A 16 Day Transatlantic Cruise to Spain: What it’s really like (Part 1)

We begin our 16 day transatlantic cruise to Spain departing from the Royal Caribbean cruise terminal in Galveston, Texas. This is the first part of our three month 2026 European adventure. The morning we left Houston, we hadn’t expected a cold front. We awoke to 40 degree weather. So, we had a last minute wardrobe change before we loaded up the transport van. As you know, we only bring carry-on luggage, even when we travel for three months. Cary, I won’t mention who most of this luggage belongs to. 😉

Our friends, Tom & Cary, are joining us as both Tom & Danny are celebrating their 70th birthdays this month. Joining us on this cruise are Tom’s sister Cindy, husband Bill and their daughters, Willie and Kelly. Check in at the port is a breeze and we boarded the Harmony of the Seas in no time. It’s our second sailing aboard this ship. Our first sailing on Harmony was a New Year’s Eve Cruise.

We enjoyed three relaxing days at sea before we arrived in Nassau, Bahamas. There are six cruise ships in port today, so it is quite busy. We decided to spend the morning walking around town before visiting the newly opened Royal Beach Club Paradise Island.

Nassau history

The pier in Nassau is located an easy 5-10 minute walk to town. Nassau, the capital of The Bahamas, began in 1670 as Charles Towne. The city served as a notorious 17th-century pirate haven until the British took control and renamed it Nassau in 1695. Today, the population of Nassau is approximately 300,000-325,000 residents. However, it hosts a very high volume of tourists often exceeding 40,000 daily visitors driven by massive cruise ship traffic.

Historic sites on our walk

We decided to explore a few of the historic sites on our quick walk around town. First stop is Parliament Square, a civic center featuring pastel pink, Georgian-style government buildings that include the House of Assembly, Senate, and Supreme Court. American Loyalists built it between 1790 and 1805, and a statue of Queen Victoria dominates it.

The Queen’s Staircase, named after Queen Victoria, features former slaves meticulously chiseling it from solid limestone. Also known as “The 66 Steps,” it rises 102 feet and connects Fort Fincastle to the town of Nassau. Over time, the steps have suffered damage, reducing their number to 64. A waterfall sits adjacent to the staircase.

Gregory’s Arch is a stone arch (1852) honoring Governor John Gregory, who served around 1850. When you pass through the arch heading south on Market Street, you cross the boundary separating downtown Nassau from the rest of the island. The small tunnel creates a charming entrance to the community known as “Over The Hill.”

Government House sits on a sprawling 10-acre estate and serves as the official residence of the Governor General of The Bahamas. Dating back to 1801, this pink and white building is a blend of Bahamian British and American Colonial architectural styles. In the front of the building is a monument to Christopher Columbus, a tribute to the renowned explorer’s historic landfall at San Salvador in 1492.

Colorful scenery

Walking around town you’ll pass by many colorful murals, buildings and streets.

Cathedral visits

We also visited two churches on our walk. First is St. Francis Xavier Cathedral. It’s the oldest Roman Catholic Church in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. The cornerstone of this Cathedral was laid in 1885.

The second church on our walk around town is Christ Church Anglican Cathedral. Builders constructed the first church on this site in 1695. Despite challenges—including a devastating fire in 1703—the Cathedral continued to serve the community. Over the centuries, the church grew and became a Cathedral in 1861.

Just before returning to the pier, we walked past the Nassau Straw Market. It’s a large, bustling flea market in downtown famous for its wide variety of handmade crafts, souvenirs, and straw goods like hats, bags, and mats.

Royal Beach Club

The Royal Beach Club at Paradise Island opened in late December 2025. This private club sits on 17-acres. It’s accessible via a paid day pass for cruise guests with unlimited food, drinks and wifi. The club boasts three neighborhoods, Party Cove℠, Family Beach℠, and Chill Beach℠ with two pristine beaches, three pools (including the world’s largest two story swim-up bar), a variety of dining options and entertainment. There is a ferry service that takes you from the pier to the island just a few minutes away.

The weather this afternoon is beautiful with sunshine and a high of 76 degrees. All restaurants have the same menu items, so you’re limited in food choice. I ordered the Lobster BLT wrap. I’m surprised at the large chunks of lobster inside. The shrimp skewers and crab patty sandwich were also good. Top it off with unlimited frozen beverages and your afternoon relaxing by the ocean flies by.

