please I need all the advice I can get on the med. cruise

[Dznypal]

we are on the 9-9 sailing out of Barcelona what Im mainly looking for is advice

on should we stay the night before the cruise in Barcelona and if so where is a good place to stay

and how can we get from the hotel to the port--DU said there are hotels that you can get Disney transfers

(just from certain hotels though)

or if we get into Barcelona early morning and just go to the port is that enough time

again DU said that transfers from the airport and only be gotten the day of but are easy to get

is there a window or someplace where you can buy these

usually Im not this unsure of things--but Im sort of mixed on how to do things

any other tips on this cruise would be greatly appreciated

thanks all

 

[redsonja76]

The port in Barcelona is very close to town so you can take a taxi. We took a taxi and our driver gave us loads of information about the city and the places we were passing along the way. Much cheaper than a transfer as well. Where are you flying from? Consider jet lag, you might want to go in a few days early, enjoy the city and get over your jet lag before boarding the cruise.

 

[cheermom2four]

We are on the same sailing out of Barcelona. There are so many hotel/apartment options centrally located. Since we have a family of 6 going, we needed to hire a driver to get to and from port. Otherwise there's taxis etc. We are arriving a couple days before (arriving thurs) and staying close to Placa de Catalunya so we are planning on taking the aerobus which goes from either airport terminal to the city center (and a few stops a long the way) but ends right at Placa de Catalunya. Our hotel is only about 2 blocks away so with luggage in tow we will walk to the hotel. Then after the cruise we are staying at a hotel for a night since it was slightly cheaper to fly out sunday instead for us. We will take the aerobus back to the airport too. WE are buying round trip aerobus tickets since they are good for a little over a week and cheaper that way. It was cheaper for us to book our own hotel and transfers with how large our group is.

 

[jrabbit]

FLY IN THE DAY BEFORE - at the latest!!! Don't risk your cruise on the whims of the airlines / airplanes!!!

Barcelona = a fun city. Lots to see and do.

 

[Angie_Ohio]

Arrive a full day ahead to acclimate to the time change. Barcelona is fabulous! There are so many things to see. We stayed at Apsis Marina once and Novotel the other time. We used the HOHO bus to get an overview of the city. Then went back to the things we were interested in. We arrived 2 days early to tour the city. We had the front desk call us a taxi in the late morning for the trip to the port. I traveled with my senior parents and my 18 yo DS and then with my 16 and 26 year old sons.

 

[RedSox68]

Yes, please fly in at least the day before, but I would suggest more. We only flew in the day before and had a whole half day to see Barcelona and left for the port the next day. If you are flying all that way, stay at least 2-3 nights so you can enjoy the city -- it's a wonderful place and just beautiful to explore. We stayed at Hispanos 7 Suiza -- which are apartments and very well priced.

 

[kiford]

We've done a Med cruise twice out of Barcelona. The first time we came the day before and just stayed the one night. The second time we came the day before and stayed the night then stayed two nights after the cruise. We still need more time there. It's a wonderful city with so much to see (and eat!). I definitely recommend at least the night before. You never know what's going to happen with international flights. I won't even take the chance on going to Port Canaveral on the same day. Most times you'll be fine but we were once stuck in the Frankfurt airport for seven hours waiting for our plane to be repaired (eventually they switched it out) so I never assume I'll get there on time. In 2015 our plane was 4 hours late leaving Heathrow. Fortunately we were heading home and had no connections or schedules to worry about.

All three times we stayed in hotels selected by Disney and used their transfers to and from the port, airport and hotel. They do a nice job of vetting the hotels and selecting ones that are very nice and up to certain standards but they are not inexpensive. We loved the one we stayed in the first time so much that we went to the restaurant in that hotel twice the next time we were in Barcelona.

Although we took the DCL transfers for convenience and the luggage handling, a lot of the hotels are very close to the port. Our first time, when we were staying at Le Meridien, we got on the bus and drove about 5 minutes and then got off. We practically could have walked. In fact we walked down to the port the previous day - took about 30 minutes - just to sightsee a bit (and had a jug of sangria). We didn't realize that we were at one end of the port and the cruise ships were at the other side because they were behind some buildings in the middle. We had no idea we were so close. A taxi wouldn't take very long or be very expensive. The second time we were a little farther away but I think it still took longer to get everyone on board the bus than it took to get there.

 

[clten]

First, my advice is like the others - get in at least the day before the cruise. Only one time have we flown to Europe and gotten on the cruise ship the same day. It was a waste that night and most of the next day for us because we were in a funk getting over the time change and didn't really to participate in the cruise until the second night. Coming in at least the day before, if you do nothing else will give you time to adjust and be ready to enjoy your cruise from minute one. But as others have said Barcelona is a great city with lots to see. So you can maximize your vacation by seeing some of the sights if you do come in early.

