Days 117, 118 - CRUISING THE ATLANTIC OCEAN

 Date: 5/02/2024   Day 118   Sea Day: CRUISING THE ATLANTIC OCEAN

Description: The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's five oceans, with an area of about 85,133,000 km2 (32,870,000 sq mi). It covers approximately 17% of Earth's surface and about 24% of its water surface area. During the Age of Discovery, it was known for separating the Old World of Africa, Europe, and Asia from the New World of the Americas.

Morning Update:  Last night we were advised to remain indoors, all open decks were off-limits.  The ship went blacked-out from 6 PM to 6 AM with all outdoor lights off and all window shades pulled down.  They never gave us a reason why, but I can only assume it was for security reasons.  

This morning it's a beautiful day with nearly totally calm seas.  We moved our clocks back another hour last setting us to time zone GMT+1.  With the added hour of sleep for some I was up at 5:30 AM and out on deck at 6 AM for a nice 3 mile morning walk.  It was a truly beautiful morning watching the sunrise.  

Evening Update:  In the captain's noon address he reported that the ship is going to black-out again tonight.  No one will be allowed outside on deck's 6 and 12.  Most all the normal outside lighting will be turned off.  Again, I can only assume that this is for security reasons.  The ship's AIS (AIS tracking technology provides information about the identification, course, speed and current location of vessels. ) is not showing our destination but rather "ARMED SECURITY ONBOARD".  A six member security team boarded us in Cape Town.  It's not clear now long they will remain onboard.  

Note: The ship's AIS only shows Armed Security
 On-Board rather than the true destination.