May 28, 2011 - 11 Night Mediterranean Sailing from Barcelona

[DaisyKate]

We're arriving in Barcelona on the 27th in the morning and staying at the AC Diplomat that night. We don't have any specific plans on what to do during the day on Friday yet. Does anybody have any suggestions on what we can do? It will be our first time out of the US. Also, what are people doing for transportation from hotels to the port? Is a taxi a good idea?

After the cruise we're flying to Paris to go to Disneyland. We're really excited about that.

I haven't had much time to plan a lot for this cruise since I'm planning a wedding at the same time, so I'm probably behind on a lot of things. We can't wait!

 

[DopeyFan1966]

We're arriving in Barcelona on the 27th in the morning and staying at the AC Diplomat that night. We don't have any specific plans on what to do during the day on Friday yet. Does anybody have any suggestions on what we can do? It will be our first time out of the US. Also, what are people doing for transportation from hotels to the port? Is a taxi a good idea?

After the cruise we're flying to Paris to go to Disneyland. We're really excited about that.

I haven't had much time to plan a lot for this cruise since I'm planning a wedding at the same time, so I'm probably behind on a lot of things. We can't wait!

If I'm not mistaken the AC Diplomat isn't too far from La Rambla (or right on it). If so, then you can go to Sagrada Familia (it is a MUST), also the zoo and aquarium are walking distance from La Rambla. At night you can catch the metro and go to the Magic Fountain, it really is pretty. We are getting a taxi from the airport to our hotel, which will cost about 30 - 40 Euro. We are going to catch the "blue bus" to the port, it is like 1.50 Euro per person You can catch it right in front of the Christopher Columbus statue at the end of La Rambla.

If you go to the website that I created you can see information about the blue bus on the cruise info tab under the more tab.

Have fun at Disney Paris, just don't get disappointed when you can do it all in one day. It is no where near the size of the Magic Kingdom in Orlando. They do have two parks though. We've been a couple times and have enjoyed ourselves, but we would much rather go to Orlando.

 

[DopeyFan1966]

Our group brunch at Palo was approved. The following people have reservations for brunch on 3 June at 1030. See you all there

DopeyFan (3)
nomomofson (2)
htmlkid (2)
friends of htmlkid (2)
Livelovelaugh06 (3)
Marymom (2)


Here is the information that DCL sent me:

Please reconfirm this reservation with the PALO Team at the dining session in (Rockin-Bar-D) on Embarkation day between 12:30pm - 3:30pm. (I will do this)

Palo Policy:

Age: Guest must be 18 years or older to dine at Palo.
Dress Code: Brunch- Cruise casual wear suggested. No shorts, swimwear, tank tops or blue jeans are permitted.
Cancellation: Cancellation fees - 100% of the Palo Dining Option is applied to the Guests’ folio, when the Guests do not show or have not cancelled by 2:00 PM the night the reservation is confirmed.
Smoking – is not permitted

30 days Ya'll, 30 days

 

[kaceyisme]

Our group brunch at Palo was approved. The following people have reservations for brunch on 3 June at 1030. See you all there

DopeyFan (3)
nomomofson (2)
htmlkid (2)
friends of htmlkid (2)
Livelovelaugh06 (3)
Marymom (2)

Congrats on getting the group brunch!

 

[DaisyKate]

I was mistaken. We're not staying at the AC Diplomatic but the Eurostars Grand Marina hotel. Is that still close to Las Ramblas and Sagrada Familia?

 

[scrapycruiser]

I was mistaken. We're not staying at the AC Diplomatic but the Eurostars Grand Marina hotel. Is that still close to Las Ramblas and Sagrada Familia?

You will definitely need a taxi to the Sagrada Familia. I would go early am to avoid the crowds. Your hotel is beautiful and very near the Magic's port. There's alot to do around the waterfront and great seafood and paella restaurants. The south end of the Ramblas is walkable from your hotel, but not as safe as the northern part near the Plaza Catalunya. I would not walk around the south end at night. When I say not as safe, I'm refering to pickpocketing.

Don't miss the Magic Fountains at night.There are alot of tourists but alot of local families. It's amazing how late their kids stay up !

