A Day in Palma: Castle, Cathedral, and Flamenco

Palma de Mallorca, Spain — my port call on 1 November 2026.

1 November 2026 — Palma de Mallorca, Spain | Explorer of the Seas

At 8:00 this morning, I enjoyed an excellent Pinnacle breakfast and talked with my fellow travelers before heading ashore.

We left the port of Palma at 9:00 for our excursion. It was a beautiful, warm, sunny morning—a good morning to have my camera ready.

Our first stop was Bellver Castle, a Gothic castle on a hill overlooking Palma. I had time to walk around the outside and take photographs of its stone walls, round tower, and entrance.

Bellver Castle’s round stone tower against a clear blue sky.

The bridge and arched gateway during my walk around the castle.

Next, we stopped at Palma Cathedral, also known as La Seu. It is an enormous Gothic cathedral, and I thought it was beautiful. From outside, I photographed its tall spires and rows of buttresses, and took a photograph of myself with the cathedral behind me.

La Seu’s buttresses and pointed spires fill the view from outside.

A photograph of me with Palma Cathedral behind me.

Our next stop was House of Son Amar in Palmanyola, Mallorca, for the flamenco show.

The welcome sign at House of Son Amar, our next stop.

A black carriage with red wheels beneath a stone staircase.

We had tapas and some good sangria while watching the dancers and musicians. I thoroughly enjoyed the show, and it gave me plenty of opportunities to take photographs and record video.

The photographs capture different moments from the performance: two dancers with their arms raised, a pair facing each other, and a dancer beneath blue stage lighting. The video adds the movement of the red dresses and fringed shawls.

Two flamenco dancers raise their arms while musicians sit behind them.

A moment from the performance, with two dancers facing each other.

Blue stage lighting falls across a dancer’s spotted dress and layered skirt.

https://video.wixstatic.com/1faab8_b8a72ee6a1fc43c88272bc1686fd453e

A short clip from the show, with red dresses and fringed shawls in motion.

After the show, we took the bus back to the ship. I arrived in my room at 1:30 p.m.

I wasn’t tired, so I did a little paperwork, rested, and enjoyed looking out at the city from my cabin. After a morning of sightseeing and photography, I was content to take the afternoon at my own pace.

At 7:45 this evening, I had dinner at Izumi with Patty, a fellow Ultimate World Cruise traveler. We had a great time together.

Patty wasn’t feeling well, so she had extra soup. She wanted something hot and warm to help settle her tummy.

The sushi bar at Izumi aboard Explorer of the Seas, with a chef behind the counter and a colorful mural in the background.