May 4th, 2025 - 13 Night Eastbound Transatlantic Cruise from Port Canaveral to Barcelona (Castaway Cay, Azores, Lisbon, Cádiz)

[Pinkjgray]

I have tried this twice and decided it’s just not me. I have a large suitcase and a bag that can go on top of the big suitcase for my carry on. Only one thing to roll as well and more space.

If you are planning on flying within Europe, make sure that your luggage size and weight is compatible with the airline. European airlines tend to be strict and their sizes and weight are often lower than US airlines.

Thank you for that tip!

 

[Flossbolna]

So, we have finally booked all our flights. Flying Norse from Berlin to Miami for 300€. And yesterday we booked flight home from Barcelona. It’s not until 5:30 pm, so we are thinking about using a luggage service to get the luggage to the airport and spend some time walking through the city before taking the metro to the airport.

 

[Pinkjgray]

So, we have finally booked all our flights. Flying Norse from Berlin to Miami for 300€. And yesterday we booked flight home from Barcelona. It’s not until 5:30 pm, so we are thinking about using a luggage service to get the luggage to the airport and spend some time walking through the city before taking the metro to the airport.

That’s a good deal. How are you getting to Orlando? Brightline or renting a car?

 

[PlutoDisney]

So, we have finally booked all our flights. Flying Norse from Berlin to Miami for 300€. And yesterday we booked flight home from Barcelona. It’s not until 5:30 pm, so we are thinking about using a luggage service to get the luggage to the airport and spend some time walking through the city before taking the metro to the airport.

Well done. Sounds like you managed to get a good deal with your flights. We just finished booking both our outward and return flights. Unfortunately for us, living so far away from start and end points mean we couldn't get such a good deal, even after taking your earlier advice about looking at other airports nearby. Like you, our flight out of Barcelona is later at around 17:00 but I think we are just going to end up hanging around the airport unfortunately.

Next task is booking transfers to and from airports/ports.

Time is ticking away fast now.

 

[Flossbolna]

That’s a good deal. How are you getting to Orlando? Brightline or renting a car?

We are visiting family in Southern Florida first and then heading to WDW for a while, so will most likely want a rental car anyway. I don’t like the pricing I am finding right now, but will keep checking. Brightline is 70$ per person and once you add in the Uber fares we would need as well, the 300$ for a one week rental aren’t that much more and it gives us more flexibility. We do a lot of train travel here in Europe (we don’t even own a car), but here the train is usually supplemented with an excellent local public transport system which lacks in Florida.

 

[Flossbolna]

Well done. Sounds like you managed to get a good deal with your flights. We just finished booking both our outward and return flights. Unfortunately for us, living so far away from start and end points mean we couldn't get such a good deal, even after taking your earlier advice about looking at other airports nearby. Like you, our flight out of Barcelona is later at around 17:00 but I think we are just going to end up hanging around the airport unfortunately.

Next task is booking transfers to and from airports/ports.

Time is ticking away fast now.

Sorry to hear that you ended up with expensive flights! It’s definitely getting close now, on Saturday it’s next month until my vacation starts.

We will most likely do DCL transfer to Port Canaveral as we are staying at Boulder Ridge pre-cruise. On our med cruise in 2023 we just took a taxi from the port. The line was very long, but well managed. I think it’s a flat fare to the airport from the port. So unless you have kids who need a car seat, this might be the best option.

ETA: Just looked it up, it’s 45€ fixed fare port to airport.

 

[Pinkjgray]

I booked a DCL transfer from the resort to the port. I haven’t booked a return flight yet.

 

[NAB]

Not sure why I didn’t look this up soon. Probably most of my cruises don’t have a thread….lol

Husband, myself and adult daughter (24 turning 25 a day after we get off).

We are platinum this will be #22 for us. My husband and I are retired.

My daughter picked this one for her holiday time and birthday. This is her 13 th cruise. She is a great duck hunter….lol she went with us in Oct. for a Halloween cruise I told her about the ducks than she was on a mission….found 11 . I know they are not allowed anymore but we found them. My husband found 3 on our cruise last month on the Treasure.