My fav things to see in Barcelona :

1. Sagrada Familia
2. Magic Fountains
3. Waterfront area
4. Gothic Quarter
5. Montsurrat ( you need 1/2 day there )

One day , we did the Bus Turistic and got on at the Plaza Catalunya.
Even though they had 2 routes, they went to alot of places out-of-the way. And I felt like we wasted alot of time. Also, alot of people were talking on our bus and we had to strain to hear our headphones.You do get to see alot of the city that way.

Restaurants : Most people in Spain eat late, so if you have an early lunch or an early dinner you shouldn't have to wait.
We like to eat the rice & seafood dishes ( paella) , but we also like our American burgers. So we like to eat at The Hard Rock. It's very convienient at the Plaza Catalunya. We have a Hard Rock card (free online) so we never have to wait !

Our Grandsons loved all the mime and street statues & entertainers along the Ramblas. Also, we enjoyed going to the market. We never bought breakfast. Just picked up some fresh fruit and pastries and DH went to Starbucks for coffee each am.

Barcelona is one of our favorite European cities !

 

[DopeyFan1966]

I was mistaken. We're not staying at the AC Diplomatic but the Eurostars Grand Marina hotel. Is that still close to Las Ramblas and Sagrada Familia?

It would be about a 2.5 to 3 mile walk to see Sagrada Familia, so I would take a taxi or walk up to the north end of La Rambla and take the L50 bus. We are taking the bus. You can buy your tickets for Sagrada Familia on line at (for an audio tour):

http://www.servicaixa.com/nav/en/mu..._familia_08su/visita_amb_audioguia/index.html

go to the bottom of the page and choose your date and click "buy tickets" link. Then you choose how many tickets and what time you want to visit, then you don't have to wait in those lines (they are very long). The promotion offers that appear after you pick a time is for Retirees, children under 10, children 10 - 18, students, and youth card (in that order).

If you want to go up in the towers, you can go up in two of them, you have to pay an extra 2.50 Euro, and you have to buy them there at the ticket window.

You can catch the L3 Metro on La Rambla to get to Magic Fountain, you want to be there before 9 pm, that's when it starts and there is a lot of people that go.

Hope this helps.

Cindy

PS I sent you a PM and will get you the information either today or tomorrow.

 

[scrapycruiser]

It would be about a 2.5 to 3 mile walk to see Sagrada Familia, so I would take a taxi or walk up to the north end of La Rambla and take the L50 bus. We are taking the bus. You can buy your tickets for Sagrada Familia on line at (for an audio tour):

http://www.servicaixa.com/nav/en/mu..._familia_08su/visita_amb_audioguia/index.html

go to the bottom of the page and choose your date and click "buy tickets" link. Then you choose how many tickets and what time you want to visit, then you don't have to wait in those lines (they are very long). The promotion offers that appear after you pick a time is for Retirees, children under 10, children 10 - 18, students, and youth card (in that order).

If you want to go up in the towers, you can go up in two of them, you have to pay an extra 2.50 Euro, and you have to buy them there at the ticket window.

You can catch the L3 Metro on La Rambla to get to Magic Fountain, you want to be there before 9 pm, that's when it starts and there is a lot of people that go.

Hope this helps.

Cindy

PS I sent you a PM and will get you the information either today or tomorrow.

Cindy
You're exactly right ! We will be taking the Metro L3 to the fountains.
You get off at Espanya.Thanks for the info about the bus to the Sagrada Familia. That will save us money on the taxi !

 

[Mog's Mom]

It would be about a 2.5 to 3 mile walk to see Sagrada Familia, so I would take a taxi or walk up to the north end of La Rambla and take the L50 bus. We are taking the bus. You can buy your tickets for Sagrada Familia on line at (for an audio tour):

http://www.servicaixa.com/nav/en/mu..._familia_08su/visita_amb_audioguia/index.html

go to the bottom of the page and choose your date and click "buy tickets" link. Then you choose how many tickets and what time you want to visit, then you don't have to wait in those lines (they are very long). The promotion offers that appear after you pick a time is for Retirees, children under 10, children 10 - 18, students, and youth card (in that order).

