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Next Trip:
Budapest to Prague
July 5-18, 2026
Miami to Barcelona
April 5 -26, 2026
Day 1, Sunday April 5, 2026
Start: Home
End: The Betsy South Beach, Miami Beach, FL
Details:
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Wake up: 2:30 AM
Private Transportation from home to airport, 73 miles (1 hr 30 min)
American Airlines Filght 1259, Boston (BOS) to Miami (MIA), 1258 Miles (3 hrs 45 min)
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Uber from Miami International Airport to Miami Beach, 12.6 miles
Weather: Sunny, High 77 F, Low 74 F.
Major Highlights: After 5 weeks of New England weather, it was nice to get warm, see trees with leaves, and grass that's green.
The Betsy Hotel
South Beach, Miami, Florida
South Beach, Miami, Florida
South Beach, Miami, Florida with cruise ship leaving Port of Miami in background.
Former home/mansion of Italian fashion designer Gianni Versace. He was murdered in 1997 by a serial killer on the steps as he was coming back home from getting his morning coffee.
Cuban food for dinner. I had Ropa Viejo which litterally translates to 'old clothes'. Slow cooked beef with tomatoes, onions, and spices.
Pam had a Cuban chicken sandwich.
The 'Orb' at the Betsy Hotel. We walk through the center of it to get from one building to the next.
Video of the 'Orb' at night.
Day 2, Monday, April 6, 2026
South Beach, Miami, Florida
Weather: Sunny, High 78 F, Low 74 F.
Major Highlights: A boring but relaxing day sitting on a lounge chair at South Beach.
South Beach, Miami Florida
South Beach, Miami has the usually airplanes fly up and down the beach towing advertising banners.
However, the also have something I haven't seen before and that is a barge cruising up/down the coast just off the beach. It has a large TV screen with advertisements.
Ocean Boulevard, South Beach,
Miami Florida
A 'pimped out' Chevy Impala,
South Beach, Miami Florida.
Lots of exoctic cars can be seen Ocean Boulevard. We've seen Lamborghini's, Aston Martin's, Ferrari's, Rolls Royce's and many modified Corvette's such as this one.
Another 'pimped out' Chevy Impala,
Day 3, Tuesday, April 7, 2026
Embarkation Oceania Marina
Weather: Cloudy with sprinkles, High 75F, Low 71 F.
Early morning walk on the beach.
Oceania Marina.
Leaving the Port of Miami at night.
Day 4, Wednesday, April 8, 2026
At sea
Next Port: San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA
Distance sailed since Miami (as of 8 AM):
191.2 nm (219.9 statue miles)
Weather: Sunny, High 77 F, Low 75 F, Waves < 1 foot
Please note that our next port was scheduled to be Bermuda. Before we even left the Port of Miami, the captain canceled that stop because of forecast high winds and seas between Miami and Bermuda. We are disapointed to miss Bermuda. Pam and I honeymooned there 42+ years ago and we were looking forward to going back. Bermuda was the main reason we booked this cruise.... Oh well.... We will now have to make a separate trip to Bermuda.
Otherwsise, major highlights for the day: Axe throwing contest, team trivia, mini golf, and a lecture on Espinoage & Spies, by Dr. Linda Saboe.
Day 5, Thursday, April 9, 2026
At sea
Next Port: San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA
Distance sailed since Miami (as of 8 AM):
584.5 nm (672.2 statue miles)
Weather: Sunny, High 80 F, Low 79 F.
Major Highlights: Ax throwing contest, team trivia, mini golf and a lecture on Pirates of the Caribbean by Dean Allen
Day 6, Friday, April 10, 2026
San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA
Distance sailed since Miami (as of 8 AM):
943.5 nm (1085.0 statue miles)
Weather: Sunny, High 89 F, Low 74 F.
Major Highlights: Walking tour of Old San Juan.
The port of San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Our ship, the Oceania Marina.
The cathedral of San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The oldest part of the cathedral, dating to the late 1500's
The tomb of Juan Ponce de León.
