Arrived in Barcelona for June 6 Med Sailing

[dznybound]

After 3 days in Paris and 4 days in London, where my family had a wonderful time, we finally arrived to Barcelona tonight. Right now, I am so stressed that I want to cry!

From right outside the doors of the airport, we were hassled in Spanish. I really don't know what they wanted as the only thing I could comprehand was "train" but they sure got into our personal space and was very touchy feelie. I don't know if they were trying to get us to us the "train" or perhaps a taxi...but that made me very uncomfortable.

We took the Blue Aerobus into Las Ramblas and boy, am I SORRY we did. Buying the tickets at the machine was where the nightmare began. It would not take any of our credit cards (we tried 2 different ones). We proceeded to put Euros in there and the machine would not take a 20 Euro bill. The machine only takes 5 and 10 Euros plus coins. Luckily we still had some Euros from Paris earlier in the week.

As we were waiting for the bus, this man weaved his way into the line and got between my husband and I. He got too close for my comfort and I saw that he had his eye on one of our bags. I called my husband as I was behind him and told my husband to let this man go ahead of him. I wanted this man ahead of me so I can watch him. He refused to go ahead of my husband...in fact he never boarded the bus. BEWARE OF PICKPOCKETERS.

I was stressed out and I wasn't even on the bus yet. Well, my nightmare continues...they let so many people on the bus that there was no place for luggage...not that I was going to let my luggage out of sight anyway. The Blue Aerobus was HORRIBLE, there were several different stops and there WAS ABSOLUTELY NO INDICATION AS TO WHAT THE STOPS WERE!!!!! They made no announcements and since the bus was so crowded and we arrived at night, it was really hard to see anything especially the signs. The bus driver was absolutely no help at all.

We finally got of the bus at what we believed to be Plaza Catalunya and had absoultely no idea where the heck we were suppose to go. In all the pictures I've seen and all the research I have done on the internet, it seem very straightforward that Plaza Catalunya is right on Las Ramblas. We'll at night it is not straightforward at all. We asked two Blue Aerobus drivers and they were not helpful at all. We then decided to take a taxi and the taxi drivers were not very nice or helpful to us because they said our party had too much luggage. One taxi drivers finally pointed us in the right direction and we finally walked to the hotel.

I can not recommend the Blue Aerobus to get into town. Although the fare was 3.90 Euro per person, I will gladly pay for a taxi next time.

I am so sad and disappointed right now. I heard the this city is suppose to be a beautiful city but right now I really have a bad taste in my mouth. I just want to cry for the next 3 days until we board the Disney Magic.

[disneyjunkie]

Wow, that sounds awful. I'm sure things will get better soon. Just think, you'll be relaxing on the ship in a few days.

[PizzieDuster]

I would feel the same way too. I usually get foreigners staring at my clevage and seem to think that the fact that I'm hispanic, I'll leave my DH and children and run off with them because of their flirty damn right obvious disgusting lears.

My son was in Barcelona last year with a school tour. Having every part of the trip planned out was comforting. However, he did mention how mean the locals were. Made him very uncomfortable.

Didn't they host the Olympics? I hope they didn't treat the greatest athletics in the work and their families like that.

Not everyone or everything in the country is like that. I'm sure you'll see good!

Hang in there and traveling and sight seeing during the day will be much better

I bet you will be so happy and in tears when you see the Magic....like coming "home"!

[pppiglet]

Wow...how awful! I'd be feeling the same way. Hope the next 3 days are much better!

[cruiseletters]

I'm sure coming in at night made it that much more difficult. It will be better in the morning and seeing the Magic really will feel like coming home. If you've been following some of the blogs of cruisers on the first 11 day they have all been warned about pick pockets. Good for you that you were alert to your surroundings in the confusion of the moment and were able to spot a possible thief. Robin

[dznybound]

Thanks for the positive thoughts. It was not our intention to arrive in Barcelona at night. Our flight on British Airways was to arrive in Barcelona during daylight. However, our airplane had mechanical problems and we had to go back to the terminal so they can switch out a computer system. We were delayed at Heathrow for over 2 hours and that is how we ended up in Barcelona at night time.

I guess even the best laid out plans do go wrong sometimes. I am just thankful that we weren´t trying to catch our cruise the same day. That would have been even more stressful. This is why we always fly in atleast a day ahead before our cruise.

We went on the Hop on Hop off bus in Barcelona today. It was just okay to me... I think because I had such a bad time last night, I did not tour with an open mind. Atleast we bought a 2 day pass so we will try again tomorrow.

[Donald & Daisy Duck]

Try to enjoy this part of the trip and remember the "Magic" is not far away!

[scottishwee35]

Originally Posted by dznybound

Thanks for the positive thoughts. It was not our intention to arrive in Barcelona at night. Our flight on British Airways was to arrive in Barcelona during daylight. However, our airplane had mechanical problems and we had to go back to the terminal so they can switch out a computer system. We were delayed at Heathrow for over 2 hours and that is how we ended up in Barcelona at night time.

I guess even the best laid out plans do go wrong sometimes. I am just thankful that we weren´t trying to catch our cruise the same day. That would have been even more stressful. This is why we always fly in atleast a day ahead before our cruise.

We went on the Hop on Hop off bus in Barcelona today. It was just okay to me... I think because I had such a bad time last night, I did not tour with an open mind. Atleast we bought a 2 day pass so we will try again tomorrow.

I would like to saying please relax now (i know it is not easy to saying it) and try enjoy your trip and it won't be long for Disney Cruise and I have heard that Barcelona is high crime but don't let them spoil your holiday.

Have a great times on Disney Cruise.

Scottishwee35

[slindamood]

Thanks for sharing - your experiences sound quite stressful, but it will help those of us arriving later this summer. We too are staying at a hotel near Las Ramblas and after reading your post, just now decided we will take a taxi to the hotel. I thought the bus looked easy - perhaps if we had been there before, but not in a strange place.

What hotel are you staying in? Is it OK?

[dznybound]

We are staying at Le Meridien Barcelona on Las Ramblas. The hotel is awesome. I think also part of the problem we encountered was we arrived on Sunday night and there were just not alot of people out and all the stores were closed. Things did go alot better today.

Originally Posted by slindamood

Thanks for sharing - your experiences sound quite stressful, but it will help those of us arriving later this summer. We too are staying at a hotel near Las Ramblas and after reading your post, just now decided we will take a taxi to the hotel. I thought the bus looked easy - perhaps if we had been there before, but not in a strange place.

What hotel are you staying in? Is it OK?

[sunshine state kim]

We were on the 1st med cruise and stayed at the Hotel Continental on Las Ramblas 2 nights pre-cruise and 1 night post-cruise. There were 4 of us with lots and lots of luggage. We took a cab from the airport. It was 35 euros. The cab driver spoke a bit of english and couldn't have been nicer. He had a small van. The hotel called for a van to take us to the port the morning of the cruise as there is no way we would have all fit in 1 cab and the van's are not as prevalent. The driver was a few minutes late as traffic was heavy on Las Ramblas that morning, but he called the hotel to let them know. Again, a very nice experience. Everyone we encountered was very nice. Some people begging, but no pickpockets. We were careful and I used a waistbelt. From the ship to the hotel we had to wait for a van, but weren't in a big hurry so that was fine. Our driver spoke no english and we're not great in spanish (understand a little, but don't speak much) but we managed to arrange for him to pick us up at the hotel the next day to take us to the airport. He was there right on time. Charged us 30 euros. For those of you still coming, don't get stresssed. Everyone's experience will be different, but ours was great. Smile, try to learn the basic polite words like please and thank you in all the countries and enjoy!