7/14/2014 - 12-Night Mediterranean Cruise (with Greece) Venice to Barcelona

[denise]

have our hotel in Venice booked...sorta....booked it on $$$$ but waiting for it to be released for points. They had a room for two with points which was fabulous but there are three of us.....so that would not work...they will not put a roll away in the room...

What is the earliest time a flight should be when we land in Barcelona? We are thinking of leaving right after the cruise docks...been to Barcelona 2 times before and would rather spend all that money on our pre-cruise fun. I booked a hotel in Barcelona for after but it can be cancelled. The one we stayed at when we did the MED in '07 is no longer around....and I know why! There were so many Disney cruisers there and it was not the best place and it was not cheap...

So I checked into a train from Paris via Zurich to Venice...really really expensive!!! well over $1,000...I think it was $1,300....

our other idea.....If we fly to Athens and then travel around Northern Greece and then take a boat from Corfu to Venice I can't find out the price of the boat or even see if it is available until a month or so before the date.... don't they know I need to plan...

ok, back to the computer to check out other ideas...

 

[SailingSeas]

Denise, I would book a flight no earlier than 11:30am. You won't have to go through Customs in BCN, and the airport is less than 30 minutes away. The only thing to concern yourself with would be debarkation; it can take a nasty time to get a taxi if you want to go that route, as I am sure you know. Just be prepared.

 

[jd99]

have our hotel in Venice booked...sorta....booked it on $$$$ but waiting for it to be released for points. They had a room for two with points which was fabulous but there are three of us.....so that would not work...they will not put a roll away in the room...

What is the earliest time a flight should be when we land in Barcelona? We are thinking of leaving right after the cruise docks...been to Barcelona 2 times before and would rather spend all that money on our pre-cruise fun. I booked a hotel in Barcelona for after but it can be cancelled. The one we stayed at when we did the MED in '07 is no longer around....and I know why! There were so many Disney cruisers there and it was not the best place and it was not cheap...

So I checked into a train from Paris via Zurich to Venice...really really expensive!!! well over $1,000...I think it was $1,300....

our other idea.....If we fly to Athens and then travel around Northern Greece and then take a boat from Corfu to Venice I can't find out the price of the boat or even see if it is available until a month or so before the date.... don't they know I need to plan...

ok, back to the computer to check out other ideas...

We are waiting for Aegean Air fares to come out for that time period so we can fly from Athens to Venice. Alitalia has some flights but they are not nonstop and we love flying Aegean.

 

[jd99]

Denise, I would book a flight no earlier than 11:30am. You won't have to go through Customs in BCN, and the airport is less than 30 minutes away. The only thing to concern yourself with would be debarkation; it can take a nasty time to get a taxi if you want to go that route, as I am sure you know. Just be prepared.

Taxi lines are horrible. The first time we cruised from BCN had a terrible experience there so the next time we booked DCL transport to airport. I believe we had a flight that left around 11 a.m. and it was no problem.We talked with guest services and they told us when to debark and get on the bus to have time to get our flight. It was really easy and we ended up with plenty of time at BCN airport.

 

[Lynn G]

The last time we debarked in Barcelona, we found the taxi line quite tolerable, maybe it was just timing, or maybe because we were prepared for a long wait. As our preferred flight out is early, we stay at an airport hotel for the night and take the next days flights.

 

[MPS516]

We also had no problem with a cab but there were men standing at the terminal exit acting like port directors who were asking people where they were headed and walking them over to cabs and looking for tips. They had nothing to do with the port just a way to make a buck (euro).

 

[jd99]

I'll elaborate. This was our first Med Cruise in 2010. We debarked and had a porter helping us with our luggage. He told us to wait at the side of the building and to have one of us get in cab line. That was me. I then realized all the other porters stayed with their customers through cab lines. I waited 90 minutes. Got to the front and we needed a van (or 2 cabs) due to amount of luggage. I told the dispatcher that in Spanish and he basically said "too bad" and told me to "wait over there" - next to the front of the cab line. It was at this point I realized I needed to have my family (and luggage) with me so I motioned my wife to trade places with me - for her and the kids to stand in line while I moved the luggage over). She came over and I left. Then a guy (the ultimate ugly American) coming up behind us in line tried to pick a fight with my wife saying she "jumped the line." When I got back over I politely explained I had waited 90 minutes and we were standing aside waiting for a van and he continued to try to argue. When the dispatchers changed shifts I finally had one get us a van. All in all it was an almost 2 hour ordeal and it was awful. I'd never take the chance again to get a cab even though I know many have had easy experiences there.

 

[SailingSeas]

that was pretty close to my experience as well, JD. I think whatever anyone picks is perfect for their family and situation.

MP that is hilarious! Like the taxi stand is totally hidden or something...? rofl Maybe we can all head to Port Canaveral and walk people across the street and point them to the taxis and make money for our next cruise?

 

[LovesToRun]

I think we stood in the taxi line for 5-10 minutes max this past July when we got off the ship in Barcelona, but we didn't get off the ship until close to 9 AM.... we weren't in any rush to get anywhere. So, it could be the lines had died down by then. It wasn't bad at all. But, there were people who prearranged for private taxi's so when they got off the ship, there was someone standing there with their name on a card, but I think that is more expensive than just standing in the taxi line.

 

[denise]

not finding flights before 1130...thinking, well hoping, they haven't been released yet....
really want to use American miles. worked very hard to get them up there for this trip....

BTW...leaving in the morning for Hawaii...will check in from time to time..

 

[jd99]

not finding flights before 1130...thinking, well hoping, they haven't been released yet....
really want to use American miles. worked very hard to get them up there for this trip....

BTW...leaving in the morning for Hawaii...will check in from time to time..

