Just the stats, ma’am...

January 15, Somewhere off the coast of Brazil — Thought you’d like to see the office of Passepartout International — South American Bureau.

Here are some stats for those of you who like numbers... you know who you are!

In toto, the cruise is 128 days, 5 continents, 21 countries, 43 ports (down from 44; I’ll tell you about that some other time) and over 30,000 miles. Though the earth’s circumference is around 25,000, we go up and down and back and forth, which adds miles. Last year’s trip was over 40,000 miles. This time it’s broken into 5 legs that can be purchased separately, e.g., Miami to Buenos Aires. I have blog subscribers in New Zealand who are getting on in Sydney and off in Greenwich.

One of the people on the Miami to Buenos Aires leg — we found out by asking Where did you grow up? — is the sister of a girl in my high school graduating class! Here’s a shout-out to Gigi!

Right now, there are 920 passengers (of a max capacity of 930*). This is around 50 more than were on at the start of the first world cruise last year. Of these, 463 are going ‘all the way’ (though at our age, that has a different meaning, i.e., Miami to London). And 71 of those are repeat Viking world cruisers who made the inaugural voyage a year ago. There might still be space available on a few of the legs, if you’re interested. The crew numbers 552, from 39 countries — larger than last time.

*They leave a few staterooms available for lecturers, entertainers, retailers, like the jewelry reps. They’re here for a while to sell through the jewelry shop, which, btw, is not run by Viking; it’s independent, as is the Nordic Spa. Sadly, my darling Macedonian masseur is not on the Sun, he’s on the Star, which was next to us in port in Miami and sailed away just before we did.

On sea days, there’s always Trivia at noon. There are 20 teams, including ours, the Tent Rockers: