oceania cruise port barcelona

Barcelona, Spain

Cruises from Barcelona depart year-round. With mountains to the west and the sparkling Mediterranean Sea to the east, Barcelona possesses panoramic beauty. Among the most-visited sites in the Catalonia region's capital are structures designed by Antoni Gaudi, including the colorful Casa Batllo, whimsical Park Guell and Barcelona's most iconic building, the Expiatory Temple of the Holy Family, known locally as the Sagrada Familia. Walking tours are popular here, with plenty to admire in the Gothic Quarter and on La Rambla, a bustling pedestrian street lined with stalls and trees. Foodies find themselves on tours of tapas restaurants or exploring the sprawling Mercat de la Boqueria, a covered market with roots in the 13th century. For soccer fans, an excursion to Camp Nou, the home stadium for FC Barcelona, proves an exciting pilgrimage.

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Barcelona (Spain)

Cruise port schedule, live map, terminals, news.

Region Mediterranean - Black Sea

Local Time 2024-06-06 05:55

Port Barcelona cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month. The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from Barcelona, Spain. To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link.

Barcelona cruise port is currently ranked the largest Mediterranean cruise port with turnaround operations (roundtrip itineraries) and the world's 4th busiest. Its harbor area is one of the world's biggest. By population (over 1,6 million) the city is ranked Spain's largest and Europe's 16th largest.

By the metro population (around 5,5 million) it is ranked EU's 6th largest (after Paris , London , Madrid , Ruhr, Milano ). The city is on the Mediterranean Sea, located between the mouths of two rivers (Llobregat and Besos).

IMPORTANT : Since October 22, 2023, cruise vessels are no longer allowed to dock at Muelle Barcelona Norte (northern port, near the World Trade Centre area) and instead are redirected to berth at Moll Adossat Pier (southern port) which was previously utilized by larger cruise companies like NCL-Norwegian , RCI-Royal Caribbean and MSC . As a result, disembarking cruise tourists instead of stepping directly into the city's historic downtown (10-minute walking distance) are transported via shuttle buses (~30 minutes drive distance) from the southern port to access the city center.

Barcelona cruise port

Barcelona Port (locode ESBCN) is ranked Europe's 9th largest containership port by annual traffic.

The Port's area (sized 10 km2 / 4 mi2) is divided into 3 zones - Port Vell, Commercial Port, and Barcelona Free Port ("Zona Franca de Barcelona", industrial/logistics port).

There is an ongoing enlargement project that will double the port's size by diverting the Llobregat river to the south.

• UN-LOCODE (United Nations location code) - ESBCN
• supported by excellent road, rail, and air infrastructure
• deep harbor water and berths (draft 11,5 m / 38 ft)
• sheltered harbor area
• access unrestricted by tides
• capability to accommodate 9 cruise vessels at a time

Each of the Port's international cruise ship terminals has air conditioning, public phones, lifts and escalators, currency exchange kiosks, duty-free shops, gift/souvenir shops, cafe-restaurant, taxi rank, bus shuttle to downtown.

The cruise port is accessible the whole year round - 24/7, 365 days a tear.

The best vantage points to observe the cruise port's traffic are the cable car (connecting La Barceloneta neighborhood, Ciutat Vella district), the Ferry Station and the Montjuic Castle.

Cruise ships usually arrive in Barcelona in the early morning (4, 5, 6, 7, 9 am) and in the early afternoon (at 1, 2, 2:30 pm) and depart from Barcelona in the late afternoon or in the evening (at 5, 6, 7, 8:30, 10 pm).

Port Barcelona's cruise operations contribute to the city's economy (as revenues) around EUR 796 million (USD 900M) annually. The cruise port adds EUR 413 million (USD 467M) annually to Catalonia's GDP (gross domestic product). This industry also supports 6760 local jobs and generates EUR 152 million (USD 172M) in government taxes. Each cruise vessel in Barcelona generates on average EUR 1 million (USD 1,13M) in sales, contributes EUR 0,5 million (USD 565,417) to Catalonia's GDP, and generates EUR 0,2 million (USD 226,131) in Gov taxes.

In 2014, at its 6 existing cruise terminals, the seaport handled 764 ship calls and over 2,36 million passengers, with an economic impact of EUR 257 million (spent on restaurants, bars, visiting museums, churches, also on transportation and city shopping). On February 5, 2014, Royal Caribbean announced that for the summer 2015 season the Allure of the Seas ship will be based in Europe and homeported in Barcelona. Starting May 24, the Allure's program had 25 voyages with a repeating 7-night round-trip itinerary visiting the ports of Palma de Mallorca , Marseille , La Spezia, Civitavecchia-Rome, Naples. Right after the RCI's announcement, the Barcelona Port announced its estimation for the Allure's additional 158000 passengers and expected spending of around EUR 17,5 million in the city.

On July 23, 2015, Carnival Corporation announced its agreement with Barcelona Port Authority to invest over EUR 46 million in building a second (private) cruise terminal at Moll Adossat (read more in the "Terminal" section). The facility was opened on May 5, 2018. On September 13, 2015, the cruise port had its day record for cruise tourists, handling a total of 26,770 passengers on 4 cruise ships visiting the port in a single day. These were the vessels Norwegian Epic , Nieuw Amsterdam , Vision OTS and Allure OTS .

Port's cruise passenger growth in the period 2010-2015 was as follows: 2010 (2,350264 million, growth of 9,06%), 2011 (2,658691 million, growth of 13,06%), 2012 (2,408618 million, -9,4%), 2013 (2,599363 million, growth of 7,9%), 2014 (2,364292, -9%), 2015 (2,540302 million, growth of 7,4%).

The port ended 2015 with more turnaround passengers (embarking in Barcelona) reporting 3,7+ million (a 7% increase). The number included regular ferry passengers (~1,1 million) and cruise ship passengers (~2,54 million). The biggest increase in passengers concerned those leaving on ships using Barcelona as a turnaround port (where the itinerary begins and ends). In 2015, the cruise port posted its highest-ever number of handled passengers (2,5+ million). In terms of home-ported ships, Barcelona was ranked Europe's second - following Port Venice .

In November 2016, Port Barcelona presented its "Air Quality Improvement Plan" - an initiative aiming to reduce bad emissions from port activities. The document involved 25 actions rolled out in 53 operations. Among the most representative actions are promoting the LNG fuel (liquefied natural gas) as an alternative for both marine vessels and road freighters. The policy offers discounts for cleaner ships and replacing the Port's service fleet with electric vehicles. According to statistics, port activities produce 7,6% of the city's average NOx concentrations annually and 1,5% of the fine particulates. Promoting LNG-powered ships , terminal machinery and trucks is one of the plan's highlights. LNG fuel cuts NOx emissions by 80% and eliminates soot, particles and SOx emissions. The environmental discounts are on port fees. Currently, the law allows a max 5% port fee discount for environmental reasons.

For season 2019, the cruise port had scheduled a total of 830 ship calls with estimated 3,2 million tourists.

In May 2021, MSC Cruises signed a deal for building an exclusive (for MSC ships only) terminal in Port Barcelona. The facility will be operated under a 31-year concession, includes an MSC investment of ~EUR 33 million (~USD 40,2M) and is planned for completion and inauguration in 2024.

