Saturday 9 May 2026

At Sea:  FromTangier to Lisbon

Today is my last full day on board Quest. Although the seas have been a bit rougher than I have experienced on my previous Atlantic crossings, the rocking of the ship has been more an inconvenience than a problem. I don't usually suffer from seasickness, but for the past ten days I have worn my wristbands as a caution against possible nausea.

And most importantly, nothing has interrupted my eating and drinking.

Besides packing and repacking--checking all the drawers, the safe, the walk-in closet, and the shelves in the large bathroom; then re-checking all the drawers, the safe, the walk-in closet, and the shelves in the large bathroom--the highlight of my day is a haircut in the ship's spa and salon.

I enjoy a final martini in the Club Lounge, and two glasses of champagne with dinner in the Restaurant:  coconut-crusted shrimp with pina colada sauce, mesclun salad with endives, veal piccata Milanese and orange soufflé with hot chocolate sauce.

The bar in my suite was supplied with a bottle of Beefeater gin and a bottle of French Champagne at the start of the cruise. I haven't opened either of them, so I decide to stuff the champagne in my suitcase and hope it survives the journey home (it does!).

Suitcases must be placed outside stateroom doors before midnight or passengers will have to carry them off the ship themselves. Everything I need for tonight and tomorrow morning will go in my backpack carry-on. It's lights out at 10pm for me with my alarm set for 6am, when breakfast will be available. All staterooms must be vacated by 8am.

Sunday 10 May 2026

Seabourn Quest Docks in Lisbon

Because the Quest is such a small ship, and because many passengers will be remaining on board for the continuation of the cruise into the Mediterranean, there is no formal disembarkation procedure and no loud announcements. Passengers may leave the ship at their leisure anytime between 7:30 and 9:30am. Since my ride is scheduled for 9:30, I leave the ship at 9. There is a bit of delay at Portuguese immigration (I never did find out why), but I still meet my driver with time to spare.

In the next blog I will provide narrative and photos of my one day in Lisbon.