If you want to go up in the towers, you can go up in two of them, you have to pay an extra 2.50 Euro, and you have to buy them there at the ticket window.

You can catch the L3 Metro on La Rambla to get to Magic Fountain, you want to be there before 9 pm, that's when it starts and there is a lot of people that go.

Hope this helps.

Cindy

PS I sent you a PM and will get you the information either today or tomorrow.

Thanks so much Cindy for this info! We have booked our tickets for Sagrada Familia (we love having the background you get from an audio tour!) for Friday at 10am and since we are staying near Pl. Catalunya, we now even know what bus to take!

 

[nhmomofson]

Thank you for taking care of thus, Cindy. We are looking forward to it!!

Our group brunch at Palo was approved. The following people have reservations for brunch on 3 June at 1030. See you all there

DopeyFan (3)
nomomofson (2)
htmlkid (2)
friends of htmlkid (2)
Livelovelaugh06 (3)
Marymom (2)


Here is the information that DCL sent me:

Please reconfirm this reservation with the PALO Team at the dining session in (Rockin-Bar-D) on Embarkation day between 12:30pm - 3:30pm. (I will do this)

Palo Policy:

Age: Guest must be 18 years or older to dine at Palo.
Dress Code: Brunch- Cruise casual wear suggested. No shorts, swimwear, tank tops or blue jeans are permitted.
Cancellation: Cancellation fees - 100% of the Palo Dining Option is applied to the Guests’ folio, when the Guests do not show or have not cancelled by 2:00 PM the night the reservation is confirmed.
Smoking – is not permitted

30 days Ya'll, 30 days

 

[stampinot]

Anyone know if this is a good tour?

 

[DaisyKate]

PS I sent you a PM and will get you the information either today or tomorrow.

I don't have a high enough post count to send you a PM, but I would like to thank you for all of the information. I will definitely find the time to read through all of it. It's a little overwhelming, so I really appreciate all the help!

 

[annichan]

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.

That's really nice! Unfortunately, we have planned to stay in the Barri Gotic (Gothic Quarter) and on Las Ramblas as that is already plenty to see (and walk!) on the half-day we have got, so we won't be going to the Magic Fountain. I have looked it up though and it looks beautiful, so we will definitely have to check it out some other visit!

 

[Nanarella]

Hi Everyone,
Sorry we've been slacking on keeping up with the thread. It was so exciting reading everyone's plans and thank you all for all the tips on packing, currency exchange, etc.
Our group--DH, DS, Vickidibopidiboo and her DH--will be arriving in Barcelona on May 27 at 11:15 AM. We are planning to take a taxi to the Hotel Curious just off Las Ramblas. The concierge there emailed me this regarding the taxi:

You can take a large taxi to the hotel (7 seaters), they are easy to find at the taxi stand at the airport. The same type of taxi can be reserved upon request once you are here, to go to the harbour.
All taxis have metre readings that charge the regular faires. For 5 people could cost above 35 euros to even 50. Make sure you take one from the stand. As they are the officially recognised and if you do not see the large taxi, follow the qeue of passangers until you turn comes and then, the next taxi in line will arrange it for you. Sometimes there is personnel from the airport asigning you which taxi you have to board according to the order, they will arrange it for you. When you get off the taxi they give a receipt with details of car and journey. You can also pay with credit card.
Usually for 2 persons a taxi can charge between 25-35 euros. Prices are higher before 8 am, at night and on week ends or national holidays

We are planning to go La Sagrada Familia in the afternoon and then sample some tapas along Las Ramblas and check out La Boqueria Marketplace.

Our itinierary for the cruise is:
Malta: Cruising on a Turkish Schooner (DCL excursion)
Palermo: Mysterious Palermo (DCL excursion) and Palo Dinner
Naples: Private driver--Sorrento, Amalfi Coast and Pompeii--seesorrento.com
Civitavecchia--private driver--Montalcino and Banfi Winery--Valdichiana Tours
(were going back to Rome for 3 nights at the end of the cruise--staying at the Hotel Alimandi Tunisi near the Vatican and we have our tickets for the Basilica and Vatican Museum tour and for the Scavi tour and we plan to buy a Roma pass for public transportation and discounts for the attractions).
La Spezia--We are going to do Cinque Terra on our own, well, with help from Rick Steves' book.
Ajaccio--probably a beach day
Villefranche--taking the train to Monaco
Last day at sea--Palo Brunch
We've been working on our FE gifts and can't wait to meet up with you on Embarkation Day.

