Location: Valencia to Los Alcazares, Murcia, Spain
Summary; Disembarkation, delays, a long day of travel, a dash for a train, and finally home with a takeaway.
Valencia & Home
The ship arrived back in Valencia this morning, and I began the journey home to Los Alcázares. I woke up at around 06:30 and immediately checked whether my suitcase had been collected. On my last cruise, they forgot it, and I had to chase staff around the ship to track it down. This time it had gone, so I headed to the buffet for breakfast. I’m not a fan of buffet breakfasts, but with a long day of travelling ahead, I thought I had better eat something.
I went to the buffet at around 08:30 and had an omelette, bacon, sausage, beans, and potatoes. It was an abysmal breakfast, but at least it was fuel. Afterwards, I went to the Atrium Bar for a coffee and watched people leaving the ship. Gail spotted me, came over to say goodbye, and then went off to find something to eat. I lingered over a second coffee before deciding, around 09:30, that it was time to disembark and collect my luggage.
Leaving the ship and finding my suitcase was very easy this time. Staff were on hand to point people in the right direction, a huge improvement on my first cruise from Valencia, when I was sent all over the place looking for my bag. With my luggage in hand, I decided to take a taxi straight from the port rather than faff about with buses. There was a line of taxis waiting, and mine was bright, clean, and pleasantly scented. The driver made good progress through the traffic without terrifying me, which is more than I can say for some cabbies. The fare to Valencia train station was €16, and I didn’t begrudge a cent of it.
Train Home
I reached the station around 10:00 and checked whether I could catch an earlier train, as mine wasn’t due to leave until 15:30. Every train was fully booked, so I found a seat outside, bought some water, and settled down with my Kindle.
At around 14:45, I saw that my train was delayed, so I went into a café inside the station for something to eat and more water. The chicken sandwich was surprisingly good and reasonably priced for a station café. Eventually, the train arrived, and we left at about 16:45. I wasn’t worried about my connection in Murcia; I had originally been facing a long wait there anyway, so the delay simply meant less time hanging around.
Unfortunately, the train was delayed several more times on the way down, and by the time we reached Murcia, my connection to Balsicas was already on the platform and about to leave. I dashed across, jumped onto the first coach, and started walking through the train to reach my seat at the far end. Halfway along, I discovered there was no connecting door, so I was stuck in that section. I just hoped I’d be able to get off at Balsicas.
Thankfully, when the train pulled in, the doors opened on my side, and I could get off. To my relief, June was waiting to take me home. It was around 20:45 by then, and after all the travelling, I was absolutely shattered, hungry, thirsty, and not feeling great. On the way back, June stopped at Massala Cottage in Los Alcázares so I could pick up a takeaway. Shortly afterwards, she dropped me off at home.
Once inside, I dumped my suitcase on the floor, got myself some water, and managed about half of my meal before I’d had enough. The rest went into the fridge, and I went straight to bed.
Holiday Summary
Reflections After Returning Home
I enjoyed the cruise overall, despite being ill for part of it. If nothing else, it made me realise just how many medical staff are on board a large cruise ship. It was reassuring, and it certainly makes me feel safer about cruising in the future.
Organised and Pre‑Booked Tours Ashore
This was the one aspect of the trip that genuinely annoyed me. I had researched the cruise thoroughly before booking, and the only reason I chose this itinerary was to visit the ports and take the available excursions. I paid a considerable amount extra for those tours.
In the end, about 75% of the trips I booked were cancelled for “insufficient numbers.” I was offered alternatives in other languages, but these weren’t what I had booked the cruise for. I felt conned. Had I known the tours wouldn’t run, I wouldn’t have booked this itinerary at all.
I also questioned the explanation. I was told there weren’t enough English‑speaking passengers, yet every tour I did take included English speakers. Passengers from Germany and Spain also complained, asking for English tours because they spoke English as well as their native languages.
My tour to Civita di Bagnoregio was sold as a “moderate walking tour.” It was nothing of the sort. It should never have been sold to anyone with mobility issues. I had to be helped back to the coach by a kind passer‑by because the guides showed no interest in assisting me.
In general, the tours would have been enjoyable if delivered in English, as advertised.
Food On Board
Breakfast and Lunch
Buffet restaurants are not designed for people walking with a stick. Carrying a tray of food and a drink while weaving through crowds is difficult enough, and the buffet layout was so spread out that getting everything I needed meant a long walk each time.
The quality of the buffet food on this cruise was noticeably inferior to previous trips. I was told there was disabled seating and that staff would help me with food and drink, but I saw no such seating, and the staff were largely uninterested. Many ignored passengers entirely and looked as though they would rather be anywhere else. On several occasions, I was told items were “unavailable,” even when they were visibly in front of the staff. The omelette station was particularly baffling. I was told I could have only cheese and ham, even though a full selection of ingredients was on display.
Dinner
Dinner service was a completely different experience. The staff were excellent, helpful, attentive, and genuinely pleasant. Unfortunately, the food itself was ordinary. The menu leaned heavily toward pasta and fish, with few meat options and even fewer vegetables. Much of the food looked good but tasted bland. Of the three cruises I’ve taken in the last eight months, this one had the weakest food overall.
Entertainment
I enjoyed most of the entertainment, but I still wonder why so little happens during the day. As with my last few cruises, too much of the programme consisted of childish TV‑style game shows. By contrast, my transatlantic crossing on the Queen Mary 2 had superb entertainment and something worthwhile happening at almost every hour.
Shops
The onboard shops were more of a nuisance than anything else. The ship was designed so that you had to walk through the shopping area to get anywhere. The shops sold brand‑name goods at “discount” prices, but everything could be bought cheaper ashore. Because of local laws, the shops and casinos were closed whenever the ship was docked anyway.
Staff
Overall, the staff were a mixed bag. Some were excellent and couldn’t do enough for passengers. Others were lazy, disinterested, poorly trained, and frankly, shouldn’t be working in the service industry.
The guides and shore‑excursion staff were the weakest I’ve experienced on any cruise. I usually tip guides generously, but on this trip, only one earned a tip, and several deserved written complaints.
Why Cruise Lines Keep Your Passport
When I got home, I looked into why cruise lines take passengers’ passports. It turns out to be a practical measure. Immigration officials often board the ship to check documentation when travelling between countries. Keeping passports centrally speeds up the process and prevents passengers from losing them. In hindsight, it makes sense, and I never needed my passport ashore anyway.
Would I Take Another Cruise?
Absolutely, and probably sooner rather than later. But I’ll be more selective.
I already know how to avoid overcrowded, child‑heavy cruises: travel outside school holidays and look for adult‑only ships or itineraries that don’t attract families.
Entertainment varies, but I’ve learned that bigger ships tend to offer better shows simply because they can book bigger acts.
Food on cruises is usually excellent; this one was the exception. I’ll look for ships that offer table service for all meals, as buffet restaurants are not suitable for me. I only eat in the included restaurants, so I can’t comment on the speciality venues, though many seem expensive for what they are. I’ve also noticed that some ships include snacks, pizzas, and burgers in the fare, while others charge extra, something worth checking before booking.
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