On an unrelated note, after you go through passport control in Barcelona, there are no shops like there are at airports in the states. There was a small coffee shop but nothing else. The restroom was "hidden" behind the shop. There was only one, too. I left on Delta, so this was whatever concourse they left from - E, maybe? But it does say on the passport cage that there are no shops after that point.. Just be aware, and don't go through expecting to go back and shop because they won't let you.
We didn't go through passport control at BCN, probably because we flew first to Zurich and then on to JFK. We went through control as we went from the Barcelona-Zurich flight to our JFK bound plane.
HOWEVER
-
AT BCN Terminal A, which was
beautiful, with plenty of shopping and eating choices, we entered the duty-free shop just to browse. When asked where we were flying to, I replied Estados Unidos. The clerk told me I could bring one liter of liquor per person into the states. I knew that was the duty free limit, but asked about transporting it carry-on, since our bags were checked before entering through security into the sterile zone. The clerk then said that the bottles would be put into a sealed customs bag, and could be carried aboard. Seemed to make sense, since we HAD cleared the security lanes, and would merely be going from gate to gate in Zurich. I made my purchase, they sealed them in a heavy plastic official bag, and I put them into my carry-on. Boarded and enjoyed the short flight to Zurich, getting some great pics of French, Italian and Swiss Alps.
HERE"S WHERE IT GOT UGLY -
As we went through passport control in Zurich, we encountered another security line. Mind you, we never left the terminal into any outdoor or uncontrolled area. Our bags went through X-ray, and we were pulled aside for a search. The Swiss agents removed the sealed bag, and we were informed that the US did not allow them onto inbound flights. We had about 6 or 7 minutes to board our plane - we could see it boarding through the glass at the checkpoint - so I just acquiesced (not without a lot of gnashing of teeth on Debbie's part) and requested the duty-free shop's receipt, which had been taped inside the bag. The Swiss agent informed me that many duty free shops in the EU tell Americans the same thing, since they make the sale, and you're gone. We hurriedly went up the stairs, and boarded the flight minus about $100 US worth of liquor. I told the Swiss agent that I gave them permission to enjoy it, and not destroy it, especially the three-wood Scotch whisky! So it goes . . . . .
And, to her credit, the clerk in a different Barcelona Airport shop DID tell me not to buy a vacuum sealed package of Iberian ham, since I could not take THAT into the US. If only the clerks at the duty-free had been as honest.
I have disputed the charge with American Express, but am afraid I'll probably be told that it was a case of my own error. If they deny the charge-back, maybe the Conde' Nast Traveler's Ombudsman column can help. I will report back.
Neither does a lot of the recent shenanigans DCL has been doing with encouraging late booking over early booking and not taking care that previously book customers have "first dibs" when cruises are cancelled before the general public can purchase rooms. 
