May 5, 2010 Magic of Barcelona

[everafter1]

That's great news (or at least good news!). I would definitely write that person's name down though! Most likely, everything will work very smoothly. I'm such a worse case scenario girl sometimes, lol.

I agree! I feel better after talking to someone who was reassuring. I definitely wrote everyone's names down though! (I also told the manager about the CM who could have handled things better and she said she'd speak to her.) I'm the same way, which is why I panicked when I saw those flight times.

She also said that they handle things differently for the Med cruises, so we won't miss lunch... but I forgot to ask about the lifeboat drill.

I still wish the flight times were different, but I figure if that many people said that it can't be changed, it really can't be. I just have to take things as they come and hope for the best

 

[everafter1]

They cannot guarantee that you will not miss the ship. They have no control over the airlines and if you flight is cancelled, do you think the boat will wait in port an extra day for you? I think she told you that to feel better, but I am sure they will compensate you in the event that happens and maybe even fly you out on a helicopter if that should happen, I have seen that happen before. I do not think there will be any problem, it's just the stress of that it "could" be a problem that is the problem! Well now we all know for the future do book flights ourselves. Also, did you buy the insurance through disney as well? Because if you did and there is a flight problem, they will certainly deny any claims. If you did, I think it would be wise to cancel that and buy it on your own.

Oh, I know they can't wait an extra day or anything, but the ship also doesn't leave until 9, so I figure if I can't make it to the ship by then I've got bigger problems. Plus, I have seen the ship wait at Port Canaveral for an extra hour or sofor the DCL busses due to a delayed flight. I do have insurance, though, and it does cover my flights. There are a ton of things that could go wrong, but there's not much I can do about it now. I agree, though, I won't be booking my flights with them again. Lesson learned

 

[downtick]

Oh, I know they can't wait an extra day or anything, but the ship also doesn't leave until 9, so I figure if I can't make it to the ship by then I've got bigger problems. Plus, I have seen the ship wait at Port Canaveral for an extra hour or sofor the DCL busses due to a delayed flight. I do have insurance, though, and it does cover my flights. There are a ton of things that could go wrong, but there's not much I can do about it now. I agree, though, I won't be booking my flights with them again. Lesson learned

I am sure all will be fine, nobody likes cutting it close or wants the added stress. I just don't know what they were thinking when they specifically tell us to not book flights until certain times and here they go doing the exact opposite! Just very irresponsible in my opinion. My flight out on may 15 is for 12:20 pm. They specifically told me that if I buy their insurance and miss that flight, I will NOT be covered because of the 12:30 cut off time. Needless to say I did not buy their insurance nor would I ever!

 

[Kaleigh]

We're staying at the Le Meridien. I think we'll probably do the hop-on/hop-off bus the day we arrive and maybe try to make it to the Aquarium. I've heard great things about it and its open until 9pm, so that's a possibility. Mostly, I want to see the Sagrada Familia again, the Cathedral and maybe Parc Guell. My mom will probably go off and do her own thing while my daughter and I go to the Aquarium. I wish DCL would let us sign up for their Barcelona excursions, but they are only for the TA cruises. Can't believe Disney won't take my money!

Did you go inside Sagrada Familila? Do you think it is worth it to pay the admission fee and see it and the museum etc? A lot of people on trip advisor complain that it isn't worth it and that you might as well just see the outside.
My husband loves looking at old ships and stuff, so I think we might go to the Maritime Museum. There is a combo ticket for it that lets you go up inside the Columbus monument which could be neat.
Only thing I am a little concerned about is eating. I want to try some new things, but am a little apprehensive about the whole restaurant experience (in a different language, food we don't know about, getting overcharged). I do plan on trying some churros and chocolate at one of the little cafes I've seen on the travel channel.

Everafter- I so hope everything works out for you with your flights. Sending you low stress vibes

 

[everafter1]

I am sure all will be fine, nobody likes cutting it close or wants the added stress. I just don't know what they were thinking when they specifically tell us to not book flights until certain times and here they go doing the exact opposite! Just very irresponsible in my opinion. My flight out on may 15 is for 12:20 pm. They specifically told me that if I buy their insurance and miss that flight, I will NOT be covered because of the 12:30 cut off time. Needless to say I did not buy their insurance nor would I ever!

