A little preparation goes a long way.
Before you go
Print your cruise bag tags! The instructions are on the bag tag document here.
Please review your cruise ticket booklet here.
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
Travel dates: April 14th- April 24th
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 confirmation # 183
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. If you have any trouble you can contact +371 233 03903 through Whatsapp to get help.
9:45AM: Sagrata familia tour
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.
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: You are in the Owners Loft Studio, stateroom 12650. That’s on deck 12.
Your reference number: 5575365
Check in: You have until 48 hours prior to departure to check into your cruise.
Sail time: 5PM but they ask that you arrive up to 3 hours prior
Contact information for a ship representative prior to boarding: 844-278-9748
Meals: The standard daily dinner reservation for the whole family is at 5:30pm in the main dining hall. I reserved the table for 14 people.
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.
Day two, April 17th
pallma de mallorca: Docked 8am-6pm
Your excursion
Easy palma
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
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.
Day three, April 18th
Today you’ll be at sea
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
6:00PM Dinner reservations: izumi sushi
Tonight you have specialty dinning reservations at Izumi.
Attire: Smart casual
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. I would allow about 30 minutes to make sure you’re all ready at 10AM for pick up.
6:00PM Dinner reservations: wonderland
Tonight you have specialty dinning reservations at Wonderland.
Attire: Smart casual
10:00am-10:20PM: pick up and transfer to Colline du Château
Pick up at the Villefranche dock and transfer to Colline du Château (Castle Hill) to see the view of the French Riveria from above. Take a few minutes to take some picture and take in the view. If you have any trouble you can contact +371 233 03903 through Whatsapp to get help.
10:35-11:05AM: transfer to old town Monaco
11:05aM-11:45PM: monaco cathedral, Musée océanographique de Monaco
Explore old town making sure to stop at the cathedral to see the resting place of the Grimaldi royal family and see the museum which clings to the side of the cliff with beautiful views.Enter if you feel you have time or simply take in the view. At 11:45 you can take the short walk by the park to the Prince’s Palace to see the changing of the guards.
11:55aM-12:05PM: see the changing of the gaurd at the Prince’s Palace
12:05Pm-12:20PM: continue to explore
Free time to explore old town before meeting back at the drop off point at 12:20pm to continue on.
2:10Pm-3:30PM: casino de monte-carlo
Time at the casino. You can play the tables or slots, visit the museum, and/or stop by for a coffee and dessert at the Rose Cafe. Tickets are 20 Euro at the ticket office and they come with a 10 Euro voucher to use at the tables or slots.
12:20pM-2:00PM: transfer, Opera de Monte‑Carlo and lunch
One the way to lunch you’ll pass by the Opera House. The exterior is beautiful and I’ll ask the guide to point it out so you don’t miss seeing it.
YOU HAVE A RESERVATION AT LA NOTE BLUE FOR 12:30PM. The phone number for the restaurant is: +377 93 500 502
Address: Ouvert tous les jours de 9h00 à 22h
Following lunch you’ll meet the driver at 1:50PM to head to the casino.
3:30pM- 4:00PM: transfer back to the dock to board your cruise
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. If you have any trouble you can contact +371 233 03903 through Whatsapp to get help.
9:15AM-10:15AM: Pisa Entery and exploration
You will have about 45 minutes to explore the area. You’ll have audio guides that will have longer listening times than you have time to spend at this site. I recommend focusing on the areas you are interested in and skipping the rest
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.
2:00PM-3:00PM: timed entrance to crypt of Santa Reparata
Entrance into the Cathedral di Santa Maria del Fiore is timed and you will have to enter at 2:00PM. These tickets are non refundable and the time can’t be changed so you will need to be there on time. Following entry, visit the baptistry and museum. Your tickets include entry to these locations.
3:00PM-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.
12:00PM-1:15PM: Lunch at TRATTORIA DALLOSTE
This famous steakhouse is within two blocks of the duomo and you guys have a reservation! It’s located at Via Borgo San Lorenzo 31, Florence.and the phone number is +39 055 202 6862
1:15PM-2:00PM: a short walking tour of the historic center
This area is filled with historical landmarks and piazzas. Your guide will meet you at the restaurant at 1:15PM to show you around and you can feel free to ask questions.
Day six, April 21st
Today you’ll be at sea
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
6:00PM Dinner reservations at chop’s grille hopefully!
Day seven, April 22nd
sicily (messina), italy: docked 8AM-6pm
excursion
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
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.
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.
rome, April 24th
10:00AM: Pickup
You, and all of your luggage, will be picked up from the dock after breakfast on the ship. If you have any trouble you can contact +371 233 03903 through Whatsapp to get help.
You can choose to drop your bags off a the hotel where I have already arranged for them to hold onto your things OR you can travel with them in the minivan until you get dropped off at the hotel at 3PM.
11:15-11:30AM: arrive in rome
11:30Am - 3:30PM: TOuring Rome
Some sites worth considering as you explore:
Take a tour of the Colosseum and the stroll down Via dei Fori Imperiali to see all of the ruins from above
Visit the Trevi Fountain
Visit the Pantheon
Visit the Jewish Ghetto and Trastevere
3:00PM: the republic hotel
You and your bags (if you choose to travel with them) will be dropped off at the hotel where you can take an Uber to the airport.
Your FLIGHT home (Please provide info if you would like this added)
Flight #
Depart: April 24th, @? from Barcelona
Arrive: April 24th, @? at Heathrow