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European Cruise 2025
  • Sonia Gelman
  • Boris Gelman
  • Sonia Gelman
  • Boris Gelman

European Cruise 2025

A 60-day adventure by Sonia & Boris Read more
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  • European Cruise 2025
    5

    Mykonos, Greece

    October 26, 2025 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 68 °F

    Today’s tour took us to a deserted beach. With the tourist season over, the sands were empty and many stores and restaurants were closed. We had about 20 minutes to stroll along the shore and dip our feet in the water—a peaceful way to start the day.

    Next, we visited the Panagia Tourliani Monastery. Although it’s still a functioning church, there are no monks living there. Founded in 1542 and renovated between 1757 and 1767, the monastery is beautiful and serene. On the plaza in front, we enjoyed Greek coffee and a baked dessert—a lovely little break in the sun.

    Our final stop was the old town, with its narrow streets filled with touristy shops and overpriced restaurants. Boris stayed by the waterfront while I followed the tour guide to see the windmills. After a short while, I decided to leave the tour and wander back through the charming little streets to find Boris.

    Eventually, I realized he might be able to make it to the windmills, so we slowly strolled together, taking our time along the streets and steps. On the way back, he needed a short rest, but we managed to make it to the sea bus and then our tender boat without rushing.

    It was a simple, relaxing day—just the right pace to enjoy the scenery and each other’s company.    Read more

  • European Cruise 2025

    Athens, Greece

    October 28, 2025 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F

    We have been in Athens before and had an extended tour of the city. For today, I booked a free walking tour that concentrated on Greek history.

    We took a bus from the port of Piraeus to the nearest metro station. From there we had to take line 1 to the meeting place. Unfortunately, the elevator did not work. Lukely, local guy helped me to take a wheelchair down. That was not the end. We could not find the right train. The woman in the ticket window told us to go up. Again, no elevator. This time local woman helped me to go up.

    At this time, I did not want to deal with public transportation anymore, so we took an expensive taxi. The lesson…taxi drivers in Athens are taking advantage of tourists.

    We met our guide and the group at 10:00AM and had an amazing tour for three hours. Lots of history, funny stories and inside viewpoints. The tour guide was very knowledgeable, engaging and a good actor.

    We were done shortly after 1:00PM and since we were hungry, stopped for a lunch at Greek taverna.

    After lunch, a little more walking and then we got on the bus towards cruise ship terminal.

    We got off the bus about 1.5 miles before the terminal to walk in Piraeus. My plan was to catch a bus to get to the cruise terminal, but Boris wanted to walk the distance.

    It wasn’t an easy walk, but we made it.    Read more

  • European Cruise 2025

    Split, Croatia

    October 29, 2025 in Croatia ⋅ ☀️ 66 °F

    In Split we took some introductory tour. We drove for about an hour around and then for another hour we had a walking tour in the old city.

    The city was founded as the Greek colony of Aspálathos in the 3rd or 2nd century BCE and in 305 CE, it became the site of the Palace of the Roman emperor Diocletian.

    The walking tour took us to Diocletian Palace. It is a massive building that looks like a fortress. Then we walked small narrow streets and old plazas.

    After the tour, we did a little bit of walking by ourself and then took a bus to the port.

    We were thinking of taking a wheelchair and then going to the shore again, but I was too tired to do it.

    The rest of the day we allocated to doing nothing.    Read more

  • European Cruise 2025

    Kotor, Montenegro

    October 30, 2025 in Croatia ⋅ ☁️ 66 °F

    The day started in a rather unexpected way. We took a tender boat to the port, planning to meet our tour guide around 8:45 AM. When I couldn’t find him anywhere, I gave him a call—only to hear, “I thought the tour is tomorrow.” I explained that my paperwork clearly said today, and he replied, “See you in 5 minutes.”

    Ten minutes later, he called again and asked if we could move the tour to 12:00 PM. I declined and asked for a refund.

