Day 1 – Embarkation in Barcelona, Spain The Ozark Wanderers

Embarkation day always feels like hitting “reset.” No matter how long the travel day or how many airports you’ve crossed, the moment you see the ship, everything settles. Boarding Oasis of the Seas in Barcelona marked the official start of our Mediterranean adventure — and honestly, after two days of travel and lost sleep, just stepping onboard felt like a victory.

Driving to the Port of Barcelona

The drive from our hotel to the port was uneventful. Our driver didn’t speak any English, but luckily the bell hop at the hotel translated for us and ensured we got where we needed to be. So we are 2 for 2 of taxi drivers not speaking English, which really caught me by surprise. For some reason I thought English would be more widely spoken. It really makes me want to learn another language, but giving how much trouble I had with French when I was younger, I’m not sure how successful I’d be. It makes me thankful for Google Translate.

Montjuic Castle

As our taxi wound its way toward the port, we caught our first glimpse of Montjuïc Castle, perched high above the city. The fortress has guarded Barcelona’s harbor for centuries — a silent witness to wars, revolutions, and now cruise ships arriving from around the world. Seeing it felt like the perfect welcome to Europe: history on one side, the Mediterranean on the other, and the start of a new adventure just ahead.

Montjuïc Castle overlooking the port of Barcelona, Spain — a 17th-century fortress that once guarded the city and now offers panoramic harbor views. — *Montjuïc Castle — the fortress overlooking Barcelona’s port. Once a military stronghold, now a peaceful reminder of the city’s layered history.*

Embarkation itself was easy and painless and before we knew it we were onboard.

We met up with our friends at Park Café for a quick lunch — nothing fancy, just roast beef sandwiches, salads and iced tea while catching up on everyone’s travel drama. Their flight had been much more eventful than ours. Thanks to construction at Heathrow, they missed their connection and didn’t make it to Barcelona until nearly twelve hours late.

View of Virgin Voyages ship docked in the Port of Barcelona, seen from the upper deck of Oasis of the Seas with colorful cabanas and city skyline in the background. — *View of Virgin Voyages ship docked in the Port of Barcelona, seen from the upper deck of Oasis of the Seas*

Views from Dock

We were docked next to NCL Escape, a fun surprise since it’s one of the few ships that rivals Oasis in size.

Carousel on the Boardwalk aboard Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas, framed by the ship’s balconies and open-air design. — *The Boardwalk on Oasis of the Seas — complete with a classic carousel, ocean breezes, and that unmistakable cruise-day excitement.*

By midafternoon, the jet lag hit hard. We unpacked, wandered the ship a bit, and called it an early night. Tomorrow — Palma de Mallorca — and we had an 8 a.m. start ahead of us.

Day 1 Recap

Port: Barcelona, Spain
Event: Embarkation Day
Lunch: Park Café (Oasis of the Seas)
Highlight: Boarding the ship and reuniting with friends after long travel days
Tip: Even if you’re exhausted, unpack before bed — you’ll thank yourself on your first port morning.