Written by Kelly Doherty, Commercial Account Manager
Day 1 – Arrival – Barcelona, Spain
My day started at 0200, a mix of excitement and sleepiness! We departed from London Gatwick and arrived with a view of the stunning Star Princessas we began our descent into Barcelona. Embarkation was smooth and anticipation great to get into our staterooms. To my surprise, my suitcase could be found outside my room just one hour after being on board – a great feat considering there were 4,100 other passengers on board! My stateroom, a beautifully appointed Deluxe Balcony on Deck 11, was an idyllic sanctuary for my upcoming week.
Welcome drinks & the ‘Sail Away’ ritual began promptly at 6 pm from Wakes View Terrace. We clinked our champagne flutes and enjoyed sunset views over the departing port, the familiar ‘Love Boat’ horn resounding in the background, which was the perfect prelude to our first dining experience in Aurora – the main dining room.
Following a long day of travel, I melted into a dreamy 8-hour, food-induced coma in my luxurious Queen-sized bed.
Day 2 – Sea Day
There’s something magical about waking up on your first morning at sea. I started my day with a coffee on the balcony, enjoying endless views of the sky meeting the ocean over the horizon, streaks of rose gold and tangerine stretched outward as the sun said ‘good morning’.
Having eventually peeled myself away from the captivating views, breakfast in ‘The Eatery’ was calling. An informal buffet setting, offering a plethora of breakfast foods before me, I restricted myself to a plate of mouth-watering watermelon and a freshly baked croissant. It was the first day after all!
The rest of the day was made up of a brief ship tour to collect our bearings and some training on all things Princess on Deck 4’s ‘The Landing’. Lunchtime soon arrived, and I opted for Steak Tacos by the pool on the Lido deck – 10/10 (as you’ll realise as you read on.)
A sea day meant our first ‘Formal Night’. Our group got glammed up and met in the Piazza (hub of the ship) for pre-dinner cocktails, and when I tell you that the 24K Margarita was to DIE for, I mean it. Dinner was in the Speciality restaurant ‘Catch by Rudi’ – a fine dining seafood establishment on Deck 7. This turned out to be my favourite overall dining experience, in terms of food quality, menu, service and ambience (stay tuned for my very close second…)
Our waiter, André, was exceptional. Very knowledgeable about wine pairing and the menu, and the fact my wine glass was never less than half full had absolutely no sway on my opinion 😉
Dish recommendations: Calamari, Sea & Shore (Filet Mignon & Lobster Tail) & Delight in the Air (Strawberry Pavlova)
The evening proceeded to be a little blurry (I blame André). I do know I spent a good amount of time singing and dancing in the Irish O’Malley’s pub – mainly because there’s video evidence. Looks like I had the best night!
Day 3 – Malaga, Spain
A bit of a sore head this morning meant I skipped breakfast in favour of an extra hour in bed. So, by the time I returned early afternoon from a 4-mile walk exploring Málaga town & beach, I was famished! Off to the Lido deck for another helping of delicious steak tacos and an hour’s respite on a sun lounger…..
This evening’s speciality dining experience was a ‘colourful’ tasting menu courtesy of ‘Love by Britto’. Walking into the restaurant, situated at the aft of Deck 17, felt like stepping into a gallery where food is the art and ambience the masterpiece. Every detail seemed intentional, the décor heavily inspired by Romero Britto, patterned dinnerware and napkins, walls peppered with vibrant pieces of artwork, all laced with intimate views of the rolling ocean beyond.
The meal took you on a culinary journey through playful adventure and flavour. During five courses, you’re introduced to dishes such as oysters dressed in lemongrass kafir & gold flakes, a cappuccino of wild mushroom soup, butter-poached lobster tail and more. Divine!
The perfect ending to the night came when we entered The Dome. In juxtaposition to our dining location, situated right at the front of the ship and adorned by hundreds of twinkling candlelights. A solo guitarist took to the stage for an hour of acoustic harmony.
Day 4 – Gibraltar
A port I had never visited, nor knew too much about! We docked early, adjacent to P&O’sAurora, which meant the port was busy. I decided I wanted to venture up ‘the Rock’ in search of primates. The incline was steep and tiring, and approximately halfway up, we decided it was best to dip into the old World War II caves for a breather. The intricacy of this tunnelling system astounded me, and some of the shadowy nooks and crannies made my hair stand on end. It was in a small opening here that I experienced a magnificent bird’s-eye view of Gibraltar in its entirety, including the runway.
