The Atlantic Crossing

We departed on the evening of November 4 traveling through the Straits of Gilbraltar from the Mediterranean Sea into the Atlantic Ocean. In the passage we could see the lights of Moracco in Africa. The Strait of Gibraltar, also known as the Straits of Gibraltar, is a narrow strait that connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea and separates Europe from Africa. The two continents are separated by 7.7 nautical miles ( 8.9 miles) at its narrowest point.

The strait lies in the territorial waters of Morocco, Spain, and the British overseas territory of Gibraltar. Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, foreign vessels and aircraft have the freedom of navigation and overflight to cross the strait of Gibraltar in case of continuous transit.

Our next port of call on the itinerary was Cádiz an ancient port city in the Andalucia region of southwestern Spain. The home of the Spanish Navy, the port boomed in the 16th-century as a base for exploration and trade. It has more than 100 watchtowers, including the iconic Torre Tavira, which was traditionally used for spotting ships. On the waterfront is the domed, 18th-century Cádiz Cathedral, featuring baroque and neoclassical elements.

Cadiz is famous for being one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Western Europe, founded by the Phoenicians around 1100 BC. It is also celebrated for its annual Carnival, which is one of the most famous and long-running in Spain. Additionally, the city is known for its historical importance as a major port for Spanish trade with the Americas, its beautiful golden-domed cathedral, its unique setting surrounded by the sea, and its role as a filming location famously appearing in the James Bond movie Die Another Day.

When we arrived on the morning of November 5 at 7 AM we had pre-booked our Hop ON Hop OFF bus tickets for  Cádiz. The city is full of fascinating places so wherever you hop off and explore, you’re sure to see something amazing. Puertas de la Tierra are part of the old city walls and today mark the boundary between the city’s historic center and its more modern neighborhoods. "Puertas de la Tierra" translates to "Land Gate" or "Gates of the Earth" in English and refers to the monumental, 18th-century gateway in Cádiz, Spain. It was once part of the city's defensive walls and now serves as a symbol of the city, separating the old and new parts of the city.

We took a break from the bus and hopped off at the golden-domed cathedral to see it up close and enjoy the energy of the crowd. The Cathedral of the Holy Cross over the Waters (Spanish: Catedral de Santa Cruz sobre las Aguas) is a Catholic cathedral in Cádiz, southern Spain, and the seat of the Diocese of Cadiz y Ceuta. The church was known as "The Cathedral of The Americas" because it was built with money from the trade between Spain and America. The 18th century was a golden age for Cádiz, and the other cathedral in the city called Santa Cruz was very small for this new age in the history of Cádiz. The new cathedral was built from 1722 to 1838.

From Cádiz we departed for Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Canary Islands) with a scheduled arrival on Nov 7 at 9 AM. By the end of the day on Wednesday, I was beginning to feel a bit under the weather with a scratchy throat and some congestion. Not to be expected in a crowded environment like a cruise ship. To be pro-active I started drinking more water and limiting my exposure to crowds. After a second sea day my symptoms continued to worsen so I made an appointment to get checked out at the ship's medical center. I had my vitals checked and it was determined to be a head cold and not the flu or something more nefarious. I planned on staying ashore while we docked in the Canary Islands; a bummer but the right call.

We had originally made a reservation to do a scuba diving excursion here. That was canceled and Karen ran into town instead to get some decongestant and cough drops to help me mend. Fortunately, we have eight sea days as we cross the Atlantic Ocean.

Crossing the Atlantic by cruise ship involves a significant amount of time at sea, usually six to eight days, with a focus on relaxation and onboard activities rather than daily port visits. Passengers can fill their time with the ship's amenities, such as dining, entertainment, and leisure activities, or use the time to unplug and relax. The experience is a unique and relaxing way to travel that can include the romance of ocean liner tradition, stunning ocean views, and opportunities to connect with fellow passengers.

Here are some of the activities and entertainment we've enjoyed:

1) Relax and unwind: Enjoy the freedom from port-day pressure, which allows for sleeping in, reading, and enjoying ocean views.

2) Onboard entertainment: Participate in various activities like live shows, concerts, dance classes, trivia, and movies.

3) Explore the ship: Use the time to discover all the ship has to offer, from pools and hot tubs to casinos and lounges.

4) Learn a new skill: Some cruises offer classes in areas like art or other hobbies.

5) Relax by the water: Spend time at pools, hot tubs, and lounge chairs, with some ships having adults-only areas for extra tranquility.

Our onboard social connections:

Connect with others: With more time at sea, you can develop relationships with fellow passengers and crew members, leading to a more social experience. We've participated in a daily Bible study while on the ship. Also, we have been seated with 2 other delightful couples in the dining room for dinner each night. We have enjoyed their company at our window table with an amazing view.

Network and share stories: Meet other well-traveled individuals who are often enthusiastic about sharing travel tips and stories. We learned about the veterans ship board credit of $250 from one of our fellow travelers.

Experience classic ocean liner tradition: For many, the voyage is about appreciating the history and romance of ocean travel. Sitting and taking in the sheer magnificance of the Atlantic from our balcony is beyond words and such a gift!

Potential downsides and our experiences:

Rough seas: The Atlantic Ocean can have rougher waters than other cruising destinations, particularly the North Atlantic in cooler months. Modern ships, especially those like the Sun Princess, are designed to handle these conditions with stabilizing wings, but it can still be an uncomfortable experience for some. We have not had a single day of bad weather on this crossing; what a blessing!

Boredom: A long period at sea may become boring for those who prefer a more active vacation, although the amount of time needed for this varies from person to person. We have not experienced any boredom...none!

Internet issues: Internet access is often slow and expensive, making a transatlantic cruise a good opportunity to disconnect. Our internet has been flawless, hence I've been able to post on our Blog.

We are on day 6 of the crossing with two remaining days until we reach Fort Lauderdale. I can truly say the experience has been wonderful and would entertain doing it again in the future. November is a great time to make the trip and there are many options with other cruise ship companies from different departure ports in Europe.