Today was all about patience.

We started the day at the Hyatt Regency in Chicago, waiting for our evening flight to London. With hours to spare, we took it slow—resting, repacking, and mentally preparing for the long haul ahead.

Eventually, we made our way to O’Hare and settled into the Flagship Lounge, which made the wait a little more comfortable (and caffeinated). But as we watched the skies darken with thunderstorms, we couldn’t help but worry: would we actually get out of Chicago tonight?

Thankfully, the storms cleared just in time. Our flight took off only about 20 minutes late, and we’re now officially in the air and on our way to London—right on track to board the Emerald Princess before its 4:00 p.m. departure tomorrow.

Even better? We’re flying business class, which means we’re being wined, dined, and fully reclined. After a long day of waiting, it feels good to finally be moving forward.

Next stop: London. Then, the adventure really begins.