SAEMike

My vote too, there is so much to see. At least you can always bare all in the men's sauna area.

 

We thought about Stiges, for our 3-day precruise in Barca, but there was too much. Along with the other options, check out Montserrat (must see, by train) and while you're on the HOHO don't forget Gaudi's Park Guell and Montjuic. Not sure which line it's on, but so cool. :D Have lots of fun and a Happy Birthday SAEMike!! Libra or Scorpio?

 

I'm sure you have your hotel booked, but the Hotel Grand, right at the top of Ramblas and on the HOHO bus route is amazing, with a roof-top infinity pool and very good dinner / breakfast packages (Coke and Cava complimentary daily stocked in your fridge...).

Thanks for the birthday wishes! My birthday is on the 1st so I'm a Libra. My best friend's birthday, with whom I'm going, is on the 18th so he's a Libra, too.

Unfortunately, I doubt we'll make it to Sitges while we're in Barca, although I hear great things about it. We'll have to see how the second day unfolds and decide if we want to spend the extra money getting around. I guess I should probably do my research of the area more before we leave. I'm so excited about this trip. My first cruise, my first time to Barcelona, and my first time to Italy. What a way to celebrate the 40th!

We're staying at Hotel Hesperia del Port. I don't think it's right on Las Ramblas, but it's not far from it either. I don't think it's too far from the port either. I've already found it on Google Earth. :-) I think I'm more concerned about the pick pockets I keep reading so much about on Las Ramblas. Wonder how much trouble I would get in if I happen to throttle a pick pocket when I catch them? Anyway, whatever we don't get to see in the 2 days before the cruise maybe we'll get to see in the one extra day we're spending there after the cruise before flying back to Atlanta. We shall see!

Good point. And yes I'll have clothing with me anyway. I guess I should have added "in general" as that would also help me decided what to pack.

Does anyone happen to know what the weather is like in the Western Med in mid-October? That will be a determining factor on whether I go CO or not. Although I have to admit, waking up with a cool crisp ocean breeze might be a nice way to start the day au naturel!

I'm hoping that's the case too when I sail on Epic on November 5th.

I'll let you know how it goes, Steve! ;-)

Mike

That's what I was hoping to hear, Clay. Thanks!

I would suggest if your parents use the internet, you can take digital photos at your ports of call and send regular emails with the current photos attached.

 

Some, more, tech savy folks on this board can probably instruct you on how to make them look like e-postcards.:p

 

You could send them from an internet cafe or the ship. If on the ship and you have a laptop you can compose and prepare the email before you expend the expensive ship internet minutes.

 

Larry

I did think about that, Larry. But unfortunately, my parents aren't all that computer savvy. It's alright though. I can just send pics once I get home. I didn't plan on spending the money for Internet access on board the ship after reading in various posts about how slow it is compared to what you pay. Doesn't make much sense to me.

Hmmm, so the message I'm getting is "Don't bother" since I will probably be long since home before they show up at their destination. Oh well, I guess they will just have to wait for the blog entry along with everyone else then!:o Thanks everyone!

I'll be going on my first cruise to the Western Med in October. Does anyone know the best way to send "Wish-You-Were-Here" postcards back home to my parents from each stop? Should I send them while in each city or can I send them from the ship? And what about postage? Any tips and advice would be appreciated. Thanks! :)

I am enjoying this funny thread!

 

SAEMike, I think your balcony 9121 is covered, but I also think you overlook the baclonies below?

 

How opaque are the panels? I prefer to stay clothed, but I pass no judgement on anyone!:)

Thanks for the info, Helen. I'm not too concerned about the opacity of the panel. Like I said, I'm pretty sure I don't have anything anyone hasn't seen before. And I'll just be sitting out there nude, not engaging in more intimate activities. ;-)

Then it is up to the parents to manage their children. As long as I'm not doing anything illegal, and I'm on my private balcony, then I don't see how this is an issue. If the kid looks, they look. If the parents don't like me sitting outside au naturel, then it is their issue, not mine. And if I'm up on the Freestyle deck, there are signs that indicate Adults Only, if I'm not mistaken. If kids decide they want to try and be funny and sneak up there, that is an issue for their parents to address, not me.

