March 13-14

Travel Day / Arrival

Let the cruise begin!  On Wednesday Kim and I called for an Uber ride from our home in Sunrise to Miami International Airport.  Our guy, Arthur, arrived about 2:15 and we were dropped off at the airport around 3:15.  A quick note - for those of you who know us know we will go to just about any extreme to avoid flying into or out of Miami, much prefer the closer confines of Fort Lauderdale International.  But last fall when our travel agent Nancy Nelson called with air options she explained it this way........ Nancy: "I know you don't like to travel out of Miami" - Me: "No, we do not." - "So if you leave out of FLL you fly to Chicago, have a four hour layover; fly to Frankfort, have a two hour layover, and fly into Barcelona" - "Well, international travel days are long days, for sure" - "But, if you were to consider flying out of Miami....." - "Ok, I'll listen....." - "You would depart out of Miami, and fly non-stop to Barcelona." - "OH!  Yes, that is what we want!"  :)  And for the first time we prepaid for the Premium Economy seats.  While I knew we would enjoy the comfort I did not consider all the other perks that came with it - much easier check-in (at our own check-in with the first class passengers), earlier boarding, free drinks on board, and upgraded meals.  It was a great direct flight over.

Packed and ready to go!

Arriving at MIA

Checked in!

Note we were in Row 14 - met two guys who were in Row 99 :O

In our "premium" seats

So long Miami / So Fla.....

In route......

We be jammin'......

The sunrise in Spain.....

Hello Barcelona!

Left at about 6 pm Miami time and arrived in Barcelona a little after 8 am their time (which is five hours ahead of us - so it was 3 am at home).  We were through customs and immediately greeted at the luggage area by Viking representatives.  Within twenty minutes we had our bags and were heading out the door of the terminal (48 degrees outside) for the charter bus.  And within 35 minutes we were checked in and walking on board.  Unfortunately the rooms wouldn't be ready until 2 pm, so we had a cup of coffee, Kim worked out in the gym and we had lunch before our great friends Sue & Dan Reynolds arrived.

We made reservations for Manfredi's - an alternative dining experience.  Note, all big cruise ships have these "specialty dining options" but on ALL OTHER lines you must pay extra to dine there.  Not with Viking Oceans - just need to make a reservation!  Gotta love Viking! 

The meal was, as Dan said, "....in New York you'd pay over $500 for that at a 5-star restaurant and be happy to do it AND want to come back...."  It was as spectacular as the two times we visited this restaurant on our summer Viking Oceans.  Topped off by pistachio cake, which no matter what you think of what it might taste like, it was amazing!  Tomorrow we begin our excursions with a four hour tour around Barcelona!