Thursday 23rd October, 2025 - Malaga

 We arrived in Malaga this morning

John decided he wanted to go for a stroll around the city and left the ship at around 9.30 am. As we had been to Malaga before,  I decided that I would stay on board.  I had a very relaxing morning.  Our butler Sydonie, delivered my breakfast tea, with honey & lemon and a basket of croissants with Jam.

I  then went to the Top Sail Lounge, to chat and do some cross stitch.

John returned about 1.30pm and we went up to the One Pool Bar for lunch.

Photos are of the church in Malaga

Wednesday 22nd October, 2025 - Alicante

 We caught the shuttle train to the end of the port and then walked to the main road, which was quite a long way. 

 We had a quick look around, sat and had a cup of coffee. John went to the Pharmacy, and then we slowly headed back to the ship.  

It  was too far for me and I was totally exhausted and very sore by the time we boarded the ship.

First stop was again a late lunch at the One Pool Bar, and then I spent at least 1 1/2 hrs in the spa.  The good thing about getting back (or staying on board on Port days is that its a lot quieter) having said that, being in Yacht Club is always peaceful.

The Captain made an announcement late today regarding a change of itinerary.

The dock is on strike in Lisbon and we are unable to dock there on Friday, so instead we will sail to Malaga overnight and remain there until 10pm Friday night.  People due to disembark in Lisbon, will disembark in Malaga and be taken from Malaga to Lisbon by bus, which is about a 7hr trip.  Likewise, people embarking in Lisbon will be bused to Malaga to join the ship.

Tuesday 21st October, 2025 - Valencia

Sunrise in Valencia

We caught the shuttle bus at around 10.30 am close to the old city. It was a 1/2 drive.

From where the bus dropped us we walked across this bridge into the old city.  The bridge was originally over the Turia River, and after a major flood in 1957 the river was rerouted to a new channel south of the city and the former bed was transformed into the Turia Gardens, now a popular urban park which is approximately 7 klm long.

you enter the Old city through the City Gate.

We sat for a while with a drink and people watched.

There were lots of 

people around, some great laneways

We walked to a square where the Police Headquarters and Municipal buildings were

These are some photos of the city from the bus on the way back to the ship

Back at the ship in time for a late lunch at the One Pool Bar, a spa, then dinner and drinks in the Top Sail Lounge listening to music being played by not Larry !!!!

 

Monday 20th October, 2025 Barcelona

 We arrived in Barcelona this morning, and again I still wasn't feeling 100%,so again stayed on board, with quite a few others.  I was able to spend a good hour in the hot tub.

We had a change of Butler today - Her name is Sydonie, and she is lovely😃Very attentive. 

There were at least 14 ships waiting to dock

The ship was just over an hour late leaving this afternoon, as the port seemed very busy

When she escorted us to dinner, she offered to make me a hot lemon & honey drink before bed, and then said she would deliver one to the cabin at 9am tomorrow morning.  

Sunday 19th October, Marseille

 We woke in Marseille this morning to find showers and cooler weather.

We were both feeling quite tired and I still wasn't feeling great, so as we had been to Marseille before we decided to stay on board.  

I managed to pick a time between showers to have about 45mins in the hot tub, which was great.😀 We had lunch at the One Pool Bar on Deck 18, and then spent a relaxing afternoon in the Top Sail Lounge.

Photos taken from the ship of Marseille