Saga Sapphire Mediterranean Cruise Countdown

It’s nearing that time again, ocean adventure time, and I have an 18-night date with Saga Sapphire coming up in the Mediterranean!

Yes, I am going back to the lovely, blue and white lady next week – I will meet her in Dover on Wednesday afternoon and I can’t wait. I had such a good time on her in May and I know this trip is going to be equally as exciting (and tasty!).

Our ports of call are: Gibraltar, Palma, Civitavecchia, Livorno, Barcelona, Valencia and Leixoes. Leixoes is the only port on this cruise that I have never been to before so I’m looking forward to our call there. I am planning on going dolphin watching for the morning in Gibraltar, I did a trip like this a few years ago in Madeira and it was amazing, it was so nice to be within touching distance of these remarkable creatures and I’m hoping we will be just as lucky in Gibraltar. In Palma, I am taking the narrow-gauge train to Soller, apparently the views are incredible so I’m hoping it will be a clear, sunny day. In Civitavecchia, I am heading to Tivoli and Villa D’Este, I visited Rome once, in the summer, and to be honest that was enough for me. I would like to go again sometime, but not in July. I am undecided on Livorno, I will get back to you on that call, but in Barcelona I’m planning a trip to the zoo – maybe I will finally get to see an elephant (my favourite animal). Valencia will bring me to Vall de Uxo and the San Jose caves, I opted for this tour because I thought it was something different and I don’t think I have ever actually done an organised excursion in this port. Last but not least, Leixoes, and as I have never been I think I will just explore the port area and have a relaxing end to the trip.

This particular voyage will feature the stars from Strictly Come Dancing: Kristina Rihanoff and Robin Windsor will be dazzling guests with their routines. There will also be a Q&A evening with them both, as well as a special dance workshop. I’m sure the ladies will be lining up around the ship!

One thing I am very much looking forward to on this cruise is a talk from ORCA, the foremost European whale and dolphin conservation charity. Members of the organisation will be onboard Saga Sapphire to conduct scientific research and record any sightings, so I will definitely be tagging along for some of the whale-spotting sessions.

My biggest question right now is, what will I be eating for dinner on Wednesday evening? The food was so incredibly good, it’s definitely one of the things pulling me back – I really hope they do the deep fried crab with curry sauce again, but maybe I will limit myself to just one of those this time. 😉

I’m also looking forward to having a few evenings in Cooper’s Bar, enjoying a cocktail on the deck (hopefully in the sun) and a deck BBQ, completing the crazy golf course (play was rained off last time) and just generally soaking up everything that Saga has to offer.

My countdown started a few weeks ago, but there are now only 2 more sleeps to go!

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