Aloha Denise! Have a great time. Hawaii is our other favorite place on earth, besides Greece.

 

[LovesToRun]

not finding flights before 1130...thinking, well hoping, they haven't been released yet....
really want to use American miles. worked very hard to get them up there for this trip....

BTW...leaving in the morning for Hawaii...will check in from time to time..

I know Disney recommends no flights before noon, but this past July on our Med cruise, we were docked by the time we woke up (before 7AM), and I think they started letting people off the ship as early as 7:30AM. The airport is only a 20-25 minute drive.

You can keep your luggage in your room on the night before you get off the ship and just carry it off the ship on your own on the morning you get off (that will go faster because you don't have to go look for your luggage in the luggage area at the terminal), and if you can get in the cab line right away, you may not have to wait long if you are one of the first off the ship. Or, you can pre-arrange your transportation to the airport and literally get off the ship, go through customs, and get in the car you arranged to the airport, and I think you could be at the airport (if you get off first) by 9AM for sure.

The security lines were really long in the Barcelona airport, and there are a couple lines you have to go in... there is security, and then there is a passport check point (for both European flights and international flights) you have to go through. So, overall, 3 lines to go through at the airport (check-in/baggage at ticketing, security and passports). So, those lines could be long, but if you get to the airport 2 hours early, you should still be fine.

Of course, there is always a risk booking a flight before noon, but from the cruise meet I was part of for our July cruise, there were several people who had gone on a previous Disney Med cruise that said they were at the airport with no problem by 9AM to catch flights before noon.

 

[slg]

I can't remember if I've joined up yet, but we booked this one on our July 13 cruise this year as we had sooo much fun. We were planning on going on the 9 day, but loved Malta and Kusadasi so much we wanted to go back, and we also loved the 12 days.

So count us in if there is a list, although we will NOT be doing FE. Way too much stuff and work for me.

There are 5 of us, me, dh, and 3 boys, 18, 15 and 12 (turning 13 on the cruise)

Can't wait. We also did an Alaska cruise last week and it was awesome.

Now I need to book Venice. We want to go for several days before the cruise. How much time do you all suggest? And where to stay for a family of 5? Kind of stressed about deciding and could use some help.

Thanks in advance.

 

[denise]

We are waiting for Aegean Air fares to come out for that time period so we can fly from Athens to Venice. Alitalia has some flights but they are not nonstop and we love flying Aegean.

We have relatives visiting from Greece and they agreed about the Aegean Air was the way to go and not the boat from Corfu to Venice.
They suggested we fly into Athens and travel Northern Greece and then fly out of Athens to Venice.
They also told of us of great hotel on Lido Island in Venice. BUT...I checked it out and it would cost us almost the same as the cruise to stay there...lol...too funny...plus it will not take three people to the room...

BTW... Hawaii is beautiful....

 

[SailingSeas]

BTW... Hawaii is beautiful

Denise, you tease. lol

SLG, welcome to the group. we are also not going to do the fish extenders, and did not on our other med cruise either. I am trying really hard to pack light; my daughter has a tendency to overpack and getting back through Barcelona last time was a nightmare of repacking at the terminal. I want to convince her this time to bring 7 sundresses, and thats it and work for everything from bathing suit cover ups, formal nights, touring, etc. I should also tell her that hair appliances are banned in Greece.

I digress. We are adding on 3 nights, pre stay; one night to decompress, two touring days, then the third morning to hit the ship. We have veto'd doing a post-stay in Barcelona; we want to get back home afterwards.

I really don't want to talk about coming home just yet.

 

[2littlestitches]

Hi everyone,

I haven't posted on here in a long while, but our family is still booked on this cruise. I apologize if this has already been discussed, but does anyone have info from Disney on partner hotels they have selected for pre and post stays? I would love to come to Venice about 2-3 days ahead and use DCL transport to get to the ship. I'm having a real difficult time finding info on this, and I'm guessing Disney hasn't decided on the hotels just yet. I know I could just give them a call, but wondering if you guys have heard anything?

Also, has anyone heard about an ABD add-on either before or during the cruise for our particular itinerary?

Thanks so much, everyone!!

 

[SailingSeas]

Hi 2Little, on the 7/14 itinerary, these are the Disney partner hotels:

Venice - still pending; can wait list 1 to 3 nights and Disney will automatically add it to your itinerary when it becomes available. You can always elect to have it removed before final payment.

Barcelona -
Hilton Diagonal Mar - $517 per room per night (sleeps up to 3)
Renaissance Barcelona - $597 per room per night (sleeps up to 3)

There are 12 slots left on the ABD embedded tour for this itinerary.

 

[2littlestitches]

Hi 2Little, on the 7/14 itinerary, these are the Disney partner hotels:

Venice - still pending; can wait list 1 to 3 nights and Disney will automatically add it to your itinerary when it becomes available. You can always elect to have it removed before final payment.

Barcelona -
Hilton Diagonal Mar - $517 per room per night (sleeps up to 3)
Renaissance Barcelona - $597 per room per night (sleeps up to 3)

There are 12 slots left on the ABD embedded tour for this itinerary.

Thanks so much for this reply! Exactly the info I am needing. I'm wondering when they will decide on those Venice hotels? Might need to get wait listed. We couldn't get in on the hotel in London prior to our Baltic cruise, but booked it on our own and they did allow us to use DCL transport for a fee. Thanks again for your help!!!

 

[SailingSeas]

You are welcome, I'm glad it helped. I'd get on the wait list sooner, rather than later.

 

[MPS516]

WOW, has the Hilton Diagonal Mar gone up We stayed there in 2010 prior to our MED Cruise and paid less than $250. We had 1 room on Hilton Honor points and the other cash, took Disney Transport to the ship, they had coffee, water and pastries for us while we waited in the lobby for the bus.