The first leg of this cruise had two sea days. We needed them after an intense time in Barcelona and two very hot port days. I think they were created to give us a break more than from the necessity of travel. Between Alicante and Malaga, we traveled at 9 knots, between Tangier and Lisbon at 7. Usually, we cruise around 12 to 16, sometimes faster. Had we left Alicante at 5 PM as scheduled instead of 11 PM I don’t know how slowly we would have gone. Perhaps the same because we stood off Malaga for a bit before we cruised into the port.
Sea days are a time to relax, attend lectures and enjoy life at a slower pace, if you choose. If you don’t choose the staff has a lot for you to do. On both sea days I had time to walk some laps around the promenade deck and sit out and read. I think I got my love of sea days from my Grandfather, who came to the United States as a steward on White Star Lines. He took me on ocean voyages, not cruises, but point to point, to Europe and back and to Bermuda. Sea days bring back those meories.
On our first sea day the classical duo played Rachmaninoff Sonata for Cello and Piano, a favorite.
Then it was the Orange Party, a celebration of Holland America’s Dutch Heritage and a feature of every cruise.
Even the sunset seemed to follow the Orange Party theme.
On the second Sea Day we had a wine tasting, as well as lectures and down time to read.
On the second leg we will have 5 sea days, one of which will be dedicated to the Solar Eclipse.
