TSJ CruisePod

In this episode of the TSJ CruisePod, the Transfer Tour 2026 aboard MSC Magnifica reaches the Basque Country in northern Spain. The ship docks in Getxo, near the mouth of the Nervión River, rather than directly in central Bilbao. From there, we take a taxi straight to the Guggenheim Museum, with tickets already booked in advance. Inside, the art itself is not necessarily the main attraction for me...

In this episode of the TSJ CruisePod, the Transfer Tour 2026 aboard MSC Magnifica reaches A Coruña on Spain’s Atlantic coast. For many cruise passengers, A Coruña is the starting point for an excursion to Santiago de Compostela. But having already visited Santiago during the Winter Cruise 2024, this time we decided to stay closer to the ship and discover A Coruña itself. Our guided tour began at 9...

In this episode of the TSJ CruisePod, the Transfer Tour 2026 aboard MSC Magnifica reaches Barcelona, Spain. The original idea was to explore several of Antoni Gaudí’s famous buildings more directly. But after taking the shuttle from the cruise terminal to the World Trade Center, the plan changed spontaneously. Instead, we boarded one of Barcelona’s red double-decker sightseeing buses and followed...

In this episode of the TSJ CruisePod, the Transfer Tour 2026 aboard MSC Magnifica reaches its first port of call: Marseille, France. Marseille is one of the Mediterranean’s great port cities, known for the Old Port, the hilltop basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde, the historic streets of Le Panier, and centuries of maritime history. But this visit takes a very different direction. Having visited Ma...

In this first episode of Season 5 of the TSJ CruisePod, we begin a very different kind of cruise: the Transfer Tour 2026 aboard MSC Magnifica. Instead of returning to the same port after a classic round trip, this journey starts in Genoa, Italy, and gradually moves north. From the Mediterranean, the route leads to Marseille and Barcelona before turning towards the Atlantic coast with stops in A Co...

In this final episode of this TSJ CruisePod season, we complete the Mediterranean Tour with an excursion from Marseille to Aix-en-Provence, France. Since Marseille had already been visited during previous cruises, this last port day took a different direction. Instead of exploring the busy port city again, we joined an MSC excursion inland to Aix-en-Provence, one of the most elegant towns in south...

In this episode of the TSJ CruisePod, we continue the Mediterranean Tour with our next port call: Barcelona, Spain. Barcelona is one of the great cruise cities of the Mediterranean and appears on many itineraries. After previous visits during the World Cruise 2023 and World Cruise 2025, this stop became a shorter and more relaxed return to a familiar destination. Instead of using the MSC shuttle,...

In this episode of the TSJ CruisePod, we continue the Mediterranean Tour with our next port call: Ibiza, Spain. Ibiza is often associated with clubs, nightlife, beach bars, and long summer nights. But during this cruise stop, the island showed a quieter and more historic side. After docking a little outside the center, we used the shuttle service to reach the ferry harbor near the old town. From t...

In this episode of the TSJ CruisePod, we continue the Mediterranean Tour with our next port call: Palermo, Italy. After already visiting Palermo during the World Cruise 2025, this stop was planned differently. Instead of joining another organized excursion, we explored the city independently and focused on a few selected highlights at a slower pace. The day began with a challenge at the port, wher...

In this episode of the TSJ CruisePod, we continue the Mediterranean Tour with our first port call: Civitavecchia, Italy. Although Civitavecchia is best known as the cruise gateway to Rome, this stop took a different direction. After the originally planned excursion to Tarquinia and Tuscania was cancelled, the day became a more relaxed exploration of Civitavecchia itself. We took the free port shut...

In this first episode of the Mediterranean Tour, we set the scene for the journey ahead. The cruise begins in Genoa, Italy, after travelling by plane from Hamburg and Stuttgart to Milan and continuing by train to the Ligurian coast. From Genoa, the route leads to Civitavecchia, Palermo, Ibiza, Barcelona, Marseille with an excursion to Aix-en-Provence, and finally back to Genoa. Along the way, we g...

In the final episode of Season 3, we step away from port visits and focus on life aboard the MSC Magnifica during the many days spent crossing oceans. From World Trivia competitions and creative workshops to language lessons, team challenges, daily bridge announcements, and spectacular evening entertainment, this episode reveals what daily life was really like during four months at sea. We also lo...

In this episode of TSJ CruisePod, the World Cruise 2025 returns to Europe with visits to Puerto del Rosario on Fuerteventura, Palermo in Sicily, and Civitavecchia on the Italian mainland. On Fuerteventura, we discover peaceful villages, panoramic viewpoints, historical landmarks, and the breathtaking dune landscapes of Corralejo Natural Park. The island reveals itself as a place of contrasts, wher...

