Unfortunately, the second leg of the back-to-back cruise that we had booked on the Mariner of the Seas for Spring 2018 was canceled. As compensation for the cancellation, RCCL provided up to $500 per person to be applied towards return airfare for our cruise next year on the Vision of the Seas. In addition they provided a future cruise credit amounting to 25% of the Mariner pricing that could be applied towards any future cruise. After much research we found that the Freedom of the Seas was coming back to the US in October after our TA to Barcelona earlier this year, and still had a few cabins available. As we had such a great time on the Freedom with Mom and Dad earlier this year, we booked the TA for Oct 2017! The itinerary is as follows:
We all arrive on Oct 20 in Barcelona so we have a couple days before the cruise to spend in Barcelona. We booked two rooms at the Ciutat del Prat near the airport for Oct 20 and Oct 21.
October 19, 2017 – Thursday – Seattle
We spent a couple hours in the United Lounge thanks to passes from Mom and Dad. We had a drink and light snacks. Departed Seattle for Frankfurt on time. Long, uneventful flight that landed on time. Lost 9 hours!
October 20, 2017 – Friday – Barcelona
Although their flights were about 2 hours behind ours, we managed to meet Mom and Dad in the Frankfurt Airport for a little while. Our flight left for Barcelona a little late but we still landed on time. We rested in baggage claim while we waited for Mom and Dad’s flight to arrive. We took a free shuttle to Ciutat del Prat Hotel which is close to the airport. After resting we went walking around the neighborhood which was not touristy at all but more like a residential area. We stopped in a supermarket for water before having dinner at Llamarada’s. We enjoyed an assortment of tapas, a small pizza, and a bottle of wine but the bill was only about 33€. Everything was delicious. Turned in early because it was a very, very long day (actually 2 days).
Breakfast at L’Express cafe and bakery
October 21, 2017 – Saturday – Barcelona (sunny, 70 degrees)
It was a beautiful morning so we ate breakfast at an outdoor table at L’Express, a cafe and bakery. We enjoyed delicious pastries and Americano coffee (9€). We stopped at the supermarket again for more water and a couple of bottles of wine then stopped by the hotel. We were adventurous and caught a train to central Barcelona. We met a family (mom, dad, 3 kids, and a Giant Schnauzer named Bowser). The kids were learning Spanish in school so Mom “tested” the 8 year old daughter. The dad asked us how we felt about Trump and seemed glad to hear that we had the same opinion as they did. We got off the train in the Gracia area and walked to the Gothic area to attend Merckat de Merckats, a large food and beverage festival. It was extremely crowded. We headed over to
Elizabet’s menu
Elizabet’s for a late lunch/early dinner. We had a delicious assortment of tapas (their Patatas Bravas are the best!) and a pitcher of Sangria (31€). We walked to the Placa de Catalunya. People and police (including a couple of helicopters) had started to gather for a large demonstration in support of Catalunya’s push for independence from Spain. We took a taxi back to the hotel where we sat on a bench out front to rest and chat. Then we headed out to a neighborhood square that Mom and Dad had been to on a past visit. There were chairs and benches in the area which had a large grassy space and was surrounded by small shops. There were lots of people there including many families with kids playing soccer and rollerblading. There was also a gathering to support breast cancer awareness where a live band was playing. After people watching from a bench for a while we headed back to the hotel.
Freedom of the Seas
Captain: Espen Been
Cruise Director: Mercedes LaFuentes
Waiter: Vivian (Jamaica)
Ass’t Waiter: Ruhan (Brazil)
Maitre D’: Romeo
Cabin Attendant: Bornicia
October 22, 2017 – Sunday – Barcelona (cloudy, chilly start, then sunny 70 degrees)
Despite the chill we had breakfast outside at L’Express again. At 10:00 we took a taxi to the port (28€ including 7 pieces of luggage). Boarding went quickly and by 11:30 we were seated in the Windjammer eating lunch. We got in our cabins at 1:00.
Sorrento’s aka: our Happy Hour hangout
Luggage came a little later in the afternoon and then we were able to unpack and “officially” feel on board. We met Mom and Dad at Sorrento’s at 6:00 for cocktails which they brought out of the Diamond Lounge. We chatted until our supposed 8:00 reservations at Chops, which turned out to be 8:45. Apparently they overbooked due to a BOGO offer that had to be used the first night. Once we finally got food it was all delicious. We finished eating about 10:45! The staff worked very hard this evening. Mom was nodding off due to the time change and some sleepless nights so we turned in for the night.
