9/16/2017 Magic Transatlantic from Barcelona

[gismo1554]

Some more useful info for page 1

Cadiz and Lisbon both have a hop on hop off bus

http://www.city-sightseeing.com/tours/spain/cadiz.htm
http://www.city-sightseeing.com/tours/portugal/lisbon.htm

These are usually really good although not done either of these two before. Also often there is a discount if you purchase a ticket for one on these things.


And for those flying in the day before the flight without any time to see the city - the Barcelona Airport Hotel (BAH) is a great option for a hotel in Barcelona. Its on the airport with free shuttle and then its 11 euros I think for the shuttle to the airport or they do a cruise package price that includes the transfer. Transfer leaves around 11am I believe. website is http://www.barcelonairporthotel.com/en/ and I've stayed there 3 times now and had great service. They used to be a Rennaisance hotel but are now not part of a chain.

 

[Chirple]

We booked Hotel Jazz for two nights. Two years ago when we did the DCL Med cruise out of Barcelona we used DCL's hotel and transfers. We felt really removed from everything and decided to stay a little closer to activity. Barcelona Day Tours looks really interesting. I'm hoping we have at least a day, if not a day and a half, to explore the city before the cruise. Now I am waiting impatiently for airfare to start showing up.

 

[RedSox68]

Some more useful info for page 1

Cadiz and Lisbon both have a hop on hop off bus

http://www.city-sightseeing.com/tours/spain/cadiz.htm
http://www.city-sightseeing.com/tours/portugal/lisbon.htm

These are usually really good although not done either of these two before. Also often there is a discount if you purchase a ticket for one on these things.


And for those flying in the day before the flight without any time to see the city - the Barcelona Airport Hotel (BAH) is a great option for a hotel in Barcelona. Its on the airport with free shuttle and then its 11 euros I think for the shuttle to the airport or they do a cruise package price that includes the transfer. Transfer leaves around 11am I believe. website is http://www.barcelonairporthotel.com/en/ and I've stayed there 3 times now and had great service. They used to be a Rennaisance hotel but are now not part of a chain.

This is terrific information. Thank you. The airport hotel tip may be a solution to our concern about flying in on 9/11 with that big event going on. We've been told by two transportation companies that getting to the hotel that day would be very difficult because so many streets are closed.

We booked Hotel Jazz for two nights. Two years ago when we did the DCL Med cruise out of Barcelona we used DCL's hotel and transfers. We felt really removed from everything and decided to stay a little closer to activity. Barcelona Day Tours looks really interesting. I'm hoping we have at least a day, if not a day and a half, to explore the city before the cruise. Now I am waiting impatiently for airfare to start showing up.

I checked out Disney's hotels but their prices were nuts -- $490/night. I can get the Hispanos 7 Suiza which are apartments for less than $160 USD/night.

 

[RedSox68]

OMG I hadn't even thought about this! Thanks for the heads up! I was still thinking we were going to the other St Johns which was USD

St. John, New Brunswick is also Canadian dollar. I'm loving the exchange rate for USD to Canadian -- we get so much extra money!

 

[Bareacuda]

This is terrific information. Thank you. The airport hotel tip may be a solution to our concern about flying in on 9/11 with that big event going on. We've been told by two transportation companies that getting to the hotel that day would be very difficult because so many streets are closed.




I checked out Disney's hotels but their prices were nuts -- $490/night. I can get the Hispanos 7 Suiza which are apartments for less than $160 USD/night.

I booked the Renaissance @ $392 per night... I've paid more for the NY stay. Love Barcelona so the stay is fine. We haven't been to NY , that is at $528 pn

 

[Symba7724]

I really like getting in early a few days and doing some sight seeing and getting adjusted to the time change. I never book the Disney hotels as they are expensive for sure.

 

[gismo1554]

This is terrific information. Thank you. The airport hotel tip may be a solution to our concern about flying in on 9/11 with that big event going on. We've been told by two transportation companies that getting to the hotel that day would be very difficult because so many streets are closed.