    With our plans suddenly wide open, we decided to hop on the Hop-On-Hop-Off bus instead. The ride took us along the beautiful shoreline all the way to Perast.

    Perast turned out to be a charming, historic little town on the Bay of Kotor, known for its Venetian-style architecture, maritime heritage, and its close view of the islets of Our Lady of the Rocks and St. George. The town is peaceful and picturesque, with one main street lined with Baroque palaces and waterfront views that feel straight out of a postcard.

    Our bus, however, was completely open—no windows, no roof—and we were freezing. A very expensive cappuccino felt absolutely necessary, not optional. After warming up a bit, we enjoyed a pleasant walk along the waterfront before returning to the bus stop. Thankfully, the next bus had both a roof and windows, so the ride back wasn’t nearly as cold.    Read more

  • European Cruise 2025
    Achillion Palace
    Empress Elizabeth1Achilles13

    Corfu, Greece

    October 31, 2025 in Greece ⋅ ☁️ 63 °F

    This is our second time in Corfu, and today we set out on a tour to the Achillion Palace. The palace sits in the village of Gastouri, about five miles from Corfu Town. Built in 1891 as a summer residence for Empress Elizabeth of Austria, it was named in honor of her favorite Greek hero, Achilles. Although the palace itself is still closed for renovation, its gardens remain open—and they are truly beautiful. Sculptures of Greek gods and goddesses are scattered throughout, and the views over the surrounding landscape are stunning.

    There are many steps leading through the gardens, some without rails, so I had been worried about whether Boris would be able to manage them. Thankfully, he did wonderfully and was able to see everything.

    Our next stop was Kanoni, where we paused to take photos of the incredible panoramic view.

    From there, we continued on a short tour of Corfu and visited a small local café where Jackie Onassis once bought butter and dairy products. The owner keeps his own cows, and everything he serves is made by him. I enjoyed a creamy rice pudding, while Boris had a rich, decadent cake. We were so full afterward that we decided to skip lunch altogether.

    In the evening, we kept things simple with a light dinner and headed to bed very early.    Read more

  • European Cruise 2025

    Katakolon, Greece

    November 1, 2025 in Greece ⋅ ⛅ 68 °F

    The weather forecast had promised a beautiful day. Since we’ve already visited Katakolon and Olympia twice, my plan was simple: spend the day at the beach and relax outdoors.

    But early in the morning, we woke up to thunder, strong winds, heavy rain, and flashes of lightning—so much for a beach day.

    I tried stepping out around noon, but the wind was still too strong to enjoy anything. By 2:00 PM, the sky finally cleared and the sun came out, making it warm and pleasant again. We took a short walk, but by that time it was too late to venture far.

    Even so, the day ended up being peaceful and relaxing in its own way.    Read more

  • European Cruise 2025
    CathedralInside CathedralInside CathedralCathedral clock towerNeptune fountain in front of the CathedralGalleria Vittorio AmanuelInside galleria.Clock tower mechanismOur lunch

    Messinana, Sicily, Italy

    November 2, 2025 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F

    Today, we decided to explore the city on our own. We weren’t sure how the street conditions would be for the wheelchair, but to our pleasant surprise, the city center was quite manageable. I imagine that after the devastating 1908 earthquake, the sidewalks were rebuilt with better accessibility in mind.

    Our first stop was only a few minutes from the cruise terminal: the Church of Annunziata dei Catalani. This 13th-century church is the only structure that survived the 1908 earthquake. Although we couldn’t go inside—and I didn’t take any pictures of the exterior—it was still interesting to see the building that had withstood such destruction.

    A short walk brought us to the Messina Cathedral. It was still early, and the plaza in front of it was practically empty. Since it was Sunday, the locals were still sleeping in and the stores were closed. We took a few photos, visited the interior, and decided to return around noon for the famous clock-tower show.