Yeah, I agree. Their reasoning was that they can't "monitor" independently booked flights. I guess I just thought they would follow their own guidelines anyway. I read that DCL insurance doesn't cover any independantly booked flights. It only covers flights booked through DCL.

The agent I spoke to said that customs clears the ship earlier in the Med than it does at PC. I think you will have plenty of time with a 12:20 flight, though.

I'm sure it will be fine, I just didn't want the added stress, but one thing is for sure... It will definitely be interesting

Thanks for the low stress vibes, Kaleigh!

 

[tarald]

Did you go inside Sagrada Familila? Do you think it is worth it to pay the admission fee and see it and the museum etc? A lot of people on trip advisor complain that it isn't worth it and that you might as well just see the outside.

We went into Sagrada Familia and I have to admit, I am not sure it was worth it either. I don't say that lightly either as I really love that kind of stuff. The outside is what really makes that church special.

 

[sabrecmc]

On a happier note, what do people plan on doing embarkation day? Waiting until the last minute to board? Getting on asap? Anyone going to be there at 10am hoping for an upgrade?

I think we'll probably get on by 2, so my daughter can nap before the lifeboat drill. That's my plan anyway.

 

[lmperrault]

Hi I'm happy to set up a group e-mail. If the kids/parents of kids who want to participate will PM me their e-mail address I'll set it up as a group e-mail. I though it might be fun to have the kids introduce them selves and then a list of fav's that I "stole" from the kids board on the TA board.

fave movie:
fave book:
fave color:
fave food:
fave animal:
fave tv show:
fave video game:
fave sport:
fave websites:
fave disney ride:
fave disney character:

Then I might come up with a question of the day etc they can answer or not like-
What your most looking forward to on the cruise? etc.

Hope to hear from everyone.

Lara

 

[strawberryblonde]

This is a quote from 3 years ago...a bit different, because it was too close of a connection time, not too close to departure time....but can still give you an idea of how disney handled a problem with a flight they arranged.....



07-12-2007, 12:18 PM #36
Disney Lover Linda
Mouseketeer


begin quote :



Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Titusville, PA
Posts: 148

Our only bad experience was Disney arranged travel for the Med cruise we took 6/16. We were scheduled to fly Pittsburgh to Philadelphia and then Phili to Frankfurt, Frankfurt to Barcelona leaving on 6/15. THey only scheduled us a 55 min. layover between Pitt & Phily which I called and told them was way too close especially since we would be going from a domestic gate to an international gate. They told me it was a 'legal' connection and there was nothing they could do about it. I told them I was counting on them to know what they were talking about. Well guess what happened? The flight left Pitt 1 hr late, it took us 20 min to deplane and 20 min to run from the gate we landed at to our next departure gate. So we missed our flight. No one in Philly wanted to help us. We called Disney, it took them 4 hrs to do anything for us. By then all flights were full and even overbooked with other Disney cruise people from the day before on stand by. We had to stay overnight in Philly and missed the boat the next day. We ended up catching the boat in Palermo our first port (which was another hellish trip since that flight left 2 hrs late). Disney did put us up in Palermo and arranged transportation to the hotel and to the boat the next day. I can happily say the cruise itself once onboard was wonderful as always. The new mattresses were very comfortable, new shampoo was great, and even the food was better than our last cruise. Except for this travel experience (which we have received no compensation for so far) our Disney cruises have always been the most relaxing vacations our family has taken. It is more expensive than most but if your bringing your children DCL is far superior to the others. I personally like the no casino and that the boat does get quiet after 1 a.m. I don't think you'll be disappointed but do stay on top of your travel arrangements. I wish I had bugged them more.

end quote

 

[everafter1]

Thanks for the information, Strawberryblonde! That's good to know. I will definitely be staying on top of this. I can't believe it took them 4 hours to fix it, that is not ok. I've been looking things up and definitely read some horror stories, but I've also heard some good things too.

