June 16, 2007 MedHead Cruisers

[PrincessJasmine08]

This is all so overwhelming right now. I am going to forget about the hotel and focus on the flight for now...

I told my mom now is the time to book. She said "I can't worry about flying to Barcelona next summer right now." She wants to wait to book until after Christmas!!! I told her that's not a good idea, but she doesn't believe me. She also said that my dad will have enough frequent flyer miles by March to get a flight to Barcelona so she wants to book his flight in March!!! I am going crazy, I know we need to get our flight booked, but she won't even discuss it with me, she says after Christmas. Does anyone know if the prices are going to go up a ton by then or will we still be okay? I am so stressed out right now, I don't even know if this is worth it. I guess this is why we've never been out of the country before.

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

Disney have announced their hotels but appear that they are fully booked and were before most of us were aware of them.

Many of us have been searching for alternatives and it all depends on how long you anticipate staying in Barcelona prior to your cruise.

Post on this site and we will all try and help you.
Brenda

Okay, I spoke with my TA and she told me Disney has not yet announced their pre-cruise packages in Barcelona. I am highly unimpressed with my TA so I really think she just doesn't know what she's talking about. When did Disney announce the hotels? They must have booked very quickly!

 

[carolmb]

This is all so overwhelming right now. I am going to forget about the hotel and focus on the flight for now...

I told my mom now is the time to book. She said "I can't worry about flying to Barcelona next summer right now." She wants to wait to book until after Christmas!!! I told her that's not a good idea, but she doesn't believe me. She also said that my dad will have enough frequent flyer miles by March to get a flight to Barcelona so she wants to book his flight in March!!! I am going crazy, I know we need to get our flight booked, but she won't even discuss it with me, she says after Christmas. Does anyone know if the prices are going to go up a ton by then or will we still be okay? I am so stressed out right now, I don't even know if this is worth it. I guess this is why we've never been out of the country before.

We went to Hawaii this summer. We booked our flights before Christmas and my brother-in-law booked his after Christmas. He did not end up paying more because he waited. You just have to keep watching and keep your fingers crossed.

 

[Skallywag]

When we fly out to your country we always book our flights as soon as they come on line because once they have sold that portion of the airline then the price goes up

Cheapest time is 11 months to the day of your return flight. Would not risk it leaving until after Christmas. Also you will find that most airlines only have a limited number of seats that you can use with airmiles and they go first.
Brenda

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

Okay, I am feeling a little better. I went out and bought a few books at Joseph Beth. I got a book on Barcelona, and books on Italy, Spain, and France. Now I have a lot of reading to do! I also called DCL to get on the wait list for the Hilton Diagonal Mar and the Grand Marina. Otherwise we are looking at the Hotel Arts, the Hotel Ritz, Hotel Palace, or the Hotel Royal. All look very nice and are within our budget. Where is everyone else who is arriving in Barcelona early staying?

 

[Skallywag]

Hi everyone,

Just been researching transport for Barcelona and the following web site seems to be very good having hotels, apartments etc, also

www.livebarcelona.com

Brenda

 

[Skallywag]

Hi its me again.

Just re-checking and the web site to search for hotels etc. is www.barcelona.com
Brenda

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

Thanks for the link Brenda-very helpful!

What does everyone think about the apartment rentals? Since we are a family of 5 and would have to get 3 hotel rooms this seems like a better option for us. But I just don't know if they're safe, clean, etc. I can look up most hotels and see reviews, but with the apartments I guess you just have to trust the pictures which is kind of scary. Also, a lot of them require a minimum rental of 5-7 nights.

 

[Skallywag]

I know that a lady from Scotland has booked an apartment that she found on ebay - they were English people and I will try and find out more information and see if they will rent for less time.Would certainly I am sure work out less expensive than 3 hotel rooms which seem to be very high priced and not much availability.
Brenda

 

[Skallywag]

On ebay uk they have apartments in Barcelona sleeping up to 6 for Euro 199 per night which works out much better value than 3 hotel rooms I am sure.Am going to email Deborah who told me about the apartment she was renting and find out more.
Will post what I find. Will also have a look in our local papers as some people here have apartments in Spain for rent.
Brenda

 

[Skallywag]

No reply yet from Deborah but just found this advert - may be worth an email or I can phone and find out more if you need me to.

Barcelona holiday let
Newly built two bedroom apartment sleeps 6 (http://pws.prserv.net/barcelonaflat/index.html). Prestigious new development. Five minutes from beach, metro close by. Nightly rate: 80-140 euros. Mary Aldridge: Tel: 01223 263797 Email: mea@eng.cam.ac.uk


Brenda

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

No reply yet from Deborah but just found this advert - may be worth an email or I can phone and find out more if you need me to.

Barcelona holiday let
Newly built two bedroom apartment sleeps 6 (http://pws.prserv.net/barcelonaflat/index.html). Prestigious new development. Five minutes from beach, metro close by. Nightly rate: 80-140 euros. Mary Aldridge: Tel: 01223 263797 Email: mea@eng.cam.ac.uk


Brenda

hmmm...I can't get the link to work. Sounds very nice though. I contacted a travel agent and I am getting some much-needed help with my airfare and hotel!

 

[Skallywag]

Sorry did get the thread to work before I posted - wonder what went wrong.
Hope you get some luck with your bookings.

Just wonder if anyone else is staying at the Rey Juan Carlos Hotel or booked to fly from London Gatwick on the 15th - would be fun to meet up before the cruise.

It has been raining non-stop since last night so have decided I do not need to do the rain dance anymore for a while.

Brenda

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

We're on the second page? Shameful! Where is everybody?

 

[PURTYPAT1]

Hi everyone, going on vacation tomorrow to the Jersey Shore, for a week. Hoping for great weather.

Have a great week my Med friends.

Patricia

 

[Skallywag]

Wish I could find a quick link to our board - agree must not let it get too far down.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Brenda

 

[carolmb]

Wish I could find a quick link to our board - agree must not let it get too far down.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Brenda

I just bookmarked the link for our thread. It saves a lot looking. Have a great weekend everyone.

 

[jmcdonnell04]

My girls are watching the Cheetah Girls 2 movie on the Disney Channel. The movie takes place in Barcelona. School started on Wednesday but my DD (11) came home sick Thursday and missed Friday due to a stomach virus. Doctor almost wanted to admit her for IV's to get her hydrated. We have been giving her 1/2 ounce of Gatorade every 10 minutes tonight. She seems to be doing better. I hope everyone has a nice weekend.

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

Have a great trip PURTYPAT! Sounds like fun!

Jim, sorry to hear about your daughter. That must be hard to have to be sick the first week of school! Hope she feels better soon.

I'm spending my weekend packing. Sunday I move back to school. My roommate and I are sharing an apartment on campus this year. I have a lot of work to do to get ready for Sunday!

 

[silver7]

Hi Everyone

Jim sorry to hear about your daughter

We moved my older DS into his dorm on Thursday, then he went to Fish Camp this weekend. (He is attending Texas A and M Galveston, so it is called SALT camp )

It is a very friendly campus, and only about 45 minutes from here.

Carol, you and I may have an unwelcome visitor next week--ERNESTO. If he comes our way DS will be one of the first to be evacuated because they are on a tiny island next to Galveston Island, and there is limited access (one drawbridge).

It looks like the least we may get is some rain, and the most, well, lets not talk about that. After last year and everyone evacuating for Rita, there may not be many leaving. It took us about 28 hours to make a 6 hour trip. We found out our kids and our dogs are great in stressful situations.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!