    We continued through the quiet streets, visited a few more churches, and walked through the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II—also closed, unsurprisingly. Eventually, we made our way back to the Cathedral’s plaza. With some time to spare before noon, I climbed the 280 steps to the top of the clock tower to take in the view and see the clock mechanism up close.

    After I came back down, we found a good spot to watch the show.

    The astronomical clock of Messina was constructed by the Ungerer Company of Strasbourg in 1933. Built into the Cathedral’s campanile, it was meant to recreate the ancient astronomical clock of the medieval bell tower, which had been destroyed in earlier disasters. Commissioned by the Archbishop of Messina, it marked the reconstruction of the campanile after the 1908 earthquake. The clock’s displays appear on several levels, facing both the square and the Cathedral.

    The show lasted about 10 minutes, accompanied by Schubert’s Ave Maria. Boris recorded the entire performance, while I captured just a few short clips.

    After the clock-tower show, we went for lunch. The fried calamari and delicious pizza were perfect. We strolled around town a bit more before heading back to the ship.    Read more

  • European Cruise 2025
    The gate to Mdina
    Cathedral

    Valetta, Malta #2

    November 3, 2025 in Malta ⋅ ☀️ 72 °F

    Valletta – Rabat, Mdina, and a Taste of Malta

    This was our second time in Valletta on this cruise, and today we joined a private tour for eight people. Our first stop was the ancient town of Rabat.

    Rabat lies in west-central Malta, just outside the fortified city of Mdina, and is one of the island’s oldest settlements. In Roman times, it formed part of Melite—the Roman city that served as Malta’s capital. When the Arabs later captured Malta, they reduced the size of the capital, fortified the inner area, and renamed it Mdina. The surrounding area became known as Rabat, meaning “the suburb.”
    After the Arab period, the Knights of St. John turned Rabat into an important center due to its proximity to Mdina, its association with St. Paul’s Grotto, and the presence of several religious orders. The town continued to expand, and under British rule, modern services were introduced. After World War II, Rabat grew significantly with new residential development.

    From Rabat, we moved on to Mdina itself. Founded more than 4,000 years ago, the city served as Malta’s capital through the classical and early medieval periods. Over the centuries it was shaped by the Phoenicians, Romans, and Arabs. Known as the “Silent City,” Mdina lives up to its name with its peaceful atmosphere, a small resident population, and restrictions on cars. Everywhere you look, the architecture is stunning.

    We had about 20 minutes to visit St. Paul’s Cathedral and the museum across the square. The Cathedral, rebuilt at the end of the 17th century after an earthquake, is beautiful—and the museum was so interesting that we easily could have spent an entire day there.

    Our next few stops were brief photo opportunities at several additional churches. Malta famously has 366 churches—one for every day of the year.

    We then paused to photograph a natural arch before continuing on to a fishing village for a delicious seafood lunch.

    After lunch, it was time to return to the ship.    Read more

  • European Cruise 2025
    Men's world
    Women's WorldAmerican CemeteryAmerican CemetaryAmerican CemetaryRoman aqua dockEmpty church.

    La Goulette, Tunisia

    November 5, 2025 in Tunisia ⋅ 🌙 66 °F

    La Goulette, Tunisia – A First Impression

    We had never been to Tunisia before, and since I wasn’t sure what to expect, I booked an Oceania panoramic tour.

    After walking through rows of vendors selling every kind of tourist trinket imaginable, we boarded our tour bus. My seat turned out to be broken, but luckily there were a few empty ones available, so I moved without any trouble.

    We drove through several rather unattractive areas before stopping at a so-called restaurant for a 30-minute restroom break. The facility had only one restroom for men and one for women—not ideal for a full bus of passengers. It was around 10:00 AM, and the place was crowded with men. Not a single woman was there. I asked our tour guide about it, and he explained that the men were retired and the women were working. Strangely, none of the men looked older than 50. With unemployment so high in Tunisia, it made sense that many were spending their mornings gathered in cafés.