I checked out Disney's hotels but their prices were nuts -- $490/night. I can get the Hispanos 7 Suiza which are apartments for less than $160 USD/night.

I've possibly changed my mind about after the cruise and looked at DCL options for New York. The only hotel they are showing is the Marriot Marquis in Time Square for $507 per night. When I looked this is around $150 more than booking direct but does mean I can get transfers etc through them so may end up going with this option. The only other one I've found in a similar location is the Riu Plaza which is showing for around $100 less but I think might be further away.

St. John, New Brunswick is also Canadian dollar. I'm loving the exchange rate for USD to Canadian -- we get so much extra money!

I clearly hadn't spotted this as had only written down 2 currencies! Our rates are pretty bad for everything at the moment but will need to remember to add on some of these to my dollars in May I think (we only get free delivery if you order more than £500 in currency and I doubt I will need to order that much although if overnighting in New York maybe I do??)

 

[gismo1554]

I really like getting in early a few days and doing some sight seeing and getting adjusted to the time change. I never book the Disney hotels as they are expensive for sure.

Being from the UK the time differences isn't so much so I don't have that issue. Also been to Barcelona too many times now hence I stay at the airport instead. Just makes it one less day I need to worry about.

 

[RedSox68]

I really like getting in early a few days and doing some sight seeing and getting adjusted to the time change. I never book the Disney hotels as they are expensive for sure.

Are you sailing with us on this cruise? Do you want me to add you to page one?

 

[RedSox68]

We booked Hotel Jazz for two nights. Two years ago when we did the DCL Med cruise out of Barcelona we used DCL's hotel and transfers. We felt really removed from everything and decided to stay a little closer to activity. Barcelona Day Tours looks really interesting. I'm hoping we have at least a day, if not a day and a half, to explore the city before the cruise. Now I am waiting impatiently for airfare to start showing up.

That's what I've read -- that some of the cruise hotels are off the main path or outside the city.

Airfare: I started another thread about the newer airline Norwegian. Even with having to pay for every little thing, including luggage, their one-way fares (right now) are unbeatable. And they have a nonstop flight.

 

[Chirple]

That's what I've read -- that some of the cruise hotels are off the main path or outside the city.

Airfare: I started another thread about the newer airline Norwegian. Even with having to pay for every little thing, including luggage, their one-way fares (right now) are unbeatable. And they have a nonstop flight.

I've been keeping on eye on that thread as well. If the price is right, I might jump on that. I was hoping to use United miles for one ticket, but Norwegian could work out to be less expensive for two tickets than one plus miles.

 

[RedSox68]

I've been keeping on eye on that thread as well. If the price is right, I might jump on that. I was hoping to use United miles for one ticket, but Norwegian could work out to be less expensive for two tickets than one plus miles.

GEEZ, I wish I could buy now! They are having a fall sail and one-way from Newark is $239/pp! That would make our one-way nonstop flight to Barcelona for the 3 of us $700 cheaper than in 2007 on Aer Lingus!

 

[gismo1554]

That's what I've read -- that some of the cruise hotels are off the main path or outside the city.

Airfare: I started another thread about the newer airline Norwegian. Even with having to pay for every little thing, including luggage, their one-way fares (right now) are unbeatable. And they have a nonstop flight.

Good plan! I shall have to keep an eye too!

 

[goiu]

Hi everyone! This will be our 15th Disney cruise! We did the TA before back in 2010. We are excited as our kids are older this time and we can do more sight seeing. It will be me, DH, DD 11 and DS 8. We for sure want to do the FE! So, please put us on the list for that! We are looking at staying 3 nights before in Barcelona and a few nights in NY too! Can't wait!!

