Maite Pons Pallarès, a 78-year-old Barcelona resident, recently completed an extraordinary 129-day round-the-world cruise. She disembarked in Barcelona in early April, having visited 27 countries across five continents. This "unique experience" saw the retired chemical company employee travel more than 60,000 nautical miles.
Ms Pons, who will soon turn 79, secured her solo balcony cabin on the Costa Deliziosa cruise ship for €31,000. This price included all meals, wines, beers, entertainment, taxes, and 12 excursions. She purchased additional excursions and explored many destinations independently, often alongside new friends. "I never had a moment of boredom," she stated. "I even lacked time."
A Spontaneous Global Journey
Ms Pons learned about the trip by chance in October when a friend mentioned a cancellation. She embarked on November 27 in Trieste, Italy, and concluded her journey in Barcelona on April 4. Her extensive itinerary included stops in Barcelona, Casablanca, and Tenerife before crossing the Atlantic to Barbados. The journey continued through the Panama Canal, which she described as a "super cool experience."
Political issues led to the cancellation of an Ecuador stop, rerouting the ship to Peru and Chile. Ms Pons celebrated Christmas on Easter Island. The cruise then traversed seven or eight islands en route to Australia, including the "marvellous and very exotic" Mystery Island. Subsequent stops included various cities in Vietnam, China, India, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Maldives, and three ports in South Africa. The final leg involved Cabo Verde, Las Palmas, and finally, Barcelona.
Life Aboard the Costa Deliziosa
Life on board offered a packed schedule of activities. Ms Pons participated in morning handicraft workshops, creating numerous bracelets. She also alternated between pilates, fitness, and yoga sessions. Her evenings often involved playing bridge, bingo, and dancing nightly. She attended daily theatre performances, which featured "incredible shows" that would be expensive on land.
Ms Pons also used her time to connect with fellow travellers. She taught Catalan to a French couple planning a trip to Catalonia. She learned some Italian by playing bridge and made an international network of friends. "I am invited to Madrid, Vigo, Las Palmas, Granada, Italy, France, Germany," she noted. "I also hope they come to see me here in Barcelona, of course; it is an exchange."
Memorable Moments and Practical Advice
Ms Pons recounted a memorable incident in Panama where she forgot to adjust her watch. After shopping, she arrived at the bus pick-up point an hour late. Police, alerted to her absence, stopped her and escorted her to a French group's bus, ensuring she returned to the ship. She advises future travellers to carry a good travel insurance policy, as she required medical attention on board for a cough.
Upon her return to Barcelona, Ms Pons experienced a stark contrast to her safe travels. Her wallet was stolen shortly after disembarking. Despite this, she remains enthusiastic about her adventure. She believes a world cruise is "something one should do at least once," recommending it "as soon as possible, while you still have energy." She hopes her new friends will visit her in Barcelona, where she lives in the Raval district. She even showed one German friend La Rambla.
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Originally published by El Periódico Barcelona. Read original article.
