Family Cruising
On the 15th August we flew from Dublin to Barcelona, and checked in for 1 night at the Renaissance hotel Barcelona Airport. Our flight arrived into Barcelona quite late, so we opted for convenience. The hotel had an airport shuttle bus which brought us directly to the hotel which was a mere 5 minute journey. The rooms were quite spacious, and very modern - perfect for an overnight stay. It was highly convenient as the hotel had a bus to the port the following morning. So far, so good!
The port in Barcelona is really beautiful. It is right beside the city – just a short walk from the Marina area. Our home for the week was waiting for us – the beautiful ‘Voyager of the Seas’. Embarkation was extremely well organised – the best I have experienced to date. Royal Caribbean even had their staff waiting with cold drinks and freshly baked cookies! From arrival at the port, to opening the door to our ocean view cabin took less than an hour and a half! We had dreaded long queues in the midday sun, but found everything quick and breezy (thanks to the air-conditioning and very competent staff!)
Our cabin was bigger than I had expected. Even with a cot in the room there was adequate space, which cannot always be said of a hotel room, let alone a cabin! There was even a supply of nappies waiting for our daughter, which we had pre-organised to help with our luggage allowance. Our cabin attendant, ‘James’ was faultless. He was extremely friendly, and ensured that we all had everything we needed.
We set about exploring the ship straightaway, and found many activities we could do as a family. Children onboard are catered for fantastically. There were even daily activities that our little girl could be involved in at the ‘Aqua Tots’ group and she loved it - there was even more to do than at home. The pools of course were a huge bonus too.
Our itinerary for the week was an action packed one – ports of call included Naples, Rome, Pisa, Monte Carlo / Nice and Marseille. Excursion possibilities were endless, and everyone was catered for. We booked tours for Pisa and Monte Carlo. Initially we were a little nervous of these because we were travelling with a toddler, but we were pleasantly surprised to find we were one of many families on these trips.
Everywhere we went on the ship the staff were amazing, and exceptionally welcoming. They truly made our holiday an extraordinary experience. Food was phenomenal, and the choice was great.
The US dollar was the currency onboard, so we found that drinks and any other items we bought were great value.
In the past I had always considered a cruise to be about the ports of call. This time I would say, if we hadn’t left the ship once we would have just as good a time. The huge array of activities, facilities, and great hospitality made it a holiday of lifetime, and I would never hesitate in recommending a cruise to families now – in fact I would say it’s the ultimate family holiday if budget allows.
Eventually our weeks cruise sadly had to come to an end. The ship docked into Barcelona the following Sunday, and we disembarked the cruise with sadness, but again great organisation. Fortunately, we still had a further 3 days to enjoy in Barcelona.
This was my third visit to Barcelona. I think it’s a great city, and being beside a beach its perfect for the summertime. I find it to be a lot more laid back than some other European cities, and again with something to suit everybody. We took the opportunity to visit the Zoo in Barcelona, and incorporated some shopping with long leisurely walks around the marina.
No longer sceptical, I would whole-heartedly say this was one of my favourite holidays, and cruising is definitely on my ‘wish list’ for future family holidays!
If you would like any advice on cruising, or indeed Barcelona, feel free to contact me and I would be delighted to help!