Our European Cruise Journey-London to the Islands

 

I was nervous flying overseas since this was my first time. All of the planning definitely paid off, though. The Belgrave Hotel was a great location, a little off the main London touristy area, yet close enough to a train station that we could easily walk there. The rooms were comfortable, and the bar and restaurant downstairs were wonderful. There were also several great dinner options within walking distance, which made our first nights in London relaxing and easy.

We decided to have a private driver take us from London to Southampton because we did not want to lug our luggage onto a train or bus, and that worked out perfectly. We stayed at the White Star Tavern, a fun spot with live music and a cozy restaurant and bar below the rooms. As a bit of history, the Titanic was part of the White Star Line, and this very inn was where some guests stayed before boarding in 1912. You could feel a sense of nostalgia in the air.

The next morning, we caught a taxi to the port, and seeing our ship for the first time did not disappoint. We had chosen this cruise for a special reason. My husband’s grandfather grew up in Madeira, and we wanted to explore a little family history along the way. We were also joined by my husband's brother and his wife. Sharing this experience with family was a highlight for sure.

Ports of Call Highlights

Our first two stops were Lisbon and Porto. Both cities were more crowded than we expected, but that is easy to overlook when you are surrounded by so much charm. In Porto, we enjoyed a scenic Douro River cruise and a guided city tour. The colorful waterfront views were incredible. From Lisbon, we ventured out to Sintra, with its fairy-tale palaces, and then on to Cascais, a lovely seaside town that felt worlds away from the city bustle. Of course, we could not leave without trying the famous and oh-so-tasty Pastel de Belém and Pastel de Nata, washed down with a little Port wine.

Next came the Canary Islands, Gran Canaria and Tenerife. We had been told that each island has its own unique character, and that could not be more true. In Gran Canaria, our ship was the very first to dock at the brand-new port, and they celebrated with free food, drinks, and local entertainment. We spent time in Las Palmas’ Old Town, wandering its cobblestone streets lined with colorful colonial-style buildings and charming cafés.

In Tenerife, we spent the day at Las Teresitas Beach, where golden sand meets rugged mountains in a picture-perfect contrast. The sand was soft, though the water was cooler than we are used to in the Caribbean. It was a perfect beach day.

And then came Madeira, the heart of our journey and the reason we booked this cruise. The island did not disappoint. We traveled up to the hilltop town of Monte and rode the famous wicker toboggans down the streets. Once used as a practical way for locals to travel downhill, it is now a thrilling and slightly hilarious way to preserve a bit of Madeira’s history.

Of course, we could not leave without tasting the island’s signature drink, the Poncha, made with half Madeira white rum, half lemon juice, and honey to taste. It was delicious and surprisingly refreshing. Every restaurant seems to have its own version, and it is worth trying more than one. We wrapped up our time in Madeira with a relaxing cable car ride down to Funchal, enjoying breathtaking views of the ocean and the red-roofed city below.

Our final port was Vigo, Spain, which turned out to be the perfect last stop. We visited Terras Gauda Winery, where both the tour and the wine were outstanding. The Albariño they poured was crisp and bright, a lovely way to toast to the end of our adventure.

A Few Favorite Moments at Sea

One of my favorite meals onboard was at Fine Cut Steakhouse, where I had the most tender filet mignon. Another unexpected highlight was the Mixology 101 class. We learned how to make three full-sized cocktails, and yes, I was feeling a little tipsy afterward. It was such a fun and interactive way to spend an afternoon at sea.

This trip was more than just a cruise. It was a meaningful journey that blended discovery, relaxation, and family history. Standing in Madeira, knowing we were walking the same island streets where my husband’s grandfather once lived, made the whole experience even more special. We definitely could see why the Catholic Church was so important to my father-in-law and why he ate fish out of a can! 

Exploring your roots while seeing the world is one of the most rewarding ways to travel.

(Stay tuned for Part 2, where I will share all about life onboard our Celebrity ship, from the food and entertainment to those blissful sea days.)