Leaving Barcelona Going to Avignon and Embarkation

We were up early for us and finished packing.  To breakfast with Frank and Judy and then we gathered in the lobby to board the bus to the airport.  We checked three bags as I have too many liquids and did not want to make my suitcase any heavier then it was.  So it cost us an additional 90 euros.  But since they wanted 285 euros to send the stuff home, this seemed like a bargain.

Our flight from Barcelona was fine.  It turned out that we were in seats 22E and 22F with Frank in 22D and Judy in 22C.  Since no one came for A or B, Frank moved over and we were able to spread out.  The flight took about 45 minutes.  When we arrived in Marseille we had to wait for our luggage which turned out to be one of the last ones off the belt.  BTW, Maureen's lost case came out first.

We stored our luggage on the bus and went back inside as we had to wait for two other flights to arrive.  We finally we on the way by 1pm.  The drive to Avignon was about 50 minutes.  When we arrived at the boat, we were greeted by the cruise director and directed onto the boat.  Check in was quick and we were taken to our room which is very nice.  We had upgraded to a suite before we left home.  Very spacious.

The large wooden thing is the TV.  It swings all the way around so that you can sit on the sofa and watch or sit in the bed.

This sitting area is across from the desk.  I will try and take a better picture of the cabin when it is all made up and neat.

A light lunch and then to the cabin to unpack as the luggage had arrived.  Another interesting fact, the entire crew including officers all work to get the luggage on board.  We unpacked and put everything away.  Now Bob is taking a nap and I am working on the blog.

They had a Captain's Welcome in the Peppermint Lounge.  We were all given a glass of champagne and listened to them tell us what was going on.  Plus a safety film about life jackets, etc.  Cory and Anne arrived during the talk.  They were the last ones to arrive.  Great to see them again.

Dinner in the Compass Rose.  We had a nice round table for six.  Sarah was our waitress.  Seems like they now hire more people from the Asia then from Europe.  Dinner consists of an appetizer and soup which you do not have a choice, then a choice of one of two entrees, and then a choice of either two desserts.  Both Bob and I had a butterfish which was very good.

After dinner, Bob and I walked up on the top deck.  We stayed overnight here in Avignon.  Then back to the cabin and lights out.