I arrived in Barcelona the day before my cruise (always recommended) and stayed at the incredible Grand Hotel Central. Just 10 minutes from Las Ramblas, it was an amazing start to my Mediterranean adventure. The hotel’s rooftop bar and infinity pool offered soaring views of the city below.
The next morning, our group boarded the coach bound for the Port. The beautiful Norwegian Escape towered over the terminal. Despite being busy, after a short wait at the check-in lounge, we were on the ship. Our cabins weren’t ready yet, so we headed to the top deck bar that had views of the pool and the surrounding city. The ship was immaculate, with both large spacious areas, cosy intimate venues, and a magnificent chandelier that hung over the atrium. You could sit at any number of bars or restaurants and enjoy an external view. The ship was beautiful, filled with stylish décor.
Once our cabins were ready, I found my balcony to be very spacious with plenty of storage and a modern design. The bathroom was generous, and my shower was large. I had a sofa and a desk, with a TV that displayed all my voyage information. There was one plug, a mini-fridge, and a safe.
From Barcelona, we waved adios and bonjour to Cannes. The ship anchored offshore, and we tendered in. There, we could just walk around and take in the sights, explore the shopping avenues, taste local French cuisine, swim in the Mediterranean, or visit Monaco and Nice for the day.
We had two days in Livorno, which presented an opportunity to head to the famous Cinque Terre region. I would recommend pre-purchasing your train ticket and getting an early start. If you timed it right, you could see all the villages. Our group started in Monterosso, the northernmost village. We strolled along the esplanade, sampling gelato before taking a dip in the beautiful sea. Then we went to Vernazza, making a quick stop at this quaint little cove village for some shopping before heading to Manarola, my favourite. It was a great spot for swimming or, if you were feeling brave, a cliff jump. Since we were in port for the night, we could return later than any other day.
On our second day, we visited the city of Lucca, a walled city characterised by beautiful mediaeval towers and piazzas. The shopping there was cheaper than in Florence and not as crowded. Our next stop was Rome. It was always amazing to visit this ancient yet modern city. I would recommend Maio Restaurant and Rooftop and Clementine Ristorante – on Via del Tritone.
Next, we went to Napoli. There were so many sights to see: Pompeii, Sorrento, Mt Vesuvius, and the Amalfi Coast. We headed to Capri for the day. It was best to catch an early ferry to beat the crowds. Quaint shops and cafes lined the streets near the port. You could take a bus or the cable car up to the centre, or a boat tour to the Blue Grotto. Our last Italian stop was Cagliari, Sardinia. We strolled around this beautiful historic town, did a bit of shopping, and went flamingo watching.
Our journey then took us to the beautiful island of Palma de Mallorca. I did a tour of the Cuevas del Hams (Cave of Hams), which was an unforgettable experience. Our last stop was the stunning Ibiza, which was more than just a party town. We checked out the historical old town and the beautiful beaches. As this was our last day, we all headed to Nassau Beach Club, relaxed on the day beds, and swam in the sea.
Onboard, the dining options were plentiful. We had two specialty dining meals included, and I upgraded to get another two. Moderna Churrascaria was epic. Pinchos Tapas was a surprise gem with no reservation needed. Teppanyaki was a must. Food Republic had so much choice, and Cagney’s Steakhouse served one of the best steaks I had ever tasted. The main restaurants, Savour and Taste, had consistent menus with daily specials. The Manhattan Room had a similar menu but with live music to accompany dinner.
My favourite bar was the Sugarcane Mojito – try the Jalapeno and Cucumber Mojito. I also loved the District Brewhouse, where sports were on TV, board games were available, and there was a wide selection of beer on tap. Spice H2O was also a popular place, high up at the back of the ship. This was where the parties happened, with its large open space (great for a conga line), Jacuzzis, and a waterfall grotto.
Norwegian Cruise Lines offered great value with their ‘More at Sea’ inclusions. All my drinks were included, I never ran out of Wi-Fi, and the US$50 shore excursion credit per port was great for booking excursions. All my gratuities were included as well. I enjoyed every aspect of my Norwegian Escape cruise. Despite the ship being full, it never felt crowded, and the crew, who were always smiling, ensured nothing was ever too much trouble.
