Before you go
A little preparation goes a long way.
Please check your cruise booking information to insure your name on the reservation matches the name on your passport. It’s a requirement of the cruise line as well as customs and immigration.
The weather will cool in the evening and mild to warm during the day.
The outlet type predominantly used in Italy and Spain = type C and my favorite universal adaptor is this one
Consider travel insurance. Reach out to me for a quote if you’re interested!
The basics
your itinerary at a glance
one NIght in barcelona, eight Nights on board the odyssey of the seas with roayl caribbean, & one night in rome
Travel dates: April 15th- April 25th
Your FLIGHT to Barcelona
British Airways
Flight BA 480
Departing Heathrow @ 10:35AM
Arriving Barcelona @ 1:45PM
Your hotel in barcelona
Hotel: Hotel España Ramblas
Checking In: April 15th
Checking out: April 16th
Group booking ID # 183
Booking agent: Danielle Skorzanka
Location: C/ de Sant Pau, 9-11, , Barcelona, Catalonia, 08001, Spain
Phone number: +34 935 50 00 00
Your room details: Deluxe room, with breakfast
reservation
APRIL 15th
Mr Porter Barcelona
A 7PM reservation has been made for the whole family.
Address: Carrer del Rosselló, 265, Eixample, 08008 Barcelona, Spain
Phone: +34 932 71 12 45
Menu: mrportersteakhouse.com
APRIL 16th, barcelona
8:45AM-9:15AM: Check out and store your luggage
After breakfast you’ll want to head down to the lobby to check out of your rooms. You’ll have the hotel store your luggage until you can pick it up on the way to the dock. This is a locked dedicated luggage room and they have already confirmed you’re welcome to store your things there.
9:15AM-9:45AM: Pick up & transfer to the basilica
A touring van and driver will collect you at the hotel to transfer to the basilica.
11:15Am-1:30PM: Explore and snack
Following the tour you can explore around the area near the basilica. You could grab some tapas to share at Madre Taberna Moderna. Maybe go shopping along Avinguda Gaudi which is closed for pedestrians and lined with shops and cafes or Passeig de Gracia which is known for its high end retail stores. If you like markets, visit Mercat de la Sagrada Família which is a large indoor farmers style market. Just be sure to meet the driver back at the drop off point by 1:30PM.
9:45AM: Sagrata familia tour
1:30PM-1:55PM: transfer and arrive back at the hotel
You’ll find a second van waiting for you at your hotel. You want to collect your luggage from the hotel and between the two vans there will be plenty of room for all of you and your things.
2:30PM: drop off at the dock to board the odyssey of the seas
You and your luggage will be dropped off at the dock for your cruise.
Your Cruiseeight Nights on board the odyssey of the seas with roayl caribbean
Travel dates: April 16th- April 24th
Your stateroom number: 12264, deck 12
Your reservation number: 5586715
Check in: You have until 48 hours prior to departure to check into your cruise, select your wifi, drinks, and gratuity add ons, and insure your Royal Caribbean member IDs are attached to your cruise itinerary by adding your reservation number to your profile. Please feel free to reach out if you have questions!
Sail time: 5PM but they ask that you arrive up to 3 hours prior
Contact information for a ship representative prior to boarding: 03444934070
Meals onboard: The dinner reservation for the whole family is at 5:30pm. I have a table reserved for the group in the main lounge.
Photography: Once you’re on board you’ll go to the Focus Photo Gallery which is the office where you can schedule the photographer. You’ll tell them which dinner reservation (or other time/dates you would like images taken) and a photographer will come to take pictures. Each photo you select to keep will be $3.
Day one on board, April 16th
Boarding: You will board at 2:30PM, Two & a half hours prior to setting sail
booking your free meal At chop’s Grille
As clients you each get a free meal while on board!
As soon as possible once you’re on the ship you need to visit the guest services desk. Take the vouchers I sent you and present them to the staff member assisting you. The whole family will need to be present with their vouchers to book you all together for the meal. Here are the reservation details you are asking for:
Chop’s Grille, April 21st, 6PM.
Ask them to check to make sure they can accommodate the entire group at that time before starting to reserve seats. You may need to shift your reservation time to keep everyone together. Once you have a time slot you know will accommodate everyone, they can work to make sure you all get seated at two tables side by side.
6:30PM Dinner reservations: Chef’s table
Tonight you have specialty dining reservations at Chef’s Table! Everything is prepaid so you’re all set to just arrive and enjoy. Attire is formal, though in my experience you're safe in wedding guest style attire.
As soon as I have the vouchers I will link them. They are sent 30 days prior to sailing.
Day two, April 17th
pallma de mallorca: Docked 8am-6pm
Your excursion
5:30PM Dinner reservations: Main dining hall
Tonight you have standard dinner reservations in the main dining hall.
If you arrive back on the ship too late for your reservation in the main dining hall, or would simply prefer something else, you can go to any other restaurant included in the rate. They do not accept reservations so you will need to wait to be seated together if you choose to.
Easy palma: Day two on the cruise
Experience the best of Palma de Mallorca, the capital of the Balearic Islands in Spain, with a comfortable, scenic city drive and outside visits to the city's major attractions, including Bellver Castle and the Cathedral of Santa Maria of Palma.
