Over my head!

[dllocals]

Google Maps in Europe is amazing, it shows bus routes, train lines and so much more.

If you’ve never used Google Maps, teach yourself or have someone you know help you. There’s much more to it than just mapping. You can plan your entire trip with it! Also, the Free Now app is like Uber, we have never had any problems with it.

 

[Flossbolna]

Anyone scared of pickpockets: I really like the bags from a company called pacsafe. They are nice enough to be used in regular life, but have excellent safety features.

The biggest rule is to not leave stuff unattended. On our cruise in 2023 some people from the cruise group had their luggage stolen when they went for breakfast at the hotel and left their luggage in the hotel lobby. I never figured out why they didn’t jus leave it in their locked hotel room.

 

[RedHead0186]

Anyone scared of pickpockets: I really like the bags from a company called pacsafe. They are nice enough to be used in regular life, but have excellent safety features.

The biggest rule is to not leave stuff unattended. On our cruise in 2023 some people from the cruise group had their luggage stolen when they went for breakfast at the hotel and left their luggage in the hotel lobby. I never figured out why they didn’t jus leave it in their locked hotel room.

Loooooove my Pacsafe bags! I second this recommendation!

 

[msmama]

Barcelona is the one place I actually used the Disney suggested hotel (Renaissance Hotel) because for some reason booking through Disney ended up cheaper than booking on my own (I think it was a fluke). We used the Disney transport and it couldn't have been easier. I think there was even a dedicated Disney spot in the hotel on embark/debark day. That said, I often ask the hotel to call me a taxi when I travel and I've never had an issue.
It was a great location because it was about 2 blocks from a main road (and Casa Batllo which stands out so is easy to find) with busses and a Hop on/Hop off bus stop. I think hop on/hop off busses are the best way to get a feel for a city, I don't care if they're lame and touristy. I've learned a lot on hop on/hop off busses!!
Barcelona has some areas in a grid pattern so it's easy to get around, and then some areas that are not and the grid parts, I swear every city block looks the same.
The only MUST DO we had for us was Sagrada Familia (which is I think a must do for anyone) so we did some strolling around various places, and if we had more time we probably would've done some things we learned about on the hop on/hop off bus but our extra time was at the end of our trip (it was EBTA then Med b2b) so we were happy just chilling a bit. We did find a really cool Lego Store. Beware, it's Spain so hours of things can be not what we in the US expect - many stores were closed on Sundays.

 

[Donna3271]

While I agree Barcelona has a pick pocket problem, in my opinion this is scaremongering and overkill.

It is ALWAYS better to book hotels direct and not through a third party or travel agent. The third party will own the booking not you the guest and if there are issues or you need to cancel or extend a stay, the hotel will not be able to that much for you. Whereas booking direct with the hotel you will not only get a better rate but the hotel will be much more easy to deal with if there are issues and they may also have perks or something extra not available if you book through a third party or travel agent.

There is absolutely no need to use a car service called by the hotel. Barcelona like most European cities has a very efficient, safe and regular public transport system, which is used by the vast majority of locals and visitors to the city. If you really have to use a taxi, use the FREE NOW App to call a metered taxi. Getting the hotel to call you a car service is tourist trap and you will end up paying a lot more than just getting a regular metered taxi.

Thank you for this. We are doing the 9 night Med out of Barcelona this summer, and was panicking after I read the OP. I feel so much better now!

 

[RedHead0186]

Barcelona is the one place I actually used the Disney suggested hotel (Renaissance Hotel) because for some reason booking through Disney ended up cheaper than booking on my own (I think it was a fluke). We used the Disney transport and it couldn't have been easier. I think there was even a dedicated Disney spot in the hotel on embark/debark day. That said, I often ask the hotel to call me a taxi when I travel and I've never had an issue.
It was a great location because it was about 2 blocks from a main road (and Casa Batllo which stands out so is easy to find) with busses and a Hop on/Hop off bus stop. I think hop on/hop off busses are the best way to get a feel for a city, I don't care if they're lame and touristy. I've learned a lot on hop on/hop off busses!!
Barcelona has some areas in a grid pattern so it's easy to get around, and then some areas that are not and the grid parts, I swear every city block looks the same.
The only MUST DO we had for us was Sagrada Familia (which is I think a must do for anyone) so we did some strolling around various places, and if we had more time we probably would've done some things we learned about on the hop on/hop off bus but our extra time was at the end of our trip (it was EBTA then Med b2b) so we were happy just chilling a bit. We did find a really cool Lego Store. Beware, it's Spain so hours of things can be not what we in the US expect - many stores were closed on Sundays.

