Stephanie

Genius!!!

Thanks everyone..I have been in touch with the Global security and Investigations Operations for Royal......they had asked me not to say anything further at this point as they look into this.
 
I certainly don't want to get any one in trouble but at the very least, even if this is all innocent speak on social media, it certainly doesn't make Royal look good...and it could be potentially much worse. 

Umm... that seems like something that should maybe be brought to Royal's attention. 

In general I think that any cruise is going to be a cultural experience that reflects where the majority of the guest population comes from. 
Sometimes Europeans dislike cruising in North America on American cruise lines for this exact reason.  That was a major reason why MSC first brought ships here so that their customer base could have the same experience they get on MSC cruises in Europe.  In that case they marketed the ship to Europeans who would fly over and cruise the Caribbean.  The guest population had few Americans on board, only those that found the ship somehow and booked it.
With 4,500 Chinese guests and a handful of other nationalities on Quantum out of Shanghai I would expect it to be anything but an American experience.
One cultural difference is the personal sense of space.  I think it is more of a cultural norm in China, at least in the large cities, to find crowded elevators and transit systems.  I don't think it is a matter of them not letting you on the elevator so much as it is normal for them to jam pack an elevator to the point where Americans wouldn't feel comfortable getting on but it just how they live their lives at home everyday.  They are more aggressive in crowds because they have to be at home. 
Royal isn't trying to provide an American experience rather they are trying to provide a cultural experience that Chinese guests will feel comfortable with in their own country.  That is how they will create return guests who want to cruise more.  Spectrum for example was built for the Chinese market.  It was designed to suit this culture and reflect Chinese consumers with the goal of creating a loyal, local customer base. 
With this awareness I booked Spectrum and Quantum out of Singapore.  I'm not expecting a normal American experience but looking forward to more of an Asian experience without the full Chinese experience if I sailed out of Shanghai.

Not fortunate enough to head to Barcelona anytime soon but I were, I would stay at the W Barcelona for sure.  Close to the port.  Watch the ship come in.

Have stayed at the Jazz, and will be there again for the 3rd time next month before my cruise.

Most of the hotels in Barcelona are at most 20 Minutes from the port , most of them which are the city will be around 10 to 15 minutes, 
Last time we stayed at 4 points Diagonal (which is on the 22 neighborhood) which was very well and 10 minutes from the port , after the cruise we too the Crown plaza which was also quite close to the port.
If you are planning on last minute purchase (like wine) just have a look on google map near your hotel if there is a supermarket around.
One important thing , on some of the hotels site they will show you hotels which are in Barcelona area but are actually are in near by towns , just check the distance from the city center. 
also , usually rooms are smaller than the average room size in the US.
 

One other hotel which is a fairly good balance of port and city centre/Las Ramblas is the Hotel Arts. 
Its down on the water front, very close to the marina and port entrance, has a fab swimming pool.
At the medium to high end of pricing but fantastic equipment, rooms and views.
Hope this helps.

We stayed at Novotel Barcelona City near the Agbar Tower (water department) and across the street from Glories Mall.  A street car line was near the hotel while the subway was also close.  Taxi/Uber were reasonable and available out front to take us to Las Rambles, Familia and port.  Prices start around $150, we paid $220 for two adults and two kids.  Breakfast was buffet style and wonderful.  Plenty to choose from and all good.  Didn't try pool as it was cool (60's) and didn't have much time.  They stored our bags when we went out to visit the city after checking out, but before getting on the ship.  Restaurants all around (in mall and streets) along with a group of bars a couple of blocks (las vegas type) to the east.  

