And finally...we were on the ship!
Up early by 7:15, we cleaned up and started to organize our bags. Why is it I spend days packing to leave, and the moment I arrive at my destination, all of that organization goes right out the window???
We enjoyed a nice breakfast at the hotel (buffet included with the room price). Don’t forget, they have wine!
The buffet was extensive. Eggs (scrambled, hard boiled), bacon, sausage, LOTS of pastries, cereals, yogurt, yummy Spanish omelette, etc...I settled on a slice of omelette and some sausage with fresh pineapple juice.
It was back to the room to finish packing. Excuse the mess, but here are some pictures of the room!
Large vanity with double sinks, hairdryer and makeup mirror
Jacuzzi tub with jets
Multi-head shower
Gotta love the bidet!
Two beds, made separately, each larger than twins but smaller than double size
Balcony with zero view!
Finished packing and ran outside to take a few pictures of the pool area. It’s up the roof, same floor as our room!
Sun deck
City View
At 10:45 we wrangled our bags and headed downstairs to the lobby. We were meeting a sweet couple who were also on our ship to share a cab to the port. The port is literally an 8 minute cab ride from the hotel. And this is where things got interesting.
Lucky (not) for us there was a marathon in Barcelona. One that closed almost every single street used to get to the port. Supposedly, the cab driver had NO idea that all of the roads would be closed. 45 Minutes and 40 Euros later we arrived at the port.
A porter took our bags and what followed was the easiest embarkation we have ever experienced. Through security, one swipe of our medallion at the check in kiosk, and we were walking toward the gangway. Easy Peasy!
We headed straight to the cabin to drop off our wine. This cruise, we are in a Deluxe Obstructed Balcony on Emerald Deck.
After dropping the wine we headed straight for the dining room for our traditional embarkation lunch. Salad and spinach ravioli for sweet mamma, bay shrimp with avocado appetizer and hamburger for me. Finishing it all of, the fabulous orange soufflé. My goals for the day were met and I was set!
Bay Shrimp Appetizer
Orange Soufflé
With lunch finished we set out to explore a bit. We saw Take Five - the new jazz club. Very pretty venue!
Then we wandered by these pretty balloons on deck 7 near the new Le Mer specialty restaurant.
We found Princess Live, and all I can say is WOW!!! It’s fabulous!!!
We headed to the room and sure enough our bags were already there. By three o’clock we were completely unpacked and organized. Well, maybe not totally organized...it did look like a small bomb exploded, but we’d get there.
After the fabulous muster drill (always riveting and exciting), I tried out my medallion app and ordered my first drink to be delivered. A tropical Bellini. Folks, vacation mode was officially switched on!
After a quick change of clothes, sweet mamma and I headed to the Vista Lounge for our first (of many) nightly cocktail hours. We sat with a sweet couple from Wisconsin and truly enjoyed their company.
Another reason we were excited for this trip was that our our friend Nathan was working onboard (just until Lisbon). We’d met Nathan in February of 2018 while we were sailing on the Star Princess. At the time, Nathan was a member of the Cruise Director’s staff. He’s moved on to a new position with corporate, but was here helping get the Sky ready. We arranged to meet for dinner.
At 6:30 we headed to Sabitini’s (the Italian specialty restaurant) to meet Nathan. We had an amazing meal with outstanding company. I started with the calamari, followed by carbonara and then veal Marsala. Sweet mamma had a salad then a trio of pasta dishes. The food was delicious!!! But the best part, dessert! I have the Roche. Just like the candy, but filled with vanilla ice cream all on top of delicious chocolate cake. To Die For!!!
It was GREAT to see Nathan again and catch up. He was just married in August, so it was great to hear about the wedding and his lovely bride. Nathan is one amazing young man. Princess is darned lucky to have him!!!
Before we knew it, the ship was pulling away from the dock. We were leaving Barcelona and on our way to begin our excellent adventure!!!
An hour in the casino and it was time to call it a night. A long, wonderful, amazing first day on the Sky Princess!
Thanks for coming along for the ride!
