The cruise began on November 6th in Barcelona but I flew to Barcelona a day early so I could have time to rest up and adjust to the six hour time difference. I stayed in a hotel, the Vincci Maritimo, that we had stayed in once before. Its away from tourist areas and next to a shopping mall with plenty of eating places. I spent the day of arrival mostly napping and trying to rest up.

Checkin was quick and easy but cabins were not ready until 1:00 PM.

The cruise itinerary included port stops in Valletta, Malta; 2 days in Alexandria, Egypt; Limassol, Cyprus; Rhodes, Greece; Piraeus (Athens), Greece; Palermo (Sicily), Italy and back to Barcelona. A total of 12 days. The only one of these places I had visited before was Athens, Greece and the highlight of the trip for me and most people on the ship was the time in Egypt. Cruises in Europe and the Mediterranean are not like Caribbean cruises in that you don't have water sports, and zip lines, and horseback riding, and off-road vehicle stuff. Its mostly visiting historical and archaeological sites, viewing ruins, especially a lot of churches, and lots of walking. Read more