Highlights, Port Tips, and How I Balanced Work + Sea Days

Hey everyone! I’m Andrew — a former cruise crew member, full-time traveler, and founder of High Seas Supply Co. I just finished a two-week Transatlantic on Carnival Mardi Gras from Port Canaveral to Barcelona, and it was an incredible experience. The ship felt calm and relaxed, the weather was perfect, and it gave me the perfect balance of working remotely while enjoying sea life.

One of the best parts was seeing so many guests wearing our High Seas Supply Co. gear. We designed special pieces just for this crossing, and over 100 cruisers wore our lanyards and accessories during the trip. It really felt like a floating community.

The entertainment lineup was amazing. One highlight was Free Daps, a freestyle comedy rap group that had the whole theater laughing. The talent on these longer cruises always feels a little extra special.

The weather was unbelievable — every day was warm, clear, and calm. The water was so flat it looked like glass, and one afternoon I even saw dolphins swimming alongside us. It’s those little moments that make these crossings unforgettable.

Seeing High Seas Supply Co. represented everywhere onboard was such a proud moment. Frank and Alma, pictured here, were just two of the many guests rocking our custom lanyards and gear throughout the cruise.

With nine sea days, there was plenty of time to relax, but once we reached port, I wanted to make the most of every stop. Here’s a look at what we did and what stood out at each destination.

Celebration Key

Our first stop was Carnival’s brand-new private destination, Celebration Key. I spent the morning swimming at the beach and cooling off in the pool before grabbing a free lunch. It was a relaxing day and the perfect warm-up for the long crossing ahead. The new layout of the port makes it super easy to get around, and it already feels like it’s going to become a fan-favorite among frequent cruisers.

Tenerife

Tenerife completely blew me away. Out of nearly 40 countries and 500+ days at sea, this island easily ranks as one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been. It took about 15 minutes to walk out of the port, but once you leave the city, the scenery is unreal. We rented a car and spent the day exploring everything from the Basílica de Candelaria to the Garachico natural pools, cliffside viewpoints in El Sauzal, and a black sand beach at Mesa del Mar. The mix of ocean views, volcanic rock, and lush hillsides made the whole day feel like driving through a dream.

Cádiz

Instead of spending hours traveling to Seville, we chose to stay local and explore Cádiz and Jerez. From the port, it’s just a short walk to the train station, and within 40 minutes we were in Jerez de la Frontera. We toured the Alcázar, learned about its history from the Moorish period, and did a bodega tour that included three massive glasses of sherry wine — with free refills — for only €20. Back in Cádiz, we wandered the city center, grabbed a late lunch, and admired views of the cathedral before heading back to the ship. It was the perfect balance of exploring and relaxing, and the local energy made it one of my favorite days in Spain.

Málaga

Málaga was one of the easiest and most walkable ports on this itinerary. You can explore so much without needing a tour — from the Roman Theatre and Alcazaba fortress to beautiful parks that lead you right into the old town. We also stopped for tapas and local wine before walking along the marina and grabbing gelato by the water. It’s a city that feels effortlessly charming and full of life, with street performers, outdoor cafés, and a laid-back coastal vibe that made it the perfect way to wrap up our time in southern Spain.

Barcelona

Our journey ended in Barcelona, one of my all-time favorite cities. I stayed at the Moxy Barcelona, a stylish hotel with a great rooftop bar and modern rooms. By luck, our visit aligned with the La Mercè festival, filling the city with fireworks, drone shows, and free concerts. Visiting the Sagrada Família was surreal, but what I looked forward to most was visiting Park Güell. As a lifelong Disney and Cheetah Girls fan, it was a childhood dream come true to see it in person. It was busy, but I loved walking through the park listening to the Cheetah Girls 2 album — the same one they filmed scenes from — and just soaking in that full-circle moment. Between the energy, the food, and the architecture, Barcelona was the perfect finale to the crossing.

I’ll be sailing the westbound Transatlantic back to Florida soon and can’t wait to see even more of our High Seas Supply Co. gear onboard. If you’re planning your own cruise, take the time to plan your ports, enjoy the sea days, and don’t forget to grab a personalized lanyard — it’s one of those little things that makes your cruise experience even smoother.