I have a choice of arriving in Barcelona on embarkation day at 7:40AM or 11:40AM. What does HAL do with you until the 6PM embarkation? Are there tours available?
don't know about HAL's policy, but if you can arrive the day before, it will take a lot of pressure off as well as allow you to adjust to the time difference and a long day of travel. suggest you check with HAL about their shore excursions.