Live from the Med on board Reflection - Barcelona to Rome - Cunard vs Celebrity

[groryjm]

After many cruises on Celebrity in Suites our last cruise was on Queen Victoria to the Northern lights in Oct last year. So this is a back to Celebrity after a slight deviation in our usual routine.

 

Usually we cruise as a two in a CS or RS but for this cruise we are in an RS and we have bought an aft SS for my daughter and her girlfriend. My daughter has cruised as a teenager with us before in suites / the retreat but for her partner this is a completely new experience.

 

Tomorrow we fly from Heathrow to Barcelona and while for myself, Gastrognome and daughter Business is not new for her partner this is all new….Taxi set for 9.30 …. 😊

[BazingAu]

Looking forward to this live journal! We board in a few weeks!

[groryjm]

As per our usual pre cruise ritual Pisa is on its way and bags are all packed. Dominos is not the same as Napoli and next week I look forward to being in a position to compare😎.

 

[MJSailors]

Enjoy the pizza and your vacation!

MJ

[groryjm]

bags pack and ready to go........

 

[groryjm]

flying is allways tricky for us.. 2 x 32kgs pp seems huge but how can one cope with 23kgs pp !!!!!

Edited May 10, 2023 by groryjm

[groryjm]

on a trip out of Southampton we usually have four bags around 30kgs but for this trip we need to allow for an extra on return as the girls are staying on in Rome and we are taking one of theirs back to make it easier for them.

Edited May 10, 2023 by groryjm

[groryjm]

Last October we cruised on Cunard after many cruises exclusively on Celebrity so this cruise is our return... Cunard food was quite above and beyond and I am hopping that  X will meet the mark. Tommorrow we fly to to Barcelona so Saturday will see our return. 

We have booked a late pass to sagarde de familiar and intennd to take a chance on food that evening.... Out of the top 50 cocktail bars in the world,  Barcelona host THREE , Paradiso (No1), Sips (No3) and Two Schmuckss (No7) .... My plan is to try at least two of the top bars in the world tommorrow!!!!!

[Silkroad]

50 minutes ago, groryjm said:

Out of the top 50 cocktail bars in the world,  Barcelona host THREE , Paradiso (No1), Sips (No3) and Two Schmuckss (No7) .... My plan is to try at least two of the top bars in the world tommorrow!!!!!

My DH, @WeeDram, and I are quite envious! We can’t wait to read your descriptions of the bars and your cocktail choices.

 

We’re looking forward to following you on another of your wonderful live reviews. We wish you, your DW, DD and her partner a splendid holiday.

[groryjm]

 

luggage awaiting our taxi...... We may have slightly over done it 😉. 6 big checked and 3 carry on's for four of us!

 

 

Health updated on the app 😎

 

 

..... and breakfast sorted care of BA 👍

 

Now I feel like I'm on holiday🥂

 

[di T]

Looking forward to your live review, we are back on Reflection in September doing the Barca to Rome then Rome back to Barca. Love the bars and restaurants in Barcelona so much we nearly always start and finish there. Couple of cheeky nights pre cruise or before flying home.Have a great time all of you! 

[Barwick Cruiser]

Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday together. Must say I’m a bit anxious already for your dining…after the delicious meals you had on Cunard, and as much as I enjoy the food on Celebrity, I’m hoping it can compete with or even surpass your expectations 😱 Maybe the cocktails will help 🤞😋 😂

Cheers! 🥂🚢 🍸 

[cruzeluver]

Really looking forward to your report. Will be on Reflection out of Barcelona in September.

[all2me]

Yes…will watch for your review. Same ship and itinerary in July for us! 

[groryjm]

We went straight from the airport to our apartment (Apartments Sixtyfour) in about 30 mins and our whole transfer experience was excellent and swift. We were first off the plane and our luggage was on the carousel within 5 mins of us reaching it.

 

Our friend / foster daughter, who now lives in Madrid, had travelled down to spend the afternoon and evening with us and having a fluent Spanish speaker with us helped greatly.

