A city as world-renowned as Paris is not something to pass up visiting ever, but is it worth it to spend just a few hours there on a 3 hour bus ride each way?

I had never been to Paris, but when my Royal Caribbean cruise ship offered a visit to Paris during my 7-night Anthem of the Seas cruise, I was too intrigued not to give it a try.

The "catch" with this tour is the extreme distances between where the cruise ship docks and the destination.  In the case of Paris, it's about a 2.5 hour ride each way without traffic or any stops along the way.

These sort of extreme bus tours are common for cruise ships, because the allure of visiting these special places is too great to ignore.

I had done a similar 2 hour each way bus tour to Bordeaux, France earlier in the week, and came away loving the city.

The issue is does the transportation time back and forth outweigh the experience in Paris.

The beginning of a long travel day

Our day began at 8:40am when we reported to meet up for the tour.  Like all shore excursions, they typically begin in the theater of the cruise ship.

Once our tour was called, we boarded coach buses to begin the journey.

The seating is quite tight, and I found the leg space to be very sparse.  That's fine on a short journey, but after a couple of hours it gets uncomfortable, especially if you're big or tall.

The ride was uneventful, with a pit stop at a gas station along the way.  Unfortunately, we were delayed an extra 10 minutes because one couple took longer to return.  This can happen on any group shore excursion, but every minute counts in Paris.

Arriving in the city, there was weekend traffic to contend with and we were dropped off right at the Arc de Triumph at 12:20pm.

Our tour escort informed us to return back to the bus at 3:45pm so we could depart at 4pm.  That's just about 3.5 hours of total time to enjoy Paris.

A short window to do a lot

It was a bit overwhelming deciding what to do once we got to Paris given it was already lunch time and we only had a few hours.

I opted to simply walk and see as much as I could on foot in that timeframe.

My goals were to see a few sights, eat some local food, and grab souvenirs for the family back home.  

I purposefully skipped museums or tours just because I could not afford to spend 2 hours at just one activity. 

I found tickets for the Musée d'Orsay, which is a fabulous museum dedicated to French art, but I'm not nearly into art enough to make that worthwhile. It's a microcosm of the larger issue in having so few hours in a city like Paris. 

I started at the Arc, stopping only to snap a few photos before power walking down the Champs-Élysées. I think it benefited me that I grew up near New York City, so the Fifth Avenue vibe of this area was lost on me and I was okay bypassing it.

I was pretty hungry, so I made a few stops for food to power me through my day.

I found a kebab place for a quick (and cheap) bite to eat, followed by tracking down a great French coffee shop across the River Seine.

I followed that up with a chocolate croissant and a baguette.  I felt I ticked those necessary boxes, although it would have been nice to actually sit down at a cafe or restaurant.

A passing rain shower halted me in my tracks for about 15 minutes before I decided to brave the weather and duck in and out of souvenir shops.

The rain passed, and I got the Eiffel Tour.

Once again, no time (or tickets) to go up and get a view.  Rather, I circumnavigated the park around it and got my photos.

While a museum has a lot to offer, I really feel monuments like the Arc de Triumph or Eiffel Tower can easily be seen, photographed, and then moved on from.  Maybe that's my weird take.

By now I had less than 2 hours left, and I crossed the Seine again on a mission to pick up a few more souvenirs and find a restroom.

Even though I was alone and was able to power walk a lot, it was difficult to find time to even crack open a smidge of what Paris has to offer.  It reminded me a lot of Washington D.C. back home, in the sense there's just so many places to go see.

I considered a hop on, hop off bus tour, but didn't think the timeframe I had to work with was worth it.  If I had 2-3 more hours, it might have changed that equation.

I made it back to the bus right on time with a few minutes to spare, souvenirs in hand, and an empty bladder.

Worth it if this is your only opportunity

There's no question a shore excursion like this is not the way to see Paris, but for a lot of people, this may be their only opportunity.

I had never been to Paris before and I really wanted to go. Plus, I'm not sure when my next opportunity will be to visit Paris.

In addition, if I didn't go to Paris, I would have been relegated to touring Le Havre, where my ship docked.  While I'm certain Le Havre is a nice city, it's not Paris. And I fear I would have had FOMO the entire day from having not gone and regretted wasting my chance.

One critique of the tour was we got back much earlier than I anticipated.  Our bus got us back to the ship exactly at 7pm, but all aboard was not until 9:30pm.  

The main reason I booked this tour instead of taking the train on my own was for the piece of mind I would not miss the ship if we were late coming back. However, we could have easily had another 1-2 hours in Paris and that would have added so much value.

Ultimately, a 3.5 hour visit to Paris with 5-6 hours of bus rides is not ideal and not convenient. However, it's better than nothing and a good taste of what the city has to offer.

Your better bet is to visit Paris before or after your cruise, and get a few days to explore.  Couple that with a few days in London and you have a great European vacation!

Can a free tour really compete with a shore excursion offered by the cruise line?

My 7-night Anthem of the Seas cruise would take me to the Spanish town of La Coruna, and I was looking at ideas for what tours to book.

Usually I book a shore excursion through Royal Caribbean or simply explore on my own. Before I could pick one of these options, one of our readers, Leeor, emailed me with an alternative.

"I thought you might want to try a free walking tour for Bilbao and Coruna," he wrote in his email after hearing about my cruise plans.

"Those tours are with local guides who love their city, are tip based, and are a great way to make the most out of a short visit. They usually last about two hours and my wife and I always do one when we first get to a new European destination."

I have to admit, I was skeptical because I worried how good a completely free shore excursion could really be. However, it sounded like the perfect introduction to a port I've never been to before. Plus, it was only 1 or 2 hours, so it was a very low barrier to entry.

I went ahead and booked my tours through GuroWalk, which lists a few different tours in each of the cities. Sure enough, they're free and all you have to do is book it in advance via the website or app.

The "catch" to these tours being free is you're encouraged to tip at the end based on the quality of the tour.

I booked a walking tour in Bilbao and La Coruna, although the Bilbao tour got cancelled a couple days before my reservation because the guide was sick. I ended up exploring Bilboa on my own and had a great time.

Once the tour is confirmed, you get an email with where to meet and who to look for. Transportation is on your own, but this tour advertised as being good for cruise ship guests and it was a very short walk from where Anthem of the Seas docked to the the statue of María Pita meeting spot.