In this episode of TSJ CruisePod, the World Cruise 2025 continues along Africa’s Atlantic coast, taking us to three remarkable destinations: Cape Town in South Africa, Walvis Bay in Namibia, and Dakar in Senegal. Cape Town impresses with its breathtaking setting between the Atlantic Ocean and Table Mountain. From panoramic views at Signal Hill and the colorful streets of Bo-Kaap to the bustling Vi...

In this episode of TSJ CruisePod, the World Cruise 2025 takes us from the tropical islands of the Indian Ocean to the southern coast of Africa. In Victoria, the capital of the Seychelles, we discover the lush landscapes of Mahé, visit a tropical botanical garden, encounter giant tortoises, and learn about the famous Coco de Mer palm. The island’s relaxed atmosphere and breathtaking scenery make fo...

In this episode of TSJ CruisePod, the World Cruise 2025 takes us from Australia’s west coast across the Indian Ocean to the Maldives. Our first stop is Busselton, where we visit the famous Busselton Jetty and descend beneath the waves in the Underwater Observatory. Surrounded by colorful fish and marine life, we experience one of Western Australia’s unique natural attractions. Next, we spend two d...

In this episode of TSJ CruisePod, the World Cruise 2025 continues across southern Australia with visits to Adelaide, Kangaroo Island, and Albany. Adelaide introduces us to a city known for its green spaces, relaxed atmosphere, and high quality of life. Despite rainy weather, we discover the Botanic Garden, historic neighborhoods, and even experience everyday life through a local train journey to O...

In this episode of TSJ CruisePod, the World Cruise 2025 takes us to three fascinating destinations across Australia: Sydney, Eden, and Melbourne. Sydney welcomes us with its world-famous harbor, the Opera House, and the Harbour Bridge. Over two days, we explore both the city’s iconic sights and its wildlife, including unforgettable encounters with koalas, wombats, and kangaroos. An unexpected poli...

In this episode of TSJ CruisePod, the journey takes us from the South Island of New Zealand to the wild landscapes of Tasmania, with three unforgettable stops: Dunedin, Milford Sound, and Hobart. Dunedin impresses with its strong Scottish heritage and well-preserved Victorian architecture. A visit to Olveston House offers insight into life in the early 20th century, while the Botanic Gardens and c...

In this episode of TSJ CruisePod, the world cruise takes us deeper into New Zealand, with three diverse and meaningful destinations: Tauranga, the Bay of Islands, and Christchurch. In Tauranga, we explore the region’s connection to kiwifruit and gain insight into local agriculture, followed by visits to historic sites that reflect the complex cultural history between Māori communities and early se...

In this episode of TSJ CruisePod, the journey continues across the South Pacific and into New Zealand, with three diverse destinations: Aitutaki, Rarotonga, and Auckland. Aitutaki offers a picture-perfect South Pacific experience with its turquoise lagoon, palm-lined beaches, and peaceful island atmosphere. A scenic tour reveals local life, cultural sites, and breathtaking coastal views. Rarotonga...

In this episode of TSJ CruisePod, the world cruise takes us deep into the South Pacific, with three unforgettable destinations: Adamstown on the Pitcairn Islands, Papeete in Tahiti, and Moorea. At Pitcairn, one of the most remote inhabited places on Earth, we experience a rare and personal encounter as island residents come aboard the ship, offering handmade goods and sharing stories of life in is...

In this episode of TSJ CruisePod, the journey takes us along the Chilean coast and far into the Pacific Ocean, with three fascinating destinations: Valparaíso, Santiago, and Hanga Roa on Easter Island. Valparaíso captivates with its colorful hills, street art, and creative chaos, while nearby Viña del Mar offers a calm and elegant contrast. Despite a delayed arrival due to dense fog, the day revea...

In this episode of TSJ CruisePod, the journey takes us to one of the most remote and legendary regions on Earth: the southern tip of South America. We begin with the unforgettable passage of Cape Horn, a place that has challenged sailors for centuries and remains a symbol of adventure and the power of nature. In Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world, we experience the unique atmosphere of Pa...

In this episode of TSJ CruisePod , the journey takes us deeper into South America, with three unforgettable destinations: Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, and Puerto Madryn. Rio welcomes us with one of the most spectacular arrivals of the entire world cruise. From Sugarloaf Mountain to Christ the Redeemer, combined with extreme heat and vibrant city life, the experience is both intense and unforgetta...