I agree, I love the Hop On Hop Off buses and think they're a great way to see a good chunk of a city. I've done them in several cities (including the Barcelona one a couple of times).

And yes, Sagrada Familia is a must do-it's incredible! Montserrat is also amazing, though that requires at least a half-day.

 

[gojoe]

Thanks to all of you. You gave us the confidence to get everything booked. We are so much looking forward to our Holiday abroad .

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

Thanks to all of you. You gave us the confidence to get everything booked. We are so much looking forward to our Holiday abroad .

You are welcome

Im just back from my non Disney Mediterranean cruise. The weather in Barcelona was amazing, but we missed Messina and Valetta due to bad weather, and went to Palermo instead and had an overnight.

 

[pjacobi]

So, I think we bit off my than we can chew! First time on a cruse and we pick 7 day Mediterranean Barcelona to Barcelona on the Dream.

I agree! Learning to cruise and Europe travel are two different skill sets that will be difficult to learn at the same time. I'd suggest simpifling your first cruise to the Carribean. Then plan a second trip to Europe.


-Paul

 

[Mommb]

I agree! Learning to cruise and Europe travel are two different skill sets that will be difficult to learn at the same time. I'd suggest simpifling your first cruise to the Carribean. Then plan a second trip to Europe.


-Paul

Cruising on Disney is actually simple, as long as you don't feel a need to do everything -- your dining is arranged for you (but adults can book specialty dining if they want), nightly shows are arranged for you, activities for kids aged 3-17 are available with no advance planning needed (and a nursery for kids under 3 is available with advanced booking), daily activities are available but not required, and a curated list of shore excursions is provided (but you can book private/small-group tours or explore on your own if you want).

If someone in North America is much more interested in onboard activities than in the ports, then sure, starting with a Caribbean cruise will provide a potentially less-expensive intro to cruising. However, there's no reason to start with that if you are more interested in the European ports.

 

[jimmymc]

I'm late to the party here, but I like Google Flights for comparing airfare. They have the option to search for multiple departure and arrival airports at once and a bunch of filters, plus it can factor in bag fees for your prices.

Google Maps and Tripadvisor both have good hotel searches, but I will always book directly through the hotel's website.

 

[Elangen]

I agree, I love the Hop On Hop Off buses and think they're a great way to see a good chunk of a city. I've done them in several cities (including the Barcelona one a couple of times).

And yes, Sagrada Familia is a must do-it's incredible! Montserrat is also amazing, though that requires at least a half-day.

Also late to the party, but, I also like hop on hop off busses. Havent done one in conjunction with a cruise, but, its a good way to hit the highlights of a city, and then go back later to highlights. Also a great idea after an overnight flight, because you can ride and chill, or get off depending how you feel. I have done NYC, London, and Barcelona.

 

[RICKSTER451]

Late post here but had to add that we loved the Renaissance Hotel. It was conveniently located next to many sites and awesome restaurants.
The hotel has a great rooftop bar/restaurant with views of the Cathedral.

Transport bus to the port will pull up right to the front door.

The cruise terminal is kind of Spartan but it went smoothly for us.

The hotel room was not the Ritz-Carlton but is was nice enough.

We were wary of pickpockets but no more than we normally find in crowded locations.
The cruise port is not like the Miami or Fort Lauderdale waterfront but at this point, who cares.





This pic is off the internet.
As for flights, we flew in direct to Madrid (from DFW) and took a short flight (Iberia) to Barcelona.

Hope all goes well for you! We loved it and went back last year out of Rome to Greece.

 

[gojoe]

Late post here but had to add that we loved the Renaissance Hotel. It was conveniently located next to many sites and awesome restaurants.View attachment 1064286
The hotel has a great rooftop bar/restaurant with views of the Cathedral.
View attachment 1064287
Transport bus to the port will pull up right to the front door.
View attachment 1064288
The cruise terminal is kind of Spartan but it went smoothly for us.
View attachment 1064290
The hotel room was not the Ritz-Carlton but is was nice enough.
View attachment 1064291
We were wary of pickpockets but no more than we normally find in crowded locations.
The cruise port is not like the Miami or Fort Lauderdale waterfront but at this point, who cares.




View attachment 1064292View attachment 1064293
This pic is off the internet.
As for flights, we flew in direct to Madrid (from DFW) and took a short flight (Iberia) to Barcelona.

Hope all goes well for you! We loved it and went back last year out of Rome to Greece.

Thank you so much. Your post has taken aways most of our worries. We receive our luggage tags and it all became real. Everything is planned and paid.

 

[RICKSTER451]

This was by far one of our favorite cruises. It was very tiresome (especially Rome because the port is not close to Rome) but we would do it all over again in a heartbeat! Please PM me if you have any other questions.