We made another two-night trip to Philadelphia, this time with our friends Phil and Jim. Since moving from New York, I’ve come to see Philly as my city, given that it’s only an hour’s drive or train ride away. And we can ride the SEPT trains for free as seniors!

There are cities you visit and cities you inhabit, even briefly. Philadelphia is the latter kind, at least when you do it right. Two nights isn’t and days aren’t nearly enough to explore everything there is to see, including the reknown murals you’ll see as you walk around, but it’s exactly enough to fall into a particular pocket of it and feel you’ve touched something marvelous.

Where We Stayed: The Morris House Hotel

The Morris House Hotel sits at 225 S. 8th Street in the heart of the city’s historic district, and it announces itself quietly — no marquee, no lobby spectacle, just a Federal-era townhouse that has been standing since the 18th century and knows it doesn’t have to try very hard. Our large bed had a mattress so soft and sinking that it’s possible George Washington really did sleep there. The staff is terrific, and we don’t say anywhere else when we’re there overnight.

The original family who built it in 1787 was part of Philadelphia’s colonial gentry, and the remnants of that world are still there: period details, a walled garden courtyard, and rooms that manage to feel both old and comfortable.

By Mark McNease

Another early morning, another cup of coffee, my laptop, and the Harp & Horn Pub, my quiet writing refuge aboard Quantum of the Seas. Most mornings I settle into a table at the empty pub on the fourth-floor promenade. The coffee is available 24/7 right next door, the restaurant is silent, and for a couple of peaceful hours it’s the perfect place to work. I’m not someone who can travel without writing; it’s how I stay productive and keep that creative momentum going.

As our Mexico cruise winds down, I’ve been thinking about how quickly this sailing has gone by. This trip has been one of my favorites, and the only real drawback is its length. Six nights just isn’t quite enough time to visit two ports and fully settle into the rhythm of cruising. Ten days feels right. Twelve is even better. Six feels like we’re just getting started and want more.

The sea days were relaxed and restorative, the kind that remind me why I love cruising in the first place. Add in good meals, unexpected conversations, and moments of quiet routine, and it all reminds me why I enjoy this kind of vacation more than most.