Transatlantic Cruise on Marina from Lisbon to Miami

We’ve completed more than a dozen transatlantic cruises over the past 15 years, all but one of them on Oceania ships (repositioning cruises being traditionally cost-effective), and we still look forward to a crossing.

In Lisbon, we stayed at the Emerald House Hotel, a Hilton Curio property, an elegant place with rooms that were relative bargains on Hilton Points, as opposed to cash.

Fairly small European-style rooms…

We’re currently docked at Funchal, Madeira, starting Day 3 of our 12-day cruise from Lisbon to Miami, and heading off on some kind of food tour in a couple of hours. Here’s a view from the bridge-cam in our room.

It was an interesting couple of days getting here, as Kathy caught a nasty 24-hour flu as we traveled from Porto to Lisbon, with Brian being hit with the same virus a few hours later. No photos, please! Our traveling companions were patient and sympathetic, not that they had a choice.

We’re feeling much better and nobody else in our party caught it, so all is well.

The first 36 hours of cruising have been somewhat bumpy but Meclizine (Bonine), our anti-seasickness drug of choice, has helped us to enjoy life aboard, including the generally excellent food.

We met up with our Toronto cruiser friends, Bud and Jessie, and enjoyed drinks at the Captain’s Party and dinner for seven in the Main Dining Room. They’ve recently battled some health issues and it was great to see them looking  so well and enjoying another cruise.

Our cruise is off to a good start. Clean laundry helps!