crystal cruises, crystal serenity, barcelona

Barcelona Sagrada Familia

We've arrived in Barcelona after spending a very quick 2 nights in London. We'll be staying 1 night at the Hotel Art's in Barcelona's marina district before boarding the Crystal Serenity for our 11 night Iberian Adventure. We've been to Barcelona several years ago, but stayed much further from the marina and port. Much of this area is newly developed as the number of cruise ships visiting Barcelona increase. Located just at the foot of Los Rambles, the port provides a easy gateway into the city. There are tour buses, plenty of taxies and the public subway or metro. The metro is organized around 5 or 6 different lines, each with color coded "straight-line" maps that are easy to recognize and use. During our visit costs for a single journey were about 1.50 euro. Ticket machines are easy - select your language, your ticket, quantity and pay with coins, bills or credit cards.

After visiting a few of our favorite spots in Barcelona we collect our luggage at the hotel and head off to the cruise ship pier. Even though the marina and port are close to town - several of the cruise piers are not walkable from downtown - especially if you are carrying luggage. Upon arriving at the Chrystal check-in area our luggage is tagged and whisked away. We finalize the paperwork and are onboard in less than 10 minutes.

Our first impression of the Serenity after not being onboard for several years is that she looks great. A substantial refurbishment last April has left her with beautiful new carpets, furniture and colors. Several of the public spaces were upgraded substantially and all of the suites were completely refitted. All staterooms received new carpets, call coverings and soft goods.

After the mandatory safety drill at 8pm, we're comfortably seated in Prego, the Italian specialty restaurant as we depart Barcelona at 9pm. It's an early evening as the 8 hours of time-zone switch and late nights are starting to catch up. More from onboard and our first port of Valencia tomorrow.