Having fun is free.

— Gen Maldonado

What if your entire life could be summed up by one simple sentence: “having fun is free”?

Circumstances shape us all. Pain, joy, love, loss — they leave their marks. But happiness? That’s a choice. Just like having fun.

I’ve seen this truth play out in some of the most unexpected places. Like that catamaran tour in the Seychelles, where the crew crafted beautiful, heartfelt music with nothing more than milk jugs, spoons on a countertop, and a lone tambourine. Happiness didn’t come from fancy gear or shiny possessions — it was pure vibe, pure choice.

That doesn’t mean ignoring the hard stuff. I’d never discount pain, grief, or unimaginable loss. Those chapters carve us into who we are. Some random AI-generated quote on Instagram reminded me the other day: without contrast, there’s no depth. No shade, no sunlight.

Which brings me back to Gen, a guest performer onboard the Carnival Miracle, who dropped this little gem mid-show: “having fun is free.”

Honestly? I need to be better at remembering that. I’d be lying if I said I haven’t been riding shotgun in the emotional roller coaster these past few months — gripping the safety bar through every sharp turn and stomach-dropping dip. But it’s getting “better.” I’m settling into this wild, untraditional life at sea.

Living on cruise ships isn’t for the faint of heart. It tests you in ways I never imagined. But it also hands you joy, adventure, and breathtaking glimpses of the world that feel like something out of a dream. It’s beyond what I ever thought was possible.

So here’s to having fun. Because at the end of the day, it really is free.

Over and out.

— Cole, writing from somewhere out on the ocean.

I mean, home.

And here the video from the Seychelles for a reminder. Good music is a vibe…