From Marseille to Málaga

Full Transcript

Intro

Hello and welcome aboard the TSJ CruisePod - your journey beyond the waves.

I’m Thomas Sebastian Jensen, and this is the official podcast of the TSJ CruiseBlog.

Whether you’re listening from home, on the road, or maybe even from a balcony cabin somewhere at sea - I’m really glad you’re here.

In this episode, we’re continuing our journey on the World Cruise 2025 aboard the MSC Magnifica.

Today, we’ll explore our first three ports of call: Marseille, Barcelona, and Málaga.

MARSEILLE - A SURPRISING START

Our very first stop was Marseille.

Just like on my previous world cruise, it felt like a familiar beginning - but this time, we wanted to explore it a little differently.

After a relaxed breakfast on board, we grabbed our cameras and headed ashore.

Originally, we planned to take a taxi straight to Notre-Dame de la Garde… but sometimes, the best experiences come from unexpected changes.

Our taxi driver suggested something else:

A small city tour with several stops along the way.

And honestly… that turned out to be a great decision.

Our first stop was the Palais Pharo, overlooking the Old Port. A historic building with a fascinating past - originally intended as a residence for Napoleon III’s wife.

But what really stood out… was the view.

From up there, you get a perfect panorama of Marseille - the harbor, the sea, and the city stretching out in front of you.

From there, we continued to a monument dedicated to soldiers from North Africa. A place that carries a lot of history… and reminds you that travel isn’t just about beautiful views, but also about understanding the past.

Then, finally, we reached our original destination: Notre-Dame de la Garde.

Sitting high above the city, it’s not just a landmark - it’s a symbol of Marseille.

From the top, the view is simply incredible.

And you can really feel how important this place is, especially for sailors and fishermen,
who see the golden statue as a protector watching over the sea.

After that, our tour continued with a visit to a traditional soap factory.

Marseille soap - Savon de Marseille - is known all over the world. And seeing how it’s still produced using traditional methods was really interesting.

To wrap up the day, we took a short walk around the Old Port… and of course… Enjoyed a classic bouillabaisse.

A perfect ending to our first stop.

But that was just the beginning.

From Marseille, we continued along the Mediterranean coast… heading toward Spain.

And our next stop couldn’t have been more vibrant.

BARCELONA - FAMILIAR, YET ALWAYS DIFFERENT

Barcelona is one of those cities…

No matter how often you visit… it never gets boring.

There’s always something new to discover.

This time, we decided to skip the shuttle bus and start our day with a short taxi ride instead.

Our first stop?

The LEGO Store near Plaça de Catalunya.

Yes, really.

But honestly - it’s worth it.

Seeing landmarks like the Sagrada Família recreated entirely from LEGO bricks… that’s something special.

After a bit of shopping, we took a break at Café Zürich, right on the square.

Just sitting there, watching the city come alive… that’s Barcelona.

From there, we walked down La Rambla.

Street performers, small market stalls, tourists from all over the world… it’s always full of energy.

Along the way, we also took care of a few practical things - buying some essentials for the days ahead.

And thanks to a translated list we had prepared in advance, even getting medication at the pharmacy was surprisingly easy.

We also made a quick stop at a supermarket to stock up on snacks and drinks.

And yes… I finally found Aquarius again - one of those small things that just makes you happy on a long journey.

Of course, we couldn’t miss the famous Boqueria Market.

Even in cooler weather, it’s full of life, colors, and incredible smells.

We treated ourselves to a smoothie and something sweet… and just enjoyed the atmosphere.

The only downside that day?

Construction work along La Rambla.

It made getting a taxi a bit more complicated… and in the end, we probably paid a bit more than usual.

But overall… Barcelona once again delivered.

A mix of familiarity… and little surprises.

After Barcelona, the journey continued further south along the Spanish coast.

And with every mile… you could feel the world cruise really beginning to take shape.

Our next stop: Málaga.

MÁLAGA - HISTORY, CULTURE AND A PERFECT SAIL AWAY

Málaga welcomed us with a mix of history, culture, and that relaxed Andalusian atmosphere.

But our day didn’t start completely smoothly.

There was a small issue with excursion tickets… and at first, it looked like we wouldn’t be in the same group.

But luckily, everything got sorted out quickly.

And by around 8:15 in the morning… we were on our way.

Our tour began with a drive through different parts of the city.

It gave us a great first impression - from modern areas to historic neighborhoods.

One of the highlights was visiting the birthplace of Pablo Picasso.

Seeing where one of the most influential artists in history began his journey… that’s something quite special.

From there, we continued on foot through the old town… and made our way up to the Alcazaba.

A Moorish fortress overlooking the city.

The views from up there… absolutely worth it.

Just below, you’ll find the Roman Theatre - another reminder of how many layers of history this city has.

We also visited the cathedral, with its mix of Renaissance and Baroque architecture.

A really impressive place.

Before heading back, we walked along one of the oldest shopping streets in the city.

Small shops, historic buildings, a lively atmosphere… a great way to end the tour.

But the real highlight of the day…

Was still to come.

THE FIRST BIG MOMENT OF THE JOURNEY

Back on board… in the afternoon…

Something special happened.

The Sail Away Party.

Under bright sunshine… with music playing… and guests and crew celebrating together…

It felt like the real beginning of the world cruise.

The energy on deck was incredible.

Live music, performances, introductions of the entertainment team…

And as the ship slowly left the port of Málaga…

You could feel it.

This wasn’t just another cruise.

This was the start of something much bigger.

A journey filled with adventure, discovery… and unforgettable moments.

Outro

And these were our first three stops on this incredible world cruise.

From the historic charm of Marseille… to the vibrant energy of Barcelona… and the cultural depth of Málaga…

The journey is just getting started.

In the next episode, we’ll continue exploring more destinations along the way.

So make sure to join me again… as we travel further around the world - one port at a time.

Until then: thanks for listening, fair winds, and I’ll see you beyond the waves.