well. With three Alaskan ports behind me and frost-tipped memories tucked into my backpack, I felt ready to turn my whiskers west, because soon there would be nothing but ocean ahead, and that is exactly how a wandering mouse likes it.
I spent my first day aboard the ship scampering from deck to deck as Vancouver slowly slipped away behind me, the air crisp and salty and full of promise. Out on the open deck I stood very tall for a very small mouse, watching the wake stretch out like a ribbon and feeling the hum of the ship beneath my paws as we pointed ourselves toward Alaska. Inside, I discovered one of my favorite kinds of exploration, the edible kind, and admired an impressive collection of tiny cakes and tarts that felt almost too pretty to nibble, though I bravely considered it anyway.
I peeked into quiet corners, leaned against railings to watch the water sparkle, and listened to the gentle excitement of fellow travelers settling into ship life. As the light shifted and the shoreline faded, I felt that familiar flutter in my stomach that means a journey has truly begun, and somewhere ahead Ketchikan was waiting, along with colder air, new stories, and plenty more places for a wandering mouse to discover.
I arrived in Vancouver with my hat snug on my head, my backpack full of hopes, and my paws buzzing with excitement, because this is where my biggest adventure yet begins. Standing near the harbor, I watched the city shimmer with mountains peeking over glassy buildings and salty air mixing with the hum of travelers, and I knew I was exactly where I was meant to be. Soon I would be boarding the Norwegian Sun, my floating home across the Pacific, sailing north to Alaska as the very last ship of the season, which feels wonderfully dramatic for a wandering mouse like me, before turning west toward the wide, endless ocean and all the mysteries it holds.
As I waited inside the terminal, surrounded by boots, suitcases, and excited chatter, I felt small but brave, especially when I finally stepped aboard and looked out at Vancouver fading into the distance. Ahead of me are icy ports, open seas, and Japan waiting patiently on the far side of the world, and my little mouse heart has never felt bigger.