In June 2022 the Port announced that starting in 2023, all visiting cruise ship tourists will pay an additional EUR 3 (12+ hours stay) and EUR 1 (fewer than 12 hours stay). The new port fees are added to the existing EUR 1,75 per person and are usually included in the cruise fares listed upon booking. For comparison, since 2019, Port Marghera-Venice charges EUR 10 port fee.

Port Barcelona statistics

FY2018 (fiscal) was a record year with significant growth in various sectors. Port's main trade is with China. Around 25% of all TEUs (containers shipped on large box ships ) passing through the port start or end in China. In 2018 also increased the shipping trade with Algeria (+45%), USA (+18%), India (+4,4%), Mexico (+12,6%), Vietnam (+27,5%), Thailand (+18,7%), Egypt (+14%). "Motorways of the Sea" (Mediterranean routes connecting to Italy and North Africa) goods shipping volumes increased 7%.

These Mediterranean lines connect Barcelona to the ports Civitavecchia-Rome , Genoa (Milan) , Savona , Livorno-Florence , Porto Torres (Sardinia Island) , Tangier (Morocco) , Algiers (Algeria) and La Goulette-Tunis .

• Liquid bulk (mainly hydrocarbons) grew 5,2% (to 15,2 million tons), LNG +3%, gasoline +12,6%, Biofuels +34,8%. Dry bulk cargo decreased 4,7%. Vehicle shipping decreased 3% (to 810,218 units). The port handled a total of 262,379 TEUs (+7,7%). Port's rail traffic increased 13,3%. Car transport by rail increased 11% (to 263,900 units).
• In 2018, the port handled total 4,4 million passengers (8,6% increase), including 1,4 million ferry (+2%) and 3 million cruise (+12%). Turnaround passengers grew 16%. Day-passengers grew 8%. Low-season cruisers increased 17% and were ~44% of all cruise passengers.

For 2018, Port Barcelona reported 4% increase in net turnover - EUR 173,5 million (USD 198 million), 8% increase in profit - EUR 53,7 million (USD 61,3 million) and 4% increase in cash flow - EUR 102,5 million (USD 117 million).

APM Terminals (global container terminal operator) operates under the concession port's container terminal. In 2019, APM Terminals Barcelona invested ~EUR 47 million in equipment (29x new straddle carriers/trucks, 2x new Super PostPanamax gantry cranes, 1x Reefer Rack with refrigerated container plugs) to improve terminal's efficiency and productivity. Also in 2019 APM increased terminal's reefer (refrigerated TEU-container) capacity by 31% (to a total of 632 reefer connections) and launched online real-time TEU tracking (on its website).

Cruise itineraries to and from Barcelona Spain

Follows a list of destinations visited by cruise ships leaving out of Barcelona:

• Mediterranean itineraries on cruises out of Barcelona port visit the largest ports of Italy, France, Greece, and Turkey. Feature destinations are also the French Riviera and the Italian Riviera (coastal regions with top-luxury resorts).
• The most commonly operated are 7-day round-trips. One-way itineraries from Barcelona end up in Civitavecchia-Rome , Genoa , Piraeus-Athens , Venice , Istanbul .
• Most of the Canary Islands itineraries leaving roundtrip from Barcelona also visit North Africa (Morocco) and Funchal (Madeira Island) often combined with other ports in Spain and Portugal.
• Short-break (Mini Cruises) from Barcelona to Genoa are 2-nights / 3-days long. They are operated by MSC Cruises ships and visit Marseille France .
• Among the most visited Mediterranean island ports are Mallorca, Sicily, Corsica, Malta, Sardinia.
• World Cruises from Barcelona are offered mainly by Costa Cruises ships. The itineraries are usually eastbound (via Suez Canal ) and visit ports in Southeast Asia, South Pacific (Australia, New Zealand), South America.

Ship relocation voyages (RepositionCruises.com) are one-way itineraries from Barcelona to the largest ports of the UK, Holland, Denmark, as well as to the Canary Islands. Eastbound routes (transiting the Suez Canal) may end up in ports in Asia ( Dubai , Singapore , Hong Kong ) and even in Australia ( Sydney NSW ) on longer "around the world" itinerary segments.

Westbound Transatlantic crossings (on ship relocations out of Barcelona) are offered in the Fall (starting in late September - early October through the end of November). Among the special destinations that may be visited is Bermuda. The disembarkation could be in NYC New York, in some of the large Florida ports, also in Bridgetown (Barbados) , Fort de France (Martinique) , even in Havana (Cuba) . The longest Transatlantic cruises out of Barcelona are on Costa ships repositioning from Europe to South America. They offer disembarkation in either Brazil ( Rio De Janeiro , Santos-Sao Paulo ) or Argentina ( Buenos Aires ).

Barcelona cruise terminal

Port Barcelona has a total of 8 cruise ship terminals, 4 ferry terminals, and 2 large yacht marinas. There are restaurants and cafes at most of the terminals.

(NEW) Catalonia Cruise Terminal G (Royal Caribbean)

In January 2024,  RCG/Royal Caribbean Group became the solitary contender/only bidder for Barcelona Port's newest Cruise Terminal G. The bid was placed by the consortium "Catalonia Cruise Terminal G" including RCG and CTI/Cruise Terminals International Ltd (2022-founded, London England UK-based company that owns, develops and manages cruise port infrastructure).

The approval for Terminal G was granted in April 2024.

RCG will co-fund the project (total budget EUR 85 million/USD 92M), start the construction works, and also will be the managing company of Terminal G, scheduled for completion/inauguration in 2027-Q1.

The modern facility encompasses an area of 54000 m2 (581250 ft2) including a dock/quay with length 450 m (1476 ft), which allows berthing for the world's most colossal cruise vessels .

Initially, three companies - NCL/Norwegian ,  Viking OCEAN  and  Virgin Voyages - planned to participate in the bidding process. However, as the process resumed, Royal Caribbean remained the sole bidder.

One of the tender's stipulations was that the partner/participating entity could not hold a controlling interest in Terminal G.

Until 2024, through its subsidiary Creuers del Port de Barcelona, RCG held a 38% stake in Barcelona Port Investment - the entity that manages Barcelona's cruise terminals A, B, and C (at Adossat Dock), along with World Trade Center's two terminals. The remaining 62% were owned by the Turkish company Global Ports Holding/GPH. Since 2023, GPH is the sole proprietor of Creuers del Port de Barcelona's shares as RCG opted to divest its stake (38%) to ensure compliance with the Terminal G tender's conditions.

(NEW) MSC Cruise Terminal

In May 2021, MSC was approved to build an exclusive (for MSC Cruises ships only) terminal.

The facility will be operated under a 31-year concession (2024 through 2055), sized 11670 m2 (125620 ft2) and designed by Ricardo Bofill.

The new MSC Cruise Terminal project is budgeted ~EUR 33 million (~USD 40,2M).

Construction works started in June 2021, with planned completion and inauguration in 2024.

Port Vell (Maremagnum) cruise terminal "M" (Old Port Barcelona)

The Port Vell port complex includes a fishing port, 2 yacht marinas, 1 cruise ship terminal, ferry terminal. Terminal M ("Maremagnum", near the World Trade Center) is for both ferry and cruise vessels. It has 3 small piers - named "South Pier" (S), "North Pier" (N) and "East Pier" (E). All terminals are designed to serve smaller ships. Their location is near the World Trade Center (which has a dedicated cruise parking area) and the Eurostars Grand Marina Hotel.

