Barcelona
Barcelona! A city capped by an azure sky that mirrored itself in the sea. Our first glimpse of the ship was such a dazzling white it hurt the eyes.
All went well. Eileen used her influence at Air Canada with the baggage fellow, a friend of hers, who tagged my suitcases with a Priority tag. “This will decrease the likelihood of your suitcases being lost by 5%” he intoned with a smile. And the extra 5% worked for me as not only did they not get lost, but they came off the plane first in Barcelona! Hah. I’m taking her with me every time I check my luggage from now on. We did meet an unfortunate couple on the ship who are missing all 4 of their bags.
This new ship features a different layout for the staterooms and the result is extraordinary closet space. We actually have room left over!
The highlight to this first day on the ship was that we learned, quite by chance, that for this day only we could bring some booze on board. And wouldn’t you know it, right there inside the sprawling reception hall devoid of all but a bar and curio shop was a fully stocked liquor store. Coincidence? I think not, but the prices were reasonable so it would have been silly not to take advantage.
Dinner was lonely. We were glad to get our preferred second seating at dinner, but I had also requested a table for 10, or8. Alas, we are at a table for 4 and the other couple didn’t show up. Sometimes this happens on the first night – people come in on late flights or are tired after travel. Lots of reasons. But if they’re not there again tonight, we’ll have to request a change. Despite this temporary setback we ordered our traditional bottle of champagne the first night.
The lobster terrine was a picture. The barramundi was flaky and tasty, and despite my best intentions, I had dessert. Probably the first of many. But, there are many stairs to compensate. Hopefully, enough of them.
All went well. Eileen used her influence at Air Canada with the baggage fellow, a friend of hers, who tagged my suitcases with a Priority tag. “This will decrease the likelihood of your suitcases being lost by 5%” he intoned with a smile. And the extra 5% worked for me as not only did they not get lost, but they came off the plane first in Barcelona! Hah. I’m taking her with me every time I check my luggage from now on. We did meet an unfortunate couple on the ship who are missing all 4 of their bags.
This new ship features a different layout for the staterooms and the result is extraordinary closet space. We actually have room left over!
The highlight to this first day on the ship was that we learned, quite by chance, that for this day only we could bring some booze on board. And wouldn’t you know it, right there inside the sprawling reception hall devoid of all but a bar and curio shop was a fully stocked liquor store. Coincidence? I think not, but the prices were reasonable so it would have been silly not to take advantage.
Dinner was lonely. We were glad to get our preferred second seating at dinner, but I had also requested a table for 10, or8. Alas, we are at a table for 4 and the other couple didn’t show up. Sometimes this happens on the first night – people come in on late flights or are tired after travel. Lots of reasons. But if they’re not there again tonight, we’ll have to request a change. Despite this temporary setback we ordered our traditional bottle of champagne the first night.
The lobster terrine was a picture. The barramundi was flaky and tasty, and despite my best intentions, I had dessert. Probably the first of many. But, there are many stairs to compensate. Hopefully, enough of them.
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