    A few minutes later, we arrived at the North Africa American Cemetery in Carthage. This Second World War cemetery—the only American cemetery in North Africa—covers 27 acres and contains 2,841 American war dead. It was dedicated in 1960 and is maintained by the American Battle Monuments Commission.

    We were given just 30 minutes to visit, though I could easily have spent much longer there. I asked our guide how many people were buried in the cemetery, but he didn’t know, so I looked it up and showed him.

    Our next stop was an empty church. There are no longer any Christians living in that immediate area; only about 1 percent of Tunisia’s population is Christian.

    Afterward, we returned to the port and walked through the same rows of vendors to get back to the ship. I considered taking the shuttle into town, but I felt like I might be coming down with something, so I decided to rest instead.    Read more

  • European Cruise 2025
    Cathedral
    2Reflection from the stained glass windowsPalace decorationIn PalaceRoyal GardensMarket

    Palma de Mallorca

    November 6, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 64 °F

    The forecast for today called for warm weather with a chance of rain. By 9:00 AM, however, it was a solid wall of rain, with winds reaching 70 miles per hour.
    The captain even made an announcement advising passengers not to go ashore. But by 10:30 AM, the storm had passed, the sky cleared, and we decided to head out. From that moment on, the weather was perfect.

    Our first stop was the magnificent Palma Cathedral. Construction began in 1230 and continued for 350 years. The nave—the last section to be completed—is one of the largest in Europe. Sunshine poured through the stained-glass windows, making the interior glow with color, and the organ was illuminated by shimmering rays.

    Just a few steps away was our second stop, the Royal Palace of La Almudaina. This fortified palace was built in 1309 by King James II of Majorca. We toured the first floor, which is decorated with art and furnishings from the 15th century. Sadly, we couldn’t access the second floor because the elevator was too narrow for a wheelchair.

    The palace serves as the official summer residence of the Spanish Royal Family.

    Next to the palace are the Royal Gardens—14th-century gardens that are small but beautifully arranged, with a central fountain and peaceful walkways.

    By this point we were getting hungry, so we made our way to the Olivar Market. Open since 1951, the market is bustling and lively, full of fresh produce, seafood, and stalls offering snacks and treats.

    After visiting the market, we continued on to Plaza de España, where a statue of James I, the 13th-century King of Aragon, stands prominently in the center.

    We then retraced our steps toward the shuttle bus, walking along the Passeig del Born—a wide promenade lined with trees, shops, and cafés, with two traffic lanes running alongside it. The weather was so pleasant that we decided to take another stroll along the waterfront to enjoy the beautiful view of the Palma Cathedral once more.

    Then it was back to the ship for a bit of rest.    Read more

  • European Cruise 2025
    Chocolate sculpture

    Barcelona, Spain

    November 7, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 68 °F

    Barcelona – A “Take It Easy” Day (Sort Of)

    We’ve been to Barcelona many times, so today I planned to take it easy—one church, one museum, and the rest of the day simply enjoying the city.

    Our first stop was the Old Monastery of Sant Pau del Camp. This Romanesque church is one of the best preserved in Barcelona, rebuilt in the 11th century and still beautifully intact.

    From there, we walked to the Picasso Museum, which houses an extensive collection of Pablo Picasso’s works—4,251 pieces in total. The museum occupies five adjoining medieval palaces in the La Ribera neighborhood of Barcelona’s Old City, and the setting alone is worth the visit.

    After the museum, Boris wanted to check on the progress of the Sagrada Família. As we headed in that direction, I spotted the Chocolate Museum. Naturally, I couldn’t resist. It’s a small museum but very charming, filled with impressive chocolate sculptures.

    We continued on to the Sagrada Família to see how the construction was coming along and then began the long walk back. It took us nearly an hour to reach the shuttle location.

    By the end of the day, we had walked a total of 21,450 steps.