One thing DCL did do right, was give us 2 hours or more between connections and we're only connecting once each way... So that gives me a little hope. I still won't be booking air with them ever again, though!

 

[strawberryblonde]

You had mentioned being happy with your connection time, I'm glad they did that right! You also have 6 hours after you land until sail away, and they can easily hold the ship up a couple of hours if needed which gives you a bit of cushion. I really wish they had not cut things too close for your flights, though, extra stress you did not need and you paid extra to avoid ((hugs))

 

[sabrecmc]

Did you go inside Sagrada Familila? Do you think it is worth it to pay the admission fee and see it and the museum etc? A lot of people on trip advisor complain that it isn't worth it and that you might as well just see the outside.

I definitely think the outside is the highlight and you'd be totally fine with just seeing that...but, you go all that way, so I say go in if it isn't prohibitively expensive. I honestly don't remember how much it cost (and we probably got student rates then anyway). Depending on what construction is going on, there can be a lot of scaffolding that can really detract from the interior. But, the interior with its tree-like columns and almost skeletal look is pretty cool when you can actually see it. I guess I just figure, well, what did I come all this way to do if not see all that I can see?

 

[Kaleigh]

On a happier note, what do people plan on doing embarkation day? Waiting until the last minute to board? Getting on asap?

Not sure. What time do you guys think is likely that we'll be able to board? We had originally planned on boarding fairly early and eating lunch, then going back out to do some stuff near the docks like the Maritime Museum, but I noticed that our terminal isn't really walking distance in the hot sun. There is a blue bus that costs 2 euros one way and 3 euros round trip to the Columbus monument from the terminal. Also, we have never been on a cruise, let alone a Disney cruise, so I kinda think we will want to stay on the boat and explore once we get there.

 

[everafter1]

In all my ranting earlier, I forgot to mention that I'm keeping my fingers crossed for everyone on British Airways, as well! DCL has us on Lufthansa on our way out to Barcelona... I just read that they're planning a 4 day strike in April... So hopefully all the strikes will be over by May. Thanks for the positive thoughts from everyone! I'm thinking good thoughts for all of us!

 

[stingmom]

then going back out to do some stuff near the docks like the Maritime Museum, but I noticed that our terminal isn't really walking distance in the hot sun. .

We were in the Med last May and it was not hot at all. The weather was cool, damp and rainy some days and then just beautiful, low 60's the reat of the time.

Average temp: May (hi) 68.0 °F (lo) 53.0 °F

Go and explore!

 

[laydee314]

We'll be arriving in Barcelona the Sunday before (5/2) so we'll probably board the ship around 1 - I think that's the earliest we can board - and hopefully grabbing lunch on ship. In Barcelona, spending one day on the HOHO bus and most likely taking the 2nd day visiting Montserrat.

 

[cj'smom]

We'll be in Barcelona for a few days prior to the cruise. We'll probably arrive around 1:00 so we can eat lunch onboard and get unpacked.

 

[cj'smom]

We were in the Med last May and it was not hot at all. The weather was cool, damp and rainy some days and then just beautiful, low 60's the reat of the time.

Average temp: May (hi) 68.0 °F (lo) 53.0 °F

I've read that the temps in the Med can be quite variable that time of year. Were the evenings onboard chilly? I plan to bring a longsleeve shirt and a lightweight jacket and hope that is enough for warmth - I can't stand to be cold.

 

[disney-lover]

From experience I can tell you that Italy will be nice and warm in May probably mid 70's and Tunisia should also be warm but Spain and France and Corsica probably won't be so warm. But you never know, we had snow in the UK for 2 months this winter and normally we get it for about a day so you can never tell how unpredictable the weather will be. I would definitely pack a jumper for at night because no matter how warm it is in the day it will still be chilly at night.

 

[mcpaket]

We normally go on holiday to the Med in May & the weather tends to be pretty good. I don't like it to hot for the kids so in the 70s suits me fine! We were in Spain last year early May and had sun every day for a week & temps around mid 70s. My friend has just been golfing in Spain over the weekend & has come back with sunburn so it must be hotting up!

Good luck to all those with flight problems!