Are You Ready To Sail The Famed Riviera?

Your Cruise Vacation Guide

Your Cruise Vacation Guide is your resource for our upcoming OUTbound cruise from Barcelona through the gorgeous French Riviera. Click on the link below to download your copy and to start getting ready already!

Mediterranean Riviera Cruise Vacation Guide

Flight Ideas

Since our Mediterranean Riviera Cruise leaves and returns to Barcelona, flights are super easy. Simply log onto your favorite airline’s website and look for roundtrip tickets to Barcelona (BCN).

The airline you choose is completely up to you. While flights are not included, we’re always happy to help narrow down the best flight options with you. Simply give us a call or send us an email, letting us know where you’ll be flying from, if you have a preferred airline (based on frequent flyer miles or credit card points), and what class of service you typically like to book.

Getting to the Ship

Our ship will be docked at the Port of Barcelona.

The exact address of the Port of Barcelona is World Trade Center s/n, 08039 Barcelona, Spain.

Once you arrive at the port, look for signs to our ship, the Azamara Quest.

There are a number of ways to reach the Port of Barcelona.

By Taxi or Uber:  Taxis or Ubers from the Barcelona International Airport to the Port of Barcelona typically take about 20 to 25 minutes, depending on traffic, and will cost between €40 and €45.

Boarding

Boarding officially begins at 2:00pm local time on Sunday, September 6, 2026, but you are free to arrive at our ship at any time after 12:00pm, drop your luggage with one of the many porters, head through a quick security checkpoint, and then relax with some light refreshments in the dock facility until pre-boarding begins. Once pre-boarding opens, you’ll be able to register at one of the many gate agent counters, board the ship and participate in a quick muster station and security information session, and then begin exploring the gorgeous Azamara Quest.

The Windows Café on Deck 9 will be open to grab a bite and start getting to know your fellow OUTbounders!

Barcelona Hotels

We won’t have a formal pre or post cruise host hotel in Barcelona for our trip this summer.

Instead, we have a few fantastic hotel suggestions for our OUTbounders who are either arriving a few days early before the start of our cruise, or extending in Barcelona after we’ve disembarked.

All of our suggested hotels are close to the main gay area of Barcelona, called the Gaixample, in the Eixample district. This is where you’ll find tons of LGBTQ bars, clubs, cafés, restaurants and shops to explore. It’s an entire gay village, and the best part is that it’s only about 10 minutes from where our ship docks.

Here is a list of some of our favorite Barcelona hotels. Just click on any of the hotels listed below for more information about each property and make your reservation directly with the hotel…

Claris Hotel & Spa, SLH Hotel

Olivia Balmes Hotel Trabajo

Hotel Center Gran Via

H10 Casanova

These are all great hotels right in the gay district… all within easy walking distance to the best shops, restaurants and clubs in Barcelona!

Theme Nights & Parties

Nothing makes an OUTbound event more fun than our THEME NIGHTS! This is your chance to express yourself with a fun t-shirt, wild wig or full blown costume. Feel free to show us what you’ve got! As always with OUTbound, you are welcome to participate as much or as little as you like, it’s up to you!

Here are your OUTbound Mediterranean Riviera Cruise Theme Nights!

Top things off in style for Hats on the Med! From floppy sun hats and fascinators to bold statement pieces, it’s all about letting your headwear do the talking. Pair your favorite hat with a festive, fabulous look and get ready for a stylish party at sea!

Channel effortless elegance for our Riviera Chic party. Think breezy linen, crisp whites, resort glamour, and that perfectly polished look that says you belong on the coast of the Mediterranean. This is your chance to bring a little seaside sophistication onboard!

Blue & White Night is an OUTbound favorite for a reason. Inspired by the signature colors of OUTbound and the timeless shades of the Mediterranean, this theme is all about crisp whites, bold blues, and effortless vacation style. You can keep it simple and chic or go all out with a look that turns heads, this is one of those nights that always feels fresh, polished, and unmistakably OUTbound.

Tonight, the theme is beautifully unhinged. Hot Mess Night is your excuse to throw out the rulebook and lean all the way into chaotic, campy fun by mixing and matching pieces from your other theme night outfits. The messier, and more over-the-top, the better!

Get ready to groove at our Disco Night! Bell bottoms, sequins, platform shoes, and plenty of sparkle are all right at home here. Bring the glamour, hit the dance floor, and enjoy a night full of funky energy and feel-good hits!

Take A Picture!

Before heading out on a big trip, most travelers focus on packing the right clothes, confirming reservations, and making sure your passports are in hand. But seasoned OUTbounders know there’s another small step that can make a big difference in a pinch… snapping a few key photos before you leave home.

These quick snapshots take less than two minutes to capture but can save hours of stress if luggage gets lost, travel apps glitch, or important documents go missing.

Passport
A clear photo of the main passport page can make it faster to get a replacement at an embassy or consulate if your passport is lost. It’s best to keep this image in a secure, password-protected file or cloud app.