Nancy

 

[Nanarella]

Of course, all these plans are contingent upon my getting out of Jury Duty.
On Friday I got a summons for Jury Duty on May 27. LOL!

 

[scrapycruiser]

Of course, all these plans are contingent upon my getting out of Jury Duty.
On Friday I got a summons for Jury Duty on May 27. LOL!

My son, who is also on this cruise, got a jury summons. Apparently, if you have vacation plans with paid airline tkts, cruise res,etc. there is no problem !

 

[scrapycruiser]

Hi Everyone,
Sorry we've been slacking on keeping up with the thread. It was so exciting reading everyone's plans and thank you all for all the tips on packing, currency exchange, etc.
Our group--DH, DS, Vickidibopidiboo and her DH--will be arriving in Barcelona on May 27 at 11:15 AM. We are planning to take a taxi to the Hotel Curious just off Las Ramblas. The concierge there emailed me this regarding the taxi:

You can take a large taxi to the hotel (7 seaters), they are easy to find at the taxi stand at the airport. The same type of taxi can be reserved upon request once you are here, to go to the harbour.
All taxis have metre readings that charge the regular faires. For 5 people could cost above 35 euros to even 50. Make sure you take one from the stand. As they are the officially recognised and if you do not see the large taxi, follow the qeue of passangers until you turn comes and then, the next taxi in line will arrange it for you. Sometimes there is personnel from the airport asigning you which taxi you have to board according to the order, they will arrange it for you. When you get off the taxi they give a receipt with details of car and journey. You can also pay with credit card.
Usually for 2 persons a taxi can charge between 25-35 euros. Prices are higher before 8 am, at night and on week ends or national holidays

We are planning to go La Sagrada Familia in the afternoon and then sample some tapas along Las Ramblas and check out La Boqueria Marketplace.

Our itinierary for the cruise is:
Malta: Cruising on a Turkish Schooner (DCL excursion)
Palermo: Mysterious Palermo (DCL excursion) and Palo Dinner
Naples: Private driver--Sorrento, Amalfi Coast and Pompeii--seesorrento.com
Civitavecchia--private driver--Montalcino and Banfi Winery--Valdichiana Tours
(were going back to Rome for 3 nights at the end of the cruise--staying at the Hotel Alimandi Tunisi near the Vatican and we have our tickets for the Basilica and Vatican Museum tour and for the Scavi tour and we plan to buy a Roma pass for public transportation and discounts for the attractions).
La Spezia--We are going to do Cinque Terra on our own, well, with help from Rick Steve's book.
Ajaccio--probably a beach day
Villefrance--taking the train to Monaco
Last day at sea--Palo Brunch
We've been working on our FE gifts and can't wait to meet up with you on Embarkation Day.

Nancy

So glad to get a heads up about the Barcelona taxis. I will make sure not to get a taxi before 8 am. My gosh, they're costly enough !!

Our family is also doing Cinque Terre on our own ( with Rick Steves help )
Are you making a lunch res ?

Looking forward to meeting everyone at the Dis Meet !

We leave 3 weeks from tomorrow !!

GINA

 

[Nanarella]

I sent a copy of my airline tickets with my request for a postponement of my service on jury duty. I also mentioned that I served on a Federal jury for six weeks. I think I did my share of jury duty.

We did not make any lunch reservations. Rick Steves' mentions buying a picnic lunch in a couple of the towns. We may look into that. We have not settled all the details of that port. Do you have any suggestions?

 

[kelvinwyng]

Hi! Do anyone know the drop off and pick up point for the Port Adventure - Rome on yor own?

 

[DopeyFan1966]

Hi! Do anyone know the drop off and pick up point for the Port Adventure - Rome on yor own?

I think it is a the main transportation center in Rome, but I'm not positive.