Duration: 3 hours
Departs: 9:45AM
What to bring: Your sea pass and your passport
Day three, April 18th
Today you’ll be at sea
Ship entertainment
6:00PM Dinner reservations: izumi sushi
Tonight you have specialty dinning reservations at Izumi.
Attire: Smart casual
Take advantage of the ship’s amenities and entertainment!
Here is the link for your on board options for your day at sea. Just scroll down to the “Activities & Shows” section for more information
Day four, April 19th
nice (Villefranche), France: Tendered 7AM-8pm
Tendered means the ship will not be able to pull up directly to the dock and passengers will have to board a smaller vessel in order to reach the dock. You’ll want to allow extra time to get on and off of the ship this day.
excursion
6:00PM Dinner reservations: wonderland
Tonight you have specialty dinning reservations at Wonderland.
Attire: Smart casual
Monte carlo & grand casino
Take in essential sights of the glamorous Principality of Monaco. Following a scenic drive through the French Riviera, stroll through Monaco's old town "Le Rocher" (the Rock) and discover landmarks such as the Prince's Palace. Along a section of the Grand Prix Motor Race route, head to the modern, cosmopolitan district of Monte Carlo, where you will visit the elegant Grand Casino and enjoy approximately 30 minutes to explore.
Duration: 4 hours 30 minutes
Departs: 8AM
What to bring: Your sea pass and your passport
Day five, April 20th
8:00AM-9:15AM: Pickup and transfer to Pisa
You will be picked up at the La Spezia port where the ship will be docked from 6:15AM-8PM.
9:15AM-10:15AM: Pisa Entery and exploration
You will have 45 minutes to explore the area. While your guide will have general knowledge of the region they may not be specialists at each stop. That said, they’ll still be a great resource
10:15Am-12:00PM: Drive to florence
This drive should take about an hour and forty five minutes but you will want to allow for up two and a half hours in case of traffic. If you arrive a little earlu it just gives you more time in Florence.
12:00PM-1:15PM: Lunch
Antico Ristorante Il Sasso di Dante - Firenze and Trattoria dall'Oste Chianineria are both located right next to the Piazza del Duomo. We can make a reservation for lunch at either. I recommend them because Florence is known for their steak and these two restaurants specialize in aging and grilling.
1:30PM-3:15PM: explore
Entrance into the Cathedral di Santa Maria del Fiore is free but your entry into ——- is timed for PM.
3:15PM-3:45Pm: transfer to Piazzale Michelangelo
This is the best place to go for a view of all of Florence. Stop here for a photo before heading back to the coast.
3:45PM-4:00Pm: time for photos!
4PM-6Pm: transfer to La Spezia and board the ship
6:30PM Dinner
You won’t return to the ship in time for your standard reservation in the Main Dining Hall. You can visit any of the other restaurants on the ship tonight.
Day six, April 21st
Today you’ll be at sea
6:00PM Dinner reservations at chop’s grille hopefully!
Ship entertainment
Take advantage of the ship’s amenities and entertainment!
Here is the link for your on board options for your day at sea. Just scroll down to the “Activities & Shows” section for more information
Day seven, April 22nd
sicily (messina), italy: docked 8AM-6pm
9:15am excursion
5:30PM Dinner reservations: Main dining hall
Tonight you have standard dinner reservations in the main dining hall.
If you arrive back on the ship too late for your reservation in the main dining hall, or would simply prefer something else, you can go to any other restaurant included in the rate. They do not accept reservations so you will need to wait to be seated together if you choose to.
lovely taormina: Day seven on the cruise
In a small group, discover Sicily's fascinating ancient history in the promontory resort town of Taormina, and enjoy views of Mount Etna on a guided walking tour. Your guide leads you through ancient squares in the mountainside village, passing 15th century Palazzo Corvaia. Have the chance to explore the Public Garden, once a privately-owned oasis but part of the city since 1922. Then explore at your own pace for 45 minutes, shopping along Corso Umberto's promenade or tasting authentic Sicilian cuisine in a village cafe.
Duration: 4 hours 30 minutes
Departs: 9:15AM
What to bring: Your sea pass and your passport
Day eight, April 23th
naples/capri, italy: docked 7:00AM-6PM
Free day in naples w/optional lunch reservations
Reservation details TBA
5:30PM Dinner reservations: Main dining hall
Tonight you have standard dinner reservations in the main dining hall.
If you arrive back on the ship too late for your reservation in the main dining hall, or would simply prefer something else, you can go to any other restaurant included in the rate. They do not accept reservations so you will need to wait to be seated together if you choose to.
Your hotel in rome
Hotel: The Republic Hotel
Checking In: April 24th
Checking out: April 25th
Confirmation # 9074645812792
Location: 61 Via Gaeta, Rome, Lazio, 185, Italy
Phone number: +39 068 1157001
Your room details: Standard room, with breakfast
Your FLIGHT home *let me know if you would like me to include this information
Flight # BA 0561
Depart: FCO, Rome, 8:15PM
Arrive: LHR, London, 9:50PM