The confirmation email also has a link to Google Maps to be able to easily get walking directions to where to meet. Because I bought an eSim for this cruise, I was able to easily use my phone around Europe without costly roaming charges.

Sure enough, about 10 minutes before the tour began, the guide was waiting where he said he'd be with an orange umbrella.

Our guide, Cesar, greeted me and said we'd wait for the others. He indicated he expected about 9 of us in total, although only 5 would end up showing.

Cesar lives in a suburb of La Coruna, and he does these tours on a volunteer basis. I asked him how many people usually show up for them, and he said it varies considerably, but the groups are much larger at the peak of summer in June and July.

Joining me on the tour was a solo French tourist and a three people from England on a motor bike tour of Europe.

Cesar had a speaker with him, but did not need it given how small the group was. He started by explaining the significance of the plaza we were meeting at, and why there's a giant statue of María Pita. She's the heroine of the city who helped defeat an English attack in the 16th century.

Cesar carefully explained the details of each site we would visit, pointing out the historical significance, architectural intricacies, and other facts about the area.

Although he apologized for his English, I thought he was very easy to understand and extremely knowledgeable. In fact, I was blown away how much he knew. Being a free tour, I was expecting someone who was a walking Google Map at best, but he knew lots of details and clearly was well-versed in the information.

I was also leery of a glorified sales pitch, but once again, he had no angle or anything he was pushing.

We took a very leisurely pace through the old city of La Coruna, and made at least 9 stops that I could count.

We visited historic churches, military buildings of significance, scenic overlooks, and famous spots.

The tour took 2 hours, although he volunteered to keep going longer. I would have taken him up on the offer, but it was 12:30pm and I was getting very hungry for lunch. To his credit, he provided a Google Map link with all of his favorite restaurants in the area.

At the end of the tour, I tipped him €20, although I observed others were tipping about €10 per person.

I was very impressed by this tour offering, and I think Leeor is definitely right these are great introductions to any European city to get a sense of the place before you venture off on your own.

If you're someone who wants to get a walking tour of a city, GuruWalk seems like a really good choice. 

During our tour, we passed other tours that were significantly larger groups and clearly from the cruise ship. I can't speak to what they may have included beyond the walking tour, but I felt good about my choice in tours.

As an example, the "Historic Old Town Stroll" shore excursion offered by Royal Caribbean costs $50.99 per adult ($30.99 per child) and its description sounds exactly like what we saw on our free tour.

The downsides to the GuruWalk tours are there's no telling how big your group will be, nor who your guide will actually be. And there may only be one or two tours offered that fit for a cruise ship visitor.

Moreover, these are quick walking tours. If you're looking to see more than a few square blocks, a paid cruise ship shore excursion might be a superior choice.

But if you're looking to get a look at what makes the city you're visiting interesting and then go off on your own after, these might be a good option for a city port visit.

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I wasn't sure how to approach planning my Royal Caribbean visit to Bilbao, Spain, until I was watching late night reruns on TV.

Some evenings I'll put on a TV show I've seen dozens of times just to have on in the background while I browse the web, take care of family matters, or call friends and family.  A few weeks ago, I had "No Reservations" show on and I thought I should explore a port like Anthony Bourdain would.

Anthony Bourdain is a famous chef turned world traveler, and he documented his journeys by going to a city or region and going beyond the stereotypes. I always appreciated his blend of culture, history, and of course food.

On my visit to Bilbao, Spain as part of my 7-night Anthem of the Seas cruise, I decided to try it out.  I did some research into what Bilbao offers, and found a tour idea from the show's web archive.

More than a museum

This was my first time in Spain ever, and Bilbao is anything but what I expected.

The city transformed itself over the last 30 plus years, to move from an industrial history to a new age city that clings to its Basque traditions.

Basque is an important word, because Bilbao is the epicenter of what's known as Basque country.  Located between Bilbao, Spain, north to Bayonne, France, is a region known as the land of the Basques. This area is best known for impressive architecture, art, and even its beaches.

The Guggenheim Museum that opened in 1997 is probably what most people think of, but there's a lot more to see here.

It's a beautiful city, situated in front of the Pyrenees Mountains, with a mix of medieval history, modern touches, and a people who speak Spanish second behind the Basque language.

A botxo breakfast

The residents of Bilbao is called, botxo, and I wanted to start my day with a typical breakfast they'd have.

I went to a bakery in the old city of Bilbao to find a bollo de mantequilla, which is a brioche-like bun, sliced open and spread with a French buttercream-style whipped mixture.  

Pastelería Arrese had lots of choices, reminding me the tantalizing choices I found yesterday at the boulangerie in Bordeaux.

I couldn't help but sample a few things, including the chocolate-dipped croissants.

To go with it, I stopped at coffee bar next door to get cafe con leche, figuring it would compliment it really well.

While I could have had my usual breakfast on the ship in the Windjammer, it's not often I have the opportunity to enjoy the kind of freshly baked pastries Europe is well-known for.

A day in the market

My next stop was to see where locals get fresh meat and produce, and I went to the largest covered market in Europe.

The Mercado de la Ribera is on the banks of the Nervión River and it's a 100,000 square foot building that sells meats, cheeses, fresh fish, and more.

The market began in the 14th century, and in 1929, architect Pedro Ispizua designed a space that purposefully had open spaces and not a single interior column, so that there would be free circulation of air to whisk away any lingering scents.

The building has stained glass windows, and an Art Deco motif to its exterior. 

I didn't buy anything, but it was undeniably cool to walk through and see all the choices available to buy. I wish I was spending a few days in Bilbao, because I would have loved to grab a few things and cooked something at an Airbnb.

Exploring the old city

I spent most of my day in Casco Viejo, which is the name of the old quarter of the city.

There are a number of gothic churches within this area, and the streets look like something you'd expect to find in an Old European city. Narrow streets with brick and cobblestone roads. It was one of those areas I wandered to see what was around the next corner.

Across the river is Bilbao la Vieja, which is an area that has changed a lot over the last few decades.

The streets in this space are covered with urban wall art, where prestigious international artists  (like Trakabarraka) make their contributions.

While there's new spaces, you'll also find Spain's history inbetween.  It's not uncommon to turn a corner and find an old church or a building facade from centuries ago.