    In the evening, we enjoyed a lovely dinner at Polo Grill.    Read more

  • European Cruise 2025
    Beautiful road
    Cathedral.Picasso DrawingPicasso sculpture of pregnant womanLots of orangesBuilding where Picasso was born6 years old PicassoRoom in Picasso's apartmentRoman theater

    Malaga, Spain

    November 9, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 59 °F

    Málaga – A Day of Art, Sunshine, and Endless Walking

    Yesterday was a much-needed day of rest at sea, so this morning we felt ready to explore again. We left the ship around 9:00 AM. To reach the center of town we first had to take a port shuttle, and then an Oceania shuttle from the port to the city. A huge Norwegian ship was also in port, and we ended up sharing shuttles with their passengers. What a mess. Even some of the Norwegian crew members were arguing for spots on the bus.

    Eventually, we made it to the center. From there, we walked to the Cathedral—only to discover that it was closed until 2:00 PM.

    Our next stop was the Pablo Picasso Museum. As we approached, we saw a line stretching at least two blocks, and signs indicating that no tickets were available. But when they saw Boris in a wheelchair, we were given preferential access: no waiting in line and free admission.
    Picasso was born in Málaga, and the city takes great pride in that. The museum is beautifully curated, displaying his life and work chronologically.

    After the museum, we wandered through both narrow alleys and wide avenues until we reached the building where Picasso was born. It now houses an additional collection of his works. There is also a small room set up with furniture from the period, giving a glimpse of the environment he grew up in.

    We then walked to the open-air mall along the seafront—full of vendors, stores, restaurants, and crowds enjoying the weekend sunshine. From there, we continued walking all the way to the cruise terminal and, instead of taking the port shuttle, we decided to walk back to the ship.

    It was a very enjoyable day.    Read more

  • European Cruise 2025
    Gates Of Earth
    CathedralLots of huge ficus treesMy octopus

    Cádiz, Spain

    November 10, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 55 °F

    Our ship docked right in the city, making it easy to begin exploring. Our first stop was just a 10-minute walk from the port: the Puerta de Tierra—the Gates of Earth.

    We knew that Cádiz’s stone walls were among its most iconic features. Historically, each wall had a gate that provided access to the city. The Puerta de Tierra once served as the main entrance between the Old Town and the newer areas of Cádiz. In fact, it used to be the only way to enter the city by land.

    From the Puerta de Tierra, we turned back toward the Old Town and followed the Paseo del Vendaval, continuing along it toward the Cathedral of Cádiz. As we walked, we enjoyed the variety of architectural styles throughout the neighborhood. We decided not to go inside the Cathedral, but instead to admire its striking façade from the outside.

    We spent the rest of the morning wandering the narrow streets of the Old City and exploring its many charming plazas. Eventually, we reached the beautiful waterfront promenade and strolled around the peninsula, enjoying the views and the sea breeze.

    Later, we stopped at a tiny restaurant for tapas—delicious, as expected.

    After walking a bit more through the lively streets, we made our way back to the ship.    Read more

  • European Cruise 2025
    Mosque 🕌 grounds
    Inside the MosqueIn the basement of the Mosque, where the worshippers wash themself before praying.Rick's Cafe (not from the movie)The churchBazar

    Casablanca, Morocco

    November 11, 2025 in Morocco ⋅ ☀️ 59 °F

    My expectations of Casablanca were higher than what the city delivered, so I’ll focus on the best parts of our tour.

    Our first stop was the Hassan II Mosque, a truly impressive site. It is the second-largest functioning mosque in Africa and the 14th largest in the world. Its minaret, at 210 meters, is the tallest in Morocco and the second tallest in the world. Completed in 1993 at a cost of $800 million, the mosque is built on reclaimed land. It can accommodate up to 105,000 worshippers—25,000 inside the prayer hall and another 80,000 on the surrounding grounds.

    After visiting the mosque, we stopped at a local church. With less than 1% of Morocco’s population being Christian, the church was nearly empty.

    The tour continued through some wealthy neighborhoods, though it was difficult to fully appreciate them from the bus. We also stopped at a bazaar, though much of what was sold felt repetitive across the vendors.

