Barcelona during holiday season

I’ve visited Barcelona many times, but today’s guided tour was truly unforgettable! Exploring the city before, during, and after sunset was magical—Barcelona is absolutely dazzling with festive Christmas lights that bring its vibrant energy to life.

I wandered through Gaudí’s iconic masterpieces, strolled along La Rambla, and soaked in the charm of the Christmas markets at the Gothic Cathedral. Staying in the Gothic Quarter made it even more special, surrounded by the history and beauty of this timeless neighborhood.

This incredible day is the perfect sendoff before I board my ship tomorrow for an amazing journey home. I’ll be sailing slowly to Florida, with exciting stops in Spain, Portugal, the Azores, Morocco, Bermuda, and the Bahamas. Adventure awaits!

Transatlantic Cruise to Europe That Leaves From My Doorstep

In 39 days, I will drive a few miles to board a shiny new ship that will cross the Atlantic and take us to Europe. This will be my first trip on Celebrity Cruise Lines. As always, I will have a nice balcony room.

Here is the itinerary:

Day :1 departs Ft Lauderdale
Days 2-7: Days at Sea
Day 8: Ponte Delgalda, Portugal
Days 9-10: Days at Sea
Day 11: Cartagena, Spain
Day 12: Barcelona, Spain
Day 13: Toulon, France
Day 14: Florence/Pisa Port City
Day 15: Rome’s Port City

Cruise to Morocco, Canary Islands, Granada, Spain SOON

I will take another cruise on my favorite NCL Jade ship to Morocco, The Canary Islands, and Granada Spain; round-trip from Barcelona. I will be in a mini-suite on the 11th deck.

Here is the itinerary:

March 16 and 17: I will spend two days in vibrant Barcelona
March 18 Ship leaves Barcelona
March 19 Day at sea
March 20 Casablanca
March 21 Agadir and Taroudant
March 22 Las Palmas, Canary Islands
March 23 Funchal, Portugal
March 24 Day at Sea
March 25 Malaga, Granada, visit Alhambra
March 26 Day at Sea
March 27 Back to Barcelona-Back to Miami

Mediterranean Cruise Tweets!

Mediterranean Cruise Tweets (Dec 8-20, 2009)

Stood on my balcony as the ship pulled out of Barcelona. Breathtaking views of the city at night. It’s magical! Tomorrow: day at sea. Next port will be Rome.

Loved feeling of being rocked 2 sleep on ship last night. Slept TEN hours. Salsa lessons; past NCL cruiser Meet & Greet parties. Rome tomorrow

2nd bag never made it to ship. Miss my groovy shoes and boots. Lucked out and bought boots and pair of shoes in Barcelona

Great weather. Sunny, not windy, not cold at all on the Mediterranean Sea!

Ship’s internet moves like a melting glacier because they use USA satellite from the Mediterranean Sea

ROME: Sistine chapel- no crowds; Coliseum grand; Spanish Steps; Trevi Fountain; Tour guide hosted us for snacks and sang 2 us at his villa

2nd piece of luggage for my stress-free cruise is missing in action-went 2 airport 3 hours early just so flights & luggage could go smoothly

Athens: hope the riots have calmed down so it’s safe for tourists

Sick in bed yesterday-sea day

My 4th time in Athens. Great Athens Day with small group. -Glad it rained AFTER Acropolis visit! I love the Plaka.

Too sick to take my tour to Ephesus today. Rested some. Went into Izmir, Turkey a bit.

Izmir,Turkey. My 1st visit 2 Muslim nation(Indonesia doesn’t count cuz I went 2 Buddhist Bali.)Turkey very secular and modern.Will join EU.

Re-reading all about history of Europe from my balcony. Smooth sailing today.

I love watching sunsets from my balcony on the Norwegian Jade. We are en route to Alexandria. 7AMarrival tomorrow.

Brazilian line dancing lesson is HIGH energy and aerobic!

Nightly shows on the ship are great: tonight was exquisite ballet flamenco

Egypt-our ship just arrived! Off to Giza to see the PYRAMIDS, Nile Cruise, & overnight at the Cairo Marriott. A dream comes true! 140 characters



The Pyramids at Giza were everything I had imagined they would be and more. Nile dinner cruise, Memphis, & crawled into a 3000 year tomb

Security tight everywhere in Cairo—metal detectors everywhere

The Egyptian Museum took my breath away.Saw King Tut collection, mummy room, and many well-preserved thousands year old artifacts.

2000 miles from Barcelona

Windstorms in Cairo are brutal with dessert so close. We heard another ship could dock in Alexandria today because winds are so strong.

Saw whirling Dervishes perform

Malta, our last stop on the cruise, is tomorrow.

All day at sea today. Saw more great shows tonight. Also, it is Lobster night.

Will arrive in picturesque Valletta, Malta soon! I will explore on my own.

Circled beautiful island of Malta in 1.5hrs. Love the walled Medina. Most Catholic place around. 320+ churches.

Sand from the Giza Plateau seeped into our lungs. We coughed til we left Egypt.

I miss high speed, unlimited use internet.

Finally tasted dinner on 3rd to last night-Lobster night. Tasted all day today (Malta Day) hopefully my taste buds are back for good!

Truly enjoyed visiting cradles of civilization & cradles of Western thought in Italy, Greece, Turkey, & Egypt.Great cruise! Barcelona in AM.

Really rough sailing our last night on the ship. I hear they cancelled 2nd show! Glad I saw it earlier.

Back in Barcelona. Flight to JFK. Hope my evening flight to Miami will go as scheduled.

Stuck in Spain. American Air put us up for the night and gave us 3 meals. Wonder where I will sleep tonight? Spain? New York? Miami? Dread heading back to the airport with all the uncertainty.

Good News: My desperation paid off!! Instead of having to transfer from Newark to La Guardia, they booked me on sold out flight Newark to MIA in FIRST Class!! I am so happy!!! Also got business class to Newark from Barcelona!!