I wrapped up my tour of Bilbao La Vieja with a stop in a local bar that blends history and modernity.

I got to Peso Neto before they started food service, so I had to "settle" for just a cold beer and locals coming and going. 

It's a neighborhood spot serving creative tapas, and I really wish I could have sampled some of the dishes they had on the menu.

Going up Mount Artxanda

The sun was shining and there were barely any clouds in the sky, so I wanted to get the best view of Bilbao.

For just a few Euros, you can take a ride up Mount Artxanda on a 100-year-old cable car that climbs up the mountain.

At the top, is an absolutely stunning view of all of Bilbao and the surrounding area.

I could have sat here for hours to take in the view. Between the scenery, gentle breeze, and comfortable temperatures, it's the sort of place you can't get sick of.

Street food lunch

While Spain is well-known for tapas, I couldn't help myself and stop for my favorite street food in Europe.

Ever since my first trip to Europe last year, I developed a guilty pleasure for doner kebab, which is Turkish dish that consists of seasoned meat cooked vertically, and then shaved off.

You can get it served in a few ways, but usually it's in a pita or a wrap.  

As I walked back from the funicular that took me up the mountain, I saw it and couldn't resist.

It really hit spot, and it might not be the last time I have kebab on this trip.

Urban art

To round out my day, I thought it would be appropriate to see some art in a city known for it.

While the Guggenheim Museum is where most would go to find art, I decided to take a walk through the city and find the various murals by Bada, Fermín Moreno, and Jorge Rubio. 

Urban art is the kind of art someone like myself can appreciate. You can enjoy it without committing to a day (or even a few hours) at a museum.

On my walk, I saw more of Bilbao, including gardens and busy streets. It's a big city, with lots happening and while my feet were hurting after the "short" 25 minute walk, I was glad to have seen more of the modern parts of Bilbao.

I eventually made my way to the Plaza Kirikiño, which features giant murals against buildings. 

The art encompasses 2,200 square meters and is based on geometric and chromatic shapes, related to the architecture itself.

Like so much of Bilbao, I wish I had more time to stop at one of the many bars I passed by to grab a drink and take in the view.

Not the city I expected

Bilbao is anything but a formulaic European city.  It has a blend of old and new, didn't even remind me of a stereotypical European city.

I relished going beyond tapas and the Guggenheim to see more of what Bilbao had to offer.  While I think I would have enjoyed those things as well, I headed back to my cruise ship with a pretty good checklist of new experiences under my belt.

For anyone visiting Bilbao, I'd recommend taking the 20 minute Uber ride from where cruise ships dock in Getxo to take in all that it has to offer. Bring a few Euros, explore what's around the next corner, and come hungry for more.

Bordeaux is seemingly synonymous with wine, but I found a city with so much to offer beyond le vin.

The first port stop on our Anthem of the Seas 7-night cruise brings us to the city of La Rochelle, which is a couple hours drive from Bordeaux.

One of the conundrums of this particular itinerary is to settle for the small city experience or take the time to see a major draw. 

Since it's my first time in France and I'm not sure the next time I'll be able to visit here, it made sense to me to sign up for the journey to Bordeaux.

Bordeaux is a little more than a 2 hour bus ride from where cruise ships dock in La Rochelle.  When you have an extreme distance like that, booking a shore excursion through the cruise line is the only logical option to avoid being left behind because of a travel delay.

Read more: Why booking my cruise shore excursions in Europe with the cruise line was the best decision

Our tour began at 8am and met at the Royal Theater.  Minutes after Anthem was cleared by the local authorities, our tour was the first to be called to go.

I signed up for the "Bordeaux On Your Own" tour, which provides bus transportation back and forth and that's it.

The bus is your typical coach bus with plenty of air conditioning and a bathroom in the back. I liked there were USB plugs at each set of seats, although the legroom was very minimal.

We were dropped off at the Allées de Tourny right in the middle of Bordeaux. We were told we'd have a little more than 3 hours to explore on our own, and to meet back at a designated time.  C'est ca et au reviour!

I specifically booked this tour because I want to explore the city on my own, as I see fit.

Bordeaux is well known for its wine culture, but wine wasn't my main draw. I like wine, but I'm not a "wine person".  However, I warmed up to the wine scene in the city quite quickly.

Wine or not, the first thing I wanted was a really good French bakery and cafe.  It was still morning, and I had this overwhelming desire to try it.

One of the best things about Europe is how much there is to see.  As soon as I left the bus, I ran right into Basilique Saint-Michel, which is a Gothic church in the center of the city.

On the bus ride over I researched some places to go, and found a coffee shop and boulangerie across the street from each other that were highly recommended.

The Sip Coffee Bar was my first stop, and I had a cup of iced coffee that was served in a beaker.  Cute idea, and the coffee was so much better than what I could get at home.

I then walked across the street to Boulangerie Jocteur, and I was met with an overwhelming choices of breads, pastries, croissants, and more.

It was one of those places I wish I could bring home a box of goodies, but I also did not want to fill up immediately and ruin my appetite for the rest of the day.

I went with a croissant and baguette.  Basic, sure, but I felt I wanted to start with the hits, and the food did not disappoint.  It probably ruined croissants for the rest of my life back home.

With my belly full, I wanted to do some exploring.  The Old Town area of Bordeaux is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Perhaps the most iconic landmark is Porte Cailhau, which was a gate built to protect the city in 1496. I only walked by the port, but visitors can also climb to the top of the 35-meter tower for unobstructed views of the city.

I then caught sight of the Garonne river, which has a beautiful walkway along the left bank. It's the kind of waterfront walk where you not only get a great view, but you can see so many sights along the way.

It helped the temperature outside was so comfortable, with highs in the upper 80s and no humidity. As someone that lives in Florida, it's always so refreshing when you can spend time outdoors in the summer and not sweat profusely to the point of hating it.

The "Miroir d'Eau" (water mirror) was a fun stop that's across from the Place de la Bourse monument. It alternates a mirror effect and artificial misting in an extraordinary way. 

By now my mind was telling me my readers would hate on me if I went to Bordeaux and didn't have any wine, so I decided to give it a try.

I wandered the streets of Bordeaux for a bit to find a wine bar.  There are plenty of bistros and cafes, but I didn't want to go to a cafe that had a limited selection.

