With the Cruisaders who have just boarded in Palma de Mallorca, we are heading into the second round. Mein Schiff 6 is once again setting course for the open sea – ready for five days full of thunder, riffs and untamed energy.
The first day at sea is all about encounters and creativity: workshops, readings, comedy and karaoke provide variety, while tattoo artists get their machines whirring and cinema screens show classics from the scene. Those who prefer a quieter pace can relax by the pool or treat themselves to some metal wellness before the pool deck is transformed into a festival stage once again.
On day two, the cruise reaches Palermo – a city where legends and heavy history collide. Black Sabbath played their very first gig in Italy at Parco della Favorita in 1971, and the artists' quarter of Arenella is still a meeting place for creative types and subculture today. Whether you follow the Route of Genius or the trail of the secret society Beati Paoli, there is plenty to discover. Sicily also has a lot to offer in terms of cuisine: arancini, Palermo-style pizza, cannoli and cassata – real fuel for hungry headbangers. Before returning to the ship, it's worth making a detour to the Punkfunk Record Shop & Music Bar, where you can buy fitting souvenirs and experience the fusion of a record shop and bar.
Another day at sea offers time to deepen friendships, take part in meet & greets or simply enjoy the sun on deck with a drink in your hand. With metal workouts and spontaneous parties, there's always something going on – the metal sea never stands still.
Cagliari, in the Italian region of Sardinia, is the final stop on Part II of Cruise XIII. Here, it's not just the guitars that sing; the stones do too. In the Giardino Sonoro, visitors can make the sound sculptures by artist Sciola vibrate. From the seven hills of the Castello district to the cathedral towering above the city, and from the vibrant San Benedetto market to the beautiful Poetto Beach, Cagliari showcases all the facets of Mediterranean joie de vivre. Adventurers can hike to the Devil's Saddle or explore Su Nuraxi, a Nuragic fortress from the Bronze Age and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located about an hour away.
Back on board, it's time to celebrate one last time. Take a dip and gather your strength to the sound of the riffs, as you prepare for the final night before Mein Schiff 6 returns to Palma after five unforgettable, loud days.