A 7 day Pursuit of Happiness! Monte Carlo to Barcelona.. October 12 - October 19 2019

[Sleep7]

Somber notices left in our cabins when we got back to the ship about the situation in Barcelona including a map of where to avoid because of the demonstrations.

 

 

[Sleep7]

Aww.. thanks Ithikan! 😍

[Sleep7]

Tonight was the Azamazing Evening and it was truly AZAMAZING!

Kudos to the way Azamara is able to comfortably feed and mobilize 600 guests all at the same time and make it look so effortless.

That's truly azamazing too!

From the brochure..

"View a stunning futuristic performance in the City of Arts and Sciences, a grand-scale work of the Valencian architect Santiago Calatrava. Journey to an entertainment, architectural, and scientific complex comprised of six different buildings. You’ll see the incredible Hemisfèric, the centerpiece first building of the City of Arts and Sciences, representing the eye of wisdom that symbolizes the observation of the world. Visit the future—Valencia in the year 2050. Sip a welcome Agua de Valencia cocktail and let the people of the future escort you to your seat. When the lights dim, you’ll watch dancers and acrobats perform to a stunning music and light show."

 

[Sleep7]

[Sleep7]

Friday dawned and our day split between Tarragona and Barcelona had now been changed to a day at sea.

I applaud Azamara for wanting to make sure their guests were safe and not to take a chance that they might be put in harm's way.

There were plenty of announcements explaining the decision and an extra $200 of OBC! 

The shops on board were doing a brisk business all day that's for sure.

[Sleep7]

We wouldn't be needing these anymore..

[Sleep7]

The highlight of the day at sea.. besides spending time chatting with our new pals from New Jersey and Toronto?

Win a cruise BINGO with Lee at 3:00!

We didn't win a cruise or even come close to it but we did win a lot of smiles.  Lee is HILARIOUS!!!

Made a simple game of BINGO into a nonstop laugh-fest!

Used up $80 of OBC credit too.👍

[Sleep7]

Around dinner time we sailed into Barcelona Harbor to the tune of "Barcelona" by Freddie Mercury and Montserrat Caballé

Almost like the song was composed just for that very purpose.

 

[Sleep7]

Speaking of dinner time we had the BEST buffet yet upstairs at the Windows Cafe.  It was Greek night and it was spectacular!

I have to say that the staff at Windows really are the unsung heroes of the cruise.  No matter what time you are there.. 7am, 7pm or anytime in between they were all so friendly, sweet, helpful and welcoming.  It's just one of the happiest places on the ship.

 

[Sleep7]

The Pursuit docked at 7pm just as it was getting dark.  We decided to venture out and see what was doing..

[Sleep7]

We didn't get far however.  There was a large police presence and a barricade of them holding the line at the end of the pier.

We looked at each other and decided to turn around and get back on the ship.

[Sleep7]

At 9pm the chocolate buffet was in full swing.

[Sleep7]

I finished packing and put out our suitcases by 11pm. We set our alarms for an extra early 6:30am  bus transfer to BCN for our 12:45pm flight back to JFK.  I liked that Azamara gave the transfers buses plenty of extra time to get to the airport in case the road was blocked as had happened in the beginning of the week.

It was quiet and dark as we pulled away from the pier and then past the Columbus statue.

[Sleep7]

Quick and easy check in and then a few hours to kill as we waited for our nonstop flight back to JFK.

We are old pros at VAT refunds so we brought the papers to the customs office for a stamp and then placed it in the box that Global Blue supposedly empties every day.  Actually.. I have always had positive experiences getting my refund.  It usually shows up in a few weeks on the credit card number that I provide them.

We browsed the stores and then settled in the lounge where they had a buffet almost worthy of Azamara.

Almost.. not quite.

[Sleep7]

11:50 our flight started to board and we sadly bid adieu to Spain.

[Sleep7]

8 hours of flying time back to JFK.

Delta's lunch and snacks provided in coach did not pose any threat to Azamara.🤣

Flight attendants are always super friendly though!

[Sleep7]

8 hours passed rather quickly and before we knew it we were back in New York.

 

[Sleep7]

Tired but still smiling we are home with our heads full of fond memories and suitcases full dirty laundry.

Thanks Azamara for another simply amazing week aboard your ships.

We vacation often but this by far is my favorite one of the year.

Such attention to detail.. such genuine warmth from every crew member.. such a delicious familiarity about being aboard.

Whether it's the Quest, the Journey or the Pursuit.. it's all the best.

Can't wait to return.🥰

[Grandma Cruising]

Great blog of your cruise Sleep7. I’ve loved reading it. Thank you.

[tiggertom]

Thanks for taking us on holiday with you, it was great 

[hiccups]

Darn, I wish I'd seen you to find out what to do with our VAT paperwork  🙂  We must have been in the lounge together at some point!

Love seeing the pictures of places I visited, and a lot I missed!

[Sleep7]

😍Thank you so much for the sweet compliments HostGrandmacruising and Tiggertom!

 

Hiccups.. sorry about the VAT paperwork.  They didn't explain it that well at the shop.  They were definitely overwhelmed with the volume that day for sure.  It was a wonderful week.. glad it brought back the pleasure.

[QueenP]

I thoroughly enjoyed this! Hope the weather is just as good next Oct for our Med cruises!

[Werangels]

Thank you for taking the time to do this.  I really enjoyed reading it and all your lovely photos.

[Sleep7]

Thanks so much Werangels! It was so fun to write.😃