Anyone traveling from the USA who is taking a Mediterranean cruise should plan to arrive at least one day early. Since you have a ship to catch, you don't want to be stuck hours away at at USA airport due to weather or mechanical problems. In addition, arriving a day or more before your cruise will allow time to recover from the long flight, and most importantly, time to explore your embarkation port. If this port is Barcelona, you won't have to worry about finding things to do and see.
Barcelona has long been a great city to visit, but its debut as the Summer Olympics city in 1992 really put it on the world map. The architecture is marvelous, with much of it in the modernist style of the 19th and 20th centuries. Just a look at the unfinished La Sagrada Familia Cathedral of Barcelona is worth the trip to the city.
Disney Magic Embarkation
Mom and I took a taxi from our hotel and were in the line to check in by 11:30, on the ship by 12:30, and at lunch before 1:00. Our cabins were ready at 1:30, and our bags arrived before the life boat drill at 4:00 pm.
Our Disney Magic cabin (7056) had a nice balcony and sitting area with sofa. I love the split bath--one has a toilet and sink and the other had a bath/shower and sink. Great for families! The cabin had a nautical decor, with touches of Disney in the artwork and furnishings.
After the mandatory life boat drill, we had a welcome aboard pool party at 4:30. It is so much fun to see how the kids (and their parents) are attracted to the Disney characters like they were a magnet. The music was loud, and the atmosphere was joyous. We were going on a cruise!
We went to the 6 pm show before dinner. The evening show was very good -- a welcome aboard show with the large ensemble and a little taste of the upcoming shows by two of the guest entertainers (a comedian and a magician). Seeing all the Disney characters even gave me a little catch in my throat. Since this early September cruise was the last of the season, we were not too surprised to hear the Captain welcome all those lucky travelers on board who were following this 10-day Med cruise with a 14-day transatlantic back to Port Canaveral.
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