Med Cruisers...Let's Discuss Planning!(Updated Tour Info, Links & BCN Info on Page 1)

[MinnieDiva]

What is the recommended flight time on disembarkation day in Barcelona? I can't ind the info in their website.

This is the quote from DCL from when I log in and look at the travel info:

Please allow ample time for all your travel connections. We recommend the following flight-time guidelines:
Latest arrival time to Barcelona International Airport on Embarkation Day: 1:15 p.m.
Earliest departure time from Barcelona International Airport on Debarkation Day: 12:30 p.m.

 

[MinnieDiva]

That being said, in 2010, they asked those with flights earlier than "x" hour to identify themselves to guest services for early ship departure arrangements. Didn't apply to me, but there are those on here that did so.

 

[lilpooh108]

Has anyone gone to Gladiator school? I've booked it for our family and would love some feedback. Thanks.

I haven't but I read a great review on this through a blog post. The name of the blog slips my mind...if you google it I'm sure it will come up. It's a lady from SF who travels alot with her 2 kids. It's probably called Travel with kids or something like that

 

[bibbidibobbidibecky]

I remember reading a trip report from 2010 about a family renting a yacht for the day in Malta. Does anyone have any idea about that?

TIA!

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

What is the recommended flight time on disembarkation day in Barcelona? I can't ind the info in their website.

DCL won't offer transfers from port to airport for any guests whose flight is earlier than 11:00am.

 

[gydell]

Can you charge euros to your onboard account or do you need cash? I think I remember it being cash but thought I'd check. Thanks!

 

[woody73]

Can you charge euros to your onboard account or do you need cash? I think I remember it being cash but thought I'd check. Thanks!

As I recall, Guest Services will exchange currency. So you need cash.

Woody

 

[gydell]

As I recall, Guest Services will exchange currency. So you need cash.

Woody

Thanks! That's what I remember too.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

This came up on my cruise meet thread, but I thought I would post it here just in case. .

If you don't have to take your passport off the ship (and as I recall on other cruises I did not generally have to take it) you might want to have a copy on you.

This will be especially helpful if you decide to buy some costly piece of glass in Venice or some other high priced "remembrance" along the way. They will need the passport info to fill out the VAT forms at the merchant.

(It could also be helpful if you miss the boat, but that's another problem)

 

[BellesMommy]

This came up on my cruise meet thread, but I thought I would post it here just in case. .

If you don't have to take your passport off the ship (and as I recall on other cruises I did not generally have to take it) you might want to have a copy on you.

This will be especially helpful if you decide to buy some costly piece of glass in Venice or some other high priced "remembrance" along the way. They will need the passport info to fill out the VAT forms at the merchant.

(It could also be helpful if you miss the boat, but that's another problem)

What about passport cards? Can you take that onshore and leave your passport booklet on the ship?

 

[BellesMommy]

This came up on my cruise meet thread, but I thought I would post it here just in case. .

If you don't have to take your passport off the ship (and as I recall on other cruises I did not generally have to take it) you might want to have a copy on you.

This will be especially helpful if you decide to buy some costly piece of glass in Venice or some other high priced "remembrance" along the way. They will need the passport info to fill out the VAT forms at the merchant.

(It could also be helpful if you miss the boat, but that's another problem)

What about a passport card? Can you take these onshore instead of your passport booklet?

 

[disprincess4ever]

What about a passport card? Can you take these onshore instead of your passport booklet?

Good thought. I feel wary of even carrying a passport copy with me into some of those ports. Anyone know if passport card copies would be worth carrying around?

 

[poohmomof5]

I would love to know DCL's policy on passport cards. I just renewed my kids passports and ordered the card also for my oldest kids, 15, 18, 19 and 21. I figured that would be useful for them if they embark on the own? Maybe I will contact DCL and ask...

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

A passport card will not be recognized by any legal authorities at any port on a med cruise

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

A passport card will not be recognized by any legal authorities at any port on a med cruise

One other note. The local merchants have likely never seen one either so I am not sure this card would work for the VAT forms

I am not sure why you would be afraid to take a copy of the passport

 

[bigAWL]

I would love to know DCL's policy on passport cards. I just renewed my kids passports and ordered the card also for my oldest kids, 15, 18, 19 and 21. I figured that would be useful for them if they embark on the own? Maybe I will contact DCL and ask...

A passport card will not be recognized by any legal authorities at any port on a med cruise

One other note. The local merchants have likely never seen one either so I am not sure this card would work for the VAT forms

I am not sure why you would be afraid to take a copy of the passport

The US Passport card is not globally recognized as an official ID for the purposes of international travel. A few years ago, the US started requiring US citizens to show a passport when returning from places like Canada, Mexico, and The Bahamas by land or sea. The card was created to offer an easier and cheaper way for US citizens to do this on a frequent basis, such as those who live in border towns (a passport book is required for travel by air).

So the card is basically useless outside the western hemisphere.

 

[disprincess4ever]

One other note. The local merchants have likely never seen one either so I am not sure this card would work for the VAT forms

I am not sure why you would be afraid to take a copy of the passport

With places like Rome notorious for pick pockets, it's a scary thought that someone might take even a copy of your passport these days. It never hurts to be careful.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

With places like Rome notorious for pick pockets, it's a scary thought that someone might take even a copy of your passport these days. It never hurts to be careful.

And they have your name and your passport number???? And trust me there is very little these things can get them.

But that's what a money belt is for. the things you don't want pickpocketed....

(Seriously it's very hard to do identity theft via a passport! )

And how would a passport card be safer?

 

[smithtj]

DCL won't offer transfers from port to airport for any guests whose flight is earlier than 11:00am.

Actually, they will ... we did this in 2011 (a 10:30 flight to Frankfurt) and have once again booked DCL transfers for a 10:30 flight out of BCN in late July. No problem at all.

 

[JimmyJackJunior]

Back from the Rick Steves travel conference. The presenters were absolutely incredible. Way above my expectations. They convinced me to go with carry on only. Bought four maximum size carry ons. Learned lots about the the french riviera, athens and rome.