Barcelona’s Storm Pushed Back a 5,610-Passenger Boarding Day

Royal Caribbean has delayed embarkation for Legend of the Seas in Barcelona today, October 4, by two hours. Boarding for the 7-night Western Mediterranean sailing now starts at about 1:00 p.m. instead of 11:00 a.m., and the latest arrival time at the terminal moves from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The reason is weather. Barcelona was under extreme-risk warnings for heavy rain and wind, with forecasts of up to three to four inches of rain per hour, seven to eight inches over six hours, gusts of 55 to 75 miles per hour, and possible hail. The Icon-class ship, which carries 5,610 guests, also had a rough run back into port at the end of its previous sailing.

Passengers have been told to be on board by 6:30 p.m. for departure. The cruise heads to Palma de Mallorca, Marseille, La Spezia, Civitavecchia for Rome, and Naples. No port changes had been announced at the time of reporting, though a storm of this size can reshape a sailing quickly.

For anyone sailing from Barcelona this week, the useful move is to watch the cruise line’s app and your email for revised arrival windows, allow extra time for taxis and transfers in flooded streets, and avoid booking a tight same-day flight home on the back end of a Mediterranean cruise during the stormy season.

Sources: Cruise Hive, Cruise Hive (related coverage)