 

We set off after a quick cup of tea for the short walk to Sagrada Familia and I have to say that seeing pictures online and in books do not do the reality of such an incredible structure justice, but as all I have to show you is pictures here are a few……

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had got the timing of our visit bang on as when we entered the low early evening sun did incredible things with the stained glass...

 

 

 

At this point having a Spanish speaker paid dividends as without Maya we would not have known to visit the crypt and Gaudi’s last resting place. It is tucked around the side and surprisingly free to enter.

 

 

 

 

 

After such a wonderfull vist food callede and a table for five was secured within a stones throw of the Cathederal and along with some amazing Tapas , including an unbelievably good plate of "Surf and Turf" meatballs in a black squid ink sauce, we sampled probably the best Paella I have ever tasted.

 

[groryjm]

A quick dash back by taxi and we walked literally around the corner to a bar called “Les Gens Que J'aime”, quite a picturesque little bar which while the drinks were OK made up for that in atmosphere,

 

 

www.lesgensquejaime.com

[Martha1974]

Following. We’ve recently booked our first Celebrity cruise (9-nights Barcelona -Rome) for October 2024 so will be following with interest (although that on is on Equinox not Reflection). Up to now we have only sailed out of the UK, but we plan to do a fly-cruise in June ‘24 before the Celebrity trip so I’m interested to see your tips for saving luggage space (although looking at the photo of the cases, maybe not 😁)

I hope you all have a fabulous time - very jealous that your daughter’s girlfriend is doing her first cruise… as they say, you never forget your first 😝

[groryjm]

2 hours ago, Martha1974 said:

'''''''''''I’m interested to see your tips for saving luggage space (although looking at the photo of the cases, maybe not 😁)........

 

It is so embarrassing when ones luggage gets tagged heavy by the airline. Especially when one previously had blamed ones daughter but when she is out in the world neither her nor her partners luggage get so shamed.

 

 

🙃🙃🙃

Edited May 12, 2023 by groryjm

[Martha1974]

1 minute ago, groryjm said:

 

It is so embarrassing when ones luggage gets tagged heavy by the airline. Especially when one previously had blamed ones daughter but when she is out in the world neither her nor her partners luggage get so shamed.

 

 

🙃🙃🙃

I’m sure we’re not the only ones, but based on what we pack when we sail from Southampton or Tilbury we’d pay as much excess luggage as we pay for the cruise (or at least for the parking). Doesn’t help that my Scottish hubby likes to take his full ‘kilt order’ for formal nights… always gets lots of comments and compliments but nearly fills a case of its own!

 

[groryjm]

After a leisurely coffee in the room we set off this morning to La Boqueria Market, the food market just off Las Ramblas. The walk was only twenty or so minuets but the incredible architecture of Barcelona leads one to walk constantly with an eye looking up,,,,,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[groryjm]

3 minutes ago, Martha1974 said:

I’m sure we’re not the only ones, but based on what we pack when we sail from Southampton or Tilbury we’d pay as much excess luggage as we pay for the cruise (or at least for the parking). Doesn’t help that my Scottish hubby likes to take his full ‘kilt order’ for formal nights… always gets lots of comments and compliments but nearly fills a case of its own!

 

It is sooo much easier sailing out of Southampt when all you need to do is drive to the ship with out the hardship of flying😉

[groryjm]

After the walk we decided to have a proper breakfast before venturing into La Boqueria Market

 

 

The market is truly a feast for the eyes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 12, 2023 by groryjm

[groryjm]

After watching all the food it was our time to eat lunch.... delicious

 

 

then a quick Vermouth half way back before heading to our balcony recuperate 

 

 

Although pricey I could not recomend Apartment Sixtyfour more as the perfect pre cruise stop off with its central location

 

 

 

[groryjm]

Having watched the café below our window we decided on a coffee and pastry….

 

 

 

before heading to Casa Mila for our 5.15 slot. Unfortunately the roof was closed due to rain but the Casa was stunning

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 12, 2023 by groryjm

[chemmo]

Enjoy! If you get time visit the museum of fire engines and the archaeological museum in Barcelona. Not on the major hit list for the city but we really enjoyed them both…