Ponce de León was a Spanish explorer and conquistador known for leading the first official European expeditions to Puerto Rico in 1508 and Florida in 1513.
Part of the old wall suronding Old San Juan.
Castillo San Felipe del Morro, commonly known as El Morro. A large fortress and citadel in the Old San Juan
Saw action in the Spanish American War in 1898. Ans was an active militray base in both World Wars.
El Morro fortress.
El Morro fortress.
El Morro fortress.
Leaving San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Day 7, Saturday, April 11, 2026
At sea
Next Port: Funchal (Madeira), Portugal
Distance sailed since San Juan (as of 8 AM):
225.4 nm (259.2 statue miles)
Total distance sailed (as of 8 AM):
1167.9 nm (1343.1 statue miles)
Distance to Funchal (Madeira), Portugal:
2556.1 nm (2939.5 statue miles)
Weather: Sunny, High 80 F, Low 79 F.
Major Highlights: A talk on the Invictus Games and a talk of by a former CIA agent on espinoage, deception, and disguise.
Day 8, Sunday, April 12, 2026
At sea
Approximate Location (as of 8 AM):
23° 20' N, 55° 41' W
Next Port: Funchal (Madeira), Portugal
Distance sailed since San Juan (as of 8 AM):
640.6 nm (736.7 statue miles)
Total distance sailed (as of 8 AM):
1583.2 nm (1820.7 statue miles)
Distance to Funchal (Madeira), Portugal:
2138.0 nm (2458.7 statue miles)
Weather: Sunny, High 76 F, Low 73 F.
Major Highlights: Competition between the ship's officers and guests in Mini Golf, Ping Pong, Axe Throwing, etc. A talk on 'How the British Empire Was Won' by Dr. Dean Allen and a 'Virtual tour of the CIA' by Dr. Linda Saboe.
Our room.
Day 9, Monday, April 13, 2026
At sea
Approximate Location (as of 8 AM):
26° 01' N, 48° 33' W
Next Port: Funchal (Madeira), Portugal
Distance sailed since San Juan (as of 8 AM):
1074.4 nm (1235.6 statue miles)
Total distance sailed (as of 8 AM):
2017.0 nm (2319.6 statue miles)
Distance to Funchal (Madeira), Portugal:
1702.4 nm (1957.8 statue miles)
Weather: Sunny, High 73 F, Low 71 F.
Major Highlights: A cooking class for Pam. Talks by Dr. Dean Allen on 'A History of Slavery across the Oceans' and Dr Linda Saboe on 'Spy Gadgets and Life Saving Spin-Offs'.
Day 10, Tuesday, April 14, 2026
At sea
Approximate Location (as of 8 AM):
28° 20' N, 41° 05' W
Next Port: Funchal (Madeira), Portugal
Distance sailed since San Juan (as of 8 AM):
1497.4 nm (1722.0 statue miles)
Total distance sailed (as of 8 AM):
2440.0 nm (2806.0 statue miles)
Distance to Funchal (Madeira), Portugal:
1279.4 nm (1471.3 statue miles)
Weather: Partly Cloudy, High 69 F, Low 68 F.
Major Highlights: Talks by Dr. Dean Allen on 'Colonizing Africa' and Dr Linda Saboe on 'Women Spies'.
Day 11, Wednesday, April 15, 2026
At sea
Approximate Location (as of 8 AM):
30° 19' N, 32° 56' W
Next Port: Funchal (Madeira), Portugal
Distance sailed since San Juan (as of 8 AM):
1942.4 nm (2233.8 statue miles)
Total distance sailed (as of 8 AM):
2885.0 nm (3317.8 statue miles)
Distance to Funchal (Madeira), Portugal:
836.8 nm (962.3 statue miles)
Weather: Partly Cloudy, Noticeably Cooler, High 65 F, Low 64 F.
Major Highlights: Country Fair (Games for Prizes). Talks by Dr. Dean Allen on 'St. Helna' and Dr Linda Saboe on 'The most Daring Feast of Espionage'.