I am going on the same cruise out of Barcelona on September 4th and I'd be happy to give you some feedback on the cruise. I'll be with my partner but we are hoping there will be some other gay people on board to hang out with a bit.

I'd love to hear your feedback of the Epic as well as the Freestyle deck when you get back!

People seeing me in my altogether doesn't bother me. Not that I'm an exhibitionist or anything. If they look they look. I'm sure they won't see anything they haven't seen before. I just prefer being au naturel when I can. I think the problem most people have with seeing others like that is that they equate lack of clothing with s e x. I could see that when I worked in the adult-entertainment field. But now it's just about being comfortable, unbound, and relaxed. I know Europeans have a more liberal take on nudity than we Americans. Wish people weren't so uptight and self-righteous about it here.

...for the replies everyone! Provided it's still warm enough for me to indulge in going au naturel in the middle of October in the western Med, I'll be taking advantage of some freestyle time. Balcony time was probably going to be early morning to enjoy the passing water as I wake up and then Ill explore the CO deck if it warms up during the day. Can't wait! This will be my first cruise and I'm so looking forward to it.

Mike

I'm fairly certain since the fire on Star princess most cruise ships have at least one CCTV camera hanging off the Bridge wing watching the Balconies so you might give the crew something to look at! lol..

 

Alternatively there is the clothing optional deck on top of the tophat.. deck 19..

<g> I don't have a problem with anyone peeking, Craig. But I hear what you're saying. I had heard about the freestyle sunbathing deck but I hadn't been able to get a straight answer on whether it was strictly topless only or if it was CO.

I'll try and be as delicate as possible here. I'm set to sail on the Epic October 16. Our cabin is 9121, which I think is covered. I'm usually a naturist here at home. I'm wondering if it's improper or unacceptable to sit out on my balcony au naturel while we are at sea. Can anyone shed some light on this? Thanks!

You must go and see the Sagrada Família, stroll down La Ramblas at cocktail time and visit the Barri Gotic (gothic quarter.)

I have plans to see all that n Barcelona. I booked us tickets on the Hop On/Hop Off bus that drives around the city, hitting the hot spots. I'm looking forward to it.

For the 2 days we're in Barcelona before the cruise I already have us booked on the HopOn/HopOff bus so that we can get around the city and see the sights. If I find that we have some downtime I may venture down to the beach and have a look-see. But we do plan on seeing as much of Barcelona as possible before boarding on Sunday.

And if I do venture up to the CO deck, I'll be sure to give my review of it. ;-)

That sounds like a good plan. I was already going to check on a spa pass for the steam and sauna anyway. Thanks again for the info.

Thanks for the info. I'm actually traveling with my best friend but he's not much of a nudist although he doesn't have a problem with me being bare more of the time when we're home (he's also my roommate). I have some thongs that I can wear if I need to keep the bits covered. I did give some thought to what the weather will be like when we are on the boat. Who knows? It may turn out that it IS too chilly to lay out. Or I may just sit out on my balcony bare. I guess I'll know once I get there. We are getting to Barcelona two days early before the cruise so depending on the weather I may venture out to the CO beach too. Thanks for the information!

That's unfortunate. If it's only topless for women, I guess I won't be going up there. :-(

Thanks for the tip.

Going on the Western Med out of Barcelona October 16-23. First time cruising and going to celebrate my 40th birthday.

I'm a newbie nudist and prefer laying out in the nude to catch rays. I know that the Epic has a Freestyle Sunbathing deck for adults only. Has anyone taken advantage of this and can give me their review of it? Is it truly clothing optional/nudity allowed or only topless sunbathing allowed?

I'm cruising for the first time ever on Epic to the Western Med October 16. My best friend and I are in 9121. Do you happen to know whether that balcony is covered or not, obstructed or not? Thanks!

Mike