Really not sure what our excursions are since my Husband is the planner. We will also be staying in Barcelona for 2 days than flying to Iceland for a few days. It was cheaper to fly home from there than a direct flight from Barcelona. We are Canadian.

 

[Pinkjgray]

Welcome! 61 more days. I’m not ready. lol!

 

[NAB]

Welcome! 61 more days. I’m not ready. lol!

Thanks!

I just asked my husband if we should bring an extra suitcase . We only got one free going down , 2 free on the way back. We went Hawaii last year and had to by an extra suitcase there…lol A lot of people were doing that on the ship at the one port.

I’m not even sure what the weather will be. I know cold in Iceland but we start out in a warm place. I will have to wash for sure since we are gone 18 days.

 

[Pinkjgray]

Oh, wow! On the DCL cruise last year, I saw a lot of cruisers with Scout bags! I bought one of after that cruise and will probably bring it with me. I think the really large size is called a ZIP-TOP ORIGINAL TOTE XX-LARGE bag.

Worst case scenario, the ship sells luggage.

 

[MoMushu]

Hi Everyone!
This cruise is going te be with my mom and I. It's our 8th Disney cruise. We're from The Netherlands and love going to WDW and going on Disney cruises.
We're flying with Icelandair to Orlando and will be staying at Old Key West the week before the cruise. Taking DCL transfer to the port.
We booked the Rainforest Length of Cruise Pass (first time), Palo dinner and Brunch and the Sports Simulator on Goofy's Sports Deck (never done that before, wanted to try it).
We wanted to do the hike at the Azores but it was already sold out. Instead we booked the Sete Cidades Lake Vista's, Botanical Garden and Pineapple Plantation. For Lisbon we booked a city tour with GuruWalk and for Cadiz the Walking Tour (DCL port adventure).
We have only one day in Barcelona because we need to go home the next day because of my work. We arranged for our luggage to be picked up from the port and brought to our hotel near the airport. This way we can explore Barcelona (most likely by hop on hop off bus) on our own without luggage.
Realy looking forward to this cruise. Have done one longer cruise before (Panama Canal) and liked it very much. But this one is going to be with a lot of sea days so I'm planning on relaxing and reading a lot.

 

[Pinkjgray]

1. North Alabama
2. A day my grandma and I were out having fun all day.
3. Given many pep talks to different people.
4. Advocate, adventurous, and compassionate
5. I had many but a rememberable one was a dance fitness instructor.
6. Travel to 100 countries, compete on The Amazing Race, and help further LGBTQ+ rights around the world
7. I don't watch movies but a huge Survivor fan: the Black Widow alliance convincing Erik to give up immunity in Fans vs. Favorites.
8. Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, and Greta Thunberg
9. Graduating high school with honors
10. Food, travel, friends/family, music, and reality TV

The new season of Amazing Race started today! Are you watching?

 

[Flossbolna]

So, we finally decided to take the DCL transfer from Boulder Ridge to the port. Very excited, this is the first time for us taking official transport from WDW. Not thrilled about a 7 am luggage pick up, but I do like the idea of an early boarding time.

Thanks!

I just asked my husband if we should bring an extra suitcase . We only got one free going down , 2 free on the way back. We went Hawaii last year and had to by an extra suitcase there…lol A lot of people were doing that on the ship at the one port.

I’m not even sure what the weather will be. I know cold in Iceland but we start out in a warm place. I will have to wash for sure since we are gone 18 days.

Welcome!

Could you pack a sturdy duffle bag on the way to Florida? Then on the way home you can put all the dirty laundry in there and pack the precious souvenirs in the suit case. Or pick up a new bag in Florida if you have time for bag shopping there.

