July 28, 2007 - "Rome-ancing the Mouse Cruisers" -11 days!

[Pixie Dust II]

I'm staying at the Grand Marina. I was wondering if you could walk to the port too. There is this bridge you have to cross and I'm not sure it has a pedestrian walkway on it. A friend of mine went to Barcelona last year and caught a cruise ship there. I asked her and she said she tried to walk it from town center with luggage in tow. They gave up when they got to the Columbus memorial and told that it was still another 40 minute walk, sorry can't remember exactly. So they caught a taxi. I'll try and ask her again about walking to where the ship will dock.

Kyla,

When are you arriving at the Grand Marina? I am sure the walk to the ship only looks close and would never be anything to do, especially with your luggage....especially since my dh just had knee replacement surgery!! By July he should be in great shape, but he still would not want to do a long trip with luggage. I still have to try to learn to "pack light"!

 

[kyla]

I'm arriving late Thursday evening, July 26th.

 

[MrsJobba1]

We're arriving Thurs. in Barcelona and staying at the Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes which seems to be in the center of the city. Anyone heard of it. Friends stayed there and loved it. We booked on our own through our TA and plan to get a taxi to and from the airport and the ship. I know we plan on seeing Monserat which I think you can reach by train, but other than that, we really haven't decided. Any idea?

Hi , this page from the Barcelona tourist board is all about visiting Monserat

http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/?go...PAsm1gve9ehBUvevRZ5H8Qozt+jIOhcxLGPwVYpbBv0I=

What so you like to do - beaches, shopping, museums, churches?

I personally think Gaudi's Sagrada familia is a must - even if you dont bother going inside - its so unsual

 

[Pixie Dust II]

I'm arriving late Thursday evening, July 26th.

We should be arriving the morning of the 27th. How many are in your traveling party? There are just two of us, me and my husband, but when we get on the ship we are meeting friends that we have cruised with in the past.

Maybe we can meet before we get on the ship??

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Just checking in to say hello.

 

[MrsJobba1]

Good evening all,

 

[LynnTarrant]

Hi everyone
I guess it's time we talked about meeting up etc, on the last two DCL cruises I went on we exchanged small gifts from our hometowns, would anyone like to do this or something similiar?

My hubby and I fly in on the 27th and are staying in the Grand Marina, anyone up for drinks in the hotel bar that evening?
We are also staying 3 nights post cruise at the hotel Jazz

 

[MrsG]

Thanks for the link, Helen. I can't wait to check it out further. By the way, what is Gaudi's Sagrada familia? Is it a museum, art gallery?

Maryann

 

[kyla]

We should be arriving the morning of the 27th. How many are in your traveling party? There are just two of us, me and my husband, but when we get on the ship we are meeting friends that we have cruised with in the past.

Maybe we can meet before we get on the ship??

There is just the two of us too. We'll be meeting up with my sisters & family on the 28th. Actually, I think one sister is coming in evening of the 27th. I guess I better ask her. Did you book through Disney for the Grand Marina? I actually booked with Disney AND on my own. I couldn't get pre cruise nights at the Grand Marina with Disney and ended up just booking on my own which is a bit cheaper. But then Disney ended up coming up with the pre cruise nites which now allows us to get transfers. Although it will end up about $70 more to go with Disney, my husband wants the hassle free transfers.

Yes, we should look into meeting up on the 27th. I like Helen's trip schedule: do the Sagrada Familia and Park Guell via Tourist bus one day, then do the Gotic district and chocolate museum another (like the post cruise day) and wander down the Ramblas maybe on the cruise day. But we need to meet up with to do TAPAS! I'm reading Rick Steves to find out the good places for tapas. (Helen, thanks for the links)

 

[MrsJobba1]

Thanks for the link, Helen. I can't wait to check it out further. By the way, what is Gaudi's Sagrada familia? Is it a museum, art gallery?

Maryann

No problem

Antoni Gaudi was a builder of dreams,(1852-1926) he designed various houses, apartment blocks and religious buildings in and around Barcelona.

His last work before he tragically died was the temple of the Sagrada Familiar. It is still unfinished today but it looks amazing

When I was at university we looked at some of his buildings and I've always wanted to see them in real life - so to speak - the detail is amazing.

This is the link to explain a bit more about him and some of the other works you might see around Barcelona

http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/gaudi/barcelona-gaudi.html

 

[kyla]

Andrew, wasn't there someone in our Palo brunch group who said they could book at 105 days? Do you still have the list of people who wanted to attend the group brunch?

 

[Ruth B]

Hi everyone
I guess it's time we talked about meeting up etc, on the last two DCL cruises I went on we exchanged small gifts from our hometowns, would anyone like to do this or something similiar?