We stayed at Hotel 1898  on Las Ramblas when we were there 2 years ago before and after our cruise.   It is best described as excellent and will stay there when we go back.  The service, staff,  hotel all were  excellent.   All of their recommendations were fabulous i.e. shopping, dining and sightseeing and oh yes a dentist.  I had a crown fall out on the flight over . Glad we got in a day before as we always do and they recommended a dentist who re cemented the crown back in  on a 3 hour notice.  We love Barcelona as I am sure you will also.  We took a taxi and it was a 10 minute ride to the pier.  The hotel is a bit  pricey but worth it for the convenience.  If anything stay in the Las Ramblas area.  We also did a local tour that we saw on Cruise critic.  It  was wonderful and the guide was extremely knowledgeable and passionate.   Enjoy Barcelona and the cruise. 

I booked through Royal, I was booking a pre and post cruise hotel with pier transfer, I stayed at the Hilton Diagonal Mar, about a 10-15 minuet taxi ride to the port area and Las Ramblas, very nice hotel, clean and well appointed. There was a mall across the street that had a super grocery store (IE super Walmart or Target), and several restaurants that we ate at. Probably about a 5 minute walk to a public beach.
If you want to be in the center of things Royal has several hotels they recommend around Las Ramblas, Las Ramblas basically starts at the water front where the pier is.
This Sea food restaurant was exceptional, it was down by the water front. Their Paella was the best I've ever had.

FYI - on Anthem, you do have to place your seapass card in the slot for the lights & A/C to work in the cabin.  Also, cell phones tend to demagnetize the strip on the cards.

I wish they would cruise RT from Honolulu.  I want to cruise Hawaii, but I don't want to be at sea for 4 days sailing out of Vancouver to get there!

Me too ..... When I looked down upon the Carnival Imagination from up on Navigator years ago .... I thought, "Really???  That's It?  Where's the "Imagination"?

Our first cruise was on Royal for our honeymoon.  It was a brand new ship, but the crew was constantly cleaning & sprucing things up.  The ship was so nice, the staff so friendly, etc.  We loved everything about it.  We were docked next to a Carnival ship, and from our deck it looked so old & run down.  So, when my Mom & I decided to do a girls' trip, I didn't think twice.  I've never used another line and can't see any reason to.  Royal has never disappointed - even their older ships are so clean & well maintained.
(Also - is it bad when I see friends post cruise pics on FB and I'm zooming in to figure out what line they're on?  My sister-in-law was on Carnival and I was pretty snobby in my thoughts about their pool deck! )

Our first cruise was on Royal for our honeymoon.  It was a brand new ship, but the crew was constantly cleaning & sprucing things up.  The ship was so nice, the staff so friendly, etc.  We loved everything about it.  We were docked next to a Carnival ship, and from our deck it looked so old & run down.  So, when my Mom & I decided to do a girls' trip, I didn't think twice.  I've never used another line and can't see any reason to.  Royal has never disappointed - even their older ships are so clean & well maintained.
(Also - is it bad when I see friends post cruise pics on FB and I'm zooming in to figure out what line they're on?  My sister-in-law was on Carnival and I was pretty snobby in my thoughts about their pool deck! )

Our first cruise was on Royal for our honeymoon.  It was a brand new ship, but the crew was constantly cleaning & sprucing things up.  The ship was so nice, the staff so friendly, etc.  We loved everything about it.  We were docked next to a Carnival ship, and from our deck it looked so old & run down.  So, when my Mom & I decided to do a girls' trip, I didn't think twice.  I've never used another line and can't see any reason to.  Royal has never disappointed - even their older ships are so clean & well maintained.
(Also - is it bad when I see friends post cruise pics on FB and I'm zooming in to figure out what line they're on?  My sister-in-law was on Carnival and I was pretty snobby in my thoughts about their pool deck! )

Our first cruise was on Royal for our honeymoon.  It was a brand new ship, but the crew was constantly cleaning & sprucing things up.  The ship was so nice, the staff so friendly, etc.  We loved everything about it.  We were docked next to a Carnival ship, and from our deck it looked so old & run down.  So, when my Mom & I decided to do a girls' trip, I didn't think twice.  I've never used another line and can't see any reason to.  Royal has never disappointed - even their older ships are so clean & well maintained.
(Also - is it bad when I see friends post cruise pics on FB and I'm zooming in to figure out what line they're on?  My sister-in-law was on Carnival and I was pretty snobby in my thoughts about their pool deck! )