October 23, 2017 – Monday – At Sea (sunny, 70 degrees)
Met Mom and Dad in Windjammer for breakfast about 9:15. Next up was the Cruise Critic Meet ‘n Greet in Studio B, the ice rink, at 10:30. Some information was given out, and they had a raffle drawing with prizes. Dad won a RC metal water bottle. Mom and Dad went to the casino while we found a quiet spot on deck to read. We all met up for lunch in the dining room – chopped salads. Back to the cabins to rest, journal, do computer work, and read. Met Mom and Dad at Sorrento’s for cocktail hour at 6:00. It was our first night in the dining room. Our waiter is Vivian from Jamaica, and the assistant waiter is Ruhan from Brazil. Mom was tired and still adjusting to the time so she went back to their cabin while the rest of us headed to the Arcadia. We saw a wonderful show featuring Nick Page who sang, played the piano, and also played the drums. He was very talented as was the RC Orchestra – especially the drummer.
October 24, 2017 – Tuesday – Cadiz, Spain (sunny, windy, 80+ degrees)
Met up for our usual breakfast in Windjammer, then headed into Cadiz. 
We just walked around taking in our surroundings, including beautiful Plaza de San Juan de Dios. We returned to the ship early 
afternoon and went to Windjammer for iced tea and coffee. Relaxed during the afternoon, met for cocktails, and had dinner in the dining room. Tonight’s 10:15 show was “Hector is Magic.” The show was okay – lots of card tricks – nothing amazing. Tonight we turned back the clocks 1 hour.
October 25, 2017 – Wednesday – At Sea (supposedly 90 degrees but didn’t seem it)
Breakfast in Windjammer. Attended an interesting forensic science lecture by Jim Adcock at 10:00. On the way back to our cabins we went through the casino and did our free slot pulls. Mom won a RC key chain. We relaxed in our cabins until we met up for lunch in the Windjammer. We (Laurie and Pat) went to a beginning Spanish class at 4:00 which actually turned out to be the second in a series of classes. Hopefully we picked up some bits of Spanish that will stick with us. We then watched the “Dreamworks Move It Move It” parade in the Royal Promenade. It was very colorful with elaborate costumes and catchy music. As per our routine, we met Mom and Dad for cocktails, then went to the dining room for dinner. At 10:15 we saw the “Marquee” show in the Arcadia. It was a very entertaining show which was a collection of Broadway show tunes. Great dancing and singing. The cast worked really hard.
October 26, 2017 – Thursday – Santa Cruz de Tenerife (sunny, 86 degrees)
Breakfast in Windjammer then back to our cabins until we were able to go ashore. Mom and Dad came to our cabin for a little over an hour then we went into town about 12:00. There were free shuttle buses from the ship to an area on shore. We wondered around the city looking at architecture and people. We met a cute local woman originally from Cuba. Spoke a little English, and Mom and Dad spoke a little Spanish so we were able to hold on a conversation with her. She had an adorable apricot-colored poodle named Josie who was very friendly. The woman dropped the end of the leash and told Josie to give the leash to the Senorita (in Spanish) and she picked it up and gave it to Mom. So cute. It was very hot in town but there was an occasional breeze. As soon as we got back on the ship we couldn’t get to Windjammer fast enough to chug iced tea, and eat, of course! Back to our cabins until cocktail hour. Tonight we decided to give Windjammer a try for dinner. It was Greek night. All the food was very good. There was no show tonight so we turned in early at 9:15 to relax, read, and watch TV.
October 27, 2017 – Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (sunny, near 90 degrees)
Breakfast in Windjammer. A shuttle took us to town and left us by Santa Catalina Park. We set out to see Castillo de la Luz (Castle of Light), a 16th century fortress built to protect the town from pirates. 
It was supposed to be a 20 minute walk but due to the GPS not being clear it turned into over an hour! There was a park by the castle where we rested on a bench in the shade and had a refreshing wine and fruit drink. Taking the right path back did take about 20 minutes. Mom and Dad returned to the ship. We walked the 5 or so blocks to Playa de las Canteras, one of the loveliest beaches in Europe. There was a natural breakwater a little way out that kept the crystal-clear water by the shore relatively calm. The sand was a light beige and looked “sugary” smooth. 