Did you know? The runway of Gibraltar’s airport crosses a main road, which means you can walk, bike or drive across it when no planes are using it. It’s the only airport in the world with this feature, and there I was, witness to it from inside the Rock!
After my hike, it was naturally back to the ship to fulfil my need for steak tacos on the Lido deck!
Before dinner, we headed to Good Spirits at Sea for an interactive cocktail-making class. In the style of some sort of lively infomercial, our mixologist – part storyteller, part artist invited us to participate in the making (and vigorous shaking) of some cocktails, ingredients specific to our voyage destinations! There was a sense of camaraderie as each of us took to the spotlight to create a masterpiece. The experience was certainly one to remember.
This evening’s culinary delight was found in the Crown Grill – another exclusive restaurant, included within the Premier Drinks Package, specialising in Steak.
To start, the exquisite Colossal Lump Crab Cake, a fabulous introduction to the main event, a 400g Boneless Rib-Eye, cooked to perfection. Dessert was a ten-layered chocolate cake, and an early night!
Day 5 – Cartagena, Spain
One of my favourite Mediterranean ports to date! Authentically Spanish, intertwined with modernity & known for its rich history. The city’s harbour is a central feature, and as soon as you step ashore, you’re surrounded by bustling, yet immaculate streets.
With temperatures reaching well into the high 20s by lunchtime, an afternoon by the pool was beckoning. The enormous screen on the Lido deck was showing the Barbie movie, and I’m unafraid to say that this enhanced my spare time! And yes, of course, tacos were enjoyed too.
We found ourselves back in the main dining room – Aurora this evening. As we shared a bottle (or two) of Whispering Angel (also included in our drinks package), we delighted ourselves in the upcoming invitation to ‘Spellbound’. Arriving at the mysteriously closed door on Deck 9, we anticipated the contents of this very exclusive venue. Without giving too much away, we were immersed in a theatrical bar & show created in partnership with the famed Magic Castle. It certainly had the wow factor, and once inside, it was hard to believe you were on a 177,800 gross ton ship in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea!
Day 6 – Sea Day
Our second and final sea day with an unforgettable twist. We spent the morning on a private behind-the-scenes tour with Carlos, the Food & Beverage Director, taking in the main dining room kitchen – the most sparkling of kitchenware you have ever seen, not to mention the sheer size of it. Following this, we headed back to ‘The Landing’ for an exclusive Q&A session with some of the ship’s senior officers, including the Cruise Director and Captain! This was a very special moment, and it was not lost on me how fortuitous I was to get up close and personal with the crew.
Onto my (very close) second favourite dining experience came when we entered Umai, an immersive Teppanyaki restaurant which can only be described as theatrical, lively and mouth-wateringly delicious! Our chefs were so enthusiastic, and their passion contagious. This is an absolute must for anybody travelling on Princess Cruises Sphere-Class ships!
Another sea day meant another formal evening! But not before experiencing ‘Meridian’, a cinematic production that tells a love story featuring a blend of original and re-imagined pop songs in the Princess Arena.
Our final speciality dining experience was The Butcher's Block by Dario, offering a meat-centric, family-style meal curated by world-renowned Italian butcher Dario Cecchini. In place of the traditional à la carte option, the restaurant offers a set, multi-course menu featuring premium, aged cuts of beef.
After dinner, the drinks flowed freely in the Piazza as the ship came alive for a themed ‘white night’ party. The live music had everybody two-stepping, and you couldn’t help but scale the two floors above to get a bird’s eye view over the mezzanine of a sea of dazzling white outfits all moving in unison.
Day 7 – Marseille, France
Our final port, with views of terracotta rooftops tumbling down toward the sparkling Mediterranean. A maze of colourful alleys, abundant with street art and shutters in sun-washed greens and blues. A soft city bustle, as locals and tourists meandered through the metropolis. We roamed along the old port, passing countless harbour restaurants – many patrons enjoying moules-frites. Characteristic of a French coastal destination for sure!
The afternoon was spent enjoying the final few hours of free time on board before a farewell dinner in the main dining room. Not wanting the week to end too abruptly, I made it (just in time) to the Arena for an evening of music & song with Dan, the Cruise Director, who had curated a beautifully moving timeline of his life, incorporating his own renditions of some popular songs. A special way to wrap up my time on board.
Day 8 – Departure – Barcelona, Spain
As we disembarked (early) and transferred to the airport, leaving the silhouette of our temporary home in our wake, I took a moment to reflect on my past week, and I can hand on heart say that the Star Princess is a very special ship. From the places I’d visited, the people I’d met and the memories that will stay with me long after the waves have faded.
