Transatlantic 2026 – The Start

The author reflects on the joys of cruising aboard the Nieuw Statendam, emphasizing the familiar comfort and sense of community experienced on board. They recall cherished memories from past trips and reconnect with old friends while celebrating Easter. The journey symbolizes the continuation of their travel story, driven by the ocean’s allure.

Lisbon, Portugal 4/28/25

Today, we met our son-in-law’s parents in Portugal while on a cruise. After navigating a city-wide power outage during lunch, we enjoyed city exploration and gifts exchanged. Despite delays due to the outage, we returned to the ship before departure. Tomorrow, we arrive in Tangiers with time constraints.

Alicante, Spain 4/26/25

Alicante, rich in history spanning over 7,000 years, transitioned from prehistoric settlements to a vibrant Mediterranean port under various civilizations. Today’s excursion revealed the charming Old Town, Baroque Cathedral, and storied Castle of Santa Barbara. Experiencing local culture, including Las Hogueras de San Juan, enriched our visit before heading to Lisbon.

Arrecife, Lanzarote, Canary Islands 4/8/25

Arrecife, the capital of Lanzarote in the Canary Islands, has a rich and layered history that blends maritime significance, piracy, volcanic activity, and cultural evolution. Lancelotto Malocello, an Italian navigator, is credited with rediscovering the island for Europe in 1312, giving his name to Lanzarote. The Norman nobleman Jean de Béthencourt led the Spanish conquest…