May 28, 2011 - 11 Night Mediterranean Sailing from Barcelona

[Mog's Mom]

I also count 19 for the FE! It looks like we are also missing 2 stateroom numbers though.

We haven't ever had trouble with bank machines in Europe (we're from Canada), but we have been charged a service fee!

Back to the security in Barcelona discussion...we did buy the money belts that people told us were necessary in Barcelona, but they seem hard to use. Not sure I want to fumble around in my pants every time I want to get some admission money or buy a trinket! I'm hoping to leave most things in the hotel safe. But i'm also nervous about moving the whole family and all the luggage from the airport to hotel, hotel to port and back again! As a family of 4 we might not fit in the European taxis! Now looking into car hire and into security bacpacs!!! Thanks to those who have shared their finds!

We leave a month from yesterday!!!!!

 

[DopeyFan1966]

Okay, only one person said they didn't mind if I added one more person to the FE list. So I added one.

THE FE IS NOW OFFICIALLY CLOSED. I APOLOGIZE IF SOMEONE ELSE WANTS TO BE ADDED, BUT WE JUST CAN'T, IT IS TOO LATE IN THE GAME FOR IT.

We have a total of 20 people on the list. I will send an email and a PM to those listed without stateroom numbers to let them know that they need to get it updated so we know who is in what room.

On another note......... We got our cruise documents today!!!!!!!

 

[wildonethirtyseven]

I know it was mentioned earlier but what nites were Formal, Semi Formal and Pirates Nites

 

[disney_bob]

Back to the security in Barcelona discussion...we did buy the money belts that people told us were necessary in Barcelona, but they seem hard to use. Not sure I want to fumble around in my pants every time I want to get some admission money or buy a trinket! I'm hoping to leave most things in the hotel safe. But i'm also nervous about moving the whole family and all the luggage from the airport to hotel, hotel to port and back again! As a family of 4 we might not fit in the European taxis! Now looking into car hire and into security bacpacs!!! Thanks to those who have shared their finds!

We leave a month from yesterday!!!!!

You're supposed to keep small amounts of cash on you for exactly those reasons. However, your important documents, credit cards, and the majority of your money should be stored in the belt. They aren't designed or purposed for frequent access.

 

[DopeyFan1966]

I know it was mentioned earlier but what nites were Formal, Semi Formal and Pirates Nites

Formal night is on 29 May and Pirate night is the same night we are in La Spezia. I don't remember the semiformal night.

 

[Maltese5]

We purchased a PacSafe Security Backpack and it worked really well for us. We purchased the one you that has the "interior safe" that you can leave at the hotel locked up. Just google PacSafe Backpacks" and you should find them. You may also be able to find them at an specialty luggage store.

 

[Maltese5]

I know it was mentioned earlier but what nites were Formal, Semi Formal and Pirates Nites

I believe semiformal night is Friday, June 3 which is a Sea day.

 

[David & Jane]

I also count 19 for the FE! It looks like we are also missing 2 stateroom numbers though.

We haven't ever had trouble with bank machines in Europe (we're from Canada), but we have been charged a service fee!

Back to the security in Barcelona discussion...we did buy the money belts that people told us were necessary in Barcelona, but they seem hard to use. Not sure I want to fumble around in my pants every time I want to get some admission money or buy a trinket! I'm hoping to leave most things in the hotel safe. But i'm also nervous about moving the whole family and all the luggage from the airport to hotel, hotel to port and back again! As a family of 4 we might not fit in the European taxis! Now looking into car hire and into security bacpacs!!! Thanks to those who have shared their finds!

We leave a month from yesterday!!!!!

Barcelona has lots of taxis that will hold 4 persons with cases, cost us $40/$50 from airport to hotel , no problem picking one up at airport had about 100 waiting for fares

 

[David & Jane]

Rather than taking cash or traveler's cheques we take a per loaded cash card, able to use it like a credit card when buying stuff or draw cash out from ATM,s no useage charge.

Quite common in UK but I only know of Travelex in the US who do it.

See http://www.us.travelex.com/US/Products/Cash-Passport/ for more detail

David & Jane

 

[scrapycruiser]

For those doing the FE exchange, we have changed staterooms.

