Planning a honeymoon or special getaway? A transatlantic cruise offers an unbeatable combination of romance, adventure, and convenience.
Our 17-day journey from Barcelona to Miami aboard the MSC Seashore provided unforgettable memories across multiple destinations while eliminating the stress of constant packing and travel planning.
This comprehensive guide shares our firsthand experience, including detailed costs, practical tips, and honest recommendations for each port of call. Whether you’re considering your first cruise or looking to expand your travel horizons, you’ll discover why this particular route offers exceptional value for money and incredible diversity of experiences.
From exploring volcanic landscapes in the Canary Islands to swimming in jungle rivers in Puerto Rico, this cruise delivers far more than just transportation—it’s a floating resort that takes you to some of the world’s most captivating destinations.
Why Choose a Barcelona to Miami Cruise Route
This specific itinerary stands out for several compelling reasons. First, it combines European sophistication with Caribbean paradise, offering dramatic cultural contrasts within a single trip. Additionally, the route provides excellent value since you’re essentially getting transportation, accommodation, meals, and entertainment bundled together.
Moreover, the six days crossing the Atlantic Ocean give you time to truly unwind and enjoy the ship’s amenities without feeling rushed between destinations. Finally, ending in Miami opens up possibilities for extending your vacation in Florida or easily connecting to other U.S. destinations.
Our Complete 17-Day Itinerary
The journey begins in Barcelona, Spain’s vibrant coastal city known for its stunning architecture and lively atmosphere. Subsequently, we sailed to Tenerife and Lanzarote in the Canary Islands before embarking on six peaceful days crossing the Atlantic Ocean.
Next, we explored three spectacular Caribbean destinations: Saint Martin, the British Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. Finally, we concluded our adventure in Miami, giving us a perfect introduction to the United States.
Barcelona: The Perfect European Starting Point
Our adventure commenced with a late-night Ryanair flight from Riga to Barcelona. However, we strongly recommend booking accommodation near the port rather than attempting to sleep at the airport, especially if you arrive after midnight.
Unfortunately, our budget hotel choice (Pension Dani) proved disappointing despite its central location. Instead, consider spending a bit more for better accommodations, as a good night’s rest is essential before embarking on your cruise journey.
Boarding the MSC Seashore
The MSC Seashore impressed us immediately with its massive scale—19 stories high and capable of accommodating 6,000 passengers. Essentially, it’s like a floating city with all the amenities you could imagine.
As 5 p.m. approached, excitement filled the air during the departure ceremony. Subsequently, we joined fellow passengers on deck to witness our ceremonial departure from Barcelona’s port, watching the Mediterranean coastline fade into a spectacular sunset.
The journey across the Atlantic Ocean has begun.
Canary Islands: Tenerife and Lanzarote Adventures
After two days at sea passing through the Strait of Gibraltar, we reached our first stops in the Canary Islands. Both Tenerife and Lanzarote offered walkable city centers, making organized excursions unnecessary.
Discovering Tenerife’s Cultural Heart
In Santa Cruz de Tenerife, we strolled through bustling streets filled with shops, cafes, and local markets. Furthermore, Parque García Sanabria showcased the city’s love for gardens with stunning flower displays, sculptures, and fountains.
For those interested in history and architecture, we highly recommend visiting La Laguna district. This UNESCO World Heritage site features colonial architecture, cobblestone streets, and hidden courtyards that transport you back in time.
Lanzarote’s Volcanic Wonders
The following day, we docked at Lanzarote, an island formed by volcanic eruptions millions of years ago. This unique environment combines natural beauty with dramatic harshness, creating unforgettable coastal walks.
Additionally, Lanzarote offers excellent shopping opportunities with attractive prices on major brands. In fact, the duty-free status makes it an ideal place to pick up luxury items at significantly reduced costs.
While in Lanzarote, we take the opportunity to shop in stores. The quality is good, and the prices are very attractive.
Six Magical Days Crossing the Atlantic
For the next six days, our world became the endless, peaceful Atlantic Ocean. Rather than feeling confined, we discovered this extended sea time to be one of the cruise’s greatest pleasures.
Daily Routines at Sea
Each morning, we started early on deck, enjoying sunshine while collecting fresh fruit and water from the buffet. Then, we headed to breakfast together, experiencing an unforgettable selection that satisfied every taste and desire.
When the sun reached its peak, the ship’s water park became our favorite destination. Meanwhile, the onboard gym offered modern equipment with floor-to-ceiling windows providing endless ocean views during workouts.
Entertainment and Activities
Throughout each day, the ship offered diverse activities including dream catcher weaving, oregano-making workshops, and various art creation sessions. Moreover, onboard shopping provided access to watches, jewelry, handbags, and other luxury items.
Every evening, spectacular shows transformed the ship into an entertainment venue featuring world-class acrobatics, Broadway-style performances, and magic shows. Subsequently, we enjoyed excellent meals in the ship’s restaurants, with all dining included in the cruise price.
Caribbean Island Adventures Begin
As we entered Caribbean waters, our approach to exploration changed completely. Unlike in Europe, we chose guided excursions for each Caribbean destination, recognizing this might be our only opportunity to visit these remote islands.
Saint Martin: A Tale of Two Nations
Upon arrival in Philipsburg, Saint Martin’s capital, we discovered excellent excursion options both through the ship and local providers. Although ship-based tours cost more, they offer convenience and guaranteed return timing.
