It’s called a Nebuchadnezzar. At 15 litres it’s the biggest bottle of champagne Veuve Clicquot make – and it’s dangling from a giant crane. Then, with a whoosh, it smashes against Princess Cruises’ newest ship, the Sun Princess. In a blaze of music, dance and lights, the ship’s godmother, Ted Lasso actress Hannah Waddingham, officially christens her. The party to celebrate, the Festival of the Sun, kicks on long into the night.
The buzz of Barcelona
I’ve joined the Sun Princess in Barcelona, Spain, for her naming ceremony, and inaugural Mediterranean cruising season. And the Catalan capital is the perfect city for a party! Barcelona is famous for its vibrant culture, delicious food, cobbled laneways and the incredible structures of Antoni Gaudí –“God’s architect”. With just a day and a night to explore, we head for Barcelona’s most iconic sights. We start with Gaudi’s masterpiece, the Sagrada Família church, Spain’s most visited monument. This extraordinary building, with soaring spires, stained glass, ceramics and sculptures, was started in 1882. Almost 150 years in the making, Sagrada Família is expected to be completed in 2026.
Our appetites are piqued by the cafes, bars and bakeries on every corner, we head to Las Ramblas, Barcelona’s famous boulevard which connects the city to the port. We stop for pinxtos, the Catalan version of tapas, washed down with cava (Spanish sparkling wine) and sangria.
Just off Las Ramblas, we lose ourselves in the labyrinthine laneways of the Gothic Quarter. We buy roses for St George’s Day outside the baroque Church of Betlem. For foodies, the La Boqueria market is a must-visit. It is overflowing with empanadas, seafood, cheese, cured meats, and handmade chocolates, as well as small bars selling wine and sangria, paella and pinxtos.
After Barcelona, the Sun Princess visits Marseille, the oldest city in France and Europe’s largest port; then Genoa, the birthplace of Christopher Columbus, before docking at La Spezia, the historic naval town and gateway to Pisa and the Ligurian coast.
Revelling in the Italian Riviera
High above Porto Venere, the bell in the tower of San Lorenzo rings out, tolling midday as it has since medieval times. Across the Bay of Poets, dotted with fishing boats, ferries and mussel farms, the Apennines mountains are capped with snow. Flanders poppies flash red, and a cat slinks into the cemetery. For a moment, time stands still. I’m on a day excursion to the Italian Riviera, the town of Porto Venere, and the UNESCO World Heritage listed villages of Cinque Terre.
In Porto Venere’s narrow streets and alleyways, I linger at tiny stores selling pasta, soap and napery, and the restaurants and cafes lining the seafront. Our guide Nico’s voice crackles in my earpiece. It’s time to board the ferry for Cinque Terra, the “five earths” villages famous for terraced vineyards, olive groves and colourful buildings clinging precariously to the cliffs. Our destination is Monterosso al Mare, the most famous of the villages.
Once plundered by pirates, Cinque Terra’s raiders these days are tourists eager to sample the wine, olive oil, seafood and pesto the region is famous for. I settle on a bench on the beachfront with a focaccia stuffed with prosciutto and cheese. It’s a national holiday, and tourists stroll the promenade, the sun sparkles on the sea, kids swim, and striped umbrellas and small blue dinghies complete the classic Mediterranean seaside scene.
Walkers head off to hike the ancient paths and steps that link the Cinque Terra towns. But Sun Princess beckons us back on board. We’re heading for our final destination, Rome, with the taste of the Mediterranean’s finest seafood and grappa on our lips, leaving us longing to return.
Best food on board
The Sun Princess is the cruise line’s biggest ship, and the first in its new Sphere Class. With 30 restaurants and bars, we were spoiled for choice on our four-night cruise. From fine to casual dining and buffet-style, there’s something for every palate. Highlights included mouth-watering cuts of the finest beef at The Butcher’s Block by renowned butcher Dario Cecchini; Makoto Okuwa’s superb Makoto Ocean sushi; and Sabatini’s classic Italian trattoria.
Must-see shows
By day we lounged, swam in sun-drenched pools and sipped cocktails at The Dome, which transforms into a glass-enclosed stage for the acrobatic performances of Cirque Éloize, a star attraction of this cruise. For a night of magic, theatrical cocktails, spooky surprises and a lot of laughs, Spellbound by Magic Castle is terrific fun.
After a delicious three-course dinner, we’re escorted to a haunted mansion – complete with a ghostly pianist – for mind-bending sleight of hand and cocktails. Later, we hit the dance floor at the Piazza, enjoyed a nightcap at Crooner’s Bar, and even caught a late-night comedy show.
After its season in the Mediterranean, the Sun Princess will switch to the Caribbean in mid-October. Visit princess.com for more.
The writer travelled as a guest of Princess Cruises.
This article originally appeared in the August 2024 issue of The Australian Women’s Weekly. Pick up the latest issue from your local newsagent, or subscribe so you never miss an issue.