The Maremagnum terminal (aka "Port Vell terminal") is the port's smallest and the most central as location. The terminal is a short walking distance from the old city. The walking distance from here to La Ramblas street is some 10 min. There is a tour bus stopping at Portal de la Pau (at the harbor's end of Las Ramblas).

The Port Vell area has the Maremagnum (shopping mall, nightlife complex), the IMAX Port Vell (cinema complex) and the famous Aquarium Barcelona (with over 8000 fishes and 11 sharks kept in 22 seawater basins).

Moll Adossat Pier (Palacruceros) cruise terminal

At Adossat Pier are located 4 terminals - at berth A, berth B, berth C, berth D (Palacruceros). They have the biggest distance from downtown. Here berth most (including the largest) cruise ships. This dock handles over 85% of the visiting ships. There is a blue bus shuttle between the Port and the city center (Las Ramblas).

Moll Adossat Barcelona (or Muelle Adosado in Spanish) is the port's biggest wharf and also the newest cruise terminal. At this long quay can be berthed 4 large vessels simultaneously.

In October 2013 was announced a plan for the expansion of Terminal D and the building of a new Terminal E serving ships with capacity 4500+ passengers.

(NEW) Carnival's "Helix Cruise Center" terminal (Barcelona Adossat)

At the end of April 2017, the world's largest cruise shipping company Carnival Corporation released renderings of its new cruise terminal at Barcelona Adossat. The facility was named "Helix Cruise Center" and inaugurated on May 5, 2018, as Europe's newest passenger terminal.

• The new terminal (cost EUR 46 million / USD 55 million) is designed to handle Carnival's largest ships, among which are the new class LNG-powered vessels .
• The facility is designed by Batlle I Roig Arquitectura, sized 12,500 m2 (134,550 ft2). Paired with an existing facility, it represents Europe's largest (combined) passenger terminal.
• Building's design company is "Battle I Roig". The plans show a modern architectural style featuring straight lines, minimalistic concepts, a contemporary and comfortable environment.
• Construction works officially started in July 2016 and were completed in May 2018.

The new terminal is located at Adossat Wharf. Currently, this berthing is used by 8 of Carnival's all 10 brand companies. The terminal is used as both destination (call port) and homeport (for Barcelona turnaround operations). Carnival expects to handle here 1+ million passengers annually after the opening of the new (2nd) terminal.

This terminal has its own pier-side parking facility (max capacity 300 vehicles) dedicated to embarking passengers.

The new terminal is exclusively used by Carnival Corporation ships (only) as the company was granted with exclusive concession rights to operate the facilities. In addition to the new cruise terminal in Barcelona, Carnival Corporation also operates exclusive terminals at ports Puerta Maya (Cozumel Mexico) , Grand Turk Island , Mahogany Bay (Roatan Island, Honduras) , Amber Cove-Puerta Plata (Dominicana) , Long Beach (California USA) , plus 2 private Caribbean islands (in the Bahamas) - Half Moon Cay and Princess Cays .

World Trade Center

The World Trade Center has two terminals – pier South and pier North. Those terminals provide easy Las Ramblas tours. There is an overflow area at the East berth.

San Bertran cruise terminal

The port's Sant Bertran wharf is a terminal for the ferry and small-sized cruise vessels. It is used for docking of smaller cruise ships only during peak season.

The building's interior size is 2200 m2 (23680 ft2). The wharf's width is only 12 m (40 ft). The berth's length is 255 m (837 ft) allowing max ship length of 220 m (720 ft) and a max draft of 11 m (36 ft).

The distance from San Bertran to the city is 400 m (1310 ft).

Port Barcelona Ferry Terminals

The port has 3 terminals dedicated to ferry shipping traffic:

• Terminal Drassanes is operated by Balearia .
• Terminal Ferry de Barcelona is operated by Trasmediterranea .
• Grimaldi Terminal Barcelona is operated by GNV-Grandi Navi Veloci .

Each of the ferry terminals has a ticket office, air conditioning, public phones, cafe-restaurant, taxi rank, and provides short-term parking for check-in passengers (before embarkation).

Long-term parking is not permitted (only drop-off areas).

Long-term parking is available at the World Trade Center (phone number 0034 93 508 80 62), at Valet Parking Cruceros (phone number 0034 93 511 37 44) and at Parking Viajeros (phone number 0034 618 70 79 70).

The port's ferry terminals are with convenient underground (metro) and bus connections.

• Picasso museum: the best artworks of Picasso.
• Montjuic: see all the city, its countryside and the ocean from a vantage point. There is a good view of the two industrial Barcelona port terminal.
• La Sagrada Familia: Gaudi designed that iconic church in 1883. The building has big doors that show charity, hope, and faith. The towers and the frontage are designed with mosaic work.
• La Rambla: breathtaking promenade which connects the old Barcelona’s heart with Port to Placa de Catalunya. The famous street offers shops, cafes, lively food markets, street performers and here is situated the Gran Teatre del Liceu, the opera theater of Barcelona.
• Palau Guell: a 19th-century palace designed by the famous Antoni Gaudi
• Barri Gotic: enjoy the old-world experience in the narrow pavement streets with shops, galleries, restaurants, and bars. Here you will find the Picasso museum and the Cathedral of Santa Eulalia.
• La Pedrera: the last work of Antoni Gaudi before Sagrada Familia was made for Pere Mila Camps, a property developer.
• Barceloneta: situated across Port Vell, an ex-fishing port. Enjoy a clean and sunny beach surrounded by houses in a bright colour. The gamblers can spend some time at the Gran Casino de Barcelona.

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Barcelona - user reviews and comments

Independent Quest: Maps and Guides for Travelers ™

The Cruise Terminals in Barcelona (Spain) Port: Review (2023)

Where ships dock in Barcelona cruise port and what's at the cruise terminals: home port or port of call; Moll Adossat terminals and World Trade Center terminal.

By: Editor-in-Chief Update: June 3, 2023

Barcelona is a major port in the west Mediterranean cruise itineraries both as a Home Port and a Port of Call.

This means that as a Home Port cruise ships will start and/or end a cruise in Barcelona, where embarkation and disembarkation will take place.

But many cruise ships visit the port of Barcelona for one day as any other port within a regular itinerary. Depending on the size of the cruise ship, there are two distinct docking spots in Barcelona: the Moll Adossat cruise terminal and the WTC terminal.

Home Port and Port of Call

However, there are very few cruises that dock in Barcelona as a port of call as it really is a European major embarkation port. Passengers on a cruise calling at Barcelona for a day will have the opportunity to explore this charming city either on tours booked onboard or on their own.

Barcelona is one of the easiest European cruise ports to get around - both cruise ports are minutes away from all major attractions - and there are quite a few affordable ways to enjoy the city.

Port of Barcelona

Photo © IQCruising.com

Although Barcelona is a major embarkation-disembarkation port in Europe, most cruise travelers are not well advised when booking a cruise. Travelers flying from the USA or Canada, in particular, do not realize that a long red-eye flight (over 8 hours) coupled with jet lag (5 to 8 hours earlier) is the worst possible way to start a cruise.