However, we found equally good deals with local guides offering the same prices as pre-booked online services. Furthermore, joining with other passengers often results in better group rates and shared experiences.
Exploring Saint Martin’s Highlights
First, we spent the morning exploring Philipsburg, taking advantage of the island’s tax-free shopping status for luxury items at significantly reduced prices. Subsequently, our afternoon tour included visits to Coralita Beach, Orient Bay, Marigot Market, and the famous Maho Beach.
At Maho Beach, we experienced the thrilling sight of planes taking off and landing directly overhead. Meanwhile, at Marigot Market, we enjoyed fresh coconuts with sweet, refreshing water and explored the colorful tapestry of local life.
Our ship docks in the island’s capital, Philipsburg.
Read more about our adventures in Saint Martin in this article – Trip to Saint Martin: Our cruise experience.
British Virgin Islands: Natural Paradise
The British Virgin Islands archipelago can be explored completely in approximately three hours, making it perfect for a comprehensive day tour. Upon disembarking, tour buses waited ready to take passengers around the entire island chain.
Pristine Beaches and Crystal Waters
These islands feature some of the world’s most beautiful beaches with crystal-clear water and soft, white sand. In fact, we encountered the most beautiful beach of our entire journey here, spending considerable time enjoying the natural paradise.
Rather than having a traditional city center, the islands focus on natural beauty and beach experiences. Therefore, we recommend dedicating your entire port day to beach activities and water sports.
I would add that every Caribbean island is different. This one stood out for its natural beauty, cleanliness, and beaches.
Puerto Rico: Cultural Immersion and Natural Wonders
Having researched Puerto Rico beforehand, we knew we wanted to experience both the rainforests and the historic capital of San Juan. Fortunately, we quickly found an excellent guide service (Roy Tours) that other passengers also recommended.
El Yunque Rainforest Experience
Our journey to El Yunque, the only tropical rainforest in the United States, proved truly magical. The symphony of tropical birdsong and hidden waterfalls created an enchanting atmosphere throughout our exploration.
The day’s highlight included a refreshing swim in a jungle river at an idyllic tropical location where cool waters provided perfect comfort and refreshment. Subsequently, our guide took us to a local restaurant to try mofongo, Puerto Rico’s traditional dish made from fried green plantains.
Historic San Juan Discovery
After thoroughly enjoying authentic Puerto Rican cuisine, we explored Old San Juan, the second-oldest European-founded city in the Americas. This historic area maintains its colonial charm through well-preserved architecture and cobblestone streets.
We visited La Fortaleza, one of the world’s oldest governor’s residences and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As evening approached, we explored lively taverns serving what we considered the most delicious piña colada of our entire trip.
Since the ship departed at midnight, we had the entire evening to enjoy Old San Juan’s nightlife, visiting bars and cafes featuring authentic local music.
Read more about our adventures in Puerto Rico in this article – Trip to Puerto Rico: Our cruise experience.
Miami: Sunny Conclusion
Our final destination, Miami, greeted us with early morning sunshine and bustling port activity. Fortunately, disembarkation proceeded smoothly in organized groups, and passport control was efficient thanks to pre-processing in Puerto Rico.
From Miami’s large port, we walked to the nearest bus stop and traveled to South Beach, where we had booked accommodations for extending our American adventure.
Read more about our adventures in Miami in this article – Miami: Cruise ship destination in the U.S.
Complete Cost Breakdown
This 17-day all-inclusive cruise cost $ 2,200 for two people, representing exceptional value considering accommodation, meals, entertainment, and transportation were included. Additionally, here are the extra costs we encountered:
Shore Excursion Expenses
- Excursion in Saint Martin – $40 per person;
- Coconut in Saint Martin – $5 per person;
- Excursion to the British Virgin Islands – $20 per person;
- Excursion to Puerto Rico – $80 per person;
- Mofongo and beer at a Puerto Rican restaurant – $40 per person
To save money on food costs, many passengers brought boxed meals from the ship when going ashore. However, we recommend trying local cuisine as part of your cultural experience.
Essential Tips for Future Cruisers
Based on our experience, here are crucial recommendations for anyone considering this route:
First, book accommodations near Barcelona’s port rather than attempting to sleep at the airport after late flights. Second, consider joining other passengers for shore excursions to reduce costs and enhance social experiences.
Third, take advantage of duty-free shopping in the Canary Islands and Saint Martin for significant savings on luxury items. Finally, don’t hesitate to book local tour guides who often provide the same quality service as ship-organized excursions at better prices.
Why We Highly Recommend This Cruise Experience
Overall, our transatlantic cruise adventure delivered outstanding cultural discovery and diverse experiences. It’s difficult to imagine a more convenient way to visit so many exciting destinations, from volcanic Canary Islands to historic Puerto Rico and vibrant Miami.
Furthermore, cruise travel eliminates the stress of constant packing, airport transfers, and accommodation booking while providing consistent high-quality meals and entertainment. When considering travel budget and convenience, this cruise format offers unmatched value for money.
For couples seeking a romantic getaway or anyone wanting to explore multiple destinations without logistical complications, this Barcelona to Miami route provides the perfect blend of relaxation and adventure. The memories we created during those 17 days will last a lifetime, making every euro spent worthwhile.
Featured photo Pixabay