I eventually ran across Coumé Vaï, which serves wine by the bottle and glass, along with cheese and charcuterie options.

I'm not a wine expert at all, so I asked the woman working behind the counter to recommend a couple of wines to try that were from the region.

She picked out two, and I give it a try.

I really liked the flavor of both, with the first being quite fruity and the second extremely dry. 

If I had more time in Bordeaux, I could see myself enjoying a couple of glasses in the evening to wind down the day. 

For lunch, I wasn't sure where to eat because there were so many delicious restaurants. You could not go down a street without running into one or two restaurants that looked really good. I wished I'd had time to try more places.

This may sound crazy, but I went with an Italian restaurant for lunch.  Being in Europe, the food is good beyond the traditional foods of the host country, and in my research, I found a few intriguing Italian restaurants.  As a pizza snob at home, I was drawn immediately to give it a try.

I ended up at Le Murano, which has a large outdoor terrace.  Eating outside at a small table feels so French, even if it's Italian food.

I ordered a margarita pizza, and it was exactly what I wanted. Great food I can't get at home, with unrivaled scenery. 

I would have loved to have more time to go shopping and venture further south. There are many locally-owned boutiques that sell just about everything.

I was mostly in the Saint-Michel "quartier" of Bordeaux, and it's a very cosmopolitan neighborhood along with its rich history.

I especially enjoyed exploring Bordeaux and simply walking to see what's around the next corner. The food scene, charming history, and independent shops really made Bordeaux stand out beyond the wine it's well-known for.

Certainly wine enthusiasts will love it, but non-drinkers can find lots to see too. 

My visit gave me a new taste for all there is to discover in the famous wine region. I would love to come back and spend more time here.  This is, after all, one of the best reasons to cruise because it gives you a taste of what the world has to offer, and you can always come back for more.

My first sea day on Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas took me straight through a body of water well-known for having bad weather and rough seas.

The Bay of Biscay is located west of France in an area and north of Spain, and it's not somewhere you might think as being troublesome until you do some research.

The second day of our 7-night cruise was a sea day, taking us to our first port stop of La Rochelle, France. Before we can get there on day 3, we'd need to traverse the bay.

In the morning, there was a consistent and gentle rocking of the ship.  It was clear the seas had a rolling motion to them, and that resulted in motion onboard.

Motion on a cruise ship is not uncommon and it affects everyone differently.  Some people are thrown off by the slightest movement, while others relish a good pitch and roll to the ocean.

I prefer calm seas, but while the motion was noticeable, it was far from the worst I've experienced.

One of the best strategies for minimizing the sensation of movement on a cruise ship is to go to an area on a low deck and mid ship.  I went down to deck 3 for brunch in the dining room.

Anthem of the Seas does not have a Main Dining Room, but rather, four smaller dining rooms that effectively serve as the same thing.  It's a result of an abandoned concept to reinvent the Main Dining Room that ultimately failed.

Read more: Five times Royal Caribbean changed its mind after announcing something

Brunch is not something you see all the time on Royal Caribbean ships in the Main Dining Room, but it's a treat when they do have it.  Frankly, I don't know the impetus for why they offer it on one sailing or another, but I've seen it before without any consistency. 

In order to embrace the spirit of brunch, I ordered an omelet and a burger. Surprisingly, the burger was my favorite of the two.

After breakfast, the movement was noticeably worse, and I assumed this is where the Bay of Biscay gets its bad reputation.

Luckily, the crossing is only one day (and of course the inevitable return back later in the cruise) and while the seas were rough, the weather was quite comfortable.  Partly cloudy with peeks of sun.

I did not have to take any seasickness medication, as I kept myself busy with events.  There's no shame in taking seasickness medication, as there have been times it's affected me.

Read more: How to prevent seasickness on a cruise

My best advice if you're worried about getting seasick is to be prepared in advance. I always travel with over-the-counter pills I can take to combat it.

My seasickness pills of choice are Bonine.

You could speak to your doctor about getting a prescription for a patch to wear, or preemptively take seasickness medication before the cruise begins and everyday thereafter.

The first event of the day was the Top Tier event, where Royal Caribbean invites anyone with Platinum status or above in Crown and Anchor Society to attend.

It's essentially a big thank you party for being loyal, and I really appreciate they do this to show their appreciation for its customers. It's not an event that will wow you, but if they're going to put on something for guests as recognition, I'll go.  Plus there's free alcohol!

Speaking of Crown and Anchor, I tried something I've never done for my next event.

Cheers with an Officer is a special meal offered for Pinnacle Club guests where there's a special lunch held exclusively for Royal Caribbean's top cruisers.

I had never gone before because I always thought it was too stuffy and I didn't know anyone.  This time, I decided to give it a try, mostly because I'm sailing solo on this cruise and could use some friendly conversation.

I met a fellow Pinnacle Club member, Alice from Wales, who said hello at the Top Tier event and since I'd have someone to converse with, decided to give it a try.

You're seated at a large table with other Pinnacle Club guests and served what is basically the Chops Grille lunch menu. You're also offered glasses of champagne or wine.  All of this is complimentary.

The meal begins with the Captain giving a toast, and we had other officers present to join in.  After the toast, the officers leave and it's a meal with your fellow guests.

Almost everyone was from England at our table, with a couple from Texas and another couple from Germany. As you might imagine at a table full of top cruisers, the conversation was mostly about cruising.

I ordered the salmon and wild mushroom soup.

It was a fun experience, and while I might not go every single time they offer it, I did like the opportunity to talk with other cruisers and have a good conversation with lunch.

After lunch, it was time to get to work on this blog.  There's a 6 hour time difference between France/Spain and the east coast of the United States, so my usual working hours get delayed a bit.

Towards the afternoon, I recorded my YouTube live session from the Solarium.  

I noticed by now the ocean conditions had improved and the motion had subsided considerably. This seems to play right into what people say about the Bay of Biscay, given it can change a lot.

The Bay is Biscay isn’t always rough, and I would not advise anyone to not cruise through it purely on reputation. Most importantly, cruising through the Bay of Biscay is not dangerous.  Royal Caribbean's ships are designed to handle much worse, but the Captain will take necessary actions to avoid any areas that look particularly bad.

For the evening, I decided to hit the casino once more.  It would be a short evening, because I have early morning plans once we reach France.

