No wbta 2013

[LindaBabe]

I loved my low budget hotel in Barcelona - Hotel ParaLel on Avinda Parallel, just down from one of the highly rated Tapas bars Quimet. We ate our tapas across the street, however, in a place that has CHAIRS. There's also a conveniently located coffee bar, wine shop, and fruit stand, and a full on grocery shop up the street. Free internet in the lobby. If we get back to Barca, I'm staying there again.

 

[ThePhantomsGirl]

I loved my low budget hotel in Barcelona - Hotel ParaLel on Avinda Parallel, just down from one of the highly rated Tapas bars Quimet.

Wow, just looked that up on Trip Advisor and a darned decent find! I could stay three days for less than I thought I'd pay for ONE night. Will definitely keep this in mind.

 

[Dizneyholic]

Welcome!

I'm glad to see we are getting new people who are interested. We were losing quite a few (and may well still do so in the scope of things).

I'm not going to make any more predictions on when I think they will announce this or not, as I swear DCL is purposely laughing at me personally.

I'll just keep busy researching "maybe" stuff. Barcelona Hotels, sights I must see, etc.

For those who have gone before, how many days early did you go? Do you wish you had done differently?

We flew in the Tuesday before and spent 4 nights in Barcelona at the Hotel Praktik on the Ramblas. There were quite a few other Diser's there as well and it was fun running into each other. We spent those days touring the city on the hop on/hop off buses. Loved it!
http://m.hotelpraktikrambla.com/
The one thing I would do differently is...not get so sick that I end up with Whooping Cough for 2 months. My 2 trips to the hospital at 3am in a foreign country were not on the "fun plan". Lol. I soooo need a do over!

 

[MagicMe]

We flew in the Tuesday before and spent 4 nights in Barcelona at the Hotel Praktik on the Ramblas. There were quite a few other Diser's there as well and it was fun running into each other. We spent those days touring the city on the hop on/hop off buses. Loved it!
http://m.hotelpraktikrambla.com/
The one thing I would do differently is...not get so sick that I end up with Whooping Cough for 2 months. My 2 trips to the hospital at 3am in a foreign country were not on the "fun plan". Lol. I soooo need a do over!

I stayed at the Hotel Praktik in 2010. Such a beautiful boutique hotel. I had a single room which was small but very comfortable and clean. And the bathroom/shower was awesome! We also had alot of fellow cruisers and ended up having a bus for all of us going.

 

[Dizneyholic]

I stayed at the Hotel Praktik in 2010. Such a beautiful boutique hotel. I had a single room which was small but very comfortable and clean. And the bathroom/shower was awesome! We also had alot of fellow cruisers and ended up having a bus for all of us going.

We also loved the bathrooms. We were there the same trip as you but didn't get to ride the bus since I had to go to the hospital before boarding. I would definitely book there again!

 

[JessicasMom]

Welcome!

I'm glad to see we are getting new people who are interested. We were losing quite a few (and may well still do so in the scope of things).

I'm not going to make any more predictions on when I think they will announce this or not, as I swear DCL is purposely laughing at me personally.

I'll just keep busy researching "maybe" stuff. Barcelona Hotels, sights I must see, etc.

For those who have gone before, how many days early did you go? Do you wish you had done differently?

Our first time, we were on the EBTA and had a full day in BCN the day before debarkation, so we were able to do a city tour (hop-on, hop-off bus) and return to the ship before the cruise officially ended (and we flew home) the next day. That was great! For the WBTA last year, we stayed at a little hotel right on La Rambla; great location, but you had to go up a flight of stairs to the reception desk (and take the elevator from there). Not a great idea for five people with luggage and Grandma! We spent two nights there, which was a decent amt. of time, but I would love to see more. We did the HOHO bus again, since only DH and I had been there before; I definitely recommend it as a way to see a lot in a short amt. of time, and you can hit the main tourist spots easily. The one thing I wouldn't do again is fly through London (Heathrow)...a less-than-ideal airport to begin with, but then they lost (held hostage ) some of our luggage, which wasn't returned until Madeira. I'm sure they thought the bags of my 71-yr old mother and dev. disabled niece were quite threatening!

 

[ThePhantomsGirl]

We flew in the Tuesday before and spent 4 nights in Barcelona at the Hotel Praktik on the Ramblas. There were quite a few other Diser's there as well and it was fun running into each other.

Ooooh, another good find! With those prices I could afford to go up to three days early and see sights. After all, if I am going to fly that far, might as well see the area where we start from. Again, of course guessing it would be Barcelona.

It would be nice to have some other DIS'ers around. I also am sort of hoping at least one other solo might be around for touring, as being solo on a ship is far different than being completely solo in a foreign city. I don't think I'd let it stop me if no one was, as I would just be careful of where I went, and what I take with me either way. (pickpockets, etc.)

Disneyholic, you've also reminded me to make sure I get travel insurance with the medical insurance being the primary, although I'm sure it's still wise to have some funds available on a credit card just in case.

 

[LindaBabe]

Ooooh, another good find! With those prices I could afford to go up to three days early and see sights. After all, if I am going to fly that far, might as well see the area where we start from. Again, of course guessing it would be Barcelona.

It would be nice to have some other DIS'ers around. I also am sort of hoping at least one other solo might be around for touring, as being solo on a ship is far different than being completely solo in a foreign city. I don't think I'd let it stop me if no one was, as I would just be careful of where I went, and what I take with me either way. (pickpockets, etc.)

Disneyholic, you've also reminded me to make sure I get travel insurance with the medical insurance being the primary, although I'm sure it's still wise to have some funds available on a credit card just in case.

If this cruise ever comes through, I know of at least one single woman who will be on it.

