Two Weeks In, the Atlantic Ahead

31 October 2026 — Barcelona, Spain

Explorer of the Seas

I am now on the third leg of this trip, and we’ll soon be heading across the Atlantic Ocean. It’s hard to believe that two weeks have gone by. I only have two more weeks on this fabulous trip.

Today was turnaround day in Barcelona. My plan was to complete customs, get back aboard, and spend the day resting and relaxing.

Barcelona was our turnaround port today. I planned to spend my day aboard.

At 7:00 a.m., I began the turnaround process. By 8:30, I had gone through customs and was back on the ship. Everything went smoothly. While all the craziness of turnaround continued, I stayed in my cabin and rested. That was pretty nice.

At 12:30 p.m., I went to the spa to make sure my appointments were set for the next two weeks. Everything lined up pretty well. Then I returned to my room for a little more rest before my three o’clock salt treatment.

Products, treatment stones, and towels in the spa—where I made sure my next two weeks of appointments were in order.

A look around another area of the spa during my visit.

At 3:00 p.m., Megan gave me an intense salt scrub. She worked really hard, and my skin was clean and pink when she finished. I was getting my body ready for the long transatlantic cruise.

A close look at the salt mixture in the big treatment bowl.

On the treatment table during my afternoon spa visit.

Some of the products and treatment stones photographed during my spa visit.

An open scrub jar, body oil, and smooth treatment stones.

At 4:30 p.m., I attended the spa raffle, hoping to win big. No luck this time. I came away with the manager’s special.

At 5:00 p.m., it was time for my Dynamic Resurfacing Men’s Facial and Shave with Ivan, my favorite barber. He did an awesome job again. Hair, eyebrows, ears, nose—everything was cleaned up and put together.

With Ivan, my favorite barber, after my facial and shave.

At 7:45 p.m., I had dinner at Giovanni’s with Patty, the ultimate Royal cruiser. We talked about the next two weeks and coordinated some of our shore excursions and dinners.

Patty divides her dining time among several groups of people aboard, so I’ll get to have dinner with her a couple of times over the next two weeks.

Patty brought a Halloween touch to dinner with her cat ears and patterned cape.

By 10:00 p.m., I was heading back to my room. Halloween music was playing throughout the ship. Many people were in costumes, children were running around, and everyone seemed to be having a grand time.

My own contribution to Halloween: a black masquerade mask.

For a day devoted to resting, I had still managed to keep pretty busy. I was ready for a good night’s sleep.

Tomorrow, we’re scheduled to be in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. I’m looking forward to another shore excursion and another day of adventure.