Location: Alicante, Spain & Mediterranean Sea
Summary: I joined the MSC Lirica, battled strong winds to reach the terminal, discovered ginseng coffee, met new Spanish tablemates, enjoyed good food and bad entertainment, and settled into cruise life.
Leaving the hotel
Today I joined the MSC Lirica for my cruise. I’d set my alarm for 10:00 in case I slept late, but there was no danger of that in the lumpy bed I’d endured. I was up early and attempted a shower, only to discover the cubicle was so tiny I couldn’t get into it. I doubt anyone half my size would have managed gracefully. I dressed, did a few crossword puzzles, and checked out.
The receptionist was polite enough, but she didn’t ask whether the room had been okay or if I’d slept well, perhaps just as well, because the answers wouldn’t have been glowing. Even for a single night, I won’t be staying there again.
I typed “cruise terminal” into my map app and set off on the walk. The wind had already picked up, and dragging my suitcase along felt like a tug‑of‑war with nature. By the time I reached the sea wall, the gusts were so strong I had to lean into them just to keep moving forward.
Joining MSC Lirica
At the terminal, I took the lift up to the check‑in hall and found I was one of the first to arrive. Check‑in was quick and easy, and just before midday, I stepped aboard the MSC Lirica.
I registered my credit card at one of the onboard terminals, something everyone has to do, even with an all‑inclusive package, and then found a coffee lounge. They served ginseng coffee, which I’d never tried. Supposedly good for memory and gut health, so I ordered a small cup. It was fantastic. Naturally, I followed it with a large one. A new favourite was discovered before I’d even unpacked.
After my caffeine boost, I wandered the ship to get my bearings: restaurants, bars, theatres, cabins. My cabin wasn’t as big as last year’s, but it was still an improvement on last night’s shoebox. I celebrated this fact with a Piña Colada before heading to the buffet.
I hadn’t eaten yet, so I made up for it: potato-and-shrimp soup, chicken salad, calamari salad, black-bean rice with meatballs, stewed beef, sweetcorn, and some cheesy bread. Lunch was excellent, and I washed it down with another Piña Colada, which the waiter kindly fetched for me.
Back in my cabin, my suitcase still hadn’t arrived. As it had gone 14:00, I decided on an afternoon nap. When I woke, the case was waiting outside the door. I unpacked, took a shower, thankfully possible in this bathroom, and headed out again.
I ordered a Mojito at a bar and then made my way to my assigned dining room for 18:30. I was joined by three Spanish ladies and a Spanish gentleman from Alicante. He spoke English, and I explained that my Spanish was limited. They were all very friendly, and it will be interesting to see whether my Spanish improves by the end of the cruise.
Dinner was spicy mussels to start, roast pork for the main, and chocolate mousse to finish. The waiter even fetched me another Mojito while I ate. After saying goodbye to my table companions, in Spanish, no less, I went in search of evening entertainment.
Unfortunately, the singers in the first bar were dreadful, and the ones in the next bar were somehow worse. I stayed until the evening cabaret was due to begin in the main theatre, then headed there instead.
Once seated, the compère announced that tonight’s entertainment would be performed by the ship’s crew rather than the regular entertainment team. To say they were awful would be generous. I left before the show ended. My own singing voice is terrible, but even I would have been an improvement, and my humour would have earned more applause than the attempts made on stage.
I decided that was enough for one day and returned to my cabin for the night.
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