I've spent hundreds of nights on cruise ships, and boarding a Royal Caribbean ship in a seasonal market like Southampton, England is easier than a lot of full time cruise ports in the United States.

Getting on any cruise ship isn't difficult, but some homeports are more difficult than others.

As someone that cruises every month, I've seen just about every embarkation day experience imaginable, and I was pleasantly surprised how easy the process was in Southampton.

I flew to London from my home in Orlando, Florida for a 7-night cruise on Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas that will take me to ports in Northern France and Spain.

I spent two days in London before taking the train down to Southampton.  The train is easy and affordable.  It was about €50 for a first class ticket if purchased in advance, and it's just a one hour and 20 minute ride from London's Waterloo station to Southampton Central.

The train is very efficient and fast. England's roads are notorious for traffic delays, and the train is a great alternative. 

One downside to taking the train is the lack of space for luggage. Regular size luggage that you would check on an airplane do not fit in the overhead bins, and the only recourse was for everyone to shove their luggage in the boarding area between the doors. If I was taking my family, I'd probably have to opt for a car service because of how much luggage we typically have.

Once I arrived at Southampton, it was a short 5 minute taxi ride to where Anthem of the Seas was docked.

While boarding was delayed, the process went very smoothly once it got started.

At first, I was surprised there was no special line for suite guests and Pinnacle Club members.  But it really did not matter, as they efficiently moved guests through security and check-in. The claim that Brits love to queue definitely seems to be true!

What made the process smooth was there were multiple points for the staff to check guests in, both before and after security. Even though no one was verifying anyone's check-in time, the crowd wasn't large enough to overwhelm the staff.

It took me probably 10 minutes at the most to get from curb to ship, and most of that was because I seem to always pick the longest security line, every time.

To Royal Caribbean's credit, once onboard the ship, the embarkation day experience was quite consistent.  Muster stations were open to quickly take care of the emuster check-in, and then it was off to lunch.

I opted to lunch at the Windjammer buffet, primarily because I wanted to enjoy my food outdoors. On most Quantum Class ships, there is outdoor seating at the rear of the Windjammer, and I loved the pleasant temperatures and cool breeze.  The high temperature was in the upper 60s and it was partly sunny. That's like summer weather in England.

While the check-in process was super smooth, the one area that baffled me was when staterooms would be ready. Unfortunately, cabins were not ready until 2:30pm.  Usually cabins are ready by 1pm, or 2pm at the very latest.

I'm guessing Anthem was delayed in getting into port and that backed everything up. Luckily, it did not impact the check-in process too much, but cabin attendants needed more time.

I actually went down to check if the rooms were ready at 1:30, 2, and then finally 2:30.  It took to exactly 2:30 for the cabins to be open to guests.

For this cruise, I booked a standard balcony cabin on deck 7. It's pretty much like any balcony cabin I've stayed in on other ships, and I especially like how much storage space and extra outlets Quantum Class cabins have. Back in 2015 when Anthem launched, this was a really big deal.  Now, we all expect it.

One difference you'll notice in this cabin is the electric kettle.  On cruises from the United Kingdom, all cabins have an electric kettle in the cabin by default so passengers can make their own tea.

A quick power nap later and we were off to begin out journey.

On this itinerary, we'll visit four ports of call: La Rochelle, France; Bilbao, Spain; La Coruna, Spain; Le Havre (Paris), France.

I wasn't sure where I wanted to eat dinner tonight, and decided to take the easy option and go to the Windjammer. If I'm being honest, I looked at the Main Dining Room menu and saw no French Onion Soup, so I skipped it.

The Asian stir fry station in the Windjammer alone made it the right choice.

After dinner, it was time to head to the casino for some luck. 

Since I've already attained Prime status in the Casino Royale program, I'm not chasing points on this cruise and decided to play craps.

Table games, such as craps, are fun, but don't pay out points as well as slot machines do.

I ended up playing with the same money I started with for about two hours, and ended up doubling my money. Not a bad start to my cruise!

Tomorrow is a sea day as we head south.

Every cruise must come to an end, and today is the last day of our 7-night Spain & France cruise on Anthem of the Seas. The adventure is not yet over, though, and we docked in Le Havre, France this morning for another day full of local food, history, and culture!

Le Havre, France is known as the "Paris" cruise port, although Paris is not exactly near Le Havre at all. Reaching the city center of Paris from Le Havre's port will take around 2.5 to 3.5 hours each way. Because of this, port stops in Le Havre tend to be very long. We were docked today from 8AM to 10PM!

I chose not to go to Paris today for several reasons:

•  5-6 hours of transport via train or coach bus did not seem worth it to spend only 4-5 hours in Paris.
• The excursions were all quite expensive. I wasn't comfortable traveling so far independently without the security of knowing the ship would wait for me to return.
• I would rather visit Paris at a later time when I can dedicate several days to the city.

Le Havre sells a shuttle bus for €5 roundtrip from the port to the city center. You can also choose to walk, which will take 20-30 minutes.

There was also a list of taxi tours with fixed pricing available. The prices on the board were very reasonable compared to many of Royal Caribbean's excursions, and the set price for 1-4 passengers means you can split the cost better if you're traveling with a larger group. Taxi destinations included Mont Saint Michel, D-Day landing beaches, and Paris.

First impressions of Le Havre

Le Havre is not your typical French city. Much of the city was destroyed in World War II, and it was rebuilt with a more modern style of architecture than you'll see in most of France.

With the cloudy morning weather and eclectic architecture, it felt a bit... otherworldly this morning. We took a few photos at the most bizarre (yet intriguing) library I've ever seen.

Samantha and I stopped in a small cafe for a cappuccino and pain au chocolat before continuing our day. Oh how I will miss French pastries!

We also stopped by a monument for victims of World War I and World War II from the Le Havre area as well as soldiers from North Africa. For those interested in World War II history, Le Havre and the surrounding areas make for an interesting port option.

Lunch in Le Havre

After my life-changing crêpe experience a few days ago in La Rochelle, I knew I needed to try another crêpe today, so we found a local crêperie in Le Havre for lunch. It seems to be common in France for crêperies to offer a lunch menu with a drink, savory crêpe, and sweet crêpe for a set price. Yes, two crêpes for one person!