Hence, the Editor's strong recommendation: any traveler embarking in Barcelona should fly at least one day ahead of the start of the cruise. If possible, fly two or more days ahead of the cruise , so that you can adapt to a new time zone (if flying from North America) and enjoy one of Europe's most interesting cruise ports. Naturally, if your cruise ends in Barcelona, you should plan to stay in Barcelona for at least a couple of days.

Docking in Barcelona

Barcelona's two cruise ports (WTC Port and Moll Adossat) are ideally located to explore the city. The WTC Port has 3 piers around the World Trade Center building, it is located just under 1/2 a mile (700 meters) from the Plaça Colon and the start of La Rambla, but only small cruise ships can dock here.

WTC Port in Barcelona

World Trade Center Port & Terminal

This port has obviously the best location as it is within walking distance to La Rambla and it is a delight for travelers on cruise lines like Seabourn, Silversea, Regent, Azamara, or the small ships of Oceania. Because no more than 3 ships can dock at the WTC Port do not have it for granted that these high-end cruise ships will always dock within walking distance to a good number of Barcelona's attractions. It happens quite frequently that small cruise ships will have to dock at the Moll Adossat.

Docking at the Moll Adossat

The major port of Barcelona is, in fact, the Moll Adossat and where the overwhelming majority of cruise ships dock. Although this port is only 2 miles (3km) from Plaça Colon , walking with (or without) luggage is quite a stretch, particularly in the heat of the summer as pedestrians will have to go over a bridge.

Moll Adossat, Barcelona

Considering that the already mentioned T3 Port Bus provides such a good service it doesn't make any sense to walk to or from the Moll Adossat. The port has four Terminals (A, B, C, and D) all very large, modern, well kept, and efficient for both embarkation and disembarkation.

Terminal B, Moll Adossat

Amenities and Services

All sorts of amenities will be found at the Terminals including large sitting areas with AC, shopping, cafeterias, money exchange , and, of course, plenty of taxis available if disembarking. Because Barcelona is not used frequently as a port of call, you will not find Tourist Information Kiosks at the Terminals although you may find a desk with maps and touristic brochures.

Terminal B, Interior, Moll Adossat

The good news is that there is one of many Tourist Information points in Barcelona at Plaça Colon (aka Plaça Portal de la Pau), inside the Columbus Monument and also along the Rambla. Click here to find all Tourist information points in Barcelona.

How to get around in Barcelona

Unless your ship is docking at the World Trade Center as a port of call, it is useful to know that the Port has excellent transportation services both public and private to move around to the city or to the airport.

Taxis and Luggage Services between Port and Airport

If you have already booked your cruise and flights, there are a few insider tips to keep in mind. To start with, the cruise traveler should know that the distance between Barcelona's two cruise ports and the Airport is around 23 km (15 miles) away.

Taxi in Barcelona

Regardless of whether you are embarking or disembarking, a taxi is one of the best ways to travel from or to the Airport. A taxi between the Airport and the Port (Moll Adossat) will cost approximately €40.00 and a little bit less if the WTC Port is the final destination - Check the Official Taxi Fares in Barcelona.

There are also a number of private services that offer transfers to and from the port to either the Airport or/and Hotels that can be very convenient. One of the best services to look into is Bags & Go - this company handles your luggage (transfer and lockers) whilst you can enjoy a few hours exploring Barcelona.

Bags & Go Van in Barcelona

Fares are both reasonably affordable (around $12.00 per person/piece of luggage) and you can book it online or right at the terminals as you pick up your luggage. To learn more about Bags & Go click here .

Terminal B, Moll Adossat, in Barcelona

If staying in Barcelona, it is very easy to calculate a taxi fare to or from a hotel and compare it with the transfers offered by all major cruise lines. The official Barcelona Taxi website has a great Route Calculator in English - check the Taxi fares calculator .

Port of Call - Taxis and Shuttle

However, if Barcelona is a Port of Call on your cruise, travelers should avoid taxis if docked at the Moll Adossat and having La Rambla as a final destination.

There is an official extra charge (€3.10) for taxis to enter-exit the port and an unscrupulous taxi driver may take you for a long ride when, in fact, La Rambla is just around the corner.

T3 portbus in Barcelona

Instead of a taxi, it is advisable to use the circular route bus Cruisebus (aka T3 port-bus) between all Port Terminals and Plaça Colon close by the famous Ramblas, on the latge square by the World Trade Center.

Photo copyright IQCruising

These buses are suitable for wheelchair users. The fare is €3.00 one-way ticket and €4.00 return ticket, paid onboard in cash either in coins or bills under €10.00.

Cruise tip: because the Cruisebus (aka T3 port-bus) has become so popular thanks to its good service, most cruise lines do not offer shuttle buses to Plaça Colon anymore and the ones that do charge ridiculous amounts.

Cruise passengers may like to know that the Cruisebus can be booked online: click here to book the Cruisebus .

Barcelona Cruise Port - News

Carnival Corporation Cruise Terminal in Barcelona

Photo courtesy of Barcelona Cruise terminal

There is good news for those planning to cruise the Mediterranean on any of the Carnival Corporation Cruise Lines. In 2018, a new Cruise Terminal was built on the Moll Adossat for the fleets of Carnival Corporation. It is named Helix Cruise Center but may also be referred to as terminal E. This cruise terminal is at the end of the breakwater after Terminal D.

► Explore: Overview & Highlights Top Things To Do and See, Beyond the Highlights, Sightseeing and Tours... Learn More ►

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The information on this page was accurate when last updated and published but changes may have occurred without notice. It is advisable to confirm details with local tourist information before planning your cruise, tour or excursions of Barcelona Cruise Port. If any inaccuracies are found or if there are any suggestions to improve the content of this page please let us know.

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We are in need of the exact area/name of porting area. There are several areas and names.

We will be renting a car near the end of the cruise ,- and would want to have the car available to us, right @ the pier, versus traveling into town, the airport, by taxi etc.-in order to pick up a rental car we will use for 8-10 hrs.

I did not have any difficulty getting the name of the port and the slip # for the commencement of this cruise in Venice . This exact info. is a sticking point.

Would appreciate a response.

Thank you. DBandWB

You can find it here

http://www.portdebarcelona.cat/es/web/port-dels-negocis/escalas

Just look for the ship's name and click on "Consultar".

Muelle asignado is the assigned dock.

Here is a map of the Barcelona Port terminals

http://content.portdebarcelona.cat/cntmng/d/d/workspace/SpacesStore/edb7b57a-7cee-4486-a1b8-ebf0e3cfc2bf/EN-PortBcn-TerminalsMaritimes.pdf

Now, I just need to find a rental car company that is close to the port. And perhaps we can take a Port bus close to that area. or a taxi. It is quite large, and certainly not walkable.

Your information will be very helpful. We just want to go to Tossa de Mar to relax on the beach, and be in a town for cafe's and shops - on our last day of our cruise . We have been to Barcelona several times- and even though it is just beautiful- we would prefer some fairly quiet time.

Again our thanks. DBandWB

In any case, there are taxi ranks near the cruise terminals so you can take one to any office of any rentall company that you'll choose (it's about 20€ to the Sants train station, for example).

