Date: December 25, 2025
Time: 08.00 hrs
Latitude: 07° 09.6â0 N
Longitude: 052° 07.8â W
Total distance 1899 NM
Average speed 5.71 kn
Temperature: 26°Celsius
Sea State: 3
Wind force: 5
Status: Sailing
Tâwas the day before Christmas,
Joy was flowing through the air,
Most floaties asked for presents,
A few others asked for more hair.
The day began ordinarily. Watches were ongoing and groggy floaties made their way to colours to listen to morning announcements. During colours, our Atlantic crossing-themed version of the 12 days of Christmas led by Orla and Emma came to a close (If you would like to see the lyrics they came up with, there will be a little section at the end of the day summary). This lifted the mood of us all and brought along a Christmas spirit. Shortly after colours, we had an all hands meeting in the mess with Sarah where we discussed the rules of the ship. At the end of the meeting we were gifted an amazing Christmas surprise: A special schedule as well as Watches being fully covered by the STAM crew from 18:00 on the 24th to 18:00 on the 25th. The floaties erupted in applause and cheer. Now the spirit of Christmas really started to show. Christmas music could be heard from the mess, people were spending time together or catching up on sleep, and many were busy writing cards or crafting presents or catching up on studies. Following the relaxed afternoon, floaties were treated to the Captains dinner. This was for sure the highlight of the day. The mess was set up fancy, people dressed fancy, and best of all, our watch leads served us food instead of the usual (floaties on backshaft). To begin the Captainâs dinner we sang âSilent Nightâ in English, German, Spanish, French, Russian, Mandarin, and Norwegian followed by âMistletoeâ and Dawson and Ameliaâs custom version of âBaby its cold outsideâ called âBaby its Hot outsideâ. We then had our first course which was salmon and prawns. After that, we were treated to Emma and others singing âIn the Bleak Midwinterâ and the Hawaiian Christmas song before our main course which was Beef, potatoes and vegetables. We finished dinner with Caitlin and Amelia singing âMaineâ by Noah Kahan with Kysen on the guitar. For dessert, I donât really know what dessert was but it was orange and pudding-like. Huge shoutout to the chefs, Torsten and Thomas, they really made the day special and put so much work into creating a Christmas Eve dinner similar to one weâd have at home with our families. After dinner, some floaties went to watch âDie Hardâ, others stayed in the mess, having conversations and some took advantage of not standing watches and went to bed on a full stomach. Overall, it was a very restful day with welcome surprises, wrapped up with Christmas Carols and good food. I would rate it 9.9/10, just wait till you hear about Christmas Day (possibly the perfect day).
Tâwas the night before Christmas,
And all through the house,
Not a creature was stirring,
Not even a mouse,
The stockings were hung by the portholes with care,
In hopes that Saint Nicholas (Dawson) would be there.
Merry Christmas Eve parents!
Although we canât contact you at the moment, we all love and miss you lots and canât wait to catch up with yâall in Suriname.
- Alistair Soutar
The Twelve Days of Christmas, Written by Emma Smith and Orla Molloy
âOn the 12th Day of Christmas the Alex gave to meâŠ
12 late assignments,
11 Birthday buckets,
10 people puking,
Nein dogs on deck,
8 flying fishes,
7 dolphins swimming,
6 student buzz cuts.
5 hours on helm,
4 to a group,
3 coiled ropes,
2 haul and wegs,
And a green sail sponsored by Becks!â