You make a few references to catching up with DCL transportation so I'm assuming that's what's making you feel most comfortable. But know that transportation via bus or taxi is pretty easy in Barcelona - even if you don't speak Spanish. Now as far as Disney transportation (as opposed to general transportation), DU should be able to tell you which hotels DCL is working with in Barcelona. They can get a quote from DCL and then you can compare it to rates booking directly (not through DCL). One trip, we did stay at a hotel DCL was using (we didn't book hotel through DCL) but we took DCL transfers. It was nice and convenient and we liked the baggage handling. But we did do a bit of waiting around the hotel that morning for our transfer van to show up - would have been faster to call for a taxi when we were ready to go! It is also possible if you want to stay at one of the hotels out by the airport (if you aren't going to go to the city center for sightseeing) that you go back to the airport and catch a DCL bus. Typically if you are going to be using DCL transfers, you book them in advance. When we got DCL transfers from Barcelona airport, we were met right outside customs and escorted to a bus. That was a few years back so they didn't have a desk to buy transfers but maybe someone who did it more recently would have better information for you if you don't decide until very last minute.

There are plenty of options outside of DCL transfers too so maybe thinking of everything all at once is overwhelming you. You can look at it as a series of smaller decisions and I'm sure this great community will give you advice at every step. Some who may have done exactly what you are going to do might be able to walk you through the whole thing! So the best place to start is deciding if you are flying in day of the cruise or earlier. That decision determines what else you need to decide on. Good Luck!

 

[jrabbit]

it was ... WOW 10 years ago that DCL first sailed out of Barcelona. We stayed on Las Rambla and we walked with our luggage down to the Christopher Columbus monument and for a euro or 2 or free, we took a shuttle to the port. It was very easy. We really liked our location.

We also used the the Hop On / Off bus (Barcelon Bus Turistic) to get around town for a couple of days. We rode all 3 routes.

Things to see....
Pablo Picasso Museum
Parc Guell
La Sagrada Familia
Magic Fountains
Chocolate Museum
Walk along the ocean
Walking Guided tour of Old Town (there's even Roman Walls and Columns to see)
Love Soccer - there's FC Barcelona Stadium / facility
Finicular up to the top of Mt. Tibidabo - and the Cathedral up there and the VIEWS!!
an hour North West of Barcelona - Montserrat
and Oh So Many More things to see and do!

 

[GPaLarry]

We did the DCL Med. cruise last Sept., stayed at the Renaissance Hotel (DCL selected, one of two, and not cheap). Arrived two days in advance for the reasons stressed above (buffer, insurance against flight problems, etc.) and so we could see Barcelona, a city we had never visited. Several things:
1. This hotel had a DCL desk in the lobby which made ultimate check-in easy and confirmed our transfers to Magic on sail date.
2. Location was great with buses, subway, etc. close by and easy to use.
3. Be very careful of your purses, wallets, etc. Barcelona is the pickpocket capital of Europe. I got tagged, but only lost day money...money belt inside shirt had the major stuff. They are very good and even train kids (smaller hands) in the art. There are videos on YouTube about all this.
4. Jrabbit, above, highlighted the most popular sites in Barcelona. La Rambla (again, watch your valuables) as a great place to walk. Check Rick Steves books for hidden treasures, when to visit, times, prices, etc. In the old town we ate in the 4 Cats restaurant, one Picasso visited a lot when in town. Good food (tapas were great).
5. Lots of security around most tourist sites during your Med. cruise. No bags allowed in major Roman stops, Pompeii, etc. Touring the Vatican was very security-specific.
6. Days will be long during your Med. port stops if you take DCL excursions. Well worth it!!
Have a great time.

 

[jenf22]

We just did a Med cruise out of Barcelona on NCL. We flew in 2 days early and spent those nights at Hotel Jazz. We got in around 9am, took a cab to the hotel, and just vegged for an hour or so (our room was ready really early). We then walked to Las Ramblas and wandered down to the water. The full day we were in Barcelona, we booked a whole-day tour that hit the main highlights. It was really great. We just took a cab to the port on our sail date and it was super easy. With all the airline issues lately, I would definitely NOT fly in the day of. Flying home from Barcelona to Denver only 1 of our 3 suitcases made it on the flight from Toronto. We were so happy that happened on our way home and not on our way there. It would totally suck to get on the ship without all of your luggage. I don't know what the airline would do to get it to you. Best of luck in whatever you decide!

 

[algae]

Do not fly in on the day of embarkation. Too risky and there's way too much good stuff to do and see in Barcelona. On our sailing, we went 2 days before to explore. Walk the Ramblas, check out the grocery, grab some Iberico jamon, take a bus tour, grab some more jamon, have some tