RachelG

Glad you took over with the trip reporting as I am having withdrawal. I like the smaller portions too. But I have not seen any scales in the suites. Is this something in the upper category suites? I have always thought that if I were to go on a cruise longer than 2 weeks, I would have to bring my own, as I am now working on losing the 5 lbs I gained in 2 weeks.

I too had looked at it when it started in Haifa and was just waiting to book until onboard to get the benefits. But as time passed, with current events, I knew the itinerary would change. Which is fine. The nights in port are a bonus.

Yes, that is it. We will look forward to meeting you.

April 24, 2024–disembarkation in Barcelona, Spain We had to be up early as our flight was to leave at 10:15. Cutting it close I know, but we had flown out from Barcelona a couple of times previously, and I was confident we could make it. We were first off the ship, through customs, and in a taxi by 7:15. Checked in at the BA desk, went through security and customs again, and were sitting in the very nice lounge by 8:30–no lines anywhere except a short one for checking in with BA. Flights were uneventful. We had a very tight connection in LHR, but no issue making it. We had a good trip. George didn’t like all the sea days, so we probably won’t do a trans Atlantic trip again anytime soon, but it was great seeing all our friends. I did book a cruise for October 2025 while onboard from Trieste to Barcelona. The draw is that every port is an over night, which I quite like the sound of. And we have several other cruises planned in the meantime. Next up will be the Kimberley in Australia in July on Silversea.

Trivia is in observation lounge deck 11, but it is at 4:30 and always ends by 5, We generally went up at 5:30 to 6 for pre dinner drinks, but there are 2 other large bars on decks 4 and 5 as well, and small ones outside of Prime 7 and Chartreuse.

We weee surprised how much it has to offer. I could spend several days there.

Burrata for lunch and caprese salad

Old town Valenci a

Aquarium pics

City of arts and sciences

April 23, 2024–Valencia, Spain When I awoke, we were just sailing into a large port. It was bright and sunny, but distinctly colder than yesterday, with the temp in the low 50’s. There was a large city sprawled out in from of the ship. Our tour for the day was to visit L’Oceanografic (largest aquarium in Europe) and the old town. I am not really particularly super interested in aquariums unless I am taking my grandkids, but the architecture was supposed to be really impressive. We set off by bus, stopping first to look at the fabulous architecture of the City of Arts and sciences. It is really other worldly, very creative. Then on the to aquarium. We had about 2 hours there but could have spent much longer. There are all sorts of exhibits and not just fish. They have penguins, several aquatic mammals, and a lot of birds. Unfortunately I apparently am terribly allergic to something there and started sneezing non stop. But it was very interesting. We then drove to the old town alongside what used to the the channel of a river, but now is a huge park. Valencia really is a lovely city with lots of history. The buildings in the old town are well preserved and impressive. We broke away from the group as we were having lunch at a place I had found called Santa Rita. Wonderful fresh food—salad, burrata, pasta, pizza. We were stuffed. We walked back to the shuttle bus stop. Back on the ship, it was time for packing then a terrible showing at trivia. Final farewells with lots of friends. We were still full from lunch so had a light meal in Compass Rose. The Beatles show was to follow, but we have to be up at 5 am as we have a pretty early flight—so we finished packing and we’re off to sleep.

No Eason given that I know of, but I could have missed it.

The ship

Downtown Cartagena

Bull in the last tapas place