Dimond 5-24-04 Review of Barcelona and Menorca- detailed

[JanMD]

Arrived in Barcelona on Sunday, May 23, and checked into the Hotel Arts Barcelona by the Marina operated by Ritz Carlton Hotels. It was wonderful weather! We had a club level room which was located on the 33rd floor which had the food and snacks. We had an ex. suite which had the bedroom with 2 double beds on the corner of the building. Also a Living Room. You could lay on the beds and you could see all of Barcelona and the mountains, and on the side you could see the Marina. It is a new hotel, would highly recommend it. We had 3 people and it had 2 bathrooms. There was a mini car show going on at the hotel. And there was a casino on the grounds. The pool area was great and the flowers were everywhere.

Monday, May 24: got a cab over to the Diamond and got on board at 1:30, and was checked in at the desk, passport was given to the purser, our key cards were obtained, and logged in the credit card, had a few glasses of champayne and then there was a person to carry your bags up to the 10 floor for you where there was lunch. A very nice lunch for just getting on board. Rooms were ready at 2:15, luggage arrived and started to upack. Our rooms were 727 and 729 with balcony. We had alot of room in the cabin, we were prepared for a smaller room. The bathroom was small. We did fairly well with the water from the shower. Purchased the 5 hours of internet time for $25.00. As soon as you log on the time starts!! Only 4 computers to use. Internet was located on deck 7 by the library. Made sure our tour tickets were correct and a ordered the liquor that we wanted. At 5:15, life boat drill, you have to go up to the 10 floor and be by your life boat. Gerlinda (tour desk) was in charge of ours. Then it was sailaway party with shrimp, beef and drinks. Very nice, but cool. We headed down to the singles get together and the winds had picked up and the ship was rocking and we were holding on to anything in Windows lounge. F&B Manager, Keith Ashley was part of that group and met Giuseppe- Cruise Director at that time. Dinner was casual. Went to dinner in the Grand dinning room at 7:30 to eat with a table of 6. Great location, still movement during dinner. The show that evening was Mr. Romantic- Glenn Radcliffe.

Tuesday, May 25: Port Mahon, Menorca Spain. Arrived at 7 a.m. Did the Highlight tour of Menorca. Went to the Monte Tor. It is the statue of Christ, saw the same on in Portugal and need to go to Rio to see the last one. Then headed down to Cova d'en Xoroi, in simple language the Caves- Calascoves, there were 95 steps and it was along the cliffs and the med. Very beautiful spot. And then we went to a fishing village and dropped off there for 45 minutes to do nothing! It was called, Binibeca. Drove back to the city and they had said you would be dropped off in the city and shop, we were dropped off infront of the ship, the ship was about to leave in an a half hour! Not a good tour. The only one that was not good. We had the tour deck girl with us, Julie and it was her first week, needless to say she needed more training. She was like a tourist and not communicating with the guide for times or anything. (It was not the best way to start the tours) I am sure that Gerlinda will have her trained soon!!
We sailed away at 2 p.m. The seas were alot more calmer. The temperature was still cool- low 70 and then factor in the winds.
Had a Captain's reception: the only line that we had the entire trip. We met Captain Neil Broomhall and had photo taken with him. Very down to earth captain. Very nice man. Had drinks and food, then headed down to dinner at 7:30. Formal night. The entertainment was Pianist- Singer Raconteur Marty Henne (I got Gershwin) There was a movie running that was "Anger Management"
Jan

[This message was edited by JanMD on 06-05-04 at 04:37 PM.]

[This message was edited by JanMD on 06-05-04 at 04:56 PM.]