Boarding Enchanted Princess

We woke at 9 am!  It was so nice to sleep in, but we both kept waking up thru the night while our bodies adjust to the time change.

Breakfast at the hotel ends at 10:30 so we need to get moving.

Once again the breakfast doesn't disappoint.  Very impressed with this hotel Salles Pere IV.

We start repacking and we both commented that our bags are less than they have ever been.  We each have one medium bag that is just under 50lbs, and one roller carryon.  This is for 3.5 months.  Last year we had 3 bags plus the roller bags but we had one bag just for cold weather clothes. 

We do plan to buy one suitcase in Florida to take back with us to replace the one that got damaged last year and then can be filled with all the "extras" we buy in the next few months.

Someone on the Facebook cruise page warned us all that there was a breast cancer women's marathon happening.  Numerous roads would be closed.  

We did try to request an Uber (rate was set for 16 E to the port) but after waiting for our driver fir Iver 15 minutes, he was delayed with numerous rerouted, we cancelled it.

A taxi stand is right next to the hotel so we get in one of them.  Thankfully where we were staying the marathon didn't really affect our ride.  We were at the port within 15 minutes and the cost was 21.20 E (note this price reflects a 4.50 service fee to go to/from port or  airport).  

Time of arrival is 1130.

We dropped our bags with a porter and tipped him, although they did have a pretty efficient bag drop queue.

We then proceed to security and they had numerous screeners and no queue.

Once thru we go upstairs and enter the platinum elite queue that had no one in it.  We did not have our medallions mailed to us so we had to pick it up at the pier.  The agent asked for our passports, turned around and retrieved a box and handed it to us.  Done!

Then right to the gangway.

We were on at 11:45.  Wow so very fast.  

The ship looks amazing!  I have to say I have missed sailing on these Royal class ships.  So much more room.  Numerous venues for dining, drinking, eating.  

The cabins are ready so we drop our bags.  Even our mini bar setup is here.  A large bouquet of flowers greets us courtesy of Neil and Monika Best of Best Dreamy Vacations.  Later we also receive a cheese/cracker tray, a bottle of wine and a Stanley zthe Bear.  

I am very impressed with the service we received from them and if you are looking for a cruise vacation or even land holiday reach out to them.  Tell them Vickie Sent you.

we sit in Good Spirits in the Atrium and chat with Jkm and Janice.  So hapoy to be on with them.  Such a lovely couple.  Many know Jim from the Princess Cruise Lovers Page, and he also does private tours in Halifax.  

We start running into familiar faces in the crew but also many guests we know too.  One reason we love Princess.  So many of the crew are family now.

After unpacking, we have to iron many pieces of clothes.  The laundry on our floor was busy but by the time I finished ironing three of the four washers were available. 

We also put in a laundry bag for wash - an elite perk. I will advise how long it takes.  Note we also will do wash ourselves as some items we don't risk in the ship's laundry/dryer.

We dress for dinner and head to elite lounge which is in the Vista Lounge.  Perfect venue for it.  Jim and Janice join us as we stay until our dinner reservation at 7.

We have a reservation in Santorini dining room for a private table for two.  The queues to get in the dining room were divided into those with and those without reservations.  It did move quickly.  

I had the potato soup and then the cod.  Both were very good.  

We  skipped dessert and went instead to Princess Live for Musical Bingo, then followed by StrikeOut.  Margaret and Jim joined us.

Had a lot of fun.   But we are tired.  Tomorrow is Toulon France.

Day Trip To Girona

When planning our time in Barcelona we struggled on what to do.  Oh there is tons to see here.  But we have been here quite a few times and even spent a fee days here.  And in all those visits we have seen most must see places.

Bernie said one day... we should visit Girona. It is an old medivial town with a wall around the city.   So we did that today.  Also know for film spot for Game Of Thrones.

Up early, enjoyed another great breakfast at the hotel and we were off to the metro station. We had to take two different lines to get to the train station. Once there we easily bought our train tickets at the kiosks. No need to pre purchase your train tickets in Europe.

We then waited on the platform and within a short while the train was there.  It was a busy train.  Lots of people heading out for a day trip, weekend away or to work.  But we got seats and relaxed.  The ride is just over an hour.  Note there are fast trains that take about 30 minutes but they never lined up with our schedule.

Once in Girona we walked towards the old town,  but we wanted a Pastry and latte.  

Girona I known for their chucho, also known as suso. It is the most traditional and typical sweets of Girona. Its a deep-fried, sugar-coated cylindrical pastry filled with catalan cream.

Messy but so damn good. 

We then walk to independence square and window shop.  We cross the Eiffle bridge, yes the same guy designed the Eiffle tower.  We are now in the old town.

