We arrived in Barcelona and were immediately greeted by warm sunshine, which set the perfect holiday mood. We were there for a week-long Mediterranean cruise with MSC Cruises. After landing, we took the airport bus to Plaça de Catalunya, the bustling center of Barcelona. We found a place to store our luggage and started thinking about what to do next.

Initially, I had plans to visit the Sagrada Familia and Casa Mila, but we were too tired and hungry after our early flight from Bristol. Instead, we found a cozy local café in a side street and enjoyed a large slice of tortilla and some tapas.

Once we regained some energy, we realized there wasn’t enough time for serious sightseeing. So, we strolled down Avinguda Portal de l’Angel, a popular shopping street, and got sidetracked by the shops and street musicians. We barely made it to the cathedral and the Gothic quarter before it was time to head back, collect our luggage, and take a taxi to the port to board the MSC Splendida.

The cruise ship was massive, towering over us as we arrived. We boarded through the elegant central atrium, which featured a sparkling staircase adorned with jewels. The ship was quite glamorous, but in a tasteful way.

Our stateroom was on the 13th floor and had a balcony where Guy relaxed while I unpacked and took some photos. The room was decorated in a modern Italian style with a color scheme of brown, mustard, and black. It included a seating area, a desk by the glass doors, a fridge with a mini bar, and a flat-screen TV. We missed the safety briefing because the announcements outside weren’t audible inside our room.

After settling in, we explored the ship, which was already bustling with guests. Many were families and people in their 30s and 40s, creating a lively atmosphere. As the ship sailed out of Barcelona, we enjoyed the evening sun on the pool deck with a cappuccino before heading back to our room to get ready for dinner.

We attended a cocktail reception for honeymooners and returning guests before having dinner at the Villa Verde restaurant at 9:30 PM. We were seated with a German couple and a Norwegian couple, both of whom spoke English, making for pleasant conversation. The ship had a diverse mix of nationalities, including Spanish, French, Italians, Japanese, and a few Brits. Announcements were made in multiple languages to accommodate everyone.

Our first port of call was Marseille, where we planned to explore the city at our own pace. The rest of the cruise included stops in Genoa, Naples, Messina, and Tunis, with a day at sea before returning to Barcelona. The cruise was hosted by MSC Cruises, and prices for similar trips start at around £700 per person.