Travel

We are in day three of a seven day rush to cross the Atlantic Ocean from Spain to the Bahamas and all of those days so far we have been rocking and rolling along. While we missed the storm itself, the result of the storm, long rolling swells, have crossed our path for three days now and according to the Captain will probably not die down much until tomorrow morning some time. We’re dealing with four meter or larger swells (12 feet or more).

[Read more…] about Rocking and Rolling Across the Atlantic

The day after Gibraltar we moved to the port of Cadiz. From Cadiz I took an all-day excursion to see Seville — or at least get the flavor of Seville as it was a two hour bus ride both directions and we had an early 4:30pm call to leave Cadiz. That left about five hours in the city: four to explore and one for lunch.

[Read more…] about Seville Spain

We got to the “Rock” on a beautiful morning. The storm we encountered on our way had passed through the day before and left a clear sky with brisk temperatures. Our excursion on Gibraltar started early to avoid the crowds and took us by bus immediately to the cable car that would lift us to the top of the Rock.

[Read more…] about Gibraltar

As we were leaving Cadiz, Spain today the Captain came on the intercom and told us that a rather large storm has been brewing in the North Atlantic and that it would affect the Azores and our course if we sailed as planned. Heavy seas and rain in the midst of the storm would be encountered and the ride would not be rather rough for a ship of our smaller size.

[Read more…] about Another Itinerary Change

Our arrival in Barcelona was scheduled for 1pm and about an hour before that we entered the breakwater and backed the ship up to the cruise dock where we tied up and opened the gangway at 1pm. My scheduled excursion for today was a supper and Flamenco dancing exhibition. As I write this in mid-afternoon I may not make that as the stomach is queasy. No fever, just feel poorly. Not certain why as I have not eaten anything outside the ship since Rome and that’s far enough back so if it was that the symptoms would have developed already and not waited this long.

[Read more…] about Barcelona (Days 1 and 2)

The Genoa entry is easy. It rained – a large amount. That’s it.

We knew the weather would be unsettled due to predictions and what happened yesterday in Castel Gandolfo and Rome. We’re in Genoa because the predictions for Portofino would not have allowed us to tender into the port. The excursions from Portofino were canceled and monies refunded and a few new ones (or modified old ones coming to Genoa anyhow) put out. None sounded particularly interesting and given yesterday’s rain and weather I decided this was a “me” day.

[Read more…] about Genoa and Villefranche