Our next port was supposed to be La Goulette, Tunisia (number 4) on the north coast of Africa.  We were booked to tour ancient Carthage and the picturesque Sidi Bou Said – think white buildings with blue roofs next to the blue, blue sea.

We were having an early breakfast and wondering why we had not yet docked.   The captain eventually announced that the winds were too high and the seas were too rough to safely dock in Tunisia.  The port day was canceled.  

Some of the more experienced Mediterranean cruisers had already been suggesting as much.   Missing out on Tunisia, due to weather, has happened before.

It was very windy and the seas were rough.  Once the decision was made, the ship’s crew wasted no time heading north to calmer seas.

We were both comfortable with the rocking and rolling. It was just a new part of our adventure and we never felt at risk.

Although we were a little disappointed not to see the sights, a bonus sea day is never a bad thing.   At least we had made it to the continent of Africa with our Ceuta stop earlier in the cruise.

The ship’s crew stepped it up by adding some entertainment and demonstrations that we would not have seen otherwise. It was a good day.

We have the ports of Palermo and Naples left on the cruise before disembarking near Rome.   We have food tours booked in both ports. That would not usually be my scheduling preference – but it is food – and it is in Italy!