The problem with a good breakfast selection is one feels obliged to do it justice. Even worse, our hotel has a pancake making machine, so instead of finishing with a tiny piece of cake I’m having to make two pancakes with lashings of maple syrup – yum yum!

Commercial pancake vending/maker machine labeled 'WAVE HAND TO MAKE PANCAKES' with blue interior lighting and a touchscreen display below the slot.

We head west then north once again, our plan to do a quick view of the recent addition to Sagrada Familia. It’s only 40 minutes, a dozen or so blocks.

We’re always in awe of the magnificence of this building, but it would be oh so nice to not see cranes, something we’ve never experienced. Recently there was such acclaim when the church was topped off, but that’s not really the end of the story, today there are no less than three cranes affixed to the building. One wonders if it will ever be truly finished?

Detail of the Sagrada Família towers under construction with cranes above a tree-lined park.
Sagrada Família in Barcelona with cranes above, visitors walking in the sunlit plaza surrounded by trees.
Front view of the Sagrada Família in Barcelona with tall spires and a construction crane against a clear blue sky, people gathered at the entrance
Sagrada Família in Barcelona under construction with tall spires and construction cranes against a clear blue sky, with pedestrians in the foreground.
Sagrada Família's intricate spires under construction with cranes against a blue sky; visitors at the base viewing area.
Sagrada Família towers in Barcelona with a construction crane against a blue sky, visitors at the base.
Tourists stand on a stone terrace in front of La Sagrada Família's intricate façade and towers under a clear blue sky.
Facade of Sagrada Família with tall spires and intricate stone carvings against a clear blue sky
Sagrada Família cathedral in Barcelona with tall spires and a yellow construction crane against a blue sky.

Merely out of curiosity we check the app and we could have got in on a timed ticket within ten minutes, but it’s not worth €52 just for twenty minutes, which is all the time we have free this morning. I’ll post a few internals from our last visit four years ago.

Interior of the Sagrada Família showing tall, tree-like columns and colorful stained-glass windows.
Inside the Sagrada Família's nave: towering tree-like stone columns rise to a colorful, geometric ceiling with stained-glass light. Visitors walk the vast interior.
Interior of the Sagrada Família with tall tree-like columns, vaulted ceiling, and colorful stained-glass windows framing the nave.
Interior of Sagrada Família basilica with tall tree-like columns and an ornate altar at the far end
Inside the Sagrada Família, a low-angle view shows tall tree-like stone columns converging toward a richly lit vaulted ceiling with circular stained-glass windows and warm lights, with visitors at the bottom.
Colorful mosaic cactus sculptures on the exterior of the Sagrada Família, with Barcelona cityscape in the distance.”

From outside we enjoy the incredible Gaudi architecture, in particular the New Cross we’ve not seen before.

Sagrada Família tower spires with ornate mosaic details against a clear blue sky.

Returning to the hotel we finish packing and pick up,our transfer to the ship. Although quiet when we walked earlier, the city traffic is horrendous and our driver takes us on a fascinating zig-zag route to avoid congestion. The new MSC terminal is huge, we are quickly processed by the efficient staff and within fifteen minutes are welcomed onboard with pink champagne.

Large abstract elephant sculptures painted in bright colors stand in a bright, modern atrium with white tiled walls and high ceilings.

We have a wonderful surprise when someone rushes up to say hello, the fabulous Sophie who is onboard this week as guest singer – she was excited to see us, and the feeling mutual, she’s a wonderful entertainer. She used to be a cruise director on Seabourn.

Lunch beckons and whilst I have sushi, Hubby has his traditional first lunch of cheese burger and fries.

Man pours rosé wine from a bottle into a glass at a dining table indoors; another person sits nearby in a bright lounge.
Smiling man in a light shirt sits in a modern hotel lobby, a glass of wine on the table in front of him and sunglasses hanging from his shirt.
Person pouring champagne from a bottle into a stemmed glass at an outdoor restaurant table on a sunny day.
Two men smiling at an outdoor waterfront restaurant, with frosty cocktails on the table and a blue sea in the background.
Assorted sushi platter with nigiri and rolls on a dark marble board, soy sauce and pickled ginger nearby, glassware in the background
Smiling older man in a light shirt sits at an outdoor harbor restaurant, holding a salt grinder toward the camera.

Bunkering is happening just below us, and later we watch Costa Smerelda and Disney Dream leave port.

View from a ship deck looking toward the harbor with turquoise water and industrial port buildings in the distance, metal railing and deck equipment in the foreground.
Large white cruise ship with many decks on teal water under a cloudy gray sky, lifeboats visible along the side.
Large cruise ship docked at a harbor with cranes on the right and calm water in the foreground

Dinner tonight is in Fil Rouge, a French restaurant, we enjoy beetroot carpaccio, foie gras and escargot. French onion soup. Dover sole, lobster and veal medallions. Puddings are apple tart, mille feuille and tres leches cake.

Beet carpaccio arranged on a white plate with a small green leaf garnish and onion shard on top.
Canapés: toasted bread slices with pâté, onion chutney, and microgreens on a white plate
Beige circular mold with multiple brown crumb-filled wells on a plate.
Close-up of a caramelized crème brûlée in a white ramekin on a dining table
Plate with sliced roasted fish fillet, two potato dumplings, and a roasted potato on a white dish; fork resting above the fish.
Two beef medallions in brown sauce with onion, beside broccoli and potato gratin on a white plate.
Two lobster tail halves topped with melted cheese on a white plate.
Slice of crumbly nut crumble bar on a white plate
Close-up of a cream-filled puff pastry slice with flaky layers and a dusting of powdered sugar on a white plate.
Grilled chicken breast covered in a pale creamy herb sauce on a white plate
Night seascape with a distant line of lights along the horizon and a dark blue sky above the calm water.

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Neil
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