Have Sister...Will Travel: Transatlantic Cruise - Part 1 - Barcelona to Ft. Lauderdale

- Transatlantic Cruise - 14 days - Barcelona to Ft. Lauderdale - Royal Caribbean Freedom of the Seas

Sunday, October 22, 2017 - After a brief taxi ride, we arrived at the expansive and impressive Barcelona port...Moll Adossat Barcelona!

We started this trip with only carry-on baggage. We now have Barcelona souvenirs and gifts that we must add to our carry-on baggage. We both brought fold-up travel bags that we used, for the cruise, to accommodate our clothes and non-breakables, leaving additional room in our wheeled suitcases for souvenir and gifts! We check in, with ship delivery, all "luggage" except our wheeled suitcases. The roller wheel suitcases are much easier to maneuver through the port and onto the ship...no heavy handled luggage or bags to lug on our shoulders!

The Barcelona port terminals and facilities are large and bustling. However, we were pleasantly surprised at the speed and efficiency of Royal Caribbean's check-in and boarding process.

Not so pleasantly surprised by the passenger greeting ... the most "low-key" we've ever received on any cruise ship. One greeter gave us directions to our cabin and away we went! No champagne...no "welcome aboard" by four friendly faces. But, we were eager to see our first (on any cruise ship, ever) inside cabin!

We always rationalize all of our decisions when planning a trip...usually based on price. And, always with a positive flair! If the price is right (and this cruise was very right), we make lemonade out of lemons and love it! Thus is the case with our first inside cabin! It turned out to be roomy, comfortable; plenty of storage space, quiet; not close to the elevators...but, it turns out, eventually easy to locate and, being near the aft of the ship, an easy elevator ride to most everything we enjoy on board! Hence....delicious lemonade!

After checking out our cabin, we head for the pool deck for a ship's eye view of the port and Barcelona.

Throughout the ship, including the pool area, the spa staff gave complementary neck and back massages. Yes! A welcome sight after a week of exploring the streets and sights of Barcelona!

After a refreshing "drink of the day", Citrus Cooler, while waving adios to Barcelona as our ship sailed, we do a little ship touring before dinner.

Back in the cabin to prepare for dinner,

we met our stateroom attendant, Alfredo, started to unpack our delivered baggage and looked over our daily Cruise Compass newsletter to plan the evening's events.

Every cruise ship, has a myriad of events, entertainment, shows, games, contests, and so much more, each day. All coordinated by our ship's fun and very busy Cruise Director, Mercedes LaFuente. We agree that we've rarely seen a cruise director with so much energy, so much planned for passengers and so available, than Mercedes! What a dynamo!

We decided to try the Windjammer Buffet for a variety of dishes from which to choose and beautiful views to enjoy while dining. Turns out the Buffet was very good! An amazing assortment of breads, salads, entrees, desserts, vegetables dishes, etc.

After dinner, we have to, of course, visit the casino.

Okay, that's enough of that! No luck....so off to the Promenade ... the main area of the ship for shops, bars, cafes, people watching.

A favorite spot for us....Promenade Cafe is open 24 hours and serves coffee, tea, beverages, sandwiches and desserts!

It's been a long day, so we turn in early (11:00 PM...that's cruise ship "early")...After all, we have 2 weeks on this ship to explore and enjoy!

Every evening, our stateroom attendant leaves the next day's Cruise Compass. It's a great way to plan each day's events.

Monday, October 23, 2017 - At Sea -

Today is a day at sea....Translation: for us, a day of leisure!

We quickly realized that having an inside cabin, you just have to find favorite outdoors space to relax. We located these comfy lounge chairs on deck 4 and, of course, the pool area.

Every cruise ship has a tremendous amount of activities for all ages....and Freedom of the Seas seemed to have even more! Spinning classes, yoga classes, fab ab and detox instructions, footprint analysis from the Fitness Center; Track Your Morning walk a mile, basketball, FlowRider and wall climbing instructions from the Sports Center; hair and skin consultations from the Spa; Tai Chi and dance lessons...plus bingo, contests, art shows, raffles.....just to name a few daily activities! In other words, something for everyone!

The computer room....on our deck...8. There is a charge for wifi packages, but if you can't live without it...wifi is available.

Spending this, at sea day, relaxing and exploring.

One of the many short classes often given on ship was the Ribbon Roses instructions.

We checked out the Olive & Twist Nightclub.....

(Too early for the music)

Took a look at the Art Auction.....with complimentary champagne!

And....of course, back to the pool! This time...A Dance Party!

After dancing the night away (we turned in at midnight!), back to the cabin to get ready for tomorrow and our first port...Cadiz, Spain. We always rise early, on port days, to appreciate the marvels of each port as our ship approaches. One of the beauties of a cruise....the amazing views! Because we have an inside cabin, a perfect viewpoint is the pool deck.

Tuesday, October 24 - Cadiz, Spain --

Ahhh...See what I mean....Absolutely breathtaking every time...in every port!

This is our first port and our first, and only Royal Caribbean reserved tour....Bus through the panoramic sights of Seville (Cadiz) and Jerez, with a wonderful tour of Bodega Tio Pepe sherry vineyards and beautiful facilities. Genuine sherry, a fortified white grape wine, can only be produced in and around Jerez, Spain, so this is a real treat!

We purchased these tour reservations online, through Royal Caribbean. Good thing we did since it was "sold out" on board. If you really want a tour, reserve early online, so you won't miss those special places!

