14-night West Indies to Iberia Cruise

Arrive in Barcelona and step onboard your ship. Settle in to your veranda stateroom and explore. As we remain in port until the afternoon, you may have time to see some of Barcelona's sights. The vibrant Las Ramblas boulevard is just 25 minutes away.,

Valencia is steeped in 2,000 years of history and culture. Its Old Town is one of Spain's largest, a diverse medley of ancient buildings, wide-open plazas, and cultural monuments. The Gothic Silk Exchange, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, bears witness to Valencia's Renaissance trading power. A literal taste of Valencia's past bubbles up in every skillet of paella. The centuries-old rice dish was invented here and perfected by farmers; barracas throughout the city offer demonstrations and tastings of this famously rustic cuisine.,

Sail the gateway between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. Its defining landmark, the soaring Rock of Gibraltar, was one of the Pillars of Hercules of ancient myth. As you sail, explore our well-curated library, tucked in a private alcove of The Living Room, and select from a broad range of titles. Read a book by the Main Pool, a calming oasis in any weather with its retractable roof, allowing for year-round swimming.,

Cruising

At today's port, you will have a rare chance to explore what many considered the gateway to the New World throughout the 15th and 16th centuries. The port of Cádiz offers a wealth of treasures. On an included tour, follow passageways into elaborate plazas, from the Plaza de San Antonio de Padua and Plaza de España to the Plaza de Mina. Stop at the Torre Tavira, once a lookout for merchants, and marvel at the city's gold-domed Baroque cathedral. Alternatively, explore the colorful city of Seville, where a grand cathedral, Giralda tower, and the Alcázar palace were built by the wealth of Spanish kings. Spend free time sipping sherry at a bodega or shopping for local wares.,

Steeped in romance, Casablanca lures visitors with its heady mix of neo-Moorish splendor and French influence. Known as "Casa" to locals, its streets exude an atmosphere of bygone days. Made famous by the 1942 eponymous film, today it is one of Africa's most important ports. Parisian-style boulevards unfold past cafés and colonial buildings. Perhaps the most prominent legacy of French occupation is the massive white Casablanca Cathedral, a neo-Moorish masterwork built in 1930 for European Roman Catholics. The city's medina is a maze of warrens pulsing with old-world energy, the hollers of carpet merchants, and the fragrance of incense. The most impressive structure is the Hassan II Mosque, the country's largest and most magnificent.,

Begin your day with coffee and a real Norwegian waffle at Mamsen's gourmet deli. Later, perhaps you will swim in the Infinity Pool or mingle with newfound friends over tea in the Wintergarden. This evening, enjoy soft piano music in the Living Room or lively jazz in Torshavn.,

The island of Madeira is an enchanting Atlantic paradise. Known as the "Garden Island" for its rich agriculture, terraced hillsides, and beautiful flowers, it maintains a temperate year-round climate. The island's irrigation aqueducts, or levadas, were dug into the hillsides so that early farmers could make use of every patch of land. One of the island's most prolific crops that has long been fed by levadas is grapes, which produce four types of Madeira wine popular around the world. In the capital and port city of Funchal, the picturesque Old Town is best explored on foot.,

Madeira has been described as "Island of Eternal Spring". It is renowned for its wine, which many feel ranks among the world’s best. Funchal has a wide selection of resort hotels where watersports, golf and tennis are popular. Visitors can tour the 15th-century cathedral, orchid gardens of Quinta das Cruzes, and buildings associated with Christopher Columbus. Madeira’s discoverer, Zarco, is believed to have lived in the house Quinta das Cruzes. Now it displays furniture and paintings and is surrounded by fabulous gardens. The stunning 15th-century design of Sé Cathedral features white stucco with contrasting black basalt and red tufa rock; the ceiling is inlaid with ivory. Located near Town Hall, the Museum of Sacred Art contains art from several islands, including a group of 15th- and 16th-century paintings of Portuguese and Flemish schools. Visit colorful Mercado dos Lavradores during the morning to see flower vendors and fish and produce stands.

As you sail westward into the Atlantic, take advantage of the many amenities of your ship. You might find your inner calm with yoga on the Sports Deck. Lounge by the Main Pool with its retractable roof and enjoy a cocktail at the Aquavit Bar.,

St. Martin is a fascinating mix of France and Holland as the island has been shared by the two nations since 1648. The early economy relied on cotton, tobacco, salt, and sugar. A large salt pond remains, once harvested by the Dutch East India Company for trade. Today, the Dutch side of the island, anchored by its capital, Philipsburg, is dotted with resorts and casinos. The renowned Rotary Lookout Point offers stunning panoramic views of the Simpson Bay Lagoon and surrounding islands. Further north, the 1.5-mile swath of white sand at Orient Beach is ideal for sunbathing.,

San Juan is a city of white-sand beaches, lush rainforests, and inspiring Spanish colonial architecture. Compact and elegantly planned, Old San Juan spans the centuries. El Morro fortress has been standing watch over San Juan Bay since the 16th century and its formidable cannons peer out to sea. The streets of the centuries-old UNESCO World Heritage Site are paved with steel-blue adoquín stone, used to ballast the Spanish galleons that brought settlers here. These colorful, narrow byways lead to picturesque multihued façades and townhouses with neoclassical balconies. After breakfast, disembark your ship and journey home.,