Final thoughts on Royal Beach Club

So, what are my personal thoughts on this private resort? For those who know me, you are aware that I’m not the sand, sun and water type, at all. In fact, I’ve never even used the pool we built with our house nearly 30 years ago. But, there is a concrete walking path throughout the resort with covered tables alongside it so I thankfully never had to actually step out onto the sandy beach area or lay out in the sun on a lounger.

I did enjoy the beautiful water views and lively atmosphere. However, it’s not an excursion I personally would buy separately ($200 regular day price). We added it for a small additional fee when we purchased our beverage package during a special 40% off sale. So I thought why not explore this new amenity at least once? If you’re someone who enjoys an unlimited drinking and dining experience on a private beach, then perhaps it’s perfect for you and a good value, depending on the price offered.

View of the Beach Club from the top of the ship

I thought I’d include a few photos of the private island from the top of the ship as we sailed away.

8 sea days before we arrive in Spain

For me, the best part of a cruise is simply being on the ship and soaking in all the fun amenities, entertainment, and delicious food. But for others, it’s all about the ports of call, and the ship is just a means to get there and a place to sleep. Today, I now think of the ship as a floating all-inclusive resort, where the ship is the destination! If you don’t agree, then a transatlantic cruise might not be your cup of tea. I used to be in the latter category where I wanted a different port everyday, until we went on our 31 day South Pacific Cruise to Australia Part 1 (Hawaii), Part 2 (French Polynesia) and Part 3 (New Zealand). Now, I’m a firm believer in enjoying long sea days.

Our view for the next 8 days, nothing but ocean.

Here are my opinions on the Pros and Cons of Transatlantic or Repositioning Cruises, so you can decide for yourself if you’d enjoy a cruise of this type. Bottom line, would we go on another transatlantic or repositioning cruise? ABSOLUTELY!

Pros

The ship is the destination
Feels like a floating all-inclusive resort with endless facilities, dining, and entertainment.
Plenty to do onboard – Never Boring
Cruise lines offer a wide range of activities—you can stay busy all day, or do as I do—simply relax as much as you want.
Relaxed, customizable experience
You can shape the trip and activities around your interests, just like any land-based vacation.
Great value pricing
Often cheaper than airfare since these are repositioning cruises (ships relocating between regions).
Gradual time change (less jet lag)
Clocks shift by about an hour every day or two instead of all at once.
Possible bonus port stops
Some itineraries include multiple stops at the beginning or end of the journey, like a more traditional cruise.
Peaceful atmosphere
Fewer children onboard, especially on longer sailings, making for a quieter, more tranquil experience.
High-quality dining options
Dining rooms offer better food and a more relaxing experience than quick-service options. The dining room is often available for breakfast and some lunches if you prefer this option over the buffet or fast food.

Cons

Limited appeal if you prefer destinations over the journey
Not ideal for travelers who care more about ports than the ship itself.
No regular cell service at sea (true for all cruise types)
You’ll need to pay for expensive onboard satellite internet or disconnect entirely.
Risk of seasickness (true for all cruise types)
Ocean conditions can vary greatly—calm or very rough—so medication is recommended.
Cooler temperatures at sea
It can get chilly and windy, especially in the evenings—packing layers is necessary.
Dining can be time-consuming
While better quality, dining room meals take longer, which may limit your schedule.
Fewer quick, casual food perks
Dining room portions (e.g., salads) are smaller than buffet options. If you don’t enjoy multi-course slow dining, you may tire of the buffet and the few other fast food options. Premium restaurants are available for an extra fee.
Repositioning cruises will require you to fly one way
If you don’t plan ahead, the price of a one way plane ticket may eliminate the cost savings of a transatlantic cruise.

Celebrating Danny’s 70th birthday

We celebrated Danny’s 70th with a specialty dinner at Chop’s Grill with Tom & Cary.

How did we spend our days?

We were always busy relaxing, strolling around Central Park, shopping, or choosing from the many activities offered all day long. We also enjoyed live music and entertainment and lots of eating and drinking. There’s always plenty to do if you choose to. We had a couple mornings of rain, but for the most part it was smooth sailing. The cool weather is windy at times with a high of about 72 degrees.