Bruce & Gina.... 7632

I am missing 2 staterooms from our FE list

 

[Boomerang4]

For those doing the FE exchange, we have changed staterooms.

Bruce & Gina.... 7632

I am missing 2 staterooms from our FE list

We're still awaiting our stateroom assignment. Will include it in Cindy's doc as soon as we hear.

 

[DopeyFan1966]

Who will be in Barcelona on 27 May? We are arriving on the night of 26 May and staying at Hotel Cuatro Naciones on La Rambla. On Friday morning we are going to catch a bus to Sagrada Familia, then to the Magic Fountain, and back to La Rambla. After that we may go over to the Aquarium or the Zoo, they are walking distance from our hotel.

Who will be in Paris, not at Disney but Paris, after the cruise? We will be there on 9 and 10 June. We are going to the Pantheon, Luxembourg Gardens, Notre Dame, Basillique du Sacre Couer, Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, and maybe the Louvre if we have the time.

What is everyone else doing in Barcelona or Paris?

Cindy

 

[annichan]

Who will be in Barcelona on 27 May? We are arriving on the night of 26 May and staying at Hotel Cuatro Naciones on La Rambla. On Friday morning we are going to catch a bus to Sagrada Familia, then to the Magic Fountain, and back to La Rambla. After that we may go over to the Aquarium or the Zoo, they are walking distance from our hotel.

Who will be in Paris, not at Disney but Paris, after the cruise? We will be there on 9 and 10 June. We are going to the Pantheon, Luxembourg Gardens, Notre Dame, Basillique du Sacre Couer, Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, and maybe the Louvre if we have the time.

What is everyone else doing in Barcelona or Paris?

Cindy

We will also be in Barcelona on the 27th of May! We will be arriving that day (probably be at the hotel at about 2 pm) and staying at Hotel Neri (http://www.hotelneri.com/en/) in the Gothic Quarter.

We don't really have a lot of plans for the day, originally our flight was not supposed to come in until 5 pm but they just pushed that back 4.5 hours so we are really happy! Will probably dump our stuff in the room and go for a long walk all around the Gothic Quarter, to see what there is to see and grab a bite to eat wherever looks appealing.

Would you (or for that matter, anybody else here) care to meet up that afternoon or evening, just maybe go walking together or have a bite to eat together?

After the cruise we are flying straight home - but we will be in Paris Disneyland in September (I realize this is not what you asked but I just had to mention it since I'm so happy about it! )

 

[scrapycruiser]

Who will be in Barcelona on 27 May? We are arriving on the night of 26 May and staying at Hotel Cuatro Naciones on La Rambla. On Friday morning we are going to catch a bus to Sagrada Familia, then to the Magic Fountain, and back to La Rambla. After that we may go over to the Aquarium or the Zoo, they are walking distance from our hotel.

Who will be in Paris, not at Disney but Paris, after the cruise? We will be there on 9 and 10 June. We are going to the Pantheon, Luxembourg Gardens, Notre Dame, Basillique du Sacre Couer, Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, and maybe the Louvre if we have the time.

What is everyone else doing in Barcelona or Paris?

Cindy

Cindy
I may have misunderstood you. But the Magic Fountain is a nighttime show.
We will fly into Barcelona on May 24 and will be staying at Hotel 1898. Our son and his family will be at the Le Meridian. We have DCL transfers from there the day of the cruise.
We have signed up for the 10 am walking tour of the Gothic Quarter on Thurs.That's one area we missed when we were there in 2007.
Friday we will be with our kids and plan to see the exterior of the Sagrada and then go to Park Guell, walk down the Ramblas & go to the market. That night we'll probably have supper at the Hard Rock and go to the Magic Fountains.
Soooooooo excited !!

 

[DopeyFan1966]

Cindy
I may have misunderstood you. But the Magic Fountain is a nighttime show.
We will fly into Barcelona on May 24 and will be staying at Hotel 1898. Our son and his family will be at the Le Meridian. We have DCL transfers from there the day of the cruise.
We have signed up for the 10 am walking tour of the Gothic Quarter on Thurs.That's one area we missed when we were there in 2007.
Friday we will be with our kids and plan to see the exterior of the Sagrada and then go to Park Guell, walk down the Ramblas & go to the market. That night we'll probably have supper at the Hard Rock and go to the Magic Fountains.
Soooooooo excited !!

