A new continent beckons

Next week, Mrs PBT's and I are off on yet another cruise. That makes three this year, which perhaps sounds a little indulgent, even though the reality is that we're making the most of the opportunity while we can.  As I've already mentioned, next year I shall be saying farewell to full-time work, and at the moment that's pencilled in for some time during March. However, whether the final date proves to be the beginning or the end of the month remains to be seen.

I've even started doing some of the more boring retirement-related calculations, and have also been checking pension values, looking at what lump sums I might be entitled to and, most importantly, trying to work out how to avoid handing too much over in tax. As one reader on the blog has already reminded me, that's something worth paying attention to. Having looked at the figures, I think we'll be fairly comfortable, particularly when savings are taken account of, as well.

Anyway, that's not really the purpose, or indeed subject of this post, because the main focus is on our upcoming cruise. Also, in what will be a first for both of us, we'll finally be visiting a completely new continent. Between us, we've covered a fair bit of Europe and we've both travelled in North America, namely to the United States and Canada. I've also been fortunate enough to visit both Japan and China, giving me at least a small taste of Asia. Next week, however, we'll be setting foot in Africa for the very first time, and it’s something we're both very much looking forward to.

Our destination is Morocco, situated on the north-western edge of the vast continent of Africa. Although we will only be visiting a single country, we shall be calling at three different ports along its coastline. Our first stop will be Agadir, a city about which I know virtually nothing – although thanks to the Internet, I’m catching up fast. From there we'll continue north to Casablanca before finishing in Tangier.

En route to Morocco, we’ll be enjoying three days at sea before stopping off at Madeira, Tenerife and Lanzarote. Both Eileen and I have visited Madeira before, while I've previously been to Lanzarote, albeit many years ago. Tenerife, however, will be a completely new Canary Island for both of us. On our return journey we'll make a brief call into Lisbon (let’s wish for better weather this time), before heading back to Southampton.

This voyage also marks our return to Cunard after a two-cruise dalliance with Ambassador. We actually booked this trip around 18 months ago, and it's been paid for in instalments over several months. We've found that to be the easiest and most cost-effective way of managing cruise payments, particularly as Cunard doesn't charge any interest for doing so. In fact, we booked the voyage whilst on board Queen Victoria back in 2025.

Booking on board brings a number of advantages. Not only do you often secure a better fare, but there are usually a few extra incentives thrown in as well. On this particular cruise we've both received a generous amount of onboard credit, and it's the sort of thing that feels wasted if you don't spend it – literally, as any unused balance can’t be rolled over. Realistically, that means excursions, as unless you're buying drinks or accumulating an impressive collection of souvenirs, there aren't too many other ways of using it. Trinkets have never really been my thing, so I suspect most of our “on-board spending money” will disappear on shore excursions.

As for Morocco itself, I'm not quite sure what to expect. I've done a little reading about the country and, as it happens, the company I work for has, for many years, conducted a fair amount of business there, so I at least have some background knowledge of the place. Being a predominantly Muslim country, I'm curious to see what the local drinking culture is like – if it exists at all. I rather suspect we won't be enjoying a few drinks in Rick's Café, whilst in Casablanca, but you never know!

More than anything, we're looking forward to experiencing a culture that we've both read about but never encountered first-hand. That's one of the great pleasures of travel: seeing places for yourself rather than simply reading about them in books or watching them on television. We'll also be returning to the good old Queen Victoria, fresh from a refit. Ours will be only the ship's second voyage since re-entering service, so it'll be interesting to see what changes have been made. A full report will undoubtedly follow in due course, but not until we return to the UK – see reasons, below.

There probably won't be much blogging whilst we're away, as I've learnt my lesson when it comes to battling unreliable, and expensive shipboard internet connections. Trying to upload a post from halfway across the Atlantic, whilst having to change yet another password, is more trouble than it’s worth, and only causes additional problems when I’m finally back home. Instead, I'll revert to the old-fashioned method: a notebook, a pen and plenty of scribbled observations.

Once I'm home, I'll dictate everything straight onto my computer hard drive, tidy it up and turn it into something vaguely readable. I might even ask AI to lend a hand; not because I'm short of ideas, but because sometimes it's useful to smooth out the rough edges, correcting the odd dictation error and turning a collection of notes into something more coherent.

Before all that, though, I've got one more day at work, but agreeing to that final day helped secure this extended sixteen-day break, so I can't really complain. One aspect of the trip I'm particularly looking forward to is escaping the ever-increasing Christmas build-up. Being in countries where Christmas isn't celebrated in quite the same way, or where it occupies a far less prominent place in public life, should make for a refreshing change.

Like many people, I've already begun to notice the relentless appearance of Christmas merchandise in the shops and the annual repetition of the same festive songs on the radio. It won’t be long before the constant bombardment starts to feel rather overwhelming, which is why it will be good, escaping from it. So, until I return, that's me signing off. If anyone happens to know of any particularly good bars, cafés or other must-visit spots in Agadir, Casablanca or Tangier, recommendations would be very welcome.