Final answer:
Ships sailing from Calicut to the Arabian Peninsula crossed the Arabian Sea, which lies between the Indian subcontinent and the Arabian Peninsula.
Step-by-step explanation:
To answer the question of which body of water ships crossed when sailing from Calicut to the Arabian Peninsula, we need to look at the historical maritime routes. Specifically, during Vasco da Gama's time when he established the sea route from Europe to India, landing at Calicut (modern-day Kozhikode) on the Malabar Coast of India, he navigated across the Indian Ocean. The direct body of water ships would cross to reach the Arabian Peninsula from Calicut is the Arabian Sea. This sea is part of the northern Indian Ocean and lies between the Indian subcontinent on the east and the Arabian Peninsula on the west.
Moving from Calicut toward the Arabian Peninsula, one would leave the southwestern coast of India, heading northwest across the Arabian Sea, often targeting trading hubs that were historically significant during the time. It's also important to note that during the age of exploration, navigating from Calicut, merchants and explorers were interested in the rich trade of spices, silks, and other commodities.<\/p>