FLIGHT OF THE PHOENIX: All Aboard

Super relieved to have everything back together and be onboard the ship!

Another early start to another crazy travel day that I don't normally advocate...flying on the morning of embarkation day of a cruise with the family taking 2 flights from different cities and countries! The scenario was the best we could pivot to after 1) NCL cancelled our very excellent cruise to redeploy their ship to Florida so they could make more money 2) Jonah's school changed his tour schedule to finish at a different date in a different city to the original plan.

Our flight from Rome to Barcelona went smoothly and even arrived 30 minutes early. For those interested, FCO participates in both fast track lanes for AMEX platinum charge card holders, as well as the select CLEAR program where you can pre-book your security time slot. There were 3 priority pass lounges in Terminal 1 and all allowed 2 extra guests on the priority pass associated with the Australian AMEX platinum charge card.

The other half of the family flying from Istanbul encountered a minor snafu. A couple who was on the wrong flight somehow got onto the plane and refused the get off! Their flight was hence delayed by around 30 minutes. Fortunately we built some leeway into our pick up and got to the port by 12:30pm as planned and enjoying lunch by 1pm! By this point, the overwhelming emotion was relief. We were finally together as a family. No more crazy separate travel plans from here on!

Mission accomplished! Jonah retrieved successfully

The Primavista lounge

Squeezing in the last of the Covid related benefits...status matching with ITA!

We were on the Celebrity Infinity as it was the only cruise that fit our dates after NCL cancelled. The ship itself is old and dated and it showed. Our cabins were tiny but we didn't have a choice as the selection was limited by the time we booked. The children were somewhat disappointed by the lack of amenities which we agreed with. Even my parents though the ship was meh. Oh well, we would have to focus on the itinerary of the Canary Islands and make our own fun!