Thursday, February 26

Last full day of the cruise was a day at sea. As the ship high-tailed it back to Barcelona, Mark indulged in an extra back massage and I played bingo – finally winning! Not enough to make up for my investment, alas, but I had fun.

We visited the little room that overlooks the bridge, and saw the ship's officers looking relaxed but clearly interested in some ships off to our right. We made a beeline back to our cabin for a better view. Mark insists these are British warships, but I can’t tell. Whatever they are, it was a little dose of reality -- and a reminder that our cruise fantasyland was coming to an end. With all the cultures we’d seen, and the illness we shall never speak of again, it seemed like we’d been away from home for a very long time.

We packed, had a room service dinner, and a lazy evening in.