We flew into Barcelona the day before sailing using low cost airlines which were fine. We stayed just off Las Ramblas in Petit Palace Opera Garden hotel which was lovely but our room overlooked an irish bar that was very loud. We tried to get a taxi but struggled as the Race for Life was on. The taxi driver only managed to do a circle to the Monument at the bottom of Las Ramblas and then we had to walk the rest of the way. Yes we were 4 of these people trailing our luggage across that huge bridge to ship. Got checked in and on board for just before 11am and after having a photograph taken boarded. Voyager is gorgeous - these people who say she is shabby must be soooo picky. We were on Independence last year and the layout is virtually the same so we felt we had come home. We had same cabins as last year 9581 & 9583 and these were ready just after 1pm and our luggage all delivered by 5pm. We explored and after much oohing and aahing went for lunch in the Windjammer. Plenty of choice and food great. We hadn't booked any speciality restaurants and had dinner every night in the Magic Flute restaurant at 6.45pm sitting. We had fantastic dinner companions from America. Our waiter Made and assistant waiter Jorge were friendly and made our eating experience so enjoyable. Made would bring as many starters, mains or sweets as we wanted to try (or could fit in) and called the desserts yummy yummys which we looked forward to every night. The parade on the first night was excellent and we virtually had a drink in every single bar on ship. Prices are okay, for 2 spirits (unmeasured) and mixer including tax was $15.55. Our girls got the soda fountain for the week and that was more cost effective. Our cabin attendant Daniella was absolutely gorgeous and greeted us every morning and night - what long hours they do! All the shows in La Scala were great - our favourite was Beatles Maniacs, more so because we recognised "Paul McCartney" as being someone we had met last year on Independence and the year before on Jewel as being in the "Rock the Boat" band. Needless to say we met up with Curtis in the casino and a heavy night drinking followed, we went to bed at 3.30am - no good when a trip to Rome started early the same morning!! We did our own excursions. The first one with AP tours - driver Alberto - down the Amalfi coast. An american couple and a man from Hawaii shared our minibus with us splitting the cost. What a fantastic day, we saw Ravello, Amalfi, Positano, Sorrento. Had a gorgeous lunch overlooking Positano so much so we couldn't eat our evening meal. The day after we went to Rome with Rudy Tours - driver Manuele - sharing with a family from London - another fantastic day seeing the sights of Rome - now my favourite city and have to go back to spend longer. We stayed on ship at Livorno to recover by using jacuzzis etc and going to Johnny Rockets - so much food!! The cruise director, Mercedes, was so entertaining and it was so restless listening to her first of all in english and then in spanish. Tendered in Villefranche and went across to have a walk around. Family didn't want to do much else and got back on ship. I went up to the bus and paid 1e for a ticket through to Nice and explored the old town, beach and promenade and then the port with the huge yachts/boats. Got back on the bus and had a beer on the front before getting back on ship. We met some lovely people on this cruise - signed up for the meet and mingle and it was great putting faces to the names. Didn't get off at Marseilles and again chilled out on ship (after doing the dreaded packing) The two formal nights were great - my eldest got to wear her prom dress again so we feel we have at least got some monies worth!! Didn't want to leave but the last morning came around too quickly - put luggage out night before and asked to leave ship late around 9am as our flight was only at 6.30pm from Girona. Got a taxi which took us to the Estacio Nord bus station, we stored the luggage in lockers for 5 euro each locker and then went exploring a bit more of Barcelona. Cannot stress highly enough how much we enjoyed this cruise - staff excellent, food excellent, entertainment excellent. We had on board credit due for the refund of our fuel supplements. These didn't go on straight away but all sorted in the middle of our cruise and it was nice to get $170 back. Enjoyed it so much we intend to do the same cruise next year at same time so we can do different excursions.