Prescription Medications & Labels
OUTbounders who take medication should take a picture of both your pills and the prescription labels. If your medications get lost or you run out, having the generic drug name on hand can make it much easier to refill while traveling.

Boarding Pass & Travel Documents
Travel apps sometimes glitch, and wifi isn’t always reliable at the airport. A screenshot of your boarding pass ensures it’s available offline when needed. The same goes for any hotel confirmations, train tickets, or tour reservations booked outside of your OUTbound trip.

Luggage Contents
Snapping a photo of everything packed in your suitcase before zipping it shut can be invaluable if your bags are delayed or lost. Airlines and insurance companies often ask for detailed lists of contents when processing a claim. A quick image can serve as proof of what was inside your bags and speed up any claims you might need to make.
As we all know, travel can be unpredictable, but your smartphone camera (something that’s already in your pocket and doesn’t require any extra cost) offers one of the easiest safeguards. Taking a few extra photos before you depart is a small habit that can prevent big headaches… and help you stay calm when plans don’t go exactly as expected.

Tipping Our Hosts

Tips for our onboard ship staff are included with your OUTbound vacation to the Mediterranean Riviera.

Tips for our shore excursions guides from our ship during the cruise are not included and are optional. At the end of each day’s guided tour, you’ll have the chance to tip our guide and driver whatever you feel your experience was worth.

If you feel that any individual in particular, either onboard our ship or during one of your tours, has gone above and beyond in making your experience something extra special, we encourage you to reach out to them directly and let them know how much you appreciated their service during our time together.

What Money Should You Bring?

Spain, France, Monaco & Italy

Spain, France, Monaco and Italy are all members of the European Union and countries that use the Euro (abbreviated €) as their national currency. That means you will be able to use Euros in Lisbon and almost every other city we visit during our cruise.

You can also use your credit or debit card as well throughout our trip, as credit cards are widely accepted everywhere in each of the countries we will visit. However, remember that there will be additional bank charges upon usage and even a foreign transaction fee in some cases, depending on your bank.

Keep in mind that American Express is not widely accepted in Europe.

Will I need a Visa to enter the EU?

No! Americans who are planning to visit Europe with us this summer will not have to worry about applying for the European Union’s new travel authorization system.

US Citizens do not need a Visa to enter the EU.
For almost a decade now, European Union authorities have been working on a visa-like system called the European Travel Information and Authorization System. After several years of delays, the new system has now been pushed back until late 2026 because its entry/exit database still isn’t ready.

That means US Citizens will not need a Visa this summer to join us!

For all of the latest ETIAS information, visit the official European Union Travel website HERE.

EU Entry and Exit System (EES)
As of October 12, 2025, US citizens will need to go through the EU’s new Entry and Exit System when traveling to 29 European countries. This applies to any visits lasting up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

Your fingerprints, facial image, passport details, and entry and exit dates will be collected upon entry to an EES country and stored digitally. You do not need to pay a fee to enter the Schengen Area or the EU. The new system will be introduced gradually, and no advanced action is required.

There is no online application, advanced registration, or fee required for the new EU Entry/Exit System (EES). It is a biometric border control system that replaces traditional passport stamping. You will complete your EES registration in-person at a self-service kiosk or border desk the first time you enter a Schengen Area country.

Travel to Europe Mobile App (EES)
The Travel to Europe mobile application is now available, allowing pre-registration of travel information prior to arrival in Portugal. The app allows non-EU travelers to pre-register their passport data for the Entry/Exit System (EES) before reaching a border crossing point.

Non-EU nationals can use the app to pre-register their data up to 72 hours prior to entering or leaving a European country.

The app is voluntary and does not replace border checks but makes border crossing more efficient. Use of the application is optional and free of charge, and it is available on the App Store and Google Play. You can get more information about the EES Mobile App by clicking HERE.

What Power Converters Will I Need?

Our ship, the Azamara Quest, has two (2) EU 220v Type C outlets and two (2) US 110v Standard outlets in each stateroom. Feel free to bring a USB adapter with multiple outlets so that you can charge several of your devices at once.

If you are arriving early in Barcelona, you’ll need a Type C adapter for use at your hotel as it will have the standard EU power outlets.

The Type C is the plug which has two round pins, like this…

You can also find a ton of options on Amazon or other retailers that will include USB ports for charging your phone, tablet and other devices all at the same time.

Keep in mind that the United Kingdom (UK) uses different power outlets than the EU, so the Type C adapter will not work if you are visiting England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland during your trip.

Travel Insurance

If we’ve learned anything over these last couple of years, it’s that the world can be an uncertain place at times. While you’re never required to buy travel insurance, it’s a good idea and we recommend all OUTbounders consider protecting your hard-earned vacation money. The price of your coverage will depend on a few factors, including the cost of the trip, what state you live in, how long before the trip departs, and if you have any pre-existing or underlying health conditions, to name a few.

Some reasons why you might buy travel insurance include:

• Cancel for Any Reason
• Unexpected Work Requirements
• Personal or Family Illness

OUTbound does not provide travel insurance. However, we always recommend using a third-party insurance carrier to provide your coverage.