Friday 15th March 2019
I woke early this morning, looked at the TV screen to find out where we were, and regretted that this ship doesn't appear to have a 'View from the Bridge' camera. That's a shame I thought, although I could see that we were speeding along towards Barcelona at 22 knots.
I had previously photographed the cabin route out to the nearest landing/stairwell so I managed to get to breakfast in a better than expected time, which was reassuring. From the windows of the Marketplace buffet on deck 15 we could see the Spanish coast a few miles off on our starboard side and the weather looked good. We are due to dock in Barcelona at 12.30, so there is time this morning to look round more areas of the ship.
Up on deck 16 we saw more attractive artworks, the entrance to the Solarium and bags of whey available, the Virtual Games Arcade with an actual racing car which looked fun to drive, the Horizon pool and amphitheatre, and the pool deck.
Earlier in the atrium area near the Champagne Bar on deck 7, I had looked round and noticed sick bags placed beside one of the art works I had admired the previous evening.
It seems that the seas had been quite rough overnight, and maybe the alcohol intake rather high too, so the bags were placed around in case they were needed.
The Atmosphere pool with North and South Bars was very popular with many passengers with ice-cream, food and drinks all near at hand. It was open but nicely sheltered with lots of poolside seating.
Just forward of this was the Grand Canyon bar with huge chairs for comfortable individual seating. They were fun for morning coffee and watching the world go past in various ways.
We had planned to have lunch on board then go ashore and walk along to take a harbour tour. We watched the Barcelona Pilot come on board and then get us to our berth, before heading for the Restaurant.
After leaving MSC BELLISSIMA we looked back up at it from the quayside and were amazed to notice a cabin balcony right above the Bridge on the port side. I had to blink and look again before realising that a passenger was actually standing on what must have been a Yacht Club cabin balcony. It was his/her movement that must have caught our attention up above the Bridge.
The sun was hot and comfortable as we strolled along towards the other part of the harbour beyond the bridge. We had good views of the ships as we crossed the bridge and headed towards the little vessels offering harbour tours.
On our way I persuaded my friend to walk with me into the ferry terminal on our route and he was amazed to see several ship models. I think he now realises how fascinating they can be both to see and to travel on, and I know he enjoyed seeing the cutaway model of one of them with all the tiny passengers, cars, lorries etc. standing beside the model ship in the glass case.
At the harbour tours quayside the popular OMNIBUS was there so we bought tickets and climbed on board, and were soon heading round the inner harbour and under the bridge. It was enjoyable taking photographs from sea level for a change.
copyright S. Morton
After disembarking from OMNIBUS we just had to visit the flea market that had been set up near the quayside, with so many eye-catching things glittering in the sunlight. Nearby again was the local bus that took us back to the cruise ship terminals and we were soon on board.
We met again later at the Champagne Bar and a glass of Prosecco was soon put in front of me. Dinner was good again, although the people we met at the table last night had left the ship today. Tonight we noticed that some passengers were refused entry to the Restaurant because of their too casual daytime clothing.
After dinner we joined the usual promenaders in the Galleria Bellissima, and realised that part of the evening's entertainment was suggesting passengers dressed in 1960/1970s style, to match the Flower Glory Party theatre show. Some of the entertainment staff were dressed accordingly, but a couple of the ones I saw looked rather bored. Fortunately, up in the Sky Lounge we could enjoy the music of the jazz duo, and sample the delights of an Aperol Spritz. Tomorrow we visit Marseilles in France, so that should be another interesting day.
Ships seen: Viking Jupiter delivered a month ago in February 2019, Viking Star, Eurocargo Palermo, Baltic Chief I, STI Hackney, Grimaldi Spes, Armas Volcan de Tinamar, Omnibus for the harbour tour, L'Audace,
To be continued...