B2B in Europe - seeking advice

[bekkio]

We've booked a B2B cruise for next summer, starting with the 5N Med out of Barcelona, ending with the 7N Barcelona to Dover itinerary.

This will be our first time doing a B2B of any sort. We'd like to take a few hours on the turn-around day to explore the city further, is this possible? Any other general advice would be welcome.

TIA!

 

[GPaLarry]

Yes, you can!! We did the 7-day Med/12-day Trans b2b last Sept. Flew into Barcelona two days in advance to see the city, but saved La Rambla walk for the between day. Got off the Magic at about 8:30, caught the shuttle bus (fee, got round-trip ticket because it is a long walk to downtown) to the Chris Columbus statue and walked La Rambla for about six hours...lots to see and neat coffee shops. We did most of the Gaudi stuff, Old Town and Picasso Museum before on the first leg, but one of these might be doable for you if you take the subway or a cab during the 'tween day. We came back to the ship around 2:30, checked in with our paperwork (remember to take it with you as you leave the ship after the first leg) just like you were starting a new cruise. We got a boarding number that was already called/underway so we walked right on.
You will get a letter the night before this 'tween day on your bed from DCL telling you the options for the next day. Also, your dinner staff will ask you if you liked your dining arrangements/seating mates...they will change to your preference for the second leg. Last thing is your stateroom. If you can keep the same one (we had 6018, which we loved), do so. Then you don't have to pack/repack anything. However, if you do change, pack up the night before, tell your room steward and the suitcases will be moved to the new room the next morning while you check out/in...you have to leave the ship, even if only to hit the terminal and come back on when allowed.
Last tip: Watch your purse/wallet. I got pickpocketed in a store across from Park Guell...not much, just day spending money. I had a money belt around my middle with serious cash, passports, etc. However, they train even kids in this art to the point that Barcelona is the pickpocket capital of Europe. Check out YouTube for videos on this skill.
Other than that we had a great time. The Med cruise was a grind, but we saw/experienced a lot (7:30-5 excursions). Our stop in Monte Carlo was scrubbed because the tender boats could not handle the rough water...docked the next day in Marseilles instead. We relaxed on the Med cruise with the mouse...7th one, third without kids. You'll have a great time...enjoy. Check out Rick Steves books on what to see/do in the Med. They were invaluable to us.

 

[Madame]

We've booked a B2B cruise for next summer, starting with the 5N Med out of Barcelona, ending with the 7N Barcelona to Dover itinerary.

This will be our first time doing a B2B of any sort. We'd like to take a few hours on the turn-around day to explore the city further, is this possible? Any other general advice would be welcome.

TIA!

We will be on the exact same b2b! Not planning any exploring on turnaround day, but just wanted to say hi .

 

[bekkio]

We will be on the exact same b2b! Not planning any exploring on turnaround day, but just wanted to say hi .

It's a good combo! 7n is way too short for Europe and we like the way the sea days are spread out with the B2B. We did the 12n Dover to Copenagen last summer, and it was nice to have a break every few days.

We're planning to price out something similar when the RCCL dates come out, but I really hope we can justify keeping these two with the difference in price.

 

[gotomu212]

When we did a B2B two summers ago they actually had 2 Disney excursions you could take on turnaround day. One was a city tour and the other went to Montserrant abbey (highly recommend). The excursion dropped us off at a downtown hotel and we had to take a cab about 5 minutes back to port.

You could only book this once onboard.

 

[GPaLarry]

We got a flyer before our B2B switch day in Barcelona with only the Montserrant excursion option. We had saved La Rambla for this day and it was close to the terminal, so we opted not to do the DCL trip.

 

[braysmommy]

We have done B2B in Barcelona before and since we just walked around Las Ramblas since we have spend a lot of time in Barcelona. So much to do in the area it is hard to choose with just a day. We loved just walking around Las Ramblas and going to the market there.
Also, DS chimed in that he thought the Chocolate Museum was the best (could be that the ticket is chocolate). https://barcelona.de/en/barcelona-chocolate-museum.html
If you are a sports fan the tour of Barcelona FC is really cool too.

 

[d3boyz]

While waiting to board for our Transatlantic, we took a Segway tour of gothic Barcelona. We all had a GREAT time! I have no balance whatsoever, but even I could stay up on that thing! There was even a smaller one for one of my sons who wasn't quite large enough to ride the regular size!