In any case, If all you want is do get to Tossa de Mar I think you should reconsider renting a car . You can take the bus to Tossa de Mar (1h20. about 12€) from Estació Nord (or choose a different place and get there by train, like Sitges). There are plenty of buses all day long, you can see the schedule and buy a ticket online here

http://www.sarfa.com/paginas/sarfa_portada.php?id_idioma=3

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

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• Oceania Cruises

Port of Barcelona?

By Redtravel , October 6, 2023 in Oceania Cruises

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Is Oceania still docking in Barcelona?  I have noticed that some cruise lines are docking in a town outside of Barcelona.  If you have recently stopped in Barcelona, where did the ship dock?

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I believe the answer is two part;

1. If the ship is Embarking/Disembarking then it’s done in Barcelona.

2. If it is merely a port stop it is done out of town elsewhere outside of town.

In June , we were on Nautica from/to Barca. It docked both times at the World Trade Centre terminal. 

1 hour ago, Harters said: In June , we were on Nautica from/to Barca. It docked both times at the World Trade Centre terminal. 

Define this more clearly please. We’re the stops for embarking and disembarking or merely port stops in transit.

As has been posted previously, the Northern dock, or World Trade Center dock, in Barcelona is closing later this month.  Leaving the only option the Southern dock.  I believe their capacity is either 7 or 10 berths (too lazy to look it up) meaning the port of Tarragona is going to becoming more prevalent in the future.  Cruise lines will be listing it as Barcelona (Tarragona), similar to what they do with Rome ( Civitavecchia).

2 hours ago, pinotlover said: Define this more clearly please. We’re the stops for embarking and disembarking or merely port stops in transit.

I thought that when I'd referred to the cruise being from and to Barca, with both dockings at the WRC, it was pretty implicit (few cruises having two separate stops at the same port, mid-cruise). But I'm happy to reconfirm these were for embarking and disembarking.  😀

1 hour ago, WayneLaR said: similar to what they do with Rome ( Civitavecchia).

And London (Southampton).

Treasure Hunter

How far is this new dock from downtown Barcelona? From the airport? Too bad it was so convenient before.

Vineyard View

I’ve been reading about this as we are scheduled to sail from Barcelona in May. In a recent article, it stated that the docks being closed were the once’s used by the smaller cruise lines and were those within walking distance to town center. Those remaining open will require a shuttle, or ships will sail from Tarragona (approximately 1 hour from BCN). I asked our TA to confirm a couple months back what the plans were for Oceania, and she was given information that we would be sailing from BCN, not Tarragona. Do I believe this? I honestly do not know. That said,  I would very much like to know the answer.  

20 minutes ago, Vineyard View said: I’ve been reading about this as we are scheduled to sail from Barcelona in May. In a recent article, it stated that the docks being closed were the once’s used by the smaller cruise lines and were those within walking distance to town center. Those remaining open will require a shuttle, or ships will sail from Tarragona (approximately 1 hour from BCN). I asked our TA to confirm a couple months back what the plans were for Oceania, and she was given information that we would be sailing from BCN, not Tarragona. Do I believe this? I honestly do not know. That said,  I would very much like to know the answer.  

 CruiseMapper is somewhat unreliable, but you may want to check out the port schedule here:  https://www.cruisemapper.com/ports/barcelona-port-82?month=2024-05#schedule  

It shows several sailings from Barcelona for Marina and Sirena.

Apologies if you've done so ... 🍺 🥌

On 10/7/2023 at 12:00 AM, Vineyard View said: I’ve been reading about this as we are scheduled to sail from Barcelona in May. In a recent article, it stated that the docks being closed were the once’s used by the smaller cruise lines and were those within walking distance to town center. Those remaining open will require a shuttle, or ships will sail from Tarragona (approximately 1 hour from BCN). I asked our TA to confirm a couple months back what the plans were for Oceania, and she was given information that we would be sailing from BCN, not Tarragona. Do I believe this? I honestly do not know. That said,  I would very much like to know the answer.  

Hope that we don’t sail from Tarragona.  If so, it would be a real inconvenience.  We will be staying in Barcelona prior to our May cruise.

I don't see anything on the cruisemapper site (or any other site that I can find) indicating which of the Barcelona docks/ports will be used by any given ship on any given date.  Only that it will be Barcelona.  Am I missing something?

We embark Nov 13, still don't know where. The paper work that came today only says Barcelona. Hope to have O tell us soon.

Please keep us posted on any updates. 

For those wanting to spend time in Barcelona it’s a trek to Tarragona. It’s possible to take trains, but it’s not a straight shot by any means.  We have been to Barcelona several times, so we would likely just book a place in Tarragona for 1-2 nights. From the airport there are no direct trains either,  so private car looks to be the best bet.   Neither option is very convenient, but we have no control over how this rolls

So far we think it will be Barcelona not Tarragona but not sure of dock.

We disembark off Riviera on 11/19/23 (Athens to Barcelona).

With your dates you are probably in a better position to dock in Barcelona proper,  than next Spring/Summer might present. IDK. I sure hope it works that way for you. 

Yes, thank you.

I too am departing from Barcelona on the post refurb cruise on Marina  🤞 May 2024, I have posted previously about this very topic as UK TA's were giving conflicting information regarding departure port. I did my research and confirmed with my personal O agent that it was definitely Barcelona, if it was Barcelona (Taragona) it would read like that on invoice and information. The likelihood of a change happening for operational reasons is still possible but nothing is 100% certain with travel.

I checked with our TA as well. She confirmed with O that it is Barcelona. I am hoping that remains correct, but I also wonder how fluid this situation is going to be with these major changes. The port area being shut down is the one that catered to the smaller ships. People were caught off guard last year when Viking docked in Tarragona. I do no know the details around that, but I do remember that it was unexpected to them. It certainly could have been lack of communication from VO. 

While I cannot speak to “O” we are very familiar with the port.  The main cruise terminals (there are 5) are located at Moll Adoasat which is a little more than a mile walk from the Ramblas.  Most lines have some kind of shuttle service and there is also a public bus that stops right across from the terminals.

I assume that O will use that normal cruise facility as long as there is an available berth.  There has been talk, for years, about closing the smaller facility used by some of the small ship, so this is not a shock.

AlwaysAndForever

I disembarked Marina a week ago and it was at Tarragona. I would imagine it can be different depending on sailing and ship.

Did it say Tarragona on the docs O Sent you?

Yes. Got an email that the port in Barcelona would be Tarragona.

cruiserchuck

41 minutes ago, AlwaysAndForever said: Yes. Got an email that the port in Barcelona would be Tarragona.

How long before the cruise were you notified that it would be Tarragona?

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Explore What the Barcelona Cruise Port Has To Offer

B arcelona is a historic city in Spain with plenty of tourism appeal . It is located in the Northeastern Mediterranean coast of mainland Spain. The city is filled with exciting things to do and unique experiences. Barcelona is an area of Spain that has a thriving art culture and welcoming locals. The city is quite expansive, so tourists traveling there should do their research to sort through all the options in the area . Some of the most popular things in Barcelona include top notch cuisine, stunning architecture and culturally significant landmarks.