Lisa

 

[gismo1554]

Hi everyone! This will be our 15th Disney cruise! We did the TA before back in 2010. We are excited as our kids are older this time and we can do more sight seeing. It will be me, DH, DD 11 and DS 8. We for sure want to do the FE! So, please put us on the list for that! We are looking at staying 3 nights before in Barcelona and a few nights in NY too! Can't wait!!

Lisa

Welcome! I was on that one too (with my X)

I think I've decided 1 night in New York after initially deciding not to bother. Still debating hotels - narrowed down I think to Riu Plaza, Casablanca Hotel or Marriot Marquis (through DCL but seems a lot!)

 

[RedSox68]

Hi everyone! This will be our 15th Disney cruise! We did the TA before back in 2010. We are excited as our kids are older this time and we can do more sight seeing. It will be me, DH, DD 11 and DS 8. We for sure want to do the FE! So, please put us on the list for that! We are looking at staying 3 nights before in Barcelona and a few nights in NY too! Can't wait!!

Lisa

Welcome! I will put your info on page one. Let me know if you want to list a stateroom number or category.

No one has volunteered to do an FE thread yet. I asked that it be a separate thread that I can link on the first page.

Welcome! I was on that one too (with my X)

I think I've decided 1 night in New York after initially deciding not to bother. Still debating hotels - narrowed down I think to Riu Plaza, Casablanca Hotel or Marriot Marquis (through DCL but seems a lot!)

I checked into Disney's prices first, but they are prohibitive for us. We are going to stay in the hotel we visited in 2007, which will only cost us $160/night and is an apartment. We're planning four nights pre-cruise (not counting the flying time).

 

[BelleBway]

In a year, we'll be on the Magic! I'm hoping to see feedback from this year's cruise in the coming weeks.

I stay at the Marriott Marquis once a year, but not at Disney's prices. I booked next year's trip a year in advance because I got a great deal. It's very convenient to Broadway shows which we see on our ny weekends. During the weekends that area is crazy busy but during the week it should be ok (though it will get busy before and after the 2pm Wednesday matinees) I'm not familiar with the other hotels that were mentioned.

 

[RedSox68]

In a year, we'll be on the Magic! I'm hoping to see feedback from this year's cruise in the coming weeks.

I stay at the Marriott Marquis once a year, but not at Disney's prices. I booked next year's trip a year in advance because I got a great deal. It's very convenient to Broadway shows which we see on our ny weekends. During the weekends that area is crazy busy but during the week it should be ok (though it will get busy before and after the 2pm Wednesday matinees) I'm not familiar with the other hotels that were mentioned.

Me too.

We make a trip to NYC every year in December to see all the fabulous window displays and decorations, but we only go for the day. I do like that next year's cruise returns on a Wednesday so that we have some time off to either visit the area or relax at home!

 

[gismo1554]

In a year, we'll be on the Magic! I'm hoping to see feedback from this year's cruise in the coming weeks.

I stay at the Marriott Marquis once a year, but not at Disney's prices. I booked next year's trip a year in advance because I got a great deal. It's very convenient to Broadway shows which we see on our ny weekends. During the weekends that area is crazy busy but during the week it should be ok (though it will get busy before and after the 2pm Wednesday matinees) I'm not familiar with the other hotels that were mentioned.

Thanks! It looks a nice hotel but Disney prices were mad! The Casablanca is one street up from the Marriot towards Time Square and looks a bit more unique and quaint which is why I was swaying towards that one.

Me too.

We make a trip to NYC every year in December to see all the fabulous window displays and decorations, but we only go for the day. I do like that next year's cruise returns on a Wednesday so that we have some time off to either visit the area or relax at home!

I'm thinking I might try to get tickets for Aladdin if its still showing (currently onsale through August)

 

[RedSox68]

Thanks! It looks a nice hotel but Disney prices were mad! The Casablanca is one street up from the Marriot towards Time Square and looks a bit more unique and quaint which is why I was swaying towards that one.



I'm thinking I might try to get tickets for Aladdin if its still showing (currently onsale through August)

We're still trying to get tickets to see Hamilton LOL