For €14, I enjoyed rosé, a buckwheat cheese crêpe, and a dessert crêpe topped with crème de marron (chestnut cream). Just like in La Rochelle, the meal was unbelievably good. Everything I've eaten in France has been so delicious; I can't wait to come back!

An afternoon at the beach

Samantha called it a day a few hours earlier than I did, so I went on a solo adventure to Le Havre's local beach. My timing was perfect as the sun finally came out and the city came to life! While Le Havre may not be quintessentially French, I found the town quite beautiful in its own way as I walked along the waterfront.

I was also able to rent a bicycle for free to ride along the coast! The city of Le Havre offers free bicycle rentals (with a deposit to be refunded upon return of the bike). I rode a couple miles along the coast, which transformed from the city center to gorgeous cliffside views.

Back onboard

I headed back to the ship around dinnertime, where we enjoyed our last meal in the Main Dining Room. Tonight's menu was by far my favorite of the week.

I decided to try the "mango mint spring rolls" off the vegan menu just for fun, and they were amazing! Served with peanut sauce, they reminded me of a vegetable spring roll you'd find in a Vietnamese or Thai restaurant.

Samantha loved her cheese tortellini while I, still a bit full from my crêpe extravaganza earlier in the day, enjoyed a small cup of lentil soup as my main.

The entertainment has been so great on Anthem of the Seas that we decided to watch the Farewell Variety Show in the Royal Theater tonight.

The show started with a few jazz songs by the Anthem of the Seas orchestra, including vocals from a cast member of We Will Rock You.

The second half of the performance was a magic show. I think the last time I saw a magic show was in elementary school, so I had no idea what to expect. From card tricks to illusions, the show was impressive, mind-blowing, and hilarious!

We watched sailaway from the Solarium as we began the journey back to Southampton. While I'm sad to see this cruise end, I'm extremely excited to head to Greece this weekend for my next cruise on Rhapsody of the Seas!

Stray observations:

I had fairly low expectations for Le Havre after doing a bit of research about the port, but I ended up enjoying it much more than I thought I would! Everyone in town was extremely nice to me even though I cannot speak much French. From a man offering to help us read the menu at lunch to the bicycle rental employees, I felt extremely welcome in the city.

I originally planned to try to travel to Honfleur, a smaller town with typical French architecture, but I decided against it when I realized the local bus schedule to Honfleur is extremely limited depending on the day. Taxis and a few bus tours are available though.

I feel like it would be a nice option to be able to choose to end the cruise in Le Havre as opposed to Southampton. I wouldn't have minded getting off the ship today and traveling to Paris for a few days, but I know this is difficult with logistics, customs, etc., so I understand why it isn't possible.

• Anthem of the Seas Live Blog - Day 1 - Embarkation
• Anthem of the Seas Live Blog - Day 2 - Sea Day
• Anthem of the Seas Live Blog - Day 3 - La Rochelle, France
• Anthem of the Seas Live Blog - Day 4 - Bilbao, Spain
• Anthem of the Seas Live Blog - Day 5, La Coruña, Spain
• Anthem of the Seas Live Blog - Day 6, Sea Day

Today is the sixth day of my first European cruise and we are at sea after 3 busy days in port. Luckily, Anthem of the Seas provides endless activities to enjoy during a sea day, and I had a relaxing yet fun-filled time onboard while on route to France.

I started my day with breakfast (dessert?) at the Windjammer, with french toast topped with whipped cream and chocolate chips.

Next up was something new for me: a massage! I've actually never had a professional massage before, so I couldn't wait to experience what all the hype is about. I booked the 50-minute Aroma Stone Therapy massage ahead of time in the Cruise Planner. Since I've never had a massage before, I had no idea what to expect when I entered the Vitality Spa this morning.

I first filled out a short questionnaire where I could rank my fitness and stress levels as well as write any ailments or areas I wanted the masseuse to focus on. My masseuse, Ni from Indonesia, brought me to the treatment room where she reviewed my questionnaire with me prior to beginning the treatment. I was a bit nervous as I did not know what to do or expect, but she made me feel very comfortable.

The Aroma Stone Therapy massage is a hot stone massage, so it includes a massage with both hands and warm stones. While hot, the stones were not uncomfortable, and they resulted in feeling extremely relaxed.

The massage was definitely worth every penny! I was initially worried 50 minutes would feel too short, but it was perfect for a first massage. I'm also glad I chose the hot stone option instead of a standard massage as the hot stones felt absolutely delightful!

I had heard that spa treatments tend to end with an annoying sales pitch, but the sales pitch I received (for the cream used in the massage) was very short and non bothersome. Overall, it was the best start to the day I could have asked for!

I caught up on some work after my trip to the spa. My favorite place to work or relax onboard is in Two70 due to the beautiful ocean views surrounding the venue.

After a quick lunch at the Windjammer, I headed to the pool deck for my new favorite drink: a frozen mojito. Extremely refreshing and not too sweet, the frozen mojito has proven to be a dangerous discovery onboard!

The sun finally emerged (a bit) in the afternoon, although the temperature was still quite chilly. I took a walk around the pool and sports deck to take in the ocean views. I noticed there were two types of passengers onboard: those sunbathing in swimsuits and those in winter jackets!

Being a Quantum Class ship, Anthem of the Seas has plenty of indoor spaces to enjoy, which is beneficial on cruises to colder destinations like Alaska, Norway, etc. With an indoor pool, climate-controlled Solarium, and the SeaPlex, weather does not have as much of an effect on activities like it can have on Oasis or Voyager Class ships, as an example.

Until this point, I’ve always said the Voyager Class is my favorite class of Royal Caribbean ships, but I think the Quantum Class might be my favorite now! While there are certain things I don’t love (the lack of a promenade deck as the lifeboats block the view), I love the indoor spaces with ocean views like Two70 and the Solarium. They also have interesting itineraries around the world that you can’t always find with other ships.

Next it was time for one of my favorite onboard activities: the International Belly Flop Competition. While I did not participate, it was undeniably entertaining to watch as the participants tried to make the most impressive belly flop possible.

Tonight was formal night, and while I often skip formal night in exchange for a dinner elsewhere onboard, Samantha and I decided to dress up and head to the Main Dining Room. I enjoyed French onion soup, carbonara pasta, and the molten chocolate cake, which was my favorite dessert I've had on this sailing so far!