Streets are very narrow.  Churches seem everywhere.  And many building have you scratching your head.  How did they build that there?  

We stop into a church and a wedding is happening.  We quietly admire, take a picture and leave.

We walk through the Jewish Quarter.  Stop at the cathedral.  

We then head for the wall!  Lots and lots of climbing!  But the views!  

Lots of places to sit though.

After exploring the city for quite a while we are thirsty and wanting a light meal.  Tapas!

Beer and Sangria and some tapas.  It hits the spot.

We catch the train back to Barcelona and we then catch the metro and we are back at the hotel.  Feet are up!

Tonight will be low key.  Maybe just head up to the rooftop bar and get a drink, still haven't used our 2 free drinks.  And maybe a light meal.

Tomorrow we board the Enchanted.  We are ready to get on a ship,  as much as we enjoy time on land I just want to unpack and get settled.   Love that the ship moves and my room doesn't.

Friday Night In Barcelona With Friends

Ok this isn't our car, but you can rent it.  We opted for a picture of it instead.

We walked the two blocks to the metro and went two stops.

Tonight we are meeting up with Jim and Janice.

First stop a bar we love and have been to twice, and now three times.

Guzzo, very eclectic with cool drinks. 

Sorry the picture is not in focus.... I had been drinking.  

After drinks we strolled just across the square for dinner at Moreila.  

Great meal but even better company.  Was having too much fun to even take pictures.  

We finally will be sailing with Jim and Janice.  So let the good times begin.

Walked back to metro and short ride and then the 2 blocks back.

I just had a nice hot bath, and we are tired.  Tomorrow is another exciting and busy day.  Heading to Girona.  

Day In Barcelona

We slept until 8 am.  The jet lag and no sleep on the flight will take some time to adjust to.  One reason we are glad we came in a few days early.

The bed is very comfortable, the room was so very quiet.  It is hard to leave it.  But we need a shower and to get yo breakfast before it ends at 1030.

The breakfast was great!  And it is included in the room rate.

Again the hotel is Salles Pere IV.  Quieter location.  Probably not the best location if you want to be close to all the sites but it is what and where we wanted.  

We then head out to explore.  First we need to get a new battery for Bernie's favorite watch.  We locate an authorized repair spot and within 5 minutes it is done and also at a reasonable price.  

A quick stop for a coffee while we enjoy the atmosphere oh and all the smokers.  I forgot how many smoke here in Europe. 

Back in September I hurt my knee, so after a full day yesterday I woke up with it throbbing.  Then walking all the way to this watch spot, it is not happy.  So we are going to have to be smarter.  Normally we walk everywhere but we are forced to take more transit and or taxis.

We want to head down to the market on Las Ramblas so we take metro.  We buy a 48 hr transit pass.  Each pass cost 16.40 E.  A quick 32 stops and we are there.

Here is Las Ramblas.  It is busy but certainly quieter than in the summer.

Oh I should say the weather is great.  Was in the high teens today.  I wore a light windbreaker but often took it off when I was hot.

Here is the Picasso museum.  Then the Barcelona cathedral.  You now have to pay to enter.  Shame!  Glad we went a few times prior as I refuse to pay to enter a church.

We are getting tired.  We catch the metro to our hotel, only 3 stops and a short 5 min walk to hotel.

We are hungry so we try out the restaurant at the hotel.  It was so yummy.

This is eggplant puree with veggies and ham on top.

Now we are resting in the room before we head out tonite.  

Arriving In Barcelona

The flight was very good.  Loved that it was direct.  We boarded at 1830 and we were given a dinner and even a drink.  I had the chicken and white wine, Bernie had pasta and red wine.  It hit the spot.  Was it gourmet, nope, but the price was right.

I tried to sleep, but I never sleep on planes.  Instead I watched 3 movie!  The 6.5 hr flight went fast and soon they were coming around with breakfast -- yoghurt and a piece of sweet loaf type bread.  I ate the yoghurt, the loaf was way too sweet.

Once we are in the airport we start walking towards baggage only to encounter a long line.  At first we aren't sure what it is as we are still a distance from customs.  One staff is directing EU members to the left, connecting flight customers to the right.  The long line is for all other countries.  

The line moved but soon the line cleared the hallway only to be led into a snaking line in a different area.  In total it took 35 minutes to clear customs.  

We thought great our bags should be there already, nope.  We waited another 15 minutes for the bags (50 mins since getting off the plane).  But all were there!  Although we had tracked our bags with trackers so we knew they made it to Spain.

We are staying at Hotel Pere IV.  We have stayed in Barcelona a few times and have stopped here on cruises often too.  This time we decided on a hotel for the easy factor.  