Cruisers that have a port day in Barcelona are in for a great time. The city is known for its beautiful seaside views, nightlife and striking landscapes. Although many travelers say that longer visits work best, tourists can still explore Barcelona during shorter stays. An amazing port day in Barcelona may even inspire cruisers to visit Barcelona for a longer stay . Here is everything travelers need to know before visiting the Barcelona cruise port.

Is the Barcelona Cruise Port Popular?

Barcelona is a top tourism destination in Europe, so it is no surprise that travelers aim to visit. The city provides a quite walkable and welcoming environment. Over 800 cruises and 2.5 million cruise passengers visit Barcelona each year. The port has become quite popular with travelers. It has distinct areas that establish it as a major port. To better handle cruise crowds, Barcelona has moved cruise ships to its less central pier.

The Moll d’Adossat pier (officially, Port de Barcelona) is now the primary cruise port. This change means travelers now have a short commute to the city center. The change may seem like an inconvenience to travelers, but it also helps to avoid excessive tourism, pollution and crowds. There are seven cruise terminals within the main cruise port of Barcelona. Each terminal (A, B , C, D and E) offers its own amenities, but in general the port is quite modern and popular.

What Cruise Lines Dock at Barcelona’s Cruise Port?

The Barcelona cruise port has plenty of terminals, which holds space for up to seven cruise ships a day. Its high yield for cruise ships and local offerings make it a popular port. There is an array of cruise lines that visit Barcelona’s cruise port. This means that travelers have a huge assortment of cruise lines to choose from for their perfect getaway. These cruise lines include Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, Princess, Virgin Voyages, Disney, MSC, Seabourn, Oceania, Viking Ocean, Costa, Norwegian, Regent Seven Seas, Azamara, Cunard, Windstar, Silverseas, Holland America, Explora Journeys, Sea Cloud, Ponant and Lindblad cruises.

Things To Do in Barcelona

Barcelona is filled with grand architectural gems, so many tourists enjoy simply walking around. The Gothic Quarter (or Barri Gotic) is an area that is known as the heart of the old city. Because the area dates back to a time before automobiles, the area has been urban planned for walking. This means that travelers will have no problem getting around on foot. Many of the popular tourist’s sites in the city can be reached on foot, once travelers get to the area.

But there is plenty more for travelers to do during their short exploration of Barcelona. Some of the most popular local attractions include the Barcelona Aquarium, Maritime Museum, the Barcelona Cathedral, Casa Batlló and Park Güell. Another popular attraction is La Rambla. La Rambla is the famous Barcelona street that can help travelers get to know the local culture and provide a place to leisurely walk. The street is a nice pedestrian area filled with restaurants, vendors, bars and great photo opportunities.

Transportation

Getting to the central areas of Barcelona is not difficult for travelers since it is an easily accessible tourist destination. Cruisers should actually have an easy time getting around. There is a cruise shuttle bus (called the Blue Bus) that is dedicated for cruise passengers, which stops off around La Rambla. This bus goes between the Barcelona cruise port terminals to town and runs on a daily schedule.

Travelers should be able to catch the bus around every 15 minutes. The Barcelona cruise port can also be reached by taxi. This option is best for travelers who venture out of central areas and need transportation back to the port. The transportation system at the Barcelona port is quite efficient. So, travelers should not have problems catching a ride since buses and taxis are managed to meet the needs of visiting cruise ships.

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Cruise Etiquette: How To Get the Most Out of Shore Excursions

By Scott Laird

Cruising is an efficient means of travel, allowing you to tick off multiple bucket-list destinations in one fell swoop. However, that means you might only spend about 8 hours in each port (although more and more cruises are staying in ports overnight .)

To make the most of their limited time on the ground, many passengers book cruise shore excursions : multi-hour tours and activities organized specifically for cruise passengers at the port of call. Typical cruise line excursions have long featured bus tours—with stops for shopping and photo opps—but have recently grown to include a diverse range of activities for all types of travelers.

Active passengers can go on a fishing excursion in Alaska (and some cruise lines, like Princess and Holland America , cook and serve the fish they catch), while the culinary-minded might learn how to grind cacao beans into chocolate and pair it with wine in Cozumel. Relaxation seekers might choose a day trip to an all-inclusive resort in Roatán, Honduras where they can lay on the beach, sipping drinks from the open bar–that is, if they’d rather not go ziplining or play a round of golf, also excursions offered in Roatán.

Of course, passengers can always go off on their own–but new-to-cruisers should note that not all ports are convenient for self-exploration, particularly if the cruise terminal is far from local attractions.

There are two ways cruise passengers can book shore excursions: directly through the cruise line or with independent tour operators based at the port. Below, we break down the pros and cons of each option, when paying for a shore excursion makes sense, plus other expert tips on how cruise-goers can best organize their time on shore.

When to book your shore excursions through the cruise line

Cruise lines have entire teams dedicated to selecting a diverse array of high-quality shore excursions vetted to ensure they meet the line’s defined standards. But cruise lines are also known to add markups to their excursions—many of which tour operators also sell directly to travelers at a lower cost.

The main benefit of booking a shore excursion directly through the cruise line is convenience. Cruise line-offered excursions are charged directly to shipboard accounts, can typically be changed or canceled up to a day prior to the excursion, and offer a seamless experience: passengers are escorted off the ship when the excursion is ready to depart, and tour leaders on shore maintain contact with the shore excursion team onboard the ship to communicate any changes or delays.

Anxious travelers have good reason to fear delays on shore; passengers on private excursions who don’t board by the ship by the “all aboard” time can be left behind at the pier. But when the cruise line arranges the excursion, the ship won’t depart until the group returns. Earlier this year, staff on a NCL ship refused to board late-returning passengers, stranding them on a remote island in West Africa. The group of ten passengers who missed their ship were on a private excursion, a fact that NCL pointed to as a reason for initially refusing to reimburse any of the expenses they incurred to rejoin the ship at a later port.

Condé Nast Traveler Top Travel Specialist Tom Baker , president of CruiseCenter, says that cruise lines play on passengers’ fear of missing the ship to sell their own excursions at higher costs. Approximately 40% of Baker’s clients elect to book private excursions instead of cruise line offered excursions, he says, adding that he’s never had a passenger on those tours miss the ship.

But in some ports, booking a group excursion through the cruise line is the best option. Many big-ship cruises, especially in the Mediterranean , dock in ports that are located several hours away from popular tourist sites.For example, passengers on ships docking in Civitavecchia (for Rome ) or Le Havre (for Paris ) will find themselves a 1.5 to 3 hour drive away from their respective cities—meaning if you try to make the lengthy trip on your own, there's a higher chance of missing the cruise ship’s departure time. Even some coastal cities, like Barcelona and Marseille, have sprawling industrial ports that may appear close to the main attractions, but in reality, they are not quite walkable or easily accessible from the ship.

On a recent cruise aboard the new Sun Princess , an excursion to Florence proved to be an all-day affair. The ship was docked 2 hours away from Florence in the port town of La Spezia; our tour bus greeted us immediately upon disembarking, ready to whisk us off to Pisa and Florence . It was a fulfilling, jam-packed day, with several hours spent in the bus watching the Tuscan countryside. But, pulling off this carefully planed itinerary required precision—we arrived back to the port just before the lines were cast off for departure. Any delay would have compromised a timely return to the ship, and knowing that the ship would have waited certainly provided me with peace of mind.