It was a topless beach but only a few took advantage of this. A wide promenade runs for 1.7 miles along the beach with cafes and restaurants along the way. It was a beautiful area we’d like to return to equipped for a day at the beach. Returned to the ship for iced tea and rest. Met Mom and Dad at Sorrento’s at 6:00 for cocktails. Then we went to the 7:00 show of Laura Broad, a fantastic UK signer who performed a wide range of songs. She had been a finalist on Britain’s Got Talent. We had dinner in the dining room then returned to our cabins.
October 28, 2017 – Santa Cruz de La Palma (hazy, very humid, 79 degrees)
Breakfast in Windjammer. (Notice the pattern?) We took shuttle buses to town then it was a short walk to Calle O’Daly, the main street of old town lined with shops, bars, restaurants, and some of the town’s most impressive architecture. We strolled along the street where Mom bought a hat and some custard pastries usually sold in Portugal. On this street we also visited Plaza de Espana. 
It’s a small square surrounded by historic buildings considered some of the most important examples of Renaissance architecture in the Canary Islands. On one side is the imposing Ayuntamiento (town hall) built in 1559 after the original was destroyed by pirates. Another side had Iglesia de El Salvador, a 15th century church with a clock tower. Laurie and Pat went inside where everything was very ornate, including the Mudejar (Spanish-Moorish) coffered ceiling. The walk was hot and humid even though we were mostly shaded in-between the buildings so we immediately head to Windjammer for iced tea and a light lunch on our return to the ship. We had 6:00 cocktails and then an outstanding dinner at Chops. Mom turned in and the rest of us went to the hypnotist/comedy show of David Knight which was entertaining. Called the kids and all was well with them. It was a late night but we turned the clocks back so we gained another hour.
October 29, 2017 – At Sea (partly sunny, 80 degrees)
Our usual breakfast in Windjammer. Then we went to the first of a series of enrichment lectures by forensic expert Jim Adcock. Mom and Dad went to the health club so Mom could wash her hair. We picked up coffee and went back to the cabin. Laurie did some computer stuff and Pat entered the journal up to this point. Mom and Dad came to our cabin to use WiFi and to talk about cruises. We met with Next Cruise at 3:30 and obtained some additional information and prices. About 4:00 we went to Sorrento’s for snacks and coffee, which turned into cocktail hour, which turned into dinner in the dining room. No matter how much time we spend together we never seem to run out of things to talk about! We made it an early evening. Moved the clocks back an hour tonight.
October 30, 2017 – At Sea (partly sunny, 77 degrees)
A different start to our day – breakfast in the Galileo dining room (a la carte menu) on Deck 5! We had a perfect table next to
a window. It was nice not to have all the craziness of Windjammer for a change but the food was just okay. Mom went to the casino and we went back to the cabin. Mom and Pat participated in the Cruise Critic Slot Pull. It cost $15 for 5 pulls. Neither one won anything but did get $12 back from the group effort. Went to Sorrento’s for a snack. Formal night. Took some balcony pictures before cocktail hour. Dinner in the dining room. Tonight’s show was Brooks Aehron, concert pianist and entertainer. He was very energetic, enthusiastic, and fun to watch and listen to.
October 31, 2017 – At Sea (partly cloudy, 76 degrees)
Back to Windjammer for breakfast then off to the Arcadia to watch another lecture by forensic expert Jim Adcock – this time on bugs and bones for Halloween. 
The Royal Promenade was decorated for Halloween with lots of big, blown up displays, spider webs, signs, skeletons, etc. Many of the staff and fellow passengers dressed in costume for the day. Brooks Aehron did another outstanding show at 2:00 called “Cruising With the Classcis”. We had a light lunch in Winjammer and later met for cocktails at Sorrento’s. Tonight’s show at the Arcadia was Daniel Zafrani, a visual comedy and mime show. We had seen him on the cruise we took last spring but it was worth seeing again. There was a Halloween parade and party but we turned in as Pat had a cold and was very tired. Mom was also ready for some rest as her eyes kept closing. We gained another hour tonight.
