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Exploring the Major Ports on the Baltic Sea

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 I booked my first cruise around the Baltic Sea for the summer of 2020, but, as many no doubt remember, that was the first summer of the Covid pandemic and all such trips were cancelled.  One of the most interesting ports on that aborted itinerary was to have been two days in St. Petersburg, Russia with opportunities to visit some of the Czar’s palaces and the Hermitage Museum, reputed to be one of the most beautiful art galleries in the world.  I missed the opportunity since travel to Russia has been off limits since the invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent lengthy war.  However, Scott and I did find a Baltic cruise itinerary on a ship we liked --without a stop to visit St. Petersburg—for the summer of 2025.  We spent three days in Stockholm before boarding our ship, the Silver Spirit, and stayed for a couple of days in Copenhagen after disembarking. Some views of the Baltic Sea, our ship the Silver Spirit, and our veranda stateroom Although we couldn’t visit...
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Choosing a Cruise Line

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Seven years ago I took my first cruise, reluctantly, but all it took was that one experience to whet my appetite for more.  Since that first adventure on the seas, I have taken fifteen more ocean cruises and two river ones, for a total of over three hundred days now spent on ships.  And, we already have another five booked to sail within the next fifteen months!  Several friends have asked recently for suggestions of which ships and itineraries they might think about booking.  So, I am writing this post to provide my responses to that question.  I will begin with a caveat:   I have not sailed on the popular, big cruise ships like Norwegian or Royal Caribbean.   These may be great options for those with a limited budget or children, but I have no interest in trying them.   I have not sailed on ships that cater to families with children, like Disney, although I have heard good things about them.   I have also heard positive things from friend...
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Visiting Islands in the Atlantic Off the Coast of Africa

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 Western history tells of the explorations and “discovery” of new worlds by the Portuguese, Spanish, English, and Dutch.  Many of the modern nations in the Americas and Africa were at one time or another occupied and controlled by one of these explorer nations.  A decree by Pope Alexander VI in 1494, in negotiations with Spain and Portugal, divided the world by establishing a line of demarcation approximately 370 miles (600 km) west of the Cape Verde Islands.  Spain was given the right to control lands west of the line, including the Americas, while Portugal could conquer the lands east of the line, including parts of Africa and Asia.   In 1506 the line of demarcation was moved farther west so that Portugal could lay claim to what is now Brazil.  Many of the nations I visited on the Grand Voyage I am currently undertaking speak either Spanish or Portuguese, depending on which country colonized them. Nearing Africa, our cruise ship (Oceania’s Marina) ...
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