My wife and I recently returned from our second cruise with RCL around the Mediterranean, the first in May a five day on the Navigator of the Seas (NofS) and this one for seven days on the Voyager of the Seas (VofS), her last cruise before heading off to the States for the winter. Both are the very large Voyager class ships, 138,000 tonnes. I have tried to compare certain aspects of the ships to help if you are thinking of a cruise for the future.

Pre cruise We stayed in the Trype Apollo hotel in Av Parallel - this was an excellent choice of hotel booked through last minute. We upgraded to a suite for 40 Euro, which meant our overall price was less than £90 for the best hotel room we have had in Barcelona. A safe five minutes walk to Las Rambles and a metro just outside the door, including the Funicular to Montjuic hill and the Olympic park. Plenty of eateries in the area.

Boarding Barcelona must be one of the best cruise ports in Europe; on board within a 12.15pm arrival at the pier, time for a light lunch and then our cabin for 13.00, Bags were with us by 15.00, no problems Read more