Yesterday I wrote about how much I loved We Will Rock You in the Royal Theater, so I decided to watch it again tonight! Our seats weren't too great yesterday, so we went to the theater early to get some of the best seats in the house.

Just like yesterday, the performance was spectacular and it made for the perfect way to end the night. I’m already looking forward to watching Broadway shows on ships I have not yet sailed on in the fleet (Hairspray on Symphony, Mamma Mia on Allure, and Saturday Night Fever on Liberty of the Seas).

This cruise has gone by so quickly! Tomorrow is already the last day, but I’m excited to be back in France tomorrow when we dock in Le Havre.

More Anthem of the Seas Live Blogs:

• Anthem of the Seas Live Blog - Day 1 - Embarkation
• Anthem of the Seas Live Blog - Day 2 - Sea Day
• Anthem of the Seas Live Blog - Day 3 - La Rochelle, France
• Anthem of the Seas Live Blog - Day 4 - Bilbao, Spain
• Anthem of the Seas Live Blog - Day 5, La Coruña, Spain

I cannot believe today is already the fifth day of my cruise on Anthem of the Seas! Today we docked in La Coruña, Spain, a medium-sized city in Spain’s Galicia region, located directly above Portugal. With green hills, dramatic ocean cliffs, and small beaches dotted throughout coves in the landscape, La Coruña was a gorgeous place to spend the day.

The cruise port is conveniently located in the center of town, so we were able to walk off the ship and immediately start exploring.

One trend I've noticed on this cruise is that while ships dock at 8AM, the ports are very sleepy until at least 9 or 10. When we got off the ship around 8:45, cafes were only starting to open and the town was really quiet.

Breakfast and ocean views

I decided to skip breakfast on the ship today in favor of dining at a local cafe in Spain. While I go on cruises fairly often, it's not everyday I can enjoy breakfast in Spain!

Samantha and I stumbled upon the Praza de María Pita, a large public square lined with historic buildings, restaurants, and cafes. Here we enjoyed pastries, fresh squeezed orange juice, and a cafe con leche.

Like every port we've been to so far, we arrived with no plan of how to spend the day. What's great about cruising to European ports is that the infrastructure caters to pedestrians, meaning you can explore most ports without worrying about needing buses, taxis, or boats to get around.

We came across a beautiful waterfront pathway which first led us to a small beach. After relaxing at the beach, we continued along the path. This turned into one of the most beautiful coastal walking trails I’ve ever explored.

Located at the very northwest corner of Spain, La Coruña’s landscape and rocky, treacherous coastline is breathtaking. One of the city’s most iconic landmarks is the Tower of Hercules, the oldest surviving lighthouse in the world. With a height of around 180 feet, the lighthouse towers over the coast and was quite impressive to see.

The walking trail was the perfect place to spend a sunny morning in Spain, but all the walking quickly made us hungry!

Lunchtime in the city

Because La Coruña is a quiet town, we decided to have a relaxing, long lunch in port. We stumbled upon a local restaurant with a menu del día (menu of the day). For €10.60 each, we enjoyed two glasses of tinto de verano (a sweet wine drink), a pasta and egg appetizer, bread, a Thai rice dish, chocolate pudding, and coffee. It was an amazing deal and the food was delightful!

We sat outdoors for around 2 hours, taking in the culture and views of La Coruña. One fascinating fact about Galicia is that the native language of the region is Galician, which is actually more closely related to Portuguese than Spanish. Around 2.5 million people speak Galician, and you’ll hear both languages when visiting La Coruña.

Our day in port finished with a brief stroll back to the ship along La Coruña's waterfront. I relaxed on one of the city's park benches in front of the harbor for a bit before getting back onboard.

La Coruña impressions

La Coruña is definitely the sleepiest town we have visited so far on this itinerary, but I loved the relaxed vibe of the city. I’m honestly not sure where most passengers from the ship went today because everywhere we visited was uncrowded.

If you’re happy to wander through beautiful walking trails, visit the Tower of Hercules, and indulge in Galician cuisine, La Coruña makes for a tranquil port day. While it may not offer as many tourist attractions and activities as a city like Valencia or Barcelona, I loved being able to walk around and learn more about Galicia’s culture and landscapes.

After three port days in a row, I would say that this itinerary works best for those who are more interested in visiting small towns over Europe’s biggest, most touristy cities. If it’s your first time visiting Europe, you may prefer an itinerary to cities like Rome, Nice, and Naples to see attractions such as the Colosseum, Pompeii, etc.

If you’ve already seen those places, though, venturing to smaller, lesser-known towns will offer the opportunity to see these countries from a new perspective and connect more with local culture rather than quickly hopping from attraction to attraction.

Because I’ve already visited many of western Europe’s big cities, this cruise itinerary is exactly what I was hoping for! I probably never would have thought about visiting Galicia, for example, and now I am already itching to go back.

Back onboard

I was back onboard around 3:30 and took around two hours to relax in my stateroom before heading to dinner.

We enjoyed another dinner in the Main Dining Room tonight. I think this is the most I have ever eaten in the Main Dining Room on a cruise! While I often opt for a quick dinner at the buffet after port or the occasional specialty restaurant, it’s been nice to feel “spoiled” every night in the dining room.

After ten cruises, I still can’t believe how fancy it feels when the waiter brings out the scraper to clean crumbs off the table before dessert. I ordered pesto tagliatelle and cherries jubilee for dinner tonight and they were both delicious!

A well-anticipated event was scheduled after dinner: my first Broadway production on a Royal Caribbean cruise!

So far, I’ve been on three other Royal Caribbean ships with Broadway shows (Oasis, Harmony, and Independence of the Seas). Each time, the Broadway show was canceled due to omicron or crew injury. Because of this, I was super excited to watch We Will Rock You in the Royal Theater on Anthem of the Seas.

We Will Rock You tells the story of the battle between the Bohemians and an oppressive establishment. While the Bohemians want to uncover the freedom of rock n’ roll, the futuristic establishment tries to oppress anyone from playing and discovering history’s greatest music.

Let’s just say my mind was blown by the incredible performance; it is by far the best show I’ve seen on any ship yet! I now understand why everyone raves about Royal Caribbean’s Broadway shows. The 2-hour production was extremely high-energy, with classic rock n’ roll tunes that turned the theater into a giant party.

