I took a 25-hour ferry from Europe to Africa along the Mediterranean. My trip on the massive ship felt like a nice cruise.

• I decided to travel by ferry from Europe to Africa by way of the Mediterranean Sea.
• My cabin was clean and comfortable, and the food was surprisingly good.
• Although the journey took 25 hours, it featured stunning views and was more than worth it.

I’ve always been drawn to the cultures on both sides of the Mediterranean Sea.

The diverse groups have cultural, historical, culinary, economic, and political ties dating back thousands of years. Plus, the area is home to two of the world’s five known Blue Zones, where people enjoy better health and longevity.

Europe and North Africa are only about 500 miles apart, so in May, I found a 25-hour ferry that went from Italy to Tunisia. I figured I’d be able to really take in all the views from the water.

Here’s what the daylong boat journey across the Mediterranean was like.