November 1, 2017 – At Sea (partly cloudy, 74 degrees)
Windjammer breakfast then went to the forensic presentation again. We stopped to look at the pictures we had taken on the ship so far. Mom and Dad went to the casino and we went back to our cabin. Pat sat on the balcony for a bit then took a long nap, still trying to shake her cold. (Dad also came down with a cold about the same time but seemed to get it a little worse.) Laurie was on the computer, watched a little TV, and sat on the balcony. We met up at 6:00 for cocktails. Decided to skip the “Once Upon a Time” show which we had seem before and it had just been okay. Dinner in the dining room. Moved the clocks back another hour.
November 2, 2017 – At Sea (partly cloudy, 74 degrees)
Another delicious Windjammer breakfast followed by another forensic presentation. Immediately following was “Captain’s Corner” where the captain and 4 of his crew answered questions from the audience. Back to our cabins about noon until the next event at 2:00. Another wonderful concert with pianist Brooks Aehron with amazing flute player Jaymee Coonjobeeharry. Went back to our cabins until cocktail hour. There was a 7:00 show in Arcadia with Analiza Ching – a very energetic violinist who had been a finalist on Britain’s Got Talent. We had dinner in Windjammer this evening. It was Mexican night but there wasn’t anything outstanding. Turned in for the night.
November 3, 2017 – At Sea (sun and rain showers, 79 degrees)
Our usual Windjammer breakfast and another forensic lecture. Back to our cabins until the next show at 2:00. This was the guest talent show with 8 performers. Most were good with a couple of so-so performances. We went to the Cafe Promenade for coffee, pastries, and to chat. Back to our cabins to rest and dress for formal night. There was a great variety of clouds around – light and wispy through stormy. 
We saw a water spout with the top part dragging down from the clouds then you could see the swirl of white water where the bottom touched the surface of the water. Cocktails at 6:00. The Las Vegas Tenors were the performers in the Arcadia at 7:00. The 3 men were extremely talented and fun to watch as well as listen to. Formal night in the dining room. Lobster! We each had 2 tails that were yummy! We turned in after dinner. Moved the clocks back another hour.
November 4, 2018 – Saturday – Last Day at Sea (sun/rain mix, 79 degrees)
A busy day! We had a light breakfast in Windjammer, then went to the last forensics lecture.
Mom and Dad were each entitled to a free picture from the ship’s gallery so they chose one and let us choose one.
Nassau, Bahamas
They went to the casino to use up a credit and we went back to our cabin to start packing. We met in the dining room at 1:00 for lunch, which including the make-to-order chopped salad bar. The ship is making a stop in Nassau, Bahamas, to deal with a medical emergency before we continue to Fort Lauderdale. We ate lunch at the same time as we were pulling into Nassau.
Four other cruise ships
When we finished eating we went on deck to take pictures of the beautiful scenery – clear blue water, white sand, lovely vegetation, as well as the four other cruise ships that were lined up in port. It was sunny and extremely hot. Back in the cabin we did more packing and then relaxed a bit until cocktail hour. In the Arcadia at 7:00 we watched the action comedy and juggling act of Rick Novell. It didn’t start out so great but ended up being very funny. He did some tricks on a unicycle, as well as a juggling act with 2 audience members which was hilarious. This was our last night in the dining room. It was sad saying good-bye to the staff. We moved the clocks back one last time, this time to adjust for daylight saving time.
November 5, 2017 – Sunday – Arrive in Fort Lauderdale
We had an early (6:45) breakfast in the Windjammer one last time, then collected our carry-on luggage from our cabins and were off the ship by about 7:45. By about 9:15 we were enjoying our second breakfast at the buffet at Embassy Suites after putting our luggage in the holding room. We relaxed out by the pool until our room was ready. The hotel had a complimentary cocktail hour with lights snacks so we, of course, went to that. Afterwards we walked about 2 blocks to Five Guys for wonderful burgers and fries. Back at the hotel we were all in bed before 9:00.
November 6, 2017 – Monday – Depart Fort Lauderdale
We had a leisurely breakfast from the hotel’s buffet. Then we visited a while before we had to vacate the room at noon. Mom and Dad originally were going to go to the airport later since their flight was 4 hours later than ours, but when the Uber car ended up being a Dodge Caravan van they decided to share the ride and hang out at the airport. Their flight as well as our 2 flights were all uneventful and on-time or early. We were all safely back home and back to reality by late evening!