In 2023, I took a repositioning cruise from Barcelona, Spain to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. These stories, bring together every step of my Costa Favolosa journey, a full Atlantic crossing from Barcelona to Rio de Janeiro, complete with the good, the bad, and the occasionally ridiculous. From chaotic airport moments and priority boarding perks to Cádiz wanderings, Tenerife tours, and six long days of open ocean, each entry captures what life on the ship was really like. If you're planning a Costa cruise or simply curious about the day‑to‑day reality of crossing the Atlantic, these stories offer a candid, first‑hand look at the ship, the destinations, and the characters met along the way.
Location: Los Alcázares to Barcelona, Spain
Summary: The journey from Los Alcázares to Barcelona ran smoothly, with easy check‑in, a relaxed airport wait, a short flight, a chaotic taxi pickup, and an evening on La Rambla before settling into the hostel for the night.
Location: Barcelona, Spain.
Summary: A sleepless night at the hostel, a smooth trip to the port, priority boarding thanks to bad legs, cocktails, and admin on board, new dinner companions, an enjoyable show. A frustrating argument over water and coffee before finally heading to bed.
Location: Mediterranean Sea.
Summary: A calm day sailing south toward Cádiz, filled with quizzes, meals, new friendships, small frustrations, and excellent evening entertainment before ending the night with music and drinks.
Location: Cádiz, Spain.
Summary: A relaxed day ashore in Cádiz, a short guided tour, a minor security drama when my belt went missing (and was recovered), a leisurely lunch and quiz win, followed by dinner, a comedy show, and late‑night conversation in the lounge.
Location: Mediterranean Sea & Atlantic Ocean.
Summary: A relaxed day at sea aboard the Costa Favolosa, filled with poolside moments, quizzes, dining highs and lows, and the characters that made the journey memorable.
Location: Tenerife, Atlantic Ocean.
Summary: A full island tour of Tenerife, exploring La Orotava, the Botanical Gardens, Puerto de la Cruz, and the island’s dramatic landscapes during a memorable day ashore.
Location: Atlantic Ocean.
Summary: The first day of my Atlantic crossing on the Costa Favolosa, easing into ship life, dodging chaos where possible, and settling in for the long sail toward Brazil.
Location: Atlantic Ocean.
Summary: My second day crossing the Atlantic on the Costa Favolosa, filled with sunshine, misadventures, and the ongoing challenge of navigating ship life, including a gym that apparently didn’t want to be found.
Location: Atlantic Ocean.
Summary: A quieter third day crossing the Atlantic on the Costa Favolosa, with sunshine, quizzes, a successful gym hunt, and the usual mix of shipboard surprises.
Location: Atlantic Ocean
Summary: A relaxed fourth day crossing the Atlantic on the Costa Favolosa, complete with quizzes, Baileys hot chocolate, a Costa Club ceremony, and an excellent acrobatic show.
Location: Atlantic Ocean.
Summary: A memorable fifth day at sea as we crossed the equator, enjoyed quizzes, cocktails, and a bit of unexpected drama during the evening show.
Location: Atlantic Ocean
Summary: A relaxed sixth day at sea with quizzes, cocktails, good food, and an early night before arriving in Brazil.
Location: Recife & Olinda, Pernambuco, Brazil
Summary: My first day in Brazil, exploring Recife and Olinda on a chaotic but colourful shore excursion before returning to the Costa Favolosa for a quiet evening.
Location: Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
Summary: A chaotic and confusing day exploring Salvador with the worst guide of the cruise, followed by a calmer evening back onboard the Costa Favolosa.
Location: Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil
Summary: A brilliant day exploring Ilhéus and swimming under the Tijuipe Waterfalls, followed by karaoke, cocktails, and a lively night back onboard the Costa Favolosa.
Location: Atlantic Ocean
Summary: A quiet final sea day with quizzes, cocktails, rough seas, and a farewell evening with friends as we sailed toward Rio de Janeiro.
Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Summary: Disembarking in Rio, checking into Copacabana Beach, and enjoying a lively first evening in Brazil with friends.
Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Summary: A peaceful first full day on Copacabana Beach, with sunrise views, relaxing by the surf, and an evening meal in Rio.
Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Summary: A peaceful day exploring the Rio Botanical Garden, surrounded by orchids, monkeys, and views of Christ the Redeemer.
Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Summary: A spectacular day visiting Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain, the highlight of my time in Rio.
Location: Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Summary: A quiet recovery day on Copacabana Beach, with sun, strong currents, and a relaxing afternoon by the sea.
Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Summary: My final day in Brazil, checking out of Copacabana and flying overnight from Rio to Madrid.
Location: Madrid → Los Alcázares, Spain
Summary: Arriving back in Spain, navigating Madrid’s trains, and finally returning home to Los Alcázares after 36 hours of travel.
