Day 23 depart the ship, trip to the Canary Islands, 3nd February 2026

We vacated our room of 22 nights at 7:30 am, as requested by the ship, it needs cleaning for the next guests that will inhabit it for the next 14 days. The next Ambition cruise is a shorter version of ours, going to some of the same ports. Perhaps they will make Morocco.

We waited at the purple wine bar where Michael would go and read on most of the sea days. Everything worked according to plan and we were off the ship by 8:00 wanting to take as long as possible, it was the most efficient disembarkation.

We got to the Dock Cafe around 8:30 after a brisk walk from the Tilbury port on the Thames, not very good for rolling suitcases and one of Michaels suitcase wheels broke so he suddenly had a dead weight to drag which he has successfully done all the way. So glad it was not mine.

After a fantastic breakfast of scrambled eggs, black pudding, bacon, sausage, baked beans and toast plus orange juice and a flat white, we were ready for the day.

We made our way to the Tilbury station and it was not accepting people, long queue outside the station. Michael got chatting and we were told that no trains had as yet come through that morning as there were issues with signals, so far all trains had been canceled.

Not long after, they started accepting people and while we thought we were catching an off peak train, most people had been waiting since early morning and the train was packed, increasingly as we passed each station. Not quite as bad as Brazil but still very squashed with nowhere to move.

We got off at Fenchurch and walked across to Liverpool street station.

Michael attended a lecture while on the ship and this building is commonly known as the cheese grater.

The gerkin

Between these skyscrapers are some beautiful churches.

Liverpool street station, old style with all sorts of little shops.

After our knowledge of train delays, we caught the next train to Stanstead, though we still had lots of time.

While at Liverpool street, we bought Jacquelines bum bum cream (it is body lotion), the only one in Boots, very unhelpful staff though the area manager was amazing. We randomly met her walking to the station and she directed us to the store.

We are now at Stanstead, have been here since 12:30 and our flight is at 20:00. We can check our bags in at 16:00.

Awesome holiday!!

Day 22 at sea, trip to the Canary Islands, 3nd February 2026

Who days Michael does not use the internet while on a cruise,  pictorial evidence of that fact! 

We have both finished packing, suitcase seems to have shrunk. We went to gym, then breakfast and then I packed, takes me forever 🙃 anyway cruise questionnaires completed and we are done.

In retrospect, it was a great cruise with many new and interesting ports resulting in some adventures. We never went on any ship excursions but the facilities in the ship are excellent and walking off the ship on our own made for lots of enjoyable days.

We will do our last gym workout a bit later, after tea. They make the most amazing gluten free scones. No issues with my skin throughout the cruise not sure its because I tried to stay away from gluten.

Sauna then steam room, (going to miss those). Tonight we will have dinner at the Burroughs Market which is the buffet. Means I can stay in my shorts and t-shirt, no need to dress up.

Last night we dressed up purple long dress for me  and black shirt, pants and grey tie for Michael. We had to change before the show, neither of us can cope with being so restricted. Not sure how people do it.

Though I lost 2 kgs and Michael stayed the same (he made us weigh ourselves at the start and end of the cruise), my back has got wider and my dresses are tighter across my back. Probably the rowing and paddling.

Day 21 at sea, trip to the Canary Islands, 2nd February 2026

The flaming Baked Alaska, a dramatic, flaming finale served during our last gala dinner. Waiters parade this dish—a combination of ice cream, cake, and meringue—through the dining room, accompanied by waving napkins and music.

Saying thank you and goodbye to the crew of the Ambition after a brilliant show of the Lion King and Les Miserable among other performances.

Day 20 Vigo, Spain, Pulpo and finding a barber, trip to the Canary Islands, 1st February 2026

We went looking for a barber, 5km later we found the only open barber in Vigo old town as well as the suburb that is built on the  octopus fishing industry of the area. Euro 15 for a small plate of boiled octopus. I did not try it.

A church in found while waiting for Michael to get his hair cut.

Many signs showing St James Way.

We tge cottage tuned to see the Jules Verne staue. He wrote his book in Vigo, 80 leagues under the sea. 

We had good coffee and made our way back to the ship.

Weird statue.

Great day!!

Day 20 Vigo, Spain, Catedral de Vigo, trip to the Canary Islands, 1st February 2026

Raining again as we got off the ship to visit the Catedral of Vigo.

The Concatedral - Basílica de Santa María de Vigo, popularly known as La Colegiata, is the most important religious building in Vigo. Located in the heart of the Casco Vello (Old Town), it serves as a co-cathedral alongside Tui Cathedral for the Diocese of Tui-Vigo. This Neoclassical masterpiece was designated a minor basilica by the Vatican in 2020.

We lit 2 candles for those that have passed and having admired the inside of the small but beautiful Catedral we continued to find the Castle.

Day 20 Vigo, Spain, Fortress & Castello, trip to the Canary Islands, 1st February 2026

We walked up the hill to the Castello de San Sebastián only to find red tape across most entrances. This tape had been taken down by locals and seems to refer to adverse weather phenomena.

Weirdly it seems to be in many of the parks and locations we wanted to visit.

The Castelo de San Sebastián is a 17th-century fortress in Vigo that stands as a testament to the city's strategic military past. Built during a period of intense conflict, it was designed to protect the coastline from maritime threats.

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​The fortress was commissioned in 1656 during the reign of Philip IV, primarily to defend Vigo against potential attacks by English pirates and Portuguese forces during the Portuguese Restoration. 

It was designed by military engineer Juan Villarroel y Prado alongside the brothers Carlos and Fernando de Grunemberg.

The castle was part of a larger defensive system that included the city walls and the higher Castro Fortress. It was originally connected to the Castro Fortress by a long defensive wall, creating a fortified corridor to safeguard the city.

​Before the fort, the hill was home to a medieval castle and a chapel dedicated to Saint Sebastian, who was traditionally invoked for protection against the plague.

A "castreño" or hillfort settlement that dates back to the 3rd century BC. This site is considered the birthplace of what is now the largest city in Galicia.

Walking back down to the city streets to find good coffee, we see many peonie trees of different colour's, reds, pinks, whites and yellows.

We met a lady that was there with her 17 year old daughter for the young EU representatives conference. Young people trying to make a difference. She told us about Cafe Martinez, open since 1911 is an institution. 

Walking there, we met the Sireno (Merman), an iconic sculpture located in the city's central hub, Porta do Sol. 

Created by Galician sculptor Francisco Leiro in 1991, the statue represents a hybrid "man-fish" or merman (often translated as "Sireno" in Spanish).

Significance: It is one of the most representative symbols of modern Vigo, designed to reflect the city’s deep and enduring relationship with the sea

We found the cafe and they have lovely cakes and we had breakfast  of croissants with ham and cheese and a cake, coffee and juice. Awesome!

We then went for a further walk to find Santiago de Compostela Square that supposedly had a street with ladies chucking oysters but being Sunday all was closed.

Day 19 Sea day, trip to the Canary Islands, 31st January 2026

Mom's birthday which we are missing on this sea days, while mom and Carlos have breakfast at Bruce's with Jacqueline and Adriaan in celebration of her birthday.

Phoned mom to wish her and carried on to breakfast, yoga and a HIIT session. Now completing the blog and relaxing.