Day 12, Thursday, April 16, 2026
At sea
Approximate Location (as of 8 AM):
31° 40' N, 25° 15' W
Next Port: Funchal (Madeira), Portugal
Distance sailed since San Juan (as of 8 AM):
2350.4 nm (2703.0 statue miles)
Total distance sailed (as of 8 AM):
3293.0 nm (3787.9 statue miles)
Distance to Funchal (Madeira), Portugal:
433.4 nm (498.4 statue miles)
Weather: Overcast, High 64 F, Low 63 F.
Major Highlights: Talks by Dr. Dean Allen on 'The Golden Age of Portuguese Exploration' and Dr Linda Saboe on 'Five Eyes and Spies'.
Dinner at Toscana, the onboard Italian restaurant.
A 'first' of tortelloni with marinara sauce.
A 'secondi' of filet mignon.
Chocolate brownie for dessert.
Key lime pie.
Day 13, Friday, April 17, 2026
Funchal (Madeira), Portugal
Approximate Location (as of 8 AM):
32° 39' N, 16° 54' W
Distance sailed since San Juan (as of 8 AM):
2782.8 nm (3200.2 statue miles)
Total distance sailed (as of 8 AM):
3726.30 nm (4285.2 statue miles)
Weather: Partly Cloudy, High 69 F, Low 61 F.
Major Highlights: Tour of Madeira, Portugal
We were surprised by how nice Madeira was. Clean, neat, and modern. Lush tropical gardens. Great weather. Never to hot. Never to cold. We wouldn't mind coming back and spending a few days.
The port of Funchal, Madeira as we are coming in to dock.
The port of Funchal, Madeira as we are coming in to dock.
The fishing village of Câmara de Lobos.
The fishing village of Câmara de Lobos.
The fishing village of Câmara de Lobos.
The bay of Câmara de Lobos.
Atop Cabo Girão a 580 meter high (1902 feet straight down) sea cliff. Highest sea cliff in the Europe, and one the highest in the world.
A canyon on the north coast of Madeira.
Lunch was Espada com banana (Black Scabbardfish with banana). It was excellent.
The northwest coast town of Porto Moniz.
The volcanic coast near Porto Moniz.
Porto Moniz lighthouse.
Lighthouse and natural swimming pools formed by lava.
Porto Moniz, Madeira
Porto Moniz from above.
Porto Moniz from above.
Porto Moniz from above.
Madeira vineyards.
Day 14, Saturday, April 18, 2026
At sea
Next Port: Gibraltar, United Kingdom
Distance sailed since Funchal (Madeira), Portugal (as of 8 AM):
225.0 nm (258.8 statue miles)
Total distance sailed (as of 8 AM):
3007.8 nm (3459.0 statue miles)
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Weather: Sunny, Low F, High F.
Major Highlights: Ax throwing contest, team trivia, and mini golf.
Day 15, Sunday, April 19, 2026
Gibraltar, United Kingdom
Approximate Location (as of 8 AM):
36° 09' N, 5° 22' W
Distance sailed since Funchal (Madeira), Portugal (as of 8 AM):
619.2 nm (712.1 statue miles)
Total distance sailed (as of 8 AM):
4345.1 nm (4996.9 statue miles)
Weather: Sunny, High 64, Low 61 F.
Major Highlights: Tour of the Rock of Gibraltar
The Strait of Gibraltar. Spain is on the right. The mountain in the distance is Morocco on the continent of Africa.
The rock of Gibraltar.
Europa Point Lighthouse at the southernmost point of Gibraltar.
O'Hara's Battery. The highest point on the Rock of Gibraltar
The left foreground is Ibrahim-al-Ibrahim mosque.
The Bay of Gibraltar.
St. Michael's cave.
St. Michael's cave.
Barbary Macaque (Monkey)
Barbary Macaque (Monkey)
Barbary Macaque (Monkey)
Barbary Macaque (Monkey)
Barbary Macaque (Monkey)
Tunnels dug inside the rock in defense of Gibraltar. Some tunnels (including this one ) are over 200 years old. Used in 'The Great Siege of Gibraltar', WWI and WWII.