However, most cruise ports don’t require such lengthy transit times. For example, port calls on smaller Caribbean islands where the excursion lengths are just a fraction of the ship’s overall time in port, the need for precision arrivals and departures is simply less necessary.

First time cruisers who are still getting adjusted to the rhythm of cruise travel may benefit from booking a shore excursion through the cruise line at the first port in order to get accustomed to the process. A trusted travel advisor can be invaluable in figuring out which ports are better for structured tours, and which walkable ports are best for exploring on foot.

How to plan a personalized shore excursion

A main complaint surrounding cruise line shore excursions is that, due to their size (the average excursion group on a large ship is around 30-50 people), the tours don’t feel personalized and can often be held up by stragglers. On larger ships, there’s a definite “mass travel” experience: passengers are given color coded stickers to wear before being herded into a public area, where they’re escorted off the ship to rows of waiting buses. For independent-minded travelers, this alone can be off-putting.

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However, the size—and type—of shore excursions vary by cruise line. Just as expedition cruises , river cruises , and luxury small ship lines offer different experiences at sea compared to large ship brands, the same goes for the shoreside experience. Before booking, you can check to see the specific excursions that will be offered on your voyage on the cruise line’s website.

While you can expect intimate excursion groups on small ships, some larger cruise lines also offer more personalized alternatives. Celebrity Cruise passengers can book tailored excursions through the line’s Private Journeys program; and Oceania Cruises also offers Oceania Exclusive excursions, which limits groups to 16 passengers.

For those seeking a highly-personalized experience on shore, another option is to book a private excursion with a tour operator or through a travel specialist. Top cruise specialists like Mary Jean Tully can tap a network of trusted guides in each port to tailor shore excursions to her guests’ preferences.

“We always encourage people to do something privately whenever possible,” Tully says, adding that she recommends booking a private car instead of a bus tour if flexibility is what you're after, as they can stop on a moment’s notice if travelers see something of interest.

Regardless of the type of shore excursion booked, don’t forget to take identification, cash, and most importantly, contact information for the cruise line’s port agent—they’re the local contact who can alert the ship if any emergencies or delays arise on shore. Cruise lines typically publish the port agent’s contact details in the daily program; some even hand out cards with the information or display it on monitors so passengers can take pictures with their smartphones.

In any case, the most important thing to ensure a successful shore excursion is to make it back to the ship on time, to look forward to enjoying the next day in the next port.

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Celebrity ascent: the best dining, amenities and more on celebrity cruises' newest ship.

Top-notch eateries, adults-only areas and entertainment options stand out.

Celebrity Ascent Review

Megan duBois

Key Takeaways

• There are 32 different dining and drinking venues on board, from Le Voyage by celebrity chef Daniel Boulud to the line's iconic Martini Bar.
• The onboard entertainment is incredible. The "Awaken" show combines popular music with acrobatics and lasers, while Ascent After Dark: Shine the Night invites cruisers to don metallic or sequin outfits for a deck party under the stars. 
• The Solarium adults-only pool area is a relaxing spot with comfortable lounge chairs, a pool and hot tubs; head to Eden for delightful cocktails and optimal sunset views.

You can think of Celebrity Cruises as the more adult cousin of Royal Caribbean International – which makes sense, considering both cruise lines are owned by Royal Caribbean Group. With all of the recent buzz around both brands, I was excited to sail on Celebrity Cruises' newest ship, Celebrity Ascent, in its debut month. I embarked out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in December 2023.

The 17-deck, 141,420-ton ship has 1,646 staterooms and can carry 3,260 guests at double occupancy. At 1,073 feet long and 128 feet wide, the ship has plenty of space for upscale amenities, edgy entertainment and incredible dining venues. The Edge Series ship also has more than 1,400 crew members who hail from 60 different countries around the world.

As an avid cruiser who has taken more than 50 ocean and river voyages on almost a dozen cruise lines, I found Celebrity Ascent lived up to the hype. The ship itself is stunning, and each area has a distinct vibe. I loved the ample amount of food and drink opportunities – there are 32 different venues – and the standout onboard entertainment was like nothing I had seen before on a cruise ship.

Find your perfect cruise

Celebrity Ascent itineraries

Celebrity Ascent sails around the Mediterranean and the Caribbean over the next few years. Summer 2024 brings Ascent to Mediterranean ports of call in Greece, Turkey, Italy, France, Spain and Portugal. The Mediterranean season ends in October 2024, with a 13-night transatlantic sailing departing from Barcelona, Spain.

Late fall and winter sailings depart from Fort Lauderdale. The Caribbean season runs between November 2024 and April 2025. It includes seven- to nine-night voyages calling on ports like Aruba , Bonaire and Curacao ; Bimini, Bahamas ; Labadee, Haiti; Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands ; Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic ; and St. Maarten and St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

In late April 2025, it's back to the Mediterranean for the 2025 season between May and October. Ascent then returns to the Caribbean for sailings in late 2025; destinations include southern Caribbean locales, plus the Panama Canal and Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay. Similar Caribbean sailings are also on sale for early 2026.

Who should sail on Celebrity Ascent?

Celebrity Ascent, like its Edge Series sister ships, caters to adults traveling together. The overall vibe of the ship is upscale and modern, with plenty of places to grab a drink, enjoy a meal and watch a show. Couples can enjoy an elevated date night in Le Grand Bistro, while the aptly named Sunset Bar – which overlooks the rear of the ship – is the spot to be with a cocktail in hand as the sun sets into the horizon. This bar was easily my favorite spot on board; I spent most afternoons here enjoying a cocktail.

The deck parties, of which Ascent After Dark: Shine the Night is the premier event, are a fun time – but they aren't so loud that guests can hear the bass thumping in the staterooms below. Shows at The Theatre are fully immersive, with incredible technology and great music that had me dancing in my seat.

If you are traveling with children, know that there aren't many places on board for kids to just hang out and be kids. The Camp at Sea kids club is crammed into a small area on Deck 3, away from the main Grand Plaza and The Martini Bar.

Cruises on Ascent can be expensive, but Celebrity often runs deals on sailings. Without any promotions, sailings around the Mediterranean in 2024 and 2025 may run between about $1,000 and $5,600 per person. In comparison, 2024 and 2025 Caribbean voyages may cost between about $2,000 and $4,400 per person before discounts. (Note: Cruise rates can change frequently, based on demand and availability.)

The stateroom

There are over two dozen different stateroom styles on Celebrity Ascent. The smallest (and usually cheapest) rooms are the Inside Staterooms, which offer between 181 and 202 square feet of space. For solo travelers, the Single Inside Staterooms offer the same amenities as a double occupancy room, but with a smaller 103-square-foot layout and no single supplement fee at booking.

Ocean View Staterooms are slightly larger, at 200 to 242 square feet. There are three different room styles; the main difference among them is the size of the window. Options range from small windows in the middle of the wall to large, floor-to-ceiling picture windows.

Ascent's balcony cabins are quite varied, but the majority are Infinite Veranda Staterooms, where the balcony is actually a uniquely designed window that can be opened to let the ocean breeze in. There is a set of glass doors that can be drawn to make this space more private, as well.

