Hola !
So today is the day we head to part Deux of this trip ..cruising the Mediterranean . After breakfast in the hotel we had a free transfer to the cruise Terminal offered by the Hotel and heading to the ship by 12:30.
After tipping and going through security, we were in the ship by 1:00pm.
Since I love to cruise, I've been on this ship Liberty of the Seas three times, but this is the first time we are cruising out of the Mediterranean.
Our first stop is tomorrow in Toulon France. I'm sooo excited!
Unless you are a first time cruiser. there's a list of things you should check upon getting on the ship.(First time cruisers often don't know these things but hopefully after reading my blog you'll want to go and now you know!)
Note..they are not called boats .They are cruise ships docked in cruise terminals.
The first is unless you've picked some version of anytime dining, check your assigned dinner seat if you've picked the traditional seating on a cruise. Assigned dining on cruises usually means indicating whether you want to eat at 6:30pm and 8:30pm but on European cruises the times can be later. We picked late seating which is 9:30pm on this cruise because we are out on tours everyday and don't want to rush for first seating dinner. As a result I generally was snacking when we came back from outer tours around 6:00pm.
Of course you can choose the anytime dining option but you must make reservations each time you want to dine . Too much work for me.
Next head to the spa - or to book whatever you didn't think to book in advance . The great thing with technology is now you can book all spa services, entertainment options and excursions online.
I'll tell you most of the time I book no excursions . They are hella expensive . However , on this trip to Europe we booked excursions every day because we see no need to waste time trying to translate and be on our own ! My sis speaks French and the guided tours allow for free time.
I also have no desire to be on a tour not sponsored by the cruise ship and know if something happens we will get left!
Depending on the time you board the ship at 4:30pm is generally the time of the (muster) life boat drill . In the past you needed to wear the life jackets ..now you don't but you must participate and know where your muster station is (exit) in case you need to evacuate . It lasts about 1/2 hour and everyone's sea pass card is scanned ..efficiency at its best. In case you don't know the sea pass as its called on Royal Caribbean is all things to you.. Room key , identification , and if you choose to use a credit card for your charges it's that too. Your purchases will be added to the card as you use it . If you choose to use cash you must go to the guest services to add money to the card. No ash is taken anywhere else on the ship. So I'm back using dollars on the ship .. Everything is dollars and in port everything will be in euros.. Ames a minute to remember the conversations and the currency .
Then once you've taken care of the particulars, done the life boat drill .. find a spot to watch the sail away!
Most like to go to the lido deck where there's usually calypso music and dranks!
We like this little pub that is port side so you can see the goings on when leaving the pier. In Barcelona there wasn't much to see . Bummer...
We had ordered drinks and chilled since this is the closest spot after the life boat drill and everyone else is foolish enough to run for the elevators !
After a few drinks we went to the promenade and had sandwiches -these little ham and cheese sandwiches on croissants. Free and sooo darn good!
It's way too easy on a cruise to spend excess money .. But there's many places to find fee food other than the dinning room.
Dinner is 9:30pm and after a snack we went to unpack as our luggage finally came. Spent the rest if the evening unpacking .
Dinner was uneventful ..at a table of 10 to which we are not happy..and hope to switch . Side note ...we attempted to change earlier but the table numbers were not on the table ..bummer .
Bestie and sis went to the casino and I went to bed. Tired I was and my tummy was hurting .
This cruise I won't see much of the ship .. Everyday is an excursion bright and early ...
Things I've noticed today.. On a European cruise ..even though an American based ship .. The chefs are heavy on the salt ! My goodness ..even the bread was salty ! And Garlicky! Be prepared for different palates abroad ! One other note .. There is butter , ketchup and bananas on board!
I knew there would be but such a difference from Barcelona..
Next stop Toulon, France!
Sent from my iPhone
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