St. George's Hall used in 'The Great Siege of Gilbratar'.
St. George's Hall.
View of 'The Rock'.
View of Gibraltar with our cruise ship in the background.
Moorish Castle. Dates to the 8th century.
Gibraltar airport as seen from 'The Rock'. Gibraltar airport is unique in that it has a major road that crosses the runway. It used to be that, when planes were coming in, they would close the road and clear the runway. Once the planes land they opened the road back up and let cars and pedestrians pass.
About 10 years ago, they built a tunnel under the airport for cars. However, pedesterians still walk from Spain to Gibraltar by crossing the runway.
A closer view of the road crossing the runway.
Spain is on the far side of the runway.
Pedestrians crossing the runway.
Day 16, Monday, April 20, 2026
Cartagena, Spain
Approximate Location (as of 8 AM):
37° 36' N, 0° 59' W
Distance sailed since Gilbraltar (as of 8 AM):
252.1 nm (289.9 statue miles)
Total distance sailed (as of 8 AM):
4597.2 nm (5286.8 statue miles)
Weather: Sunny, High 74 F, Low 54 F.
Major Highlights: Walking tour of Cartagena, Spain
Cartagena, Spain. Cartagena is a port city and naval base in southeast Spain. Founded by the Carthaginians around 220 B.C., the city was big during the Roman period.
City hall Cartagena, Spain.
Calle Mayor (Main Street) Cartagena, Spain. Marble sidewalks.
Gran Hotel, Cartagena, Spain.
Roman ruins.
Remains of roman colsiuem. Cartagena, Spain.
Roman ampitheater.
View of Cartagena Bay, Spain from Conception Castle.
Leaving Cartagena, Spain.
Leaving Cartagena, Spain.
Day 17, Tuesday, April 21, 2026
Barcelona, Spain
Disembarkation
Approximate Location:
41° 22' N, 2° 11' W
Distance sailed since Cartagena, Spain:
279.0 nm (320.8 statue miles)
Total distance sailed:
4868.0 nm (5598.2 statue miles)
Weather: Sunny, 72 High F, Low 55 F.
Major Highlights: Wandering old town Barcelona, checking into hotel. It is easy to get lost in the narrow maze of streets in old town Barcelona.
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Hotel: Majestic Hotel & Spa Barcelona
Barcelona city hall.
Old town Barcelona.
Old town Barcelona.
Old town Barcelona.
La Boqueria. A large, open air, food/grocoery market.
La Boqueria.
La Boqueria.
La Boqueria.
La Boqueria. Espada or Black Scabbardfish. What we had for lunch in Maderia. An ugly fish with lots of sharp teeth, but very tasty.
Plaça Reial. A lpalm-lined square featuring Gaudí designed street lamps. Gaudi being a famous Barcelona architect who designed the famous Sagrada Família basilica.
Barcelona Cathedral.
Hotel Majestic.
Day 18, Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Barcelona, Spain
Weather: Sunny, High 70 F, Low 57° F.
Major Highlights: Tour of Barcelona
View of Barcelona from Montjuïc Mountain in Parc de Montjuic.
View of Barcelona from Montjuïc Mountain in Parc de Montjuic.
View of Sagrada Familia Basillica from Montjuïc Mountain in Parc de Montjuic
The Arc de Triomf in Barcelona. Was the main entrance to the 1888 World’s Fair.
Barcelona Cathedral, Old Town, Barcelona.
Barcelona Cathedral, Old Town, Barcelona.
Pont del Bisbe or Bishop’s Bridge.
Roman aqueduct.
Old town Barcelona.
Mail slot, old town Barcelona.
Basílica de Santa Maria del Mar.
Sagrada Familia Basillica.
The largest unfinished Catholic church in the world.
The tallest church in the world.
Sagrada Familia Basillica.
Nativity façade.
Sagrada Familia Basillica.
Nativity façade.
