The Martinez family had been planning their Mediterranean cruise for over a year. Elena, the mother, had always dreamed of visiting the Greek islands. Her husband Carlos was excited about seeing the ancient ruins in Italy. Their teenage children, Sofia and Miguel, were mostly looking forward to the ship's entertainment. The family arrived at the port of Barcelona early in the morning. The cruise ship was enormous and gleamed white against the blue sky. 'It looks like a floating city,' Miguel said with amazement. After checking in and passing through security, they boarded the ship. A crew member welcomed them and handed them a map of the ship. Their cabin was on the eighth deck and had a balcony overlooking the sea. Sofia immediately ran to the balcony to take photos. The ship departed at sunset, and the family watched Barcelona slowly disappear. That evening, they explored the ship and discovered numerous restaurants and lounges. The main dining room was elegant with crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. They also found a swimming pool on the top deck surrounded by comfortable lounge chairs. The first port of call was the island of Mallorca. The family took a guided tour of the capital city, Palma. The cathedral there was breathtaking with its Gothic architecture. Carlos spent a long time photographing the intricate stone carvings. After Mallorca, the ship sailed toward the Italian coast. During the sea day, the family tried various activities onboard. Miguel participated in a rock climbing competition and won third place. Sofia spent the afternoon at the spa getting a facial treatment. Elena attended a cooking class where she learned to make fresh pasta. Carlos relaxed by the pool with a good book about Roman history. The next morning, they woke up to see the coast of Italy through their balcony. They had arrived in Rome, or more precisely, in the port of Civitavecchia. A bus took them to the historic center of Rome for a day of exploration. The Colosseum was even more impressive in person than in photographs. Carlos explained to the children how gladiators used to fight there. They threw coins into the Trevi Fountain and made wishes. 'I wished for another cruise next year,' Sofia admitted with a smile. For lunch, they ate authentic Italian pizza at a small restaurant near the Pantheon. Miguel declared it was the best pizza he had ever tasted. The following day, the ship stopped in Naples. From there, they took an excursion to the ancient city of Pompeii. Walking through the preserved streets was like traveling back in time. The guide told them about the volcanic eruption that buried the city. Sofia found it both fascinating and terrifying to imagine that day. After Italy, the cruise continued toward Greece. The sea was calm, and the weather was perfect for sunbathing. One evening, the family attended a spectacular show in the ship's theater. The performers danced and sang songs from famous Broadway musicals. The island of Santorini was the highlight of the trip for Elena. The white buildings with blue domes looked exactly like the postcards. They rode donkeys up the steep hillside to reach the town of Oia. Miguel was nervous about riding a donkey at first, but he soon enjoyed it. The family watched the sunset from a restaurant terrace overlooking the caldera. The sky turned orange and pink as the sun dipped below the horizon. 'This is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen,' Elena whispered. The ship also visited the island of Mykonos, known for its vibrant nightlife. However, the family preferred to explore the charming old town during the day. They wandered through narrow streets lined with boutique shops and art galleries. On the last night of the cruise, the ship hosted a formal dinner. Everyone dressed elegantly, and the children felt like movie stars. The captain made a speech thanking the passengers for joining the voyage. After dinner, there was dancing under the stars on the top deck. Carlos and Elena danced together while their children watched and laughed. The ship returned to Barcelona the following morning. The family felt sad that their adventure was coming to an end. As they packed their suitcases, they shared their favorite memories. 'The gladiator story in Rome was my favorite part,' said Miguel. 'For me, it was the spa treatments,' Sofia added. Carlos mentioned the Pompeii ruins, and Elena chose the Santorini sunset. They promised each other to take another cruise together someday. Perhaps next time they would explore the Caribbean or the Norwegian fjords. Back home, they printed their favorite photos and created a family album. Every time they looked at the album, they felt the warmth of those happy days. The cruise had given them not just a vacation, but precious memories together. And that, they all agreed, was the greatest treasure of all.
English Story (B1)The Cruise Ship
This B1 English story is designed for intermediates learning English. It includes simple vocabulary and short sentences to help you improve your reading and listening skills. Click any word to see translations and hear pronunciation.
About this story
The Martinez family embarks on an unforgettable Mediterranean cruise, visiting Barcelona, Mallorca, Rome, Naples, Pompeii, Santorini, and Mykonos. Through ancient ruins, stunning sunsets, and shared experiences aboard the ship, they create lasting memories and strengthen their family bonds.
Translations in English
Linked wordUnderlined wordOther words
Comprehension Questions
4 questions
1
From which city did the Martinez family's cruise depart?
2
What onboard activity did Miguel participate in during the sea day?
3
What was the family's first port of call after leaving Barcelona?
4
What did Sofia wish for when the family threw coins into the Trevi Fountain?
Vocabulary
40 words from this story