Our first cruise was on Royal for our honeymoon.  It was a brand new ship, but the crew was constantly cleaning & sprucing things up.  The ship was so nice, the staff so friendly, etc.  We loved everything about it.  We were docked next to a Carnival ship, and from our deck it looked so old & run down.  So, when my Mom & I decided to do a girls' trip, I didn't think twice.  I've never used another line and can't see any reason to.  Royal has never disappointed - even their older ships are so clean & well maintained.
(Also - is it bad when I see friends post cruise pics on FB and I'm zooming in to figure out what line they're on?  My sister-in-law was on Carnival and I was pretty snobby in my thoughts about their pool deck! )

Our first cruise was on Royal for our honeymoon.  It was a brand new ship, but the crew was constantly cleaning & sprucing things up.  The ship was so nice, the staff so friendly, etc.  We loved everything about it.  We were docked next to a Carnival ship, and from our deck it looked so old & run down.  So, when my Mom & I decided to do a girls' trip, I didn't think twice.  I've never used another line and can't see any reason to.  Royal has never disappointed - even their older ships are so clean & well maintained.
(Also - is it bad when I see friends post cruise pics on FB and I'm zooming in to figure out what line they're on?  My sister-in-law was on Carnival and I was pretty snobby in my thoughts about their pool deck! )

Our first cruise was on Royal for our honeymoon.  It was a brand new ship, but the crew was constantly cleaning & sprucing things up.  The ship was so nice, the staff so friendly, etc.  We loved everything about it.  We were docked next to a Carnival ship, and from our deck it looked so old & run down.  So, when my Mom & I decided to do a girls' trip, I didn't think twice.  I've never used another line and can't see any reason to.  Royal has never disappointed - even their older ships are so clean & well maintained.
(Also - is it bad when I see friends post cruise pics on FB and I'm zooming in to figure out what line they're on?  My sister-in-law was on Carnival and I was pretty snobby in my thoughts about their pool deck! )

Our first cruise was on Royal for our honeymoon.  It was a brand new ship, but the crew was constantly cleaning & sprucing things up.  The ship was so nice, the staff so friendly, etc.  We loved everything about it.  We were docked next to a Carnival ship, and from our deck it looked so old & run down.  So, when my Mom & I decided to do a girls' trip, I didn't think twice.  I've never used another line and can't see any reason to.  Royal has never disappointed - even their older ships are so clean & well maintained.
(Also - is it bad when I see friends post cruise pics on FB and I'm zooming in to figure out what line they're on?  My sister-in-law was on Carnival and I was pretty snobby in my thoughts about their pool deck! )

I did not know there were other cruise lines! 

We have 2 cruises scheduled for next year, and I want to get new luggage before then.  You have all provided some really great information, esp in regards to the battery pack thing.  It definitely was not what drew me to the bag, as I do carry portable quick chargers with me.  I just thought it was a neat feature, but I'm glad to know the airlines' aversion to them.
@DocLC - thanks, too, for the coupon code!
 

I'm very happy with my Away bag and appreciate that the battery can be removed. Note that only the carry-on bag has the battery as far as I know. I wrote about the bag here https://mycruisecourse.wordpress.com/2017/06/13/embarkation-day/ if you're interested.
I agree with @monorailmedic that external battery packs are much more convenient and I carry two of them with me, plus a third that doubles as a hand warmer for my wife in colder climates. While I didn't buy the Away carry-on solely for this purpose since I already had external battery packs, I did like the convenience of having it in the bag. It's also a great way to make friends at the airport when waiting for your plane, especially when you have a couple of spares in your backpack. ;)