05/10/2026
Dear Friends,
As Dancin’ on the Water 2026 comes to a close, we want to extend our deepest gratitude to every person who joined us onboard this year.
Thank you for bringing your energy, enthusiasm, kindness, and spirit to this adventure! It was such a pleasure to sail, dance, laugh and create memories together throughout the week.
This cruise, however, was also personally one of the most difficult I’ve ever experienced.
As many of you became aware, my health progressively declined throughout the cruise before ultimately being confirmed as having pneumonia. Continuing to remain present while navigating increasing exhaustion and illness was far more difficult than I could have anticipated. And now, as recovery slowly continues, I’ve added a head cold into the mix while Susan is experiencing symptoms — which we hope is not a sinus infection. Murphy’s Law certainly decided to join us on this trip!
What has stayed with us most profoundly, though, was the patience, compassion, flexibility, and understanding shown by all of you throughout the week. It meant more than words can adequately express.
We would also like to extend a very special thank you to Michael Barr and Michele Burton for their generosity in teaching onboard. And to the local instructors who stepped in — at a moment’s notice — to help carry the dancing forward when I simply could not manage it alone: thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your support and teamwork made an enormous difference.
For now, Susan and I are doing our best to rest, recover and enjoy a quieter pace here along the Mediterranean Sea in Spain while we regain our strength.
We hope everyone’s journey home was smooth and safe, and that despite the unexpected challenges, you returned home with beautiful memories, new connections, and moments of joy from your time together.
Thank you again for being part of Dancin’ on the Water 2026. We are deeply grateful for each of you and sincerely hope to see you again soon - on a dance floor somewhere!
With gratitude,
Gerard & Susan
