Location: Barcelona, Spain.
Summary: A quiet day on board after a cancelled excursion, marked by reflection on past hardships, simple comforts, good company at dinner, and an easy evening of entertainment and cocktails.
A Cancelled Trip
Today, the MSC Lirica docked in Barcelona. My pre‑booked trip to Montserrat had been cancelled, and although several walking tours were offered, I chose to stay on board. I’ve seen much of Barcelona before, and past visits here have been difficult, so a peaceful day felt right.
I started the morning with a cooked English breakfast, orange juice, and coffee, followed by sliced salmon with lemon and capers. Much of the morning was spent reflecting on my last visit to this city, the one that ended with me in the intensive care unit at Barcelona University Hospital while my mum passed away back in England. It’s not a memory I revisit often, but I’m grateful to be here nine years later, able to travel and look back with a sense of distance.
Rest & Reflection Onboard
I decided to take it easy and stayed on the ship, making the most of the complimentary cocktails while reading my Kindle. The quiet suited me, and it felt good to have a day without rushing, queuing, or navigating crowds.
In the evening, I met Helen and joined Jean for dinner. I had carrot-and-ginger soup to start, turkey for my main course, and cinnamon rice pudding for dessert. The company was warm and easy, and it felt good to share the evening with familiar faces.
Evening Entertainment
After dinner, we went to the ship’s theatre for the evening show and then returned to the Beverly Hills Boulevard Bar for more entertainment and a couple of cocktails. It was a gentle, uncomplicated end to a day that needed to be exactly that.
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