Barcelona & MSC Seaview Med Cruise

These apartments are beautiful and perfect for a stay in Barcelona. They offer 1 and 2-bedroom apartments with a fully equipped kitchen, free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, bathroom kitted out with toiletries (toothpaste, toothbrush etc). We chose to stay in a 2-bedroom apartment that had 2 separate bedrooms with double beds, bathroom, kitchen and living room with a couch and extra pull out bed.

The apartments are only a short stroll, less than 10 minutes, to the main area of la Ramblas. A taxi from city centre to Barcelona Cruise terminal was €20 one way and about a 25-minute journey. When we arrived at the port it was a hassle-free check in. Once your bags are tagged you can hand them over to the staff to be sent to your cabin and then you are given a number to check in before boarding the cruise. MSC Seaview ship is a new cruise ship that was launched in June 2018. Our first impression of the ship did not disappoint. It was wow and all sparkles when we arrived on board, and it was reassuring that he kids were given a wrist tag for security onboard the ship.

We had an Ocean View cabin to fit 4 of us which comprises of king size bed, sofa that pulled out as a single bed and above this a pull-down bunk bed, a wardrobe and also a bathroom with shower. The capacity of the ship was 5119 passengers, and on the cruise, there was so much to do and amazing facilities for kids. There are 19 bars and lounges, 11 different restaurants, a buffet style restaurant serving lots of different food choice for breakfast including omelettes, fruit, hot breakfast, breads, cakes and lots more. For lunch there was everything from fresh pizza, roast chicken, beef, salads, pastas, a children’s station, desserts etc and then again, more food for dinner seating. In the main restaurant you were allocated a seating of your choice, early seating about 6pm and late seating 8pm. There was a different menu every evening, starter, main course and dessert. The portions are slightly smaller than normal restaurants, but the food was very nice.

There are speciality restaurants at an extra cost. We tried the ‘Butchers Cut’ restaurant, and the food was amazing. The portions were double the size to the main dining room. You can also pre-book these packages before you go to avail of special offers.

We included the drinks package and I really thought it was worth it. Costs approx. €182 per adult for 7 nights and €80 per child for a 7 nights cruise. You have a wide choice of drinks and Italian ice-cream by the pools in all the bars included in this package.

There is so much entertainment for children on board. There is an arcade with bowling, 3D cinema, slot machines, air hockey etc. These are an extra cost, but you can buy a fun pass for the kids if you wish. For example, you could buy a €30 pass and you get €5 extra or buy €50 pass and you get €15 extra. There is a forest aqua venture and adventure park also which my kids spent most of the days in. This is a splash pool area with water slides and pool, as well as table tennis and football in this same area. You can register your kids with a wrist band at the beginning of the week and they can then go on the water slides whenever they want. All this area is free of charge. A kid’s club is available for all ages that is free of charge every day.

Every evening there is a new theatre show that is showed three times throughout the evening with the first show starting at 8pm. They last about 40 minutes and are a mixture of singing, dancing, and acrobats. These must be pre-booked to ensure you get seats and it can be done via the MSCFORME app, your in-room TV or on any of the boards around the ship.

There is a spa on board which is well worth a visit. I experienced a body massage and facial and it was a perfect way to relax and treat yourself during your trip.

Getting off the ship was very straight forward. The night before you are given your disembarking time and also tags to put on your bags that would be brought off the ship for you and be in the luggage hall. You are then called off the ship by colour codes to receive your luggage and disembark. After leaving the port we stayed in Barcelona for an extra night in Novotel city centre. This is a lovely 4-star hotel that had a beautiful welcome gift for the kids including a smalll teddy bear, colouring package and a pop. They have a rooftop pool and seating area, situated in a very good location and spotless.

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