Of course, some people go to work every day without ever feeling inspired by the families they serve. To us, that’s almost unimaginable, and clients like Bonnie and Joe make that inspiration abundantly clear.
Joe retired from AT&T Bell Labs in 2007 after 35 years of dedicated service. Bonnie joined him two years later after being SE division manager for Cigna—presiding over the call center, case management, and physical building operations. And not for nothing, but she was also a crackerjack tennis player, winning more than her share of ALTA city championships.
Retirement Adventures at Sea
Traveling frequently ranks near the top of our happy retiree core pursuit list. Bonnie and Joe understand this well, setting their sights on exploring faraway destinations. Most recently, a 15-day Viking cruise matched that objective: Norway (4 ports), Denmark (3 ports), Berlin, Poland, Estonia, and Stockholm.
Preparation was key. This meant researching each locale, as well as a pre-cruise diet to free up space for all the delicious, calorie-rich, all-you-can-eat dishes soon coming their way. As it turned out, they needed that metabolic fuel—the numerous ports-of-call excursions added up to more than 135,000 steps, or approximately 45 miles.
Joe signed up for one of the many cooking classes on board. 12 “students” in a private dining room assisted the Chef. They prepared Nopalos salad and Seared halibut! Delicious..and got to keep the apron.
The trip was one for the books, but Bonnie and Joe did have some favorites. At the top of the list was a Norwegian adventure to the Stavanger fjords on a RIB, or Rigid Inflatable Boat. Don’t let the yellow thermal suits and goggles fool you—they had a blast riding on saddles in a 24-foot boat speeding along at more than 50 miles per hour.
Other highlights? You bet. Bonnie and Joe enjoyed a great lunch atop the Reichstag, the German Parliament building with a rooftop restaurant in Berlin. Later, they basked in the sun on the tranquil Danish island of Bornholm before marveling at the world’s only (mostly) salvaged 17th-century ship at the Vasa Museum in Stockholm, Sweden.
Joe and Bonnie visiting a waterfall at 11PM.
Joe and Bonnie in front of Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany.
The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Tallinn, Estonia.
Vasa Museum in Stockholm, Sweden
Lessons Learned on the Road
Their least favorite city was probably Gdańsk, Poland. Despite its rich history, the city’s post-WWII reconstruction may have left some of its architecture feeling less authentic. They would also recommend opting for more focused paid excursions rather than the tours included in the cruise package, or even just taking the shuttles to town and making your own plan.
Bonnie and Joe have no intention of slowing their travel pace any time soon. Up next, they’d love to finally see Antarctica, Egypt, and Japan, after COVID caused them to cancel previous trips. And despite having been to London four times, they can’t wait to return and revisit the Ceremony of the Keys—a centuries-old nightly ritual at the Tower of London in which the Chief Yeoman Warder formally locks the gates, symbolizing the fortress’s continued security and tradition. Legend has it that one night in December 1340, King Edward III showed up unannounced at the Tower and noticed lax security. He threw the constable in jail and they’ve been locking it ever since.
Travel Tips from Bonnie and Joe
Bonnie and Joe believe airline seat upgrades are worth the extra money, as is the Global Entry Card, which saves time through U.S. customs. For any current or future happy retirees looking for retirement guidance, Bonnie and Joe encourage them to enjoy every moment, to do their best to stay in good health, and—as Clint Eastwood says—“…don’t let the old man in.”
Please note, Joe and Bonnie have given us permission to share their background, story and photographs. They have not been paid or received any other compensation for making these statements. As a result, they do not receive any material incentives or benefits for providing their story. We do not endorse or have any affiliation with the companies mentioned in this content. Any references to specific companies are for informational purposes only.