My hubby and I fly in on the 27th and are staying in the Grand Marina, anyone up for drinks in the hotel bar that evening?
We are also staying 3 nights post cruise at the hotel Jazz

Hello all, hope your all well.
We have had the hour chnace in UK and the summer seems to of some in Oxford!
Lynn T- What a shame, we are staying at hotel Jazz 2 night prior to cruise and then AC Barcelona 2 night post cruise, will let you know what its like on the crusie- reviews are excellent .
We are arraiving on the 26th( my son and i) so hotel drinks are proberly out but have heard of a light dispaly at one of the fountain in Barcelona on Friday night that other cruise threads are meeting at- so this is possible if anyone is interested?
Sure its possible to get a drink at a near by bar- will find out more and update, if anyone is interested?

Exchanging gifts sounds like a great idea and would love to be involved!

Was reading another crusie thread tonight- any one who has travelled to Barcelona before....... are you familar with this?
"Do not carry your passports with you. Ask your hotel to photocopy them and stamp them with the hotel official stamp. You cannot use a credit card in Spain without showing your passport and the shops and restaurants will accept the photocopy endorsed by the hotel. Leave your passports in the safe at the hotel. "?

 

[jlawall]

First of all, Helen, you are a fountain of info!!! Another question, if we do stroll about in Barcelona on our day of departure...........I guess we will need to get some Euros? I guess we will need them throughout the trip. This may be a "stupid" question but we are truly novices, as this is our first trip to Europe.

Good memory, Kyla! Yes, Andrew, when can we make our Palo DISmeet ressies???

Lynn.....you are making me wish we could be there longer!!! With our girls' school and work schedules being gone 12 days was all we could do........

we MUST do our traditional "Margarita tasting" with this DIS group!! Who's in??? The last time our DISgroup did this event, we tried ALL the types of tequila............. At the beginning, we were asking questions and being polite.........by the end...............we were laughing our heads off and the "happiest" sailors on the ship!!

I'm thinking, that it may be tough to arrange a DISmeet the first day. If some of us are "jet-lagged," it might be best to do our meet the next day.......when we are refreshed and rested.........what do you all think?? Also, let's definitely do our "grab bag exchange!" Each family can bring one bag from our hometowns to exchange with someone else. It's a fun way to meet new friends and share!!

 

[MrsJobba1]

2000 Posts

 

[MrsJobba1]

First of all, Helen, you are a fountain of info!!!

Not really, but being off work its given me time to read a lot of my guidebooks

Another question, if we do stroll about in Barcelona on our day of departure...........I guess we will need to get some Euros? I guess we will need them throughout the trip. This may be a "stupid" question but we are truly novices, as this is our first trip to Europe.

Yes you will need Euros, whilst in Europe most shops accept credit cards however it is not usual to put small amounts on Credit cards. Some shops have a minimum purchase

Good memory, Kyla! Yes, Andrew, when can we make our Palo DISmeet ressies???

We MUST do our traditional "Margarita tasting" with this DIS group!! Who's in??? The last time our DISgroup did this event, we tried ALL the types of tequila............. At the beginning, we were asking questions and being polite.........by the end...............we were laughing our heads off and the "happiest" sailors on the ship!!

I would definatly be up for this, however I must advice you, I dont usually drink very much, so I have a low tollerace to alcohol - basically Dave says 1 drink and Im anybodies I am also known to giggle quite a lot

I'm thinking, that it may be tough to arrange a DISmeet the first day. If some of us are "jet-lagged," it might be best to do our meet the next day.......when we are refreshed and rested.........what do you all think?? I agree, its not like a regular cruise. People will be tired, others on excursions and with sailing late I think it best to leave it till the next day
Also, let's definitely do our "grab bag exchange!" Each family can bring one bag from our hometowns to exchange with someone else. It's a fun way to meet new friends and share!!

I really like that idea - and would love to take part

 

[jlawall]

Who's in????

 

[MrsJobba1]

Who's in????

me !!

ps what am I getting myself in to?

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Andrew, wasn't there someone in our Palo brunch group who said they could book at 105 days? Do you still have the list of people who wanted to attend the group brunch?

No on my last cruise a disser booked the private room for us, when I contacted DCL they didnt seem to want to do it, and said I could only contact them a month in advance.

I checked this through my T/A who confirmed.

So I will try then. and if they say yes ask for everyones details again.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

First of all, Helen,

Good memory, Kyla! Yes, Andrew, when can we make our Palo DISmeet ressies???

:

As above I was told by DCL one month before the cruise for the private room.

 

[Kissimmee]

Banner making party and BBQ All are welcome

Details are here

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1401823