Transatlantic Journaling Cruise: Six Ports, Four Countries, Three Continents...

Our fifteen day cruise begins in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. A two night pre-cruise package is available for anyone wishing to see a bit of Rio before boarding the ship.

Insignia departs from Rio de Janeiro Brazil and journeys north along the Atlantic Coast of Brazil. Rio was the capital of Brazil for almost 200 years, ceding the title to Sao Paulo in the early sixties. It’s known for the contrast of sparkling turquoise waters and the white sand beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana. The imposing Image of Christ the Redeemer, one of the newly named Modern Seven Wonders of the World, looks down from Corcovado and is visible from just about anywhere in the city. You may want to consider coming a day or two early to tour this unique city before our cruise departs. Later this evening we will join a hosted cocktail reception to meet other members of our group.

Our second day from Rio is a sea day. We’ll use this time to kick off our journaling classes with an introductory lecture.

Our second stop on this sailing is the city of Salvador, also known as Bahia. Salvador, situated on a peninsula with the Atlantic on one side, and All Saints Bay on the other, has an active nightlife and club scene, as well as numerous outstanding restaurants.

With a history of European settlement dating back over 500 years, its architecture is exceptional. The ship remains docked until the wee hours, providing for a sightseeing time and evening opportunities.

Recife, Brazil is our final stop in South America before beginning our journey across the Atlantic. Recife boasts an entire shoreline of beautiful beaches and vibrant coral reefs. The water is exceptionally clear, making it one of the great scuba destinations on the coast.

We’ve got a few days to relax, and to experience the amenities and services Oceania provides to its guests. We’ll have a series of class sessions which will continue as the cruise progresses. During these three days at sea, we will cross the equator, which is celebrated aboard ship for first-timers.

Our next port of call is Porto Grande in Cape Verde, an independent republic off the western coast of Africa. A Portuguese colony for over 500 years, the islands broke away from Portugal in 1975. Portuguese is the official language, though Cape Verde Creole is the mother tongue of most of the inhabitants. The islands are just opening up to tourism, featuring a mix of heritage from its closest neighbors Senegal and Brazil.

Following another two days at sea and two more writing sessions, we arrive in Agadir Morocco for the day. Agadir is a resort city on the coast that experienced much rebuilding following a devastating earthquake in 1960. Visit the 16th-century Kasbah atop the hill with its expansive views over the Atlantic, the new city and the beaches. Visit a Berber village and stroll through its alleys and browse in its souks. Or head off towards the Souss Valley with the Atlas Mountains as a backdrop to another ancient fortress town.

After leaving Morocco, we continue cruising up the coast of North Africa, followed by a transit of the Straits of Gibraltar. We arrive in Barcelona early in the morning our 16th day of the cruise. Guests will either travel to the airport for flights home, or stay over a day or two to experience the city of Barcelona and Catalonia.

Barcelona is a charming city, worthy of at least two days exploration. Stay in the old section of town, close to night life and restaurants. We’ll be arriving the Saturday prior to Easter Sunday, a very busy and fascinating time to visit Barcelona. Be sure to visit Antonio Gaudi’s unfinished Sagrada Familia. If you get tired of the city, journey out of town to the coastal communities of the Costa Brava or visit the Benedictine abbey in Montserrat, not too far our of town.

Visiting three continents in a little over two weeks is hard to beat. You cannot help getting inspired to write with ports of call of this variety.

Updated: Tuesday, April 29, 2008