Sagrada Familia Basillica.
Sagrada Familia Basillica.
The many columns, and the way they branch out at the top, makes it feel like you are in a forest, with the sunlight peeking out at the top.
Sagrada Familia Basillica.
Sagrada Familia Basillica.
Stained glass window.
Sagrada Familia Basillica.
Passion Facade.
Sagrada Familia Basillica.
Passion Facade.
The Sagrada Familia Basillica is full of symbolisim. From the height of the various towers, to things being grouped in threes.
In the case of this Sudoku like grid. All the rows, columns, and diagonals add up to 33. The age of Jesus when he died.
Barcelona from Park Güell.
Gingerbread houses in Park Güell.
Park Güell, Barcelona, Spain.
Park Güell, Barcelona, Spain.
Park Güell, Barcelona, Spain.
Park Güell, Barcelona, Spain.
Day 19, Thursday, April 23, 2026
Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona Weather: Sunny, High 69 F, Low 53° F.
Montserrat Weather: Sunny, High 69 F, Low 53° F.
Major Highlights: Excursion to Montserrat
Llopart winery with Montserrat in the background.
Llopart winery.
Llopart winery.
Approach to Montserrat abbey.
Montserrat abbey is of the Order of Saint Benedict and was founded in 1025.
A gate to Montserrat dating to 1565.
Facade of the church. It is classified as a minor basilica.
Church interior.
Church interior.
Our Lady of Montserrat or the Virgin of Montserrat, a statue of the Madonna and child. Miracles have been attributed to the statue. Pope Leo XIII granted the image a canonical coronation on September 11, 1881.
The statues is probably between 800 and 900 years old. The hands and face of the statue were originally blond, but due to prolonged exposure to candle smoke and varnish, have turned black.
The Virgin of Montserrat.
Montserrat from above.
Montserrat from above.
Montserrat.
View from atop Montserrat.
Day 20, Friday, April 24, 2026
Andorra, France, and Spain
Barcelona Weather: Sunny, High 66 F, Low 57° F.
Andorra Weather: Sunny, High 73 F, Low 49° F.
Major Highlights: Excursion to Andorra, France, and Spain
Bagà, Spain.
Bagà, Spain.
Bagà, Spain.
Bagà, Spain.
Bagà, Spain.
Abandoned church.
Latour-de-Carol, France.
Latour-de-Carol, France.
Latour-de-Carol, France.
Latour-de-Carol, France.
Stairs to church in Latour-de-Carol, France.
Church, Latour-de-Carol, France.
Church, Latour-de-Carol, France.
View of the Pyrenees mountains from Latour-de-Carol, France.
View of the Pyrenees mountains from Latour-de-Carol, France.
Entering Andorra. Border station on road. Pyrenees mountains in background.
Pyrenees mountains.
Pyrenees mountains.
Pyrenees mountains.
Pyrenees mountains.
Main street, Andorra la Vella, the capital of Andorra.
Artwork, Andorra la Vella.
Old town, Andorra la Vella.
Old town, Andorra la Vella.
The crest has two cows in it.
Day 21, Saturday, April 25, 2026
Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona Weather: Sunny, High 65 F, Low 55° F.
Major Highlights: Casa Batlló, Dinner at Els Quatre Gats or 'The Four Cats'. The Four Cats is where Picasso displayed his work.
Casa Batlló. It was designed by Antoni Gaudí, who also designed the Sagrada Familia Basillica.
'The Four Cats'. A popular meeting place for artists in the early 20th century. The Four Cats is where Picasso displayed his work.
Day 22, Sunday April 26, 2026
Home
Details:
Uber/Taxi from hotel to airport, 13.3 km (8.4 miles)
Delta Airlines Filght 129, Barcelona (BCN) to New York - Kennedy (JFK), 3822 Miles (9 hrs 3 min)
Delta Airlines Filght 2639, New York - Kennedy (JFK) to Boston (BOS), 186 Miles (1 hr 32 min)
Private Transportation from home to airport, 73 miles (1 hr 30 min)
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