Three Days In … Resident Travel Diaries

When Residents choose to sail aboard The World, Residences at Sea, they’re ready to travel far beyond the ordinary. The World is a floating home, not a traditional cruise ship, and a huge part of the appeal is enjoying an in-depth view of every destination along the way. This is a remarkable opportunity to explore each port slowly and intentionally, and to dig deeper into the local culture.

In their travel blog, Residents Mike and Christina prove that they’re pros at getting the most out of their travels. They exemplify a spirit of discovery by chronicling their voyages with an eye for hidden gems and local flavor.

Three Days in Madeira, Portugal
Off the coast of Africa, this volcanic archipelago harbors breathtaking natural wonders, a flourishing wine industry, and a rich heritage rooted in Portuguese culture.

“We spent two days wandering around the old town, the shoreside promenade, and the various parks,” writes Mike. “We enjoyed great weather and cool architecture, including streets laid out with cobblestones in all sorts of interesting patterns; we had lunch at Kampo and split an amazing short rib fideuà.”

Christina reports, “On the last day we hired a car, and our driver/guide Miguel took us out of the main city. We visited a few scenic view areas and the communities of Curral das Freiras, Ribeira Brava, and Câmara de Lobos, where we had lunch at a yummy pizza place called Anonimo. Our last stop was the botanical gardens overlooking Funchal. It was a great day out, and I am glad we decided to do it.”

Three Days in Tenerife, Spain
This jewel in the Atlantic Ocean is famed for its translucent waters and vibrant nightlife. During the Ship’s call, our adventurous Residents turned their attention to the island’s cultural and culinary attractions.

“We went out for a long walk soon after docking, finding the pedestrian path that went along the coast,” Christina writes. “Our first stop was the Auditorio de Tenerife, a music hall with very funky architecture. … Afterward, we spent a couple of hours in the nearby botanical gardens, which we both enjoyed. Then, we headed into town and found a tasty pintxos lunch. On Thursday, we joined a photo walk and continued on our own afterward to a lovely park and then had a long lunch at Etéreo.”

After that lunch of ceviche and leg of lamb, which Mike proclaims is “maybe the best I’ve ever had,” the two returned to The World for a performance by opera singers and dinner. “On Friday, we wandered around town some more and spent time in Parque García Sanabria,” he recalls. “We stopped into a local Restaurante La Cayena for lunch and had a tasty three-course meal for nine euros each. … We did a quick tour through the TEA Tenerife Espacio de las Artes, which had a few interesting exhibits and really interesting modern architecture. We had a relaxing visit, and next time, we might even get out of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and see more of the island.”

Three Days in Wellington, New Zealand
New Zealand’s hilly capital is a place that’s easy to wander, where you’ll find new discoveries around every corner.

Christina reports, “We explored a small fair along Cuba Street and found a delicious late lunch at Kisa. [The next morning] we set out on foot to Newtown. Our visit coincided with their annual fair. We were out for about three hours and covered pretty much the whole thing: arts, crafts, music, and food. We stopped for lunch at Ombra (meatballs and pizza, yum!).”

“On our third day, we started hiking from the top of Te Ahumairangi Hill and walked through tall trees and ferns down into the Wellington Botanic Gardens,” writes Mike. “We had dinner that night at Boulcott Street Bistro, which we had visited several years ago. Wellington was a lot of fun. The weather was good, the food was excellent, and there was always something interesting going on.”

Spending two or three days in port is the norm, not the exception, on The World. Whether it’s a first-time visit or a return to a beloved destination, these leisurely days are made for thoroughly enjoying every moment.

Read more Resident stories or explore upcoming destinations here.