Scottishnellies Mediterranean Cruise. day 1. Travel & boarding in Barcelona

[scottishnellie]

Alarms set for 3:45am. Up, showers, wee cup of tea n out the door by 4:20am. Crossed the road and into the terminal. Security was busy but moving very well and we were through by 4:40am. Easy peasy.

We had a leisurely browse through duty free as Kevin wanted a new aftershave. We tried loads and I loved the Tom Ford Ombré Leather, but he plumped for Tom Ford Costa Azzurra in the end which was £73.80.

I wanted a new watch that I’d had my eye on so we picked that up as my birthday present from Kevin. I love these sparkly watches and this is my 5th one. I’ve got the blue one on today.

It was the last one there and it was supposed to be £99.95 but it had no barcode on it to scan.

Then we noticed a wee sticker that said it was reduced. When the supervisor came to help she typed in the code and it came up at £37.45 - result!

Kevin had a couple of chicken rolls made up (from our M&S picnic) in his bag and we bought a wee boots meal deal with some water to add to that.

We wandered around some shops as had plenty of time to kill. It’s a very chilled affair without the kids! Had a nosy in Swarovski and bought a wee ring reduced in the sale.

I wanted a cup of tea so Kevin stood in a huge queue for Pret and got my tea and his coffee. But when I went to drink it, it was rotten. Just rank rotten. I was gutted. Kevin wanted to take it back and change it but by then we had a text to go to the gate so I just left it.

Reached the gate at 6:10. Wee bus arrived at 6:39 to take us to the plane which was miles away - 8 minutes in that wee bus. I thought we were heading for Heathrow. This place is massive!

It’s a gorgeous sunny morning with london predicted at 28 degrees today.

Boarded the plane at 6:55 and took off 25 miniutes late at 7:25. He announced the flight time as 1hr 40m. There was just time for a quick drinks service so I finally got a decent cup of tea.

On the descent we flew right over the docks and there was our ship - plain as day! For the first time I felt a proper buzz of excitement. Like we were allowed to be excited now.

We landed in Barcelona at 9am UK time, 10am Spanish time which I will switch to now. Onto a wee bus for 2 minutes and into the terminal. Kevin and I were last on the bus so first off. Straight to show our vaccine certificates, then the next booth for passport control. Then to the baggage carousel. It started up and our cases were right there - 5th & 6th out and right beside each other. Never had that before!

We walked out and were met right there by 2 Celebrity reps who directed us to another rep just outside the door. She checked our names off, added tags to our luggage and 2 baggage handlers put them in a trolley. Then we were told to wait in the shade for everyone else who would be boarding the coach (which wasn’t here yet). It was still only 10:30. So quick! However it did then take 45mins for them to gather all the passengers and take us to the coach but it was fine in the shade. We chatted to a man from Northern Ireland called David who is on a celebrity cruise for the third time this year and was raving about them. We were walked over the road as a group to our coach and could see our luggage being loaded.

We reached the port in 15 minutes. They told us to leave our luggage on the coach and it would be taken to our room.

Off the coach and into the terminal and straight through security with just our hand luggage.

We were then straight through to a desk with a lovely lady, showed our check in pass on the celebrity app, showed our vaccination certificates, showed our negative antigen tests, showed our passports. She confirmed we could go ahead and board the ship. We were on board by 11:45. Incredible.

Despite large numbers of people there are loads of staff and the whole process is so slick. Very very impressed. I genuinely felt whisked from airport to ship.

We were going to have a look around the ship. Yeah. Well. We got as far as the pool and that was it. The sun was gleaming off it, there was chilled pop playing, the bar was serving….

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I had a swimming costume and kevin had swimshorts in our hand luggage. Quick change time…..

We were by that pool with a drink in our hands and it wasn’t even 12 o’clock yet!

We stayed there til just after 1. I could have happily sat all afternoon but we had no suncream so couldn’t. We had an ice cream then a wee explore about the ship (well - a tiny bit of it!) and a drink in the magic carpet bar

Then we went to the buffet restaurant. We weren’t really hungry but as dinner isn't until 8 we knew we better eat something.

Kevin had a salad and I had a wee portion of chicken mash n veg. All very tasty

then we had some desserts

While eating we got the reminder to attend for our muster so off to the theatre on deck 4 next to tick that off.

It was now 3:30 so we headed to our room

unpacked a bit, then suncreamed up and headed back to the pool again. It was after 4pm but Barcelona was still roasting hot and I had to go in the pool again for a cool down.

