In September we loved our stayed at the Plaza Catalunya.  The hotel is about thirty meters or a hundred feet from the awesome Plaza de Catalunya. The La Rambla is just off the Plaza.  The Plaza de Catalunya is also the major transportation hub for the Hop on- Hop off tour bus lines.  Plenty of affordable restaurants on side streets off the Plaza.  

Practically across the street from the hotel is a good inexpensive coffee/breakfast lunch sandwich restaurant. And facing the Plaza de Catalunya is my favorite, Cafe Zurich. Cafe Zurich's outdoor tables are most excellent for a afternoon or evening beverage as the busy sidewalk traffic of trendy Barcelonans pass by. https://www.facebook.com/cafezurichdebarcelona/

When booking this hotel I looked at several of the more expensive recommendations frequently offered for Barcelona, but found the Plaza Catalunya to be a better bargain and location. This was for a Celebrity Edge cruise. Bon Voyage!

Plaza Catalunya

Bergara, 11. 08002, Barcelona

+34 93 301 51 51

catalunya@cataloniahotels.com

In September we loved our stayed at the Plaza Catalunya.  The hotel is about thirty meters or a hundred feet from the awesome Plaza de Catalunya. The La Rambla is just off the Plaza.  The Plaza de Catalunya is also the major transportation hub for the Hop on- Hop off tour bus lines.  Plenty of affordable restaurants on side streets off the Plaza.  

Practically across the street from the hotel is a good inexpensive coffee/breakfast lunch sandwich restaurant. And facing the Plaza de Catalunya is my favorite, Cafe Zurich. Cafe Zurich's outdoor tables are most excellent for a afternoon or evening beverage as the busy sidewalk traffic of trendy Barcelonans pass by. https://www.facebook.com/cafezurichdebarcelona/

When booking this hotel I looked at several of the more expensive recommendations frequently offered for Barcelona, but found the Plaza Catalunya to be a better bargain and location. This was for a Celebrity Edge cruise. Bon Voyage!

Plaza Catalunya

Bergara, 11. 08002, Barcelona

+34 93 301 51 51

catalunya@cataloniahotels.com

You buy's your ticket and in doing so, the contract for travel on a foreign flag vessel.

Behave or Be Gone!

No disrespect to Cap_D, but on a semi luxury cruise line ya really shouldn't need these prophylactic remedies because of shipboard contamination. But I understand where your coming from.  

You'd think Celebrity and their contracted medical advisors would be all over this, but... the pandemic is over.

"Washy-washy," Richard Fain.  One of my favorite cruise line CEO's. Enjoy your retirement Richard.

Sounds like rough sailing on the Beyond. ...Like Beyond what you should have to deal with in an expensive suite or any cabin. First wacky rattling noise issues in cabins and now mold. Yikes! 

Wondering if there were shipyard labor issues when this ship was built? Back in the day, if your car was manufactured on a Monday, there might be quality problems. A lemon. Holy mackerel, what's going on with Celebrity Quality Control?

Also, not an Edge class ship problem, but did they ever get the refrigeration working in the ship morgues? Remember the guy they stashed in the drink cooler?

The planes pilot was slurring his words on his welcome aboard announcement.

The flight attendant asked me what I'd like to drink. "I'll have what the pilots drinking."

She wasn't amused.

Option 1,  Don't sweat it, show up. Showing up is 99% of boarding! They want to move you along and won't waste much thought on arrival time drama. 

2nd option... Tell them you spoke with your old pal Laura Bethge and she said, "It's Cool!"

Seriously, they just want to move you along, there is a line of eager cruisers behind you.

Pencil supplier reports Excel-lent order for short stubby pencils.

Good video, positive news. Let's hope for the best. And for the kvetcher's, no mention of pencil size.

Show up. They'll board you. Enjoy your cruise.

Bon Voyage!

There goes the neighborhood!

Did they ever fix the crazy cabin noises cruisers reported on the Beyond? If not, will the ghosts be quieter on the Caribbean circuit?  

Thank you Jelayne. You're directions for bringing up the order history worked great.

Good for the bartender in Michaels Club. I'm sure he busted is butt to move up to this job.  I don't go on cruises to save money. I tip well and often and I never wait at any bar for service. 

And now a "tip" for my fellow passengers. Put $50 on red at the roulette and ...“Laissez les bon temps rouler,”

“Oui, cher.” 

Shout out to Mom Says. I didn't get a chance to wish you Happy Mothers Day, so wishing you a belated Happy Mothers Day.

When the Celebrity IT department and the Accounting department work together.

Which is correct?

I've preordered the elastic elbow support sleeve for workouts at the pool bar.

Geez, whatever ya do, don't make any jokes about dead guys in the drink coolers or they'll put you in the naughty box.

Congratulations to Nuts about Golf post #69 for the first mention of lobster in this topic.

Special recognition to post #70 NMTraveler for follow up lobster mention, Maine.

You can't go wrong with this delightful carry aboard vintage. Available and affordable depending where you shop. US $2.99 - $5.99 at the higher end wine shops. 

Wood Plank Pier/Dock Safety  -- This is from over 40 years of walking down sketchy docks and commercial wharfs in Boston, NY Harbor, Baltimore, Norfolk, Miami... well you get the idea.

Look at where the dock. The wood planks have nails securing it. They are pounded into the supporting structure beams. This is the safest, strongest part of the dock. Walk where the nails are if possible. Don't scuff your shoes or you might catch a nail head working it way out. 

Buy travel insurance with medical coverage. I prefer the annual policy.

This is a foreign flag vessel, not sure how that will effect things. Tons of lawsuits filed in Florida everyday. Doesn't mean they will ever go to trial.

Florida remains a leader in shark attacks. We also have a huge population of slip n' fall hungry land sharks cluttering the airwaves with promises of riches if you hire them to sue. This is a nuisance case which takes place on a foreign flagged vessel.  Admiralty Law? Go fish.

Reporter for the story is a fabulous Florida Gator and highly respected woman journalist. 

Alex DeLuca

Staff Writer, Miami New Times