    Finally, we returned to the shuttle area and headed back to the ship. The day ended on a high note with a very good dinner at Toscana, shared with a lovely couple we met—perfect way to conclude the day.    Read more

  • European Cruise 2025
    Beautiful beach on Atlantic Ocean

    Agadir, Morocco

    November 12, 2025 in Morocco ⋅ ⛅ 73 °F

    Agadir is a resort town where many French visitors spend their winters. The weather was beautiful, so we decided to enjoy a long walk along the Corniche, a seaside promenade. The stroll was ideal, with cafés and restaurants lining the beach, modern buildings to admire, and plenty of people-watching opportunities. What’s not to like?

    We walked a total of three miles. By noon, it had become quite hot, so we took a shuttle back to the ship, enjoyed lunch, and treated ourselves to a relaxing massage.

    We finished the day with a drink at the captain’s party—a perfect end to a leisurely day in Agadir.    Read more

  • European Cruise 2025
    SunsetWaiting for octopus 🐙It came

    #1 Las Palmas de Grand Canaries

    November 13, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F

    Today we were supposed to dock in Arrecife, Lanzarote, Canary Islands, but due to high winds, the ship could not dock in the morning. Instead, we proceeded to Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, and arrived around 1:00 PM for an overnight stay.

    When we disembarked, the wind was still strong, but the temperature was warm and pleasant. Our first stop was the Technological Museum. It’s not a huge museum, but it is very well designed, with some English explanations, and we enjoyed exploring it. Soon after, rain began to fall. Luckily, the Aquarium was nearby. As the largest aquarium in Europe, it provided a perfect refuge. The exhibits were fantastic—well-laid-out, not overwhelming, with a large variety of fish and aquatic plants.

    By the time we finished, it had grown quite cold, so we returned to the ship to layer up.

    In the evening, we walked to the promenade, enjoyed a nice dinner, and watched the sunset—checking off all the items on our plan. We returned to the ship around 8:00 PM, having walked a total of 23,000 steps that day.    Read more

  • European Cruise 2025
    Art Center
    Fountain in the ParkView from the Top of CathedralView from the TopInside of the CathedralMarina is Getting Fresh Paint

    #2 Las Palmas de Grand Canaries

    November 14, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 70 °F

    We left the ship at 9:00 AM and walked to the Hop-On Hop-Off bus. Our first stop was the Art Center overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, where we spent some time strolling around and enjoying the views. Next, we stopped at a park featuring an unusual fountain, before continuing to the Old Town to visit the Cathedral of Santa Ana.

    After exploring the old town, we had a very good lunch. Then Boris had a “brilliant” idea—to walk back to the ship instead of taking the bus. Only 5.5 km, but it was not the best way to sightsee. Nevertheless, we made it.

    After some rest, a shower, and a trivia game, we enjoyed a very pleasant dinner at the specialty restaurants. During trivia, we learned that our next planned stop would not be Funchal, Madeira, Portugal, due to high winds. Instead, we will be going to Arrecife, Lanzarote, Canary Islands—the port we had missed on November 13 .    Read more

  • European Cruise 2025
    Small fruit and vegetable marketCobblestone path to the fortress

    Arrecife, Lanzarote, Spain

    November 15, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 68 °F

    As the captain announced yesterday, instead of Funchal, Portugal, we docked in Arrecife. The city is small, with a pleasant Mediterranean-style promenade.

    We took a shuttle from the ship and were dropped in the city. Aside from shopping and restaurants, there wasn’t much to see. The walk was enjoyable, but by midday it had become quite hot, so we returned via shuttle to the ship.

    The rest of the day was spent relaxing by the pool—a perfect way to unwind after the morning walk.    Read more

  • European Cruise 2025
    Natural spring water, where women use to do their laundry.
    Coffee breakDriving thru cloudsTiny shrimp for lunchBlack sand beach

    Santa Cruz De La Palma, Spain

    November 16, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F

    When we disembarked today, we had no set plan. Just a few meters from the ship, we started talking to a taxi driver who, in Spanish, convinced us to take a three-hour tour with him.