Hi Everyone!
This cruise is going te be with my mom and I. It's our 8th Disney cruise. We're from The Netherlands and love going to WDW and going on Disney cruises.
We're flying with Icelandair to Orlando and will be staying at Old Key West the week before the cruise. Taking DCL transfer to the port.
We booked the Rainforest Length of Cruise Pass (first time), Palo dinner and Brunch and the Sports Simulator on Goofy's Sports Deck (never done that before, wanted to try it).
We wanted to do the hike at the Azores but it was already sold out. Instead we booked the Sete Cidades Lake Vista's, Botanical Garden and Pineapple Plantation. For Lisbon we booked a city tour with GuruWalk and for Cadiz the Walking Tour (DCL port adventure).
We have only one day in Barcelona because we need to go home the next day because of my work. We arranged for our luggage to be picked up from the port and brought to our hotel near the airport. This way we can explore Barcelona (most likely by hop on hop off bus) on our own without luggage.
Realy looking forward to this cruise. Have done one longer cruise before (Panama Canal) and liked it very much. But this one is going to be with a lot of sea days so I'm planning on relaxing and reading a lot.

Welcome! Nice to see more Europeans (I am German)! We are booked on the same excursion on the Azores, but I need to talk with my husband again if we don't want to go for a private excursion. We are not a fan of the big bus groups that are DCL excursions...

We have done the Panama Canal as well - it was actually 15 nights on the Disney Wonder in 2014. I loved the sea days so much. But I am still a tiny bit scared to be so far out in the ocean. On the PC cruise we were more or less hugging the coast of Central America...

 

[Pinkjgray]

So, we finally decided to take the DCL transfer from Boulder Ridge to the port. Very excited, this is the first time for us taking official transport from WDW. Not thrilled about a 7 am luggage pick up, but I do like the idea of an early boarding time.


Welcome!

Could you pack a sturdy duffle bag on the way to Florida? Then on the way home you can put all the dirty laundry in there and pack the precious souvenirs in the suit case. Or pick up a new bag in Florida if you have time for bag shopping there.



Welcome! Nice to see more Europeans (I am German)! We are booked on the same excursion on the Azores, but I need to talk with my husband again if we don't want to go for a private excursion. We are not a fan of the big bus groups that are DCL excursions...

We have done the Panama Canal as well - it was actually 15 nights on the Disney Wonder in 2014. I loved the sea days so much. But I am still a tiny bit scared to be so far out in the ocean. On the PC cruise we were more or less hugging the coast of Central America...

Yay! It’s a nice and quiet ride to PC! Yes, the 7a pick up is early. However, you do have the option to decline it and bring your luggages with you

 

[RedHead0186]

So, we finally decided to take the DCL transfer from Boulder Ridge to the port. Very excited, this is the first time for us taking official transport from WDW. Not thrilled about a 7 am luggage pick up, but I do like the idea of an early boarding time.

I was not a fan of the 7am luggage pickup either when we did DCL transportation from Coronado Springs last month. But, if your suitcase is not ready, you can either leave it in the room when you depart (they'll ask when you check in for the transportation how many bags you left in your room) or you can bring it with you. You'll get an email or letter with instructions on how to do the pickup.

 

[NAB]

Got my Luggage tags today!

Seems early ….

 

[Flossbolna]

I was not a fan of the 7am luggage pickup either when we did DCL transportation from Coronado Springs last month. But, if your suitcase is not ready, you can either leave it in the room when you depart (they'll ask when you check in for the transportation how many bags you left in your room) or you can bring it with you. You'll get an email or letter with instructions on how to do the pickup.

I love the idea of not having to bother with bags at all that day. And I don’t think I could relax if I just left my bags behind in the room - just imagine if they are forgotten and we are on our way to Europe without our luggage!

So, the 7 am pick up is still the best option! We will deal with it… And it’s kind of good training for the coming time changes to get up early anyway!

 

[mpark90]

Got my Luggage tags today!

Seems early ….View attachment 948831

Oh wow, this does seem super early!

 

[RedHead0186]

I love the idea of not having to bother with bags at all that day. And I don’t think I could relax if I just left my bags behind in the room - just imagine if they are forgotten and we are on our way to Europe without our luggage!

So, the 7 am pick up is still the best option! We will deal with it… And it’s kind of good training for the coming time changes to get up early anyway!

Oh, I agree. I just could not leave my bags behind in the room when we went down to do the transportation check in. I brought mine with me and they assured me it would make it to the ship (it did). I did feel better when they asked how many bags we had left in the room-seems like that was a 'double check' to be sure they would get all of them.