The last day of our Mediterranean Cruise with MSC Cruises was spent at sea as we traveled from Tunis to Barcelona, where our week-long journey would conclude. After days filled with sightseeing, we were happy to have a day to relax and enjoy the ship without any set plans.

Throughout the cruise, we preferred dining at the Villa Verde restaurant with waiter service, avoiding the busy Bora Bora self-service restaurant. We had our breakfast there as usual, securing our favorite table for two by the window, which offered a view of the ship’s wake. In the morning, I took the opportunity to explore the ship more thoroughly. Despite being on board for a week, I still felt a bit lost due to the ship’s large size. The weather alternated between clouds and sunshine, and the aqua park and pool areas were bustling during the sunny periods, with guests eager to soak up the sun.

For a change, we decided to have lunch at La Reggia, another formal dining restaurant. I hadn’t realized before that this restaurant spans two levels, though only the upper level was open for lunch. At the entrance, a chef was preparing a fresh sauce for gnocchi with gorgonzola cheese and walnuts, which we both tried and enjoyed. Being an Italian cruise line, MSC Splendida excelled in its pasta and pizza offerings.

In the afternoon, Guy headed to the gym to work off some of the delicious food, while I opted for a relaxing Balinese massage at the Aurea Spa. The therapist started with my legs, using a mix of firm and gentle strokes, and worked her way up to my back and shoulders, easing out every knot of tension. Initially, I found it hard to relax, especially with my hair tickling my face and difficulty breathing while lying face down. However, once I turned over for the second half of the massage, I felt more at ease and even started to drift off to sleep, finishing the session feeling wonderfully relaxed and fragrant.

Our evening was spent packing for our disembarkation in Barcelona, as we needed to vacate our cabin by 9 am. We still enjoyed the evening show and dinner with our fellow guests. By around 11 am the next morning, after some waiting, we disembarked and took a taxi to Plaça de Catalunya, where we stored our luggage in a nearby locker. Unfortunately, the sunny weather we had enjoyed upon our arrival in Barcelona had turned to cloudy skies and rain showers.

We had visited Barcelona on a family holiday ten years ago, but I was eager to revisit some of Gaudi’s sites. We walked up Passeig de Gracia to Casa Mila, Gaudi’s apartment building. Despite the facade being under renovation, we queued for 45 minutes before taking the lift to the rooftop, which features sculptural chimneys and ventilation shafts. We then explored the attic space, now an exhibition area about Gaudi’s work, and finally toured an apartment furnished in the period style, showcasing Gaudi’s use of natural light.

Our visit ended with some shopping in the gift shop, where we bought colorful mosaic table mats to replace the ones we had bought on our previous visit. Feeling hungry, we tried to dine at La Bodegueta, a recommended tapas and wine restaurant, but it was too crowded. Instead, we had a pleasant lunch at Le Pain Quotidien, opposite Casa Mila, which specializes in healthy salads and vegetarian food.

Next, we aimed to visit La Sagrada Familia, hoping the crowds would have lessened by 4:30 pm. The sun came out as we approached the basilica, but the queue was still long, and we faced a 40-minute wait just to buy tickets for a later timed entry. Deciding it wasn’t worth the wait, we took the metro back to the Gothic Quarter and wandered the narrow lanes around the cathedral. As a rainstorm began, we decided to head to the airport for our flight back to Bristol.

Our week on MSC Splendida had flown by, filled with fascinating new places and enjoyable onboard entertainment. Thank you to MSC Cruises for providing a wonderful Mediterranean experience.