Trip insurance takes time to come through if one needs to collect on it, so it really behooves one to be able to 'front' the expenses.

 

[Dizneyholic]

Ooooh, another good find! With those prices I could afford to go up to three days early and see sights. After all, if I am going to fly that far, might as well see the area where we start from. Again, of course guessing it would be Barcelona.

It would be nice to have some other DIS'ers around. I also am sort of hoping at least one other solo might be around for touring, as being solo on a ship is far different than being completely solo in a foreign city. I don't think I'd let it stop me if no one was, as I would just be careful of where I went, and what I take with me either way. (pickpockets, etc.)

Disneyholic, you've also reminded me to make sure I get travel insurance with the medical insurance being the primary, although I'm sure it's still wise to have some funds available on a credit card just in case.

I think we paid $500 US for 4 nights so it was a great deal compared to the hotels Disney was offering!

Luckily my work insurance covered all medical expenses overseas but I'm not sure what I would have done had I needed to fly back early or miss the cruise! I think I will be adding it on this time for sure! You just never know!

Chasity

 

[babydiver]

Welcome!

I'm glad to see we are getting new people who are interested. We were losing quite a few (and may well still do so in the scope of things).

I'm not going to make any more predictions on when I think they will announce this or not, as I swear DCL is purposely laughing at me personally.

I'll just keep busy researching "maybe" stuff. Barcelona Hotels, sights I must see, etc.

For those who have gone before, how many days early did you go? We arrived on the Thursday just to make sure we were in plenty of time should there be delays with the plane. so we had one and half days but had been there before. I would definitely recommend the hop on hop off bus as it takes you to all the major sights. Do you wish you had done differently?

We stayed at the Hotel Atlantis which is just off Las Ramblas - turn left at the top onto the Carrer De Pelai. Ideal for most walking sights too and catching the hop on/off bus in the Placa de Catalunya. The Hard Rock Cafe is nearby too if there should be another pre cruise get together. And we stocked up on our 99c per litre boxes of red wine in the nearby supermarket

 

[sssteele]

Lots of cruisers like Hotel Continental Baracelona on Las Ramblas and the sister hotel-Hotel Continental Palacete. All rooms at the Continental and a few at the Palacete are booked by folks traveling on our next cruise out of there. Not as highly rated as some others, and all the rooms are decorated in pink, but all the people I've "talked" with really love the location. They also include a mini buffet that is available all day, and fridges in the rooms, and they encourage you to help yourself, and pack little picnics to enjoy during your stay.

They will also help work out transfer to the port, and there is a wine shop VERY close by.

DH and I are looking forward to our stay there prior to our 1st TA.

 

[ThePhantomsGirl]

For those who stayed at Hotel Praktik, do you recall if there was a wine shop nearby? How about a department store or place where one could buy last minute items?

I think I like the looks, description, and price of that hotel!

I'd like to grab one or two bottles of wine as I love sitting out on my veranda in the evening with a glass before retiring. Not that I've ever finished any bottle of wine I bring, but I always mean to.

Did anyone go to The Magic Fountains? What would you consider MUST SEE places?

Sorry for asking so many questions, but I'm place-sitting for someone, and there isn't much to do, so researching for this "possible" cruise is a past time for me right now.

 

[LindaBabe]

We were originally booked at either the Continental or the Praktik (can't remember which) but their rooms couldn't accommodate 3, so when we added the third girl, we had to move.

Magic Fountains is 2 blocks up from where we stayed, near Placa d'Espana, but we never made it. Definitely on my list for next year, along with the Miro museum, the picasso museum AND the inside of Segrada Familia. I *WILL* have my tickets in hand for that one. (preorder)

 

[MagicMe]

The shopping area and hard rock were about 2-3 blocks away. We walked down to the big department store building not far from the hard rock. There's a supermarket in the basement where you can buy your alcohol.

 

[birkner]

The shopping area and hard rock were about 2-3 blocks away. We walked down to the big department store building not far from the hard rock. There's a supermarket in the basement where you can buy your alcohol.

The department/grocery store I think you are referring to is called El Corte Ingles. We have stopped there both times for various sundry items as well as well as wine etc.

 

[liesbeth1012]

Must do in Barcelona is
Sagrada Familia. Get your ticket before, than you don't have to stand in line.
Parc Guell also from Gaudi.
Casa Batlo or Casa Mila also Gaudi.
Up to the Montjuich with cable car.
I loved the magical fountains. They played a lot of songs of Disney.
And so much more.

 

[babydiver]

The shopping area and hard rock were about 2-3 blocks away. We walked down to the big department store building not far from the hard rock. There's a supermarket in the basement where you can buy your alcohol.

Good morning all.
Corte Ingles is the department store with the food hall in the basement. Hard Rock Cafe across the road. This is the area where you can get the Hop on/off buses The Placa Catalunya.
We bought our wine in the food hall for the hotel and the trip. Red wine boxes 99c Euro for 1 litre and it was excellent drinking. There was cheaper at 79c but we thought we would try the more expensive LOL

 

[birkner]

Had to move one of my "dummy" reservations from a previous cruise today. John and I may take the June 15, 2013 Med cruise if the WBTA doesn't materialize soon!

Anybody else thinking of the same cruise?

 

[Skylarr29]

I think we will stay at an apartment hotel since there will be 5 of us.

 

[JessicasMom]

I think we will stay at an apartment hotel since there will be 5 of us.

We were also a party of five, but most of the apts. (not all) required a three-night stay, with an addt'l cleaning fee. We finally just booked two hotel rooms, which was less expensive (and included breakfast). I will definitely try again to find a reasonable apt., since it would be more spacious, but I struck out last year.