A typical Atlantic Circle Cruise is one that explores the
major sailing areas that border the North Atlantic Ocean:
- The Mediterranean Sea,
- The Caribbean Sea
- The East Coast of the USA
- The Coastal Waters of Europe
To complete an Atlantic Circle, a vessel must make
two trans-Atlantic passages. These passages are normally made during
the time of year that offers the least risk of severe weather (e.g.,
Hurricanes) and the most favorable winds.
For my Atlantic Circle voyage I left from the east
coast of Florida in the spring of 2005, crossing the Atlantic to the Iberian
Peninsula. Starting in April, 2006, after wintering in Cascais, PT, I
cruised the Atlantic coasts of
Portugal and Spain to the Mediterranean Sea. After a summer in
the Mediterranean and wintering in Lagos, PT I re-crossed the Atlantic Ocean by way of Madeira and
Bermuda to the Chesapeake Bay in 2007.
|
Sarah's Track from Florida to Portugal, 2005 |
The initial leg of the cruise across the ocean to
Portugal began in late spring, 2005. Late enough in the year to avoid
any winter storms, but early enough to avoid tropical storms. This leg
included stops in the Bahamas, Bermuda and the Azores. My final
destination was the Portuguese resort town of Cascais. |