Lady Arwen

If you sail with Celebrity expect to get almost zero announcements from anyone, unless it’s of dire nature or something requiring your immediate attention. We’ve been on many Celebrity sailings and never heard one announcement, except for disembarkation. It’s quite nice.

You do not need a test to fly if you are flying into a country that does nor require one. You need a test to fly into the US, but not to return to Canada. We are flying to London, England on Air Canada and we do not need to test because the UK does not require testing to enter. This is all very clear on the Air Canada website. You do need a test prior to boarding a cruiseship embarking in Canada i.e. Vancouver.

The ArrivCan app is very easy to use and it’s possible to enter information for all parties travelling together on one device.

Crisp, white table linens, a cold glass ( or two or three) of bubbly, extremely competent and friendly waitstaff, more dinner courses than I would dream of serving at home and a delicious sweet treat and coffee to complete the meal. Someone else cleans it up while I sashay down to the casino! What is not to like? Is it the best food you’ve ever had? Not even close! However, if you saw what we eat at home for dinner a couple of nights a week, the MDR is fine dining in our book! You will never hear my DH or myself complain about the food on a Princess ship.

Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is widely used for mild to moderate pain and reducing fever and is purchased OTC. It is not an anti-viral medication. However, I don’t know if these anti-viral meds are as effective as hoped for in reducing symptoms of Covid. Luckily for you the other did the job.

You can receive your cabin number at anytime, even up to embarkation. Usually, though it will be after final payment and within thirty days of sailing. Times are much different now, so your guess is as good as any. Guarantee cabins are reserved so that the cruiseline has options for moving passengers around the ship. You may get a category upgrade, but never count on it. Loads of people think it will happen and then they’re assigned the same category in a not so great location and they’re very disappointed. If that’s all that is available, then you really will just have to go with the flow. You could always call Princess if you’re unhappy with your cabin and try for something better.

I didn’t mean to infer that you could see Discovery Princess specifically. Just recommending a good restaurant with a lovely view. Sorry, if anyone was confused and thought otherwise. Thanks for pointing this out.

If you have not been to Seattle before, then may I suggest Elliott’s on the harbour front. Great seafood and you can see the cruiseships!

Personally, I would arrange brunch with my friends before embarkation and check in at the terminal in the early afternoon. Once on the ship, I am not getting off! So much to do and see. However, that’s just me and you may be fine boarding and then leaving. Unfortunately, there is no friends on board lunch at this time.

The good news is that it’s only about 3.5 hours from Sweden to Barcelona, so not a terribly long flight. The nine month old could sleep, or not. Or cry. The four year old could be distracted with games and lots of snacks. The four year old will have their own seat. Certainly doable if you have patience. I’m going to assume they are flying in the day of the cruise. The cruise terminal in Barcelona is very close to the airport. Book transportation before leaving home. Also, doable. Lining up and waiting in the terminal to check in is faster if the Medallion app is complete. Once onboard is where it falls apart for me. But, that’s me, not the OP. Perhaps we’re underestimating her patience. Only she knows if this is something she can tackle. Good luck to you, sincerely!