The cast was beyond talented as well, with the best vocals I’ve ever heard on a cruise ship! I usually find it difficult to understand Royal Caribbean’s more abstract entertainment shows, so I loved having an easy-to-follow storyline mixed with wonderful live music. Samantha and I might see the show again tomorrow because we enjoyed it so much.

Tomorrow is a much-needed sea day after three busy port days in a row!

More Anthem of the Seas Live Blogs:

Anthem of the Seas Live Blog - Day 1 - Embarkation

Anthem of the Seas Live Blog - Day 2 - Sea Day

Anthem of the Seas Live Blog - Day 3 - La Rochelle, France

Anthem of the Seas Live Blog - Day 4 - Bilbao, Spain

Today is the fourth day of my 7-night Spain & France cruise on Anthem of the Seas. We docked in Bilbao, Spain this morning and I woke up eager to explore the largest city in the Basque Country.

What is Bilbao?

Bilbao is the most populous city in Spain’s Biscay province, located in the north-central part of the country. Bilbao is located in the Basque Country, an autonomous community in northern Spain and southern France (near the Pyrenees), and is one of the oldest ethnic groups in all of Europe.

It’s said the Basque people arrived in Europe around 5,000 years ago, and they have maintained strong cultural identity and culture despite countless invasions and outside influences over the years.

In fact, Basque language (called Euskara) is a language isolate, meaning it has no relation to any other known languages spoken around the globe today!

While technically the Bilbao cruise port, cruise ships actually dock in Getxo, a city on the coast just eight miles from downtown Bilbao.

Surrounded by lush green mountains, my first glimpse of Getxo made me even more excited to see what northern Spain has to offer.

First impressions of Bilbao

I disembarked the ship around 8:45AM and boarded a shuttle bus that would bring passengers to Bilbao’s city center. The shuttle bus was €10 for roundtrip transportation (payable in cash) and left directly from Bilbao’s cruise terminal. While it’s possible to reach Bilbao via metro from Getxo, the shuttle bus was very convenient and took around 25 minutes to reach the city.

Upon arrival in Bilbao, I walked a few minutes to the Estuary of Bilbao, a waterway flowing through the city center.

The first thing I noticed was the Guggenheim Museum, a contemporary art museum known for its otherworldly architecture, which is one of the main tourist attractions in Bilbao. While I did not go into the museum, I was certainly impressed by the look of the outside!

The pathway along the Estuary of Bilbao is really nice, with wide walkways, cycle paths, and plenty of spots to sit and enjoy the view. I walked along the path until I arrived in Casco Viejo, Bilbao's historic old town.

Casco Viejo adventures

Quite different from the modern architecture found at the Guggenheim museum just a short distance away, Casco Viejo was lined with narrow streets packed with restaurants, shops, and bars.

I stumbled across Mercado de la Ribera, a two-story food hall and market in Bilbao. While I wasn't feeling particularly hungry, the local dishes looked too amazing to pass up.

Spain is known for tapas, but in the Basque Country these small plates are known as pintxos. Pintxos are traditionally designed to be eaten with one hand, with a toothpick placed in the center of each pintxo. As opposed to tapas, which are generally part of a larger dish, pintxos are a miniature dish of their own.

All the pintxos looked divine, but I ordered the classic tortilla de patatas (potato omelette) and gratinado de cuatro quesos (4 cheese bake). The cheese pintxo was my favorite of the two, and it had such a robust and unique flavor that I wished I had been hungry enough to order another!

I enjoyed the pintxos with a glass of fresh squeezed zumo de naranja (orange juice).

I also walked around the market, which is set up with plenty of stalls selling produce, meat, breads, and pastries. As someone with a huge sweet tooth, I could not pass up the dessert stall.

After walking around Casco Viejo for another hour or so, I decided to head back to Getxo.

Discovering Getxo

Bilbao's city center is connected to Getxo via a direct metro line, so I decided to take the metro back instead of the shuttle bus. While I had already paid for the shuttle, I did not want to wait around for the bus to return. The metro would also drop me off directly in Getxo’s city center as opposed to the ship.

After a 25-minute metro ride (€1.90), I arrived in Getxo for the second half of my day exploring northern Spain.

Getxo is known for the Bizkaia (Vizkaya) Bridge, a 148 ft. transporter bridge and UNESCO world heritage site. Built in 1893, it is the world’s oldest transporter bridge, which connects the towns of Getxo and Portugalete without disrupting ship traffic.

You can cross the bridge two ways: through a large moving platform (for pedestrians, cars, bikes, etc.) or through a pedestrian walkway at the top of the bridge. For €10, I purchased a ticket to visit the top of the bridge for a scenic walk across the water.

The tickets are roundtrip, but are just one-way for the upper walkway. Therefore, I first traveled on the bridge from Getxo to Portugalete via the larger platform. Upon arrival, I enjoyed a tasty snack of churros con chocolate.

My return journey was nothing short of exciting. After an elevator ride up the bridge, I admired the views, architecture, and history of the structure, which is unlike any bridge I’ve seen before. The views of Getxo and Portugalete were amazing from up high, and I even caught a few nice views of Anthem of the Seas.

I spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing in Getxo's harbor enjoying the comfortable (while slightly chilly) weather. Walking back to the ship from downtown Getxo was a breeze, with a pedestrian pathway along the coastline.

I also got to chat with an Anthem of the Seas crew member, Fernando from the Philippines, on my walk back! He was filming a video for his YouTube channel.

An evening onboard

Having multiple port days in a row is definitely tiring, so I took a short rest in my stateroom once I got back before getting ready for dinner.

Samantha and I enjoyed another meal in the Main Dining Room tonight and the quality and service were up to par. My one "complaint" with the Main Dining Room is that I have absolutely no self control over the bread basket and tend to get full before my main course even arrives!

I was feeling super tired from my day walking around Bilbao and Getxo, so I spent the rest of the evening relaxing in the Solarium and catching up on Royal Caribbean Blog work at Vintages (yes, a wine bar makes for a great office) before heading to bed.

Tomorrow we are in La Coruña, another Spanish port, which is located in the country's Galicia region! I am loving this itinerary so far, so I can't wait to see what the other ports have in store.