Monika and Neil of Best Dreamy Vacations, who we booked with stayed here last month.  I checked it out and booked it.  The price was reasonable, in a quiet area, away from Las Ramblas and didn't require pre payment.

The hotel offered car service from the airport and again for the easy factor we opted for it.  Once we arrived at the airport, there was somebody with a sign and a list of names.  This person sets up the rides and within a about 10 minutes we were in a car on our way to the hotel.  

When we arrived at the hotel around 10 am we were able to store our bags and told to come back for noon when a room would be available.

We also wanted to buy a Sim card.  The front desk said to head to Westfield Gloria's Mall which was about a 10 min walk away.  It is right by the huge Glories Tower, that you can go up to see the view.  Hmmm an interesting shape.

The whole area is very trendy and lots of well known shops are here plus a few that we recognize as European. The first picture is taken in the mall with this huge fuseball table game.

We find the Orange Mobile store and the staff were very helpful.  We got a 4 week plan for 30 Euros that includes 100 GB of data, calling/texting features too.  They even put it in the phone. 

We then went into the grocery store and bought shampoo/conditioner, and soap.  To keep weight down when travelling we often do this, especially since we are on for so long.

We walk back to the hotel and even though it is only 1130 our room is ready.  It is a large room.  Minimal view but we don't care.  We also got vouchers for 2 free drinks in the bar or rooftop deck. Also breakfast is included.

I think within 15 minutes of getting in the room we were crawling under the blankets and sleeping.  We slept for 3 hours and now we will shower and go out. 

Barcelona Hotel

Because I am so busy working right now I haven't spent a lot of time planning our Mediterranean/Trans Atlanta cruise.  

Final payment has come and gone.  Flights are booked.  Now we are looking for a hotel for 3 nights.

We have been to Barcelona quite a few times, even spent five days here pre cruise in 2018.  Back then we stayed at a great airbnb.  We usually love staying at airbnb but this time we decided on a hotel.

I needed something simple.  Something with breakfast included, something with transfers too.  I just don't have the time to do the research, and to tell you the truth, I am being a bit lazy for this trip.  

So I put it out to my followers on Facebook for hotel recommendations and I had a ton of great hotels to choose from.  I checked every single one that was mentioned.  Saved most of them for future reference.

When my friend Corrine mentioned where she was staying next week with Neil and Monika's group I had to look into it.  Neil and Monika of Best Dreamy Destinations travel agency, you can find them here, always pick out great spots so I knew I was in good hands.  Plus they are my agents for the cruise.  

Some of my requirements were

- centrally located but not on Las Ramblas (too noisy)

- no tiny room

- shower that is bigger than a time capsule

- early check in option as flight arrives at 730

- luggage storage

- breakfast option

- reasonably priced.... I am retired on a fixed income so had to rule out the $500 a night spots

- close to metro station

- and finally a place that I could cancel and that didn't require payment until my arrival.

I should also add our friends who will be on with us, Jim and Janice found an adorable place, but it was now full. My busy schedule got in the way again.

I secured a room, with breakfast every day, and even added airport pickup for a fair price.  The hotel is 

Sallés Pere IV their website is here.  

And check out this rooftop deck.

Note there are numerous affordable ways to get from the airport to downtown.  Last time we took transit for 4E each.  But this time I am just wanting to be taken care of.

Booking EZ Air for Mediterranean Cruise

After booking the Enchanted Mediterranean cruise we now had to look at one way flights to Barcelona.

We did are usual search engines (all incognito) and was shocked at the prices.  

Now everything has gone up.  Anyone visiting a grocery store lately will agree.  But flights!

In 2018 we flew one way to Barcelona (actually one flight to London for a few days then quick jump to Barcelona) and we paid $350 Canadian TOTAL for the flights.

Now we are looking at $900 to $1100 Canadian, and even higher!  And these are just economy seats.

We then thought, why not check EZ Air.

I have used EZ Air on numerous occasions with good results.  Sometimes it is a great deal, sometimes it isn't.  When it isn't I book my own flight.

Biggest downside with booking EZ Air is Princess is booking your flight.  So if there is an issue, you have to go thru Princess.  And everyone knows how many flight changes there have been since the restart with flights.  If a flight gets altered I have to let Princess know and they have to contact the airlines.  

But this time it was worth it.  We got a 3 leg flight (all were pretty much 3 legs) Halifax, Toronto, London and then Barcelona for $800 Canadian each.

Now there are lots of good things about EZ Air too.  Princess will get you to ship if a situation arises with flights.  

Also I don't have to pay for these flights until final payment is due.  This gives me the opportunity to keep watching flights and if something better (routing, time or price) comes up I can change or even cancel EZ Air and book myself.

In the end, I am so glad I have something locked in and booked at a decent price.

Now time to book a hotel.