Didn't know that, THANKS. I guess we will go to Sagrada Familia (I really want to see the interior) then back to La Rambla and go to the Zoo or Aquarium. I wouldn't mind going with others to the fountain, but I plan on eating at a local restaurant for dinner. Probably one on La Rambla. My mother-in-law will be happy to go shopping some more.

It looks like we might be staying in Europe for another 3 years, so I will hold off on the Gothic Quarter for another trip to Barcelona.

Anyone else have plans in Barcelona or Paris?????

 

[DopeyFan1966]

Would you (or for that matter, anybody else here) care to meet up that afternoon or evening, just maybe go walking together or have a bite to eat together?

forgot to answer your question in my last post. We are going to eat dinner on La Rambla somewhere, then we are going to get on the bus to go to Magic Fountain. You are more than welcome to join us. I've heard that it is really pretty. We didn't get to go last year.

 

[Mog's Mom]

Cindy
I may have misunderstood you. But the Magic Fountain is a nighttime show.
We will fly into Barcelona on May 24 and will be staying at Hotel 1898. Our son and his family will be at the Le Meridian. We have DCL transfers from there the day of the cruise.
We have signed up for the 10 am walking tour of the Gothic Quarter on Thurs.That's one area we missed when we were there in 2007.
Friday we will be with our kids and plan to see the exterior of the Sagrada and then go to Park Guell, walk down the Ramblas & go to the market. That night we'll probably have supper at the Hard Rock and go to the Magic Fountains.
Soooooooo excited !!

Wow, you guys all have good plans! We'd better firm ours up! We are flying in on the 26th (after an almost 9 hour wait in Heathrow due to flights changing in a less favorable direction) and will hopefully be feeling less jet lagged by the 27th.
Has someone already described what the Magic Fountain is? Are there any other must see sights in Barcelona? We are staying at the Hotel Regina at the Pl. Catalunya (north end of Las Ramblas) where we are told there is lots of transportation including the Tourist Bus. Has anyone taken the Tourist Bus? Is it worth it to get an overview? We have two nights after the cruise too, but we have friends from Ireland flying in to meet us so we may not be hitting the tourist trail....

Finally a nice day in Ottawa though...22C!
Colleen

 

[scrapycruiser]

Didn't know that, THANKS. I guess we will go to Sagrada Familia (I really want to see the interior) then back to La Rambla and go to the Zoo or Aquarium. I wouldn't mind going with others to the fountain, but I plan on eating at a local restaurant for dinner. Probably one on La Rambla. My mother-in-law will be happy to go shopping some more.

It looks like we might be staying in Europe for another 3 years, so I will hold off on the Gothic Quarter for another trip to Barcelona.

Anyone else have plans in Barcelona or Paris?????

Wow ! Another 3 years in Europe ! Lucky you ! When DH was in the AF we tried to get to Europe, but he was a pediatrician and there were never any slots available The best we could do was Japan. While I didn't really care for Japan, we did get to Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Korea and twice in Hawaii ! I keep hoping DCL will go to the Orient, I'd love to go back !

It would be fun to see our Dis friends at the Magic Fountain, but the area is so huge and would be difficult to connect. But, I've got your picture so I'll keep a look out. The last time we were there, we sat in a grassy area to the right of the fountains ( if you're facing the fountain, facing the buildings )
We'll be in the same place. You can recognize us from our picture. Also, we'll have my son, DIL, and my GS, a toddler and my 6 1/2 yo GS . Look for us !

 

[2PrincesseInTow]

I'm on the 6/18 11 night and debating the Day on the Farm in Palermo with my DD's 5 & 9. Since the port time has been shortened, I'm worried about a lot of bus and a little bit of farm...

So if anyone here does the excursion on your sailing, several of us on the 6/18 meet thread would appreciate a quick thumbs up or down on our meet thread when you return. Please!

Thanks, Sara

 

[maddisney]

We will arrive at Barcelona the 26th late in the evening. We will stay at Ibis Pza Glories, close from the zoo and the beach.

The 27th, we plan to see the Sagrada Familia in the morning. And in the afternoon, to go to the beach, the Parc Ciutadella and the Ramblas.