We received instructions, in our cabin, the day before, to proceed to the ship's theater. From there, we were led to our tour bus to begin our day's adventure.

(This tour is only one of several port tours that Royal Caribbean (and all cruise ships) offer passengers.)'

Here's where the magic begins! Well, maybe not "magic", but a glorious tour. Well, maybe not "glorious", but interesting and beautiful! Ok! But, check out these views! It is glorious!

This is before we even enter the vineyard!

Entering Tio Pepe Vineyards!

Our very knowledgeable tour guide.

Through the generations, kegs signed by famous entertainers, politicians, artists, etc.

Sherry Tasting!

Mary K. liked this "taster sherry" so much that she bought a bottle to bring home!

A favorite port tour completed, so back on the bus to our ship, Freedom of the Seas.

After a long day of walking, we decided to do room service for dinner. All room service used to be free (except for delivery tip); however, that has changed. This is our first Royal Caribbean cruise where only a continental breakfast is room service complementary. All other room service is $7.99.....for as much food as you'd care to order. Okay! We'll try it. Here's a shaky photo of our humongous meal! (Photo was taken after we ate....but you get the idea by the containers).

That's 2 salads, 3 entrees and 4 desserts. Remember...we didn't have lunch this tour day, so this is lunch and dinner! Well worth $7.99.

Wednesday, October 24 - A Day At Sea --

In case time gets away from you... you forget what day it is (this can happen on a cruise), the ship staff reminds you every day when you enter the elevator!

We almost always ordered the complimentary continental breakfast each morning. Very sufficient...Coffee, tea, juice, fruit, cereal, sweet rolls and donuts, grits, oatmeal...a nice variety.

When we woke up earlier than breakfast delivery, we could always depend on the 6:00 AM breakfast cart set out on the pool deck (the Windjammer Buffet opens at 7:00 AM) for a pre-breakfast coffee and rolls. A nice touch.

What a beautiful way to watch the sunrise!

Our first event, on today's agenda, is the ever present "at sea" Big Sale! So, we join the mobs and dig in. Both of us came away with $4.99 swimsuit cover-ups. The bargain of the day.

Every deck's elevator area has this helpful guide, which we used often....especially the first week.

Another day of rest and relaxation, we find our favorite lounge chairs on deck and watch the world go by and the waves sooth us, while reading our Kindles.

While on the relaxation deck, we met bubbly Tamra! She introduced us to the Scrapbooking Club on board. A group of ladies from all parts of the U.S who meet and vacation and, most importantly, scrapbook, together. Very interesting!

Back to the pool area for "music to swim by" from Inner Soul.

After a full day of relaxing, eating, and eating again, we settle in on the pool deck for the Outdoor Movie, LaLaLand.

Thursday, October 25 - Tenerife, Canary Islands --

Our view, entering the port of Tenerife.

Breakfast in the Windjammer Buffet, with more beautiful views.

We decided to see Tenerife on our own....no tour.

Tenerife's solution to concealing their garbage. Pretty neat!

Tenerife was lovely. We're glad we decided to see it on our own. Now, back to the ship.

We enjoyed the service, efficiency and food so much in the Windjammer Buffet, that we haven't, until this night, dined in the Galileo Dining Room. Our waiter, Rodel and his assistant Viviane were excellent, as was the food! We're happy we finally had dinner in the Dining Room.

Friday, October 27 - Gran Canaria, Canary Islands --

Waking very early to watch the sun rise over Gran Canaria....

Once again, we've decided to tour Gran Canaria on our own. As in Tenerife, exploring is a favorite
way to see the island.

We soon find an interesting looking shopping center across from the port.

Wow! Just what we need! Massage chair...3 minutes of pleasure, with music and a view too!

Time for lunch...Okay...I know, "Burger King - Really?!" But it was there, right by the massage chair....and the views!

A full day...and back to Freedom of the Seas.

Back in the Windjammer Buffet for dinner and views as we depart Gran Canaria.

A little time in the casino....$2.00 mimosas!

Saturday, October 28 - La Palma, Canary Islands -

Let us take time here to show you what we have been hearing about the last few weeks, happening in LaPalma......

YES! La Palma volcano could erupt triggering a mega tsunami! It was all over the news in Spain and on the internet! Warnings were abundant! Now, this is exciting! What else can we say....we made lemonade!

Once again, we took up our best early morning viewing spot and watched Freedom of the Seas dock in La Palma port.

After word went around that the volcano would "probably" not erupt while we were there, we set out the look for the volcano!

We caught this nifty trolley at the ship, which took us the few minutes ride into La Palma.

La Palma is a charming town, with some interesting shops.

And reasonable cafes, with free wifi!!

We got carried away in La Palma and knew we had to hail a taxi quickly if we were going to attempt to go into the mountains in enough time for our ship' early "all on board" at 3:30. After talking with a few drivers, we learned the volcano is 3 hours on the other side from the port! However, we were also told that that volcano looked just like the mountains and hills we could see from the port! So...we chose a very nice taxi driver who gave us a break ... 20 euros for almost 2 hours into the mountain villages!

We stopped at this little village with a cafe and an amazing church. And, again, the views!

Back on the road.

Our next stop....breathtaking views!

We found out, when we got back on ship, that we got a really great break! Others had paid 40 euros and more for the same mountain locations. This driver was exceptional...pointing out spectacular views and sights and stopping for pictures whenever possible. We're glad we tipped him well!

Time for an early dinner and then the featured show in the Theater....Hypnotist David Knight.