After a while we were in the shade so we moved to beds at the other side of the pool and I settled down for a wee dose. Next thing I knew I woke up and I was in the shade again as the ship had turned around and sailed away from the port! So we moved again.

Eventually it got to 6:30 pm and we knew we better go get ready although I could’ve sat on here happily as it was still roasting. We’d had a reassuring update from Kevin’s sister so felt we could relax again.

Got ready and headed for our 8pm reservation at Tuscan, which is one of the 4 main dining rooms.

We had Tuscan bean soup (like minestrone, nice but a bit too salty), French onion soup (ok but strangely all broth and hardly any onions).

Then Kevin had short rib pappardelle which he found tasty but very rich so couldn’t finish it.

I had tuna puttanesca which was absolutely delicious. I asked for medium but if I have it again would get rare as it was a wee bit more done than I’d usually like. The sauce was just delicious.

then Kevin had apple pie and I had tiramisu - both lovely

After dinner we stopped on deck to watch the sunset which was stunning across the water

Then we wandered along and sat in the Martini bar which was quiet to start, l then really buzzing when the theatre emptied out.

David came by and chatted for a bit then 2 ladies from Belfast sat next to us when they couldn’t get a table on their own. Mandy & Susan. They were lovely and a really good laugh.

We were trying all different martinis and which I’ve never really drank before apart from the odd pornstar martini. I wish to god I realised how strong they were. I had 4 different martinis and a White Russian and I was SO drunk. Kevin says he thinks it’s the drunkest he’s ever seen me. In 30 years. We were all up dancing then when the band ended I apparently ‘made’ everyone go to the nightclub. I do remember lots more dancing!

I can only vaguely remember getting back to our cabin, but I do very clearly remember having to be sick in the loo before bed. Mortifying. But probably a good thing as it was all just alcohol. Kevin had way more martinis than me plus a strong beer yet he was fine. I’m useless.

We did have a brilliant night though and it felt good to be laughing and dancing away. Kevin keeps saying he had a brilliant night so at least I entertained him!

[ClaireNJ]

What a great first day so glad it went smoothly and your cases came off quickly too 🙊
I love the quick change into your swimsuit a bit like Superman 🤣🤣
Desserts look good I love a Tiramisu, never turn down any dessert though
Sunset was stunning
Hope your hangover wasn’t too bad & sorry you were sick 😳😳🤮🤢
Self inflicted though, pace yourself today
Enjoy x

[WIGGYSMUM]

Helen what a great travel day !
I do love a bit of duty free shopping, just been a couple in an airport really does make a difference
I love that you had your swimmers in your hand luggage , Hannah really is your double , I did a second take in that first mirror shot ( and I absolutely love your travel dress too 😍 )
I hope you brought some Advils
Xx

[scottishnellie]

Originally Posted by ClaireNJ

What a great first day so glad it went smoothly and your cases came off quickly too 🙊
I love the quick change into your swimsuit a bit like Superman 🤣🤣
Desserts look good I love a Tiramisu, never turn down any dessert though
Sunset was stunning
Hope your hangover wasn’t too bad & sorry you were sick 😳😳🤮🤢
Self inflicted though, pace yourself today
Enjoy x

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Oh - I forgot! I took a picture of the cakes in the coffee bar especially for you….

[scottishnellie]

Originally Posted by WIGGYSMUM

Helen what a great travel day !
I do love a bit of duty free shopping, just been a couple in an airport really does make a difference
I love that you had your swimmers in your hand luggage , Hannah really is your double , I did a second take in that first mirror shot ( and I absolutely love your travel dress too 😍 )
I hope you brought some Advils
Xx

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She really is bless her! When she puts photos of us together on Snapchat she gets bombarded with messages about how much her mum looks like her 🤣

That wee dress was a bargain from Blue Vanilla. It’s so soft n stretchy that it’s so comfy for travelling in. I’m going to wash it through and wear it on the way home too.

I have Advil - thank god!

[JoJo88]

What a nice easy transfer and what a fun first day! x

[margyloveswdw]

Sounds like it was a breeze getting from the plane to the ship! Hope you’re not too hungover.

Have a fabulous time!

[Loopylooloo]

Love your pre cruise purchases! Nice.
Would love to know what you think of the infinite veranda concept? Am curious to know how it compares to a traditional balcony. We haven’t sailed on this new class of celebrity ship yet so its great to see all your photos. Food looks good, be sure to try a lemon drop martini at the martini bar! Have one for me please Helen! Xx

[Cutiepie]

Helen, what a great first day and the travelling was so smooth.
I hope your head wasn’t too sore when you woke up

[mobeckwith]

Amazing day 🙂