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Barcelona. A great favourite with the Cruises and a great favourite with us.
Having done the organised tour from Lloret three times, and the bullfight (remember, it is part of Spain's heritage and was not considered such a big deal then),

Presumably my third visit. Sat in the sun, cheaper than the shade!

I didn't get too excited when we first went there on a Cruise. I should have! The organised trips from Costa Brava Resorts did not give us enough time in La Rambla (a LONG Avenue with a pedestrianised centre full of stalls, cafes and human statues which seem to proliferate each time we go there, stretching from the Columbus Statue to Catalunya Square, which is also impressive). I don't remember seeing a lot of Gaudi architecture on the early trips (Gaudi is like Marmite, love it or hate it. I love Gaudi, hate Marmite!). We did the organised City tours from the Cruises (which are better because you don't have the long journey to the City) and the open top bus tours (more than one, it's a big City) and loved them. The last couple of cruises we've just done La Rambla (for the bustle and the shopping) and the Cathedral (for the sheer Majesty).
Not the Capital of Spain but wow, can Madrid be better?

Statue of Columbus

We didn't get off the Black Watch in 2016 (are we getting lazy?) but I took what I think is rather a nice photo from the ship:

Columbus again

2018 Barcelona & the Western Med.
Overnight in Barcelona on our Wedding Anniversary. Went in on the shuttle bus and had a stroll down La Rambla. There doesn't appear to be any public seating in the half we went along so Edna sat on the steps of a statue (see below, reminds me of Charles Dickens!) while I had a little wander around. Following day was drizzly so we stayed aboard and had our anniversary cake (supplied at last night's dinner) and the pink fizz in our cabin when we came aboard (for being Britannia Club members) for lunch. Perked up a bit in the afternoon so I was going to do a few laps around deck but it was too ruddy cold!

Frederic Soler (1839-1865) Playwright and Poet

2018 Musical Mediterannean: Overnight. Didn't arrive until midday and it was very hot (30+) so stayed on board and did a bit of sunbathing (Edna did shadebathing!). We went to the show in the evening, Duo Esencias. A male violinist (brilliant) and a female flamenco type dancer (also excellent) introduced by Cruise Director John Parton (THE number one Saga Cruise Director) dressed as a Spanish Matador (although the Spanish would have laughed at his portrayal - as did we)! I moan about the quality of Saga Cruises entertainment (compared with "the old days") but this evening was quality entertainment.

John "El Matador" Parton and the Duo Esencias. A fun evening.

Day two and ashore on the shuttle bus. Went to C and A (shame we don't have them in the UK now) to try and buy some shorts (one pair had split at the seam, should I sue Saga for overfeeding me?) but nothing suitable. Bought a pair in Debenhams in Gibraltar later in the cruise. A stroll down La Rambla and to the Cathedral

Barcelona Cathedral

and a few pics around Catalonia Square but, unless we are here for several days, there doesn't seem to be any point going ashore (except on a tour).

The striking Cases Rocamora in the distance, just off Catalonia Square (shame about the crane) and
the monument to Francesc Macià (1859-1933) President of Catalonia (note the Cases Rocamora AND the crane in the background!)

A few images of statues and fountains around Catalonia Square