This was our 4th cruise, first transatlantic & first with NCL. The 3 previous cruises were with RCCL, so comparisons are inevitable throughout this review.

Pre cruise: We flew to Barcelona Friday night before Sunday embarkation. We stayed at Hotel Rialto on Carrer de Ferran, not far from the Jaume 1 metro stop. Great location - plenty of eating, shopping & travel options close by.

Embarkation: pretty easy overall. Cab to the port at about 11am, small wait for x ray, then we were directed through into an entirely empty check in hall that people were reluctant to go into for some reason? We walked straight through, onto the escalator & up to the ship. Easy peasy. Read more