Concierge Staterooms allow guests access to a dedicated concierge staff and exclusive onboard events. AquaClass cabins all feature the infinite balcony design, plus unlimited access to the SEA Thermal Suite, complimentary dining at Blu restaurant, fitness classes and a spa concierge.

Celebrity Ascent's suites are all part of The Retreat, the line's ship-within-a-ship concept where cruisers have access to an exclusive restaurant, a sun deck with a pool, a lounge and a dedicated crew. Suites range in size and style, from smaller 319-square-foot studios to massive two-bedroom suites offering more than 2,500 square feet of indoor and outdoor space.

When I sailed on Celebrity Ascent, I stayed in an AquaClass stateroom. The main living space had a king-size bed, which was cozy after long days of exploring the ship and nights spent on the dance floor. I found the cabin's couch a bit uncomfortable, but there was plenty of storage space in the large closet and drawers. Conveniently, the bed was high enough to fit my suitcases under.

Because this was my first time in an Infinite Veranda room, I was interested to see how the balcony actually worked. After pressing a button for the window to roll down, my room instantly filled with humid air – not the sea breeze I was expecting. The air conditioner also turns off when the window is down, so it takes a long time for the room to cool off again. I only opened the window once because of this. For me, the extra veranda space served as more of a sitting area to take in the views than a spot to enjoy the ocean breeze.

My stateroom's bathroom was spacious, with a larger-than-usual standup rain shower. I also loved the eco-friendly bath amenities, which smelled divine. I used the in-room bathrobes and slippers every day of the cruise.

I loved that my AquaClass stateroom came with some amenities that are not included in other Infinite Veranda rooms. There were two yoga mats, two bottles of water that were refreshed daily, a welcome bottle of sparkling wine, an umbrella, binoculars, complimentary shoeshine service and a pillow menu. AquaClass guests also have unlimited access to the spa's thermal suite, complimentary fitness classes and a dedicated spa concierge. I went to the thermal suite daily to enjoy the heated loungers and steam rooms.

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Best amenities on Celebrity Ascent

On Celebrity Ascent, you'll never be bored. Over just a few days, I was able to participate in game shows and dance parties, sit back and enjoy live music, and spend some time by the pool. While I don't gamble, the casino always seemed to be full when I walked by, and someone was always cheering about hitting the jackpot.

For live entertainment, be sure to catch Flash Flair Fusion, the nightly bartending performance at the Martini Bar. Meanwhile, the Theatre hosted three main shows during my sailing: "Residency," "Awaken" and "Bridges." (Based on my experience, "Awaken" is the production to prioritize.)

Additionally, The Club hosts most of the ship's game shows and some smaller live music events. I loved hanging out at this venue; it was never overly packed with people, and the games were pure fun. I even got called up on stage to participate in one of the games and ended up winning a Celebrity Cruises-branded hat.

For some outdoor fun, hit the onboard pickleball court. Or, head to the Rooftop Garden, where float pools face the ocean and plenty of comfy seating awaits. I loved how lush this space felt, thanks to all of the live plants surrounding the seating areas. This is also the spot to catch movies at night.

If you're looking for an even more unique place to hang out, head to The Magic Carpet. This bright orange, glass-encased bar hangs out over the side of the ship and is the perfect spot for an after-dinner drink. The Magic Carpet can move up and down the side of the ship, docking at select decks for a set amount of time. I loved hanging here at night as the ship was pulling out of port to see the islands light up and watch other ships pass by.

When planning out your evenings, keep in mind that it can be a trek to get from one onboard activity to the next – especially when there is very little time between many of the major scheduled events. One night, I started in The Club to watch a game show, then immediately had to get to the Theatre. After the theater performance, I had to walk the entire length of the ship and take the stairs to get to the night show in Eden. Then, after Eden, it was time for the Shine the Night deck party. By the time I got back to my stateroom, I was exhausted.

Best dining venues on Celebrity Ascent

There are 32 different spots for food and drinks on Celebrity Ascent, including four main dining rooms; four casual complimentary eateries; eight specialty restaurants; 14 cafes, lounges and bars; and two exclusive venues.

Included with the base fare are meals at the four main dining rooms, all of which serve the same menus every day, plus a small exclusive menu that's tailored to the theme of each restaurant. (For example, if you're dining in Cyprus, there is a small list of Cyprus-exclusive dishes that highlight Mediterranean cuisine, while the Normandie restaurant serves up French favorites.)

Other restaurants included in the cruise rate are Eden Cafe & Bar, which serves light bites and sweets; Mast Grill, offering burgers and salads; and Oceanview Cafe, a buffet open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

For an additional cost, head to specialty dining venues like the stunning Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud, which is great for date night; Le Grand Bistro, a fun take on a classic French Bistro; or Eden Restaurant, which features an entirely plant-based menu.

My favorite specialty dining option – and overall favorite restaurant on the ship – was Raw on 5. It features stunning chilled seafood towers, fresh sashimi and hot dishes like fresh lobster and shrimp wontons. Each dish was prepared beautifully, the service was top-notch and our table next to the window offered great views.

However, one restaurant I would skip is Fine Cut Steakhouse. It is a pretty standard steakhouse, and nothing on the menu really stood out to me. The upscale ambiance was also diminished by music floating in from the nearby Grand Plaza and Martini Bar (think: everything from One Direction to Cher). While both artists are great to hear while sipping a martini in a public space, I don't want to hear them while dining at an expensive restaurant.

Best excursions on Celebrity Ascent

Travelers cruising to the Caribbean should book a beach outing. There are abundant excursion options in St. Maarten and St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands . If you're into local brews, try the Small Group: Brewery & Beach Tour Philipsburg, St. Maarten .

On a past Mediterranean cruise, I explored both Florence and Pisa, Italy, while docked in the Italian city of Livorno. Celebrity offers a similar excursion aboard the Ascent. The day trip includes a scenic drive through the Tuscan countryside; exploring Florence and seeing the Ponte Vecchio and the Duomo; and a trip to Pisa to see the iconic learning tower. In Rome , consider doing an all-day tour where you can see the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain and St. Peter's Square.

Regardless of where your cruise is headed, you may choose to explore ports on your own instead. If that's the case, be sure to give yourself enough time to get back to the ship. I always try to return at least an hour before the scheduled sail away time.

Overall impressions of Celebrity Ascent

When it comes to ships that cater to a mostly adult audience, Celebrity Ascent really has it all. From stunning common areas to incredible dining and entertainment, I was never bored on this ship. What I loved most was the wide range of entertainment, from pop-up music around the ship to full-blown experiences that need to be seen to be believed. The food on the ship is a step above most other major cruise lines, and the number of dining options is great, especially for longer sailings.

While I loved my room's location and amenities as a whole, I found the Infinite Veranda design to be a bit of a waste. When I did use it, my room got hot quickly and took a while to cool back down. I would consider booking a traditional veranda cabin next time, or a stateroom with a large picture window to save some money without sacrificing the ocean views.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Megan duBois has been covering travel, cruising and theme parks for over five years. She has taken more than 50 cruises, has traveled to four continents and more than 25 countries, and has visited a dozen theme parks around the world. Her work appears online and in print in major publications like U.S. News & World Report, Travel + Leisure, The Points Guy, Conde Nast Traveler, Forbes and more.

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