    I wondered how we would communicate, since the driver spoke no English and we don’t speak much Spanish. But once we got into the car, he turned on Google Translate, and for the next three hours he became the best tour guide. He didn’t stop talking, telling us fascinating stories about the island.

    We drove along serpentine roads up to an elevation of 1.5 km. On some stretches, the two-way roads were barely wide enough for one car. We made a few stops along the way, each offering beautiful views. One side of the island is lush, with orange, banana, mango, and avocado trees. At the top, we visited a small village. The other side is dominated by pine forests, with many hiking trails.

    We stopped for a delicious coffee, then drove down to the area affected by the volcanic eruption of September 2021. Many people had to be relocated, but fortunately, there were no casualties.

    Finally, we asked to be dropped in Santa Cruz. We walked through the city for a few more hours, enjoyed a snack of small shrimps with a beer, and strolled along the beautiful black sand beach.

    The combination of perfect weather and the island’s stunning scenery made this day truly memorable.    Read more

  • European Cruise 2025
    Looks lake layers cakeNational coffee. Barraquito

    Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain

    November 17, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 55 °F

    Tenerife is the largest of Spain’s Canary Islands, located off the west coast of Africa, dominated by Mt. Teide, a dormant volcano and Spain’s tallest peak.

    Today we took a semi-private tour of the island. The drive was scenic, with stops at several beautiful locations for photos. We ascended to an elevation of 2 km, and the weather was perfect—so much so that we found ourselves literally above the clouds.

    During the tour, we stopped at a local restaurant and tried a Barraquito. This layered coffee drink is typical of the Canary Islands, made with sweetened condensed milk, Licor 43 (a Spanish liqueur), espresso, and frothed milk. It is usually garnished with a cinnamon stick or ground cinnamon and a twist of lemon peel. To drink it properly, you stir all the layers together. I can’t say I loved it, but it was interesting to try.

    By the end of the tour, we stopped in La Corona, a small town, for a brief walk around and lunch, before returning to the ship.    Read more

  • European Cruise 2025
    Topical island's terrain
    Few black sand beaches111Driving two way road

    De La Gomera, Spain

    November 18, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 64 °F

    La Gomera, the second-smallest of Spain’s main Canary Islands, welcomed us as our ship docked in the capital city, San Sebastián. The city itself is very small, and our main focus was exploring the island. About 90% of La Gomera lies underwater; only the mountainous 10% forms its land surface. There is no road circling the island—traveling from one coastal point to another requires crossing the mountains. The island’s population is roughly 22,000.

    La Gomera has a unique cultural feature: Silbo Gomero, a whistled language that replaces Spanish words with whistles. Developed centuries ago to communicate across the rugged terrain, it is now taught in schools and recognized by UNESCO as a protected cultural heritage.

    The drive through the island was nerve-wracking. Many roads are barely wide enough for one car, yet they handle two-way traffic. Along the way, we saw numerous terraces built to create flat surfaces for growing fruits and vegetables. Unfortunately, most of these terraces are no longer maintained, as labor costs are too high.

    We stopped for a few photo opportunities and visited the National Park’s information center. It featured a small but impressively curated museum and a botanical garden.

    Overall, it was a great tour. Tomorrow begins our five-day crossing of the Atlantic Ocean.    Read more

  • European Cruise 2025
    Little snack after snorkeling
    Beer on the beach

    Barbados

    November 24, 2025 in Barbados ⋅ 🌬 86 °F

    After 5 days at sea we arrived at 9:00 AM.
    I booked a combination tour of beach and shipwreck, turtle snorkeling.

    By 10:00AM we were on the beach. The sand, the water and the sun were perfect. At 11:15AM we boarded a small boat for our snorkeling trip. First stop was a shipwreck with lots of fish, the second stop we saw two turtles and big fish that looked like a small shark.

    After 90 min on the boat, we had more time on the beach. By 3:00PM we were back on the ship.    Read more

  • European Cruise 2025
    1

    Antigua

    November 25, 2025 in Antigua and Barbuda ⋅ ☁️ 82 °F

    I really wished we would dock in the morning. Morning is gentle. Morning is breezy. Morning is merciful.

    But no. We glided into Antigua at 11:00 AM—prime “let’s bake humans like pastries” hour. And as a bonus, three giant cruise ships were already there, probably unloading half the population of North America onto the island.

    We’ve been to Antigua before and even spent a week here, so we know the beaches are stunning—white, silky sand that feels like walking on sifted flour. But I was absolutely not interested in going to the beach in the afternoon with a thousand fellow sun-seekers. I like the beach; I do not like being sautéed.

    So instead, I made the most luxurious choice possible: a haircut on the ship. Followed by a lazy day at the pool, where the only heat I had to face was whether to sit in the sun or the shade (shade won, obviously).

    We did step onto land in the afternoon, but only for a brief moment before deciding, once again, that the heat was the real captain of this trip. Back to the ship we went.

    Tomorrow—Puerto Rico.
    Fingers crossed for a cooler welcome… or at least shade within sprinting distance.    Read more

  • European Cruise 2025
    Tasting Pina ColadaOld town San JuanWalk neat cruise ship port

    San Juan, Puerto Rico

    November 26, 2025 in Puerto Rico ⋅ ⛅ 84 °F

    This was our very first time in Puerto Rico. We arrived bright and early at 10:00 AM, ready to explore… or so we thought. Because it was our first U.S. port, we had to do the whole face-to-face customs thing. By the time we emerged, it was 11:30 AM and approximately the temperature of the sun.

    Walking? Beach? Outdoors??
    Absolutely not. We’re adventurous, but not melting-adventurous.

    Plan B: Uber straight to Barrachina—the legendary birthplace of the Piña Colada. If history demands we drink a Piña Colada, who are we to argue?

    Barrachina is a gorgeous indoor-outdoor restaurant in Old San Juan, where Don Ramón Portas Mingot allegedly invented the world’s most refreshing vacation beverage in 1963. Naturally, we honored his legacy by ordering one. For scientific purposes. Also some deep-fried food, because vacation calories don’t count (this is a scientific fact we personally believe).

    After hydrating responsibly with rum, we grabbed an Uber back to the port and attempted a small walk. Very small. Like… “we made it 50 steps and reconsidered all our life choices” small. The heat said “no,” and we agreed.

    That evening, we headed to Prevee, the ship’s private dining venue, for a group dinner with ten people. Old friends, new friends, great food—basically the opposite of the sweaty afternoon.

    Now we’ve got two more days at sea before we reach Miami.
    Plenty of time to recover from our heroic battle with Puerto Rican humidity.    Read more

  • European Cruise 2025
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    Last Sea Day

    November 28, 2025 on the Bahamas ⋅ 🌬 75 °F

    The Last Sea Day – Packing, Art, and the World’s Least Competitive Boat Contest

    The final sea day on the Marina was dedicated to the three great cruise traditions: packing, attending the art show, and of course… the boat competition.

    Well, “competition” is a generous word, considering there was exactly one boat entered. But honestly? With a boat like that, no one else even needed to try. This thing was a floating masterpiece. It had two elevators, a swimming pool, two saunas, portraits of the officers, and more tiny details than a luxury real-estate listing. The floor was even made out of wine corks—eco-friendly and classy.

    If ships had LinkedIn pages, this little boat would have been endorsed for “architecture,” “engineering,” and “dramatic flair.”

    Between admiring miniature maritime engineering and trying to squeeze our belongings back into the same suitcases they magically escaped from, the day sailed by.

    Sadly, tomorrow we fly home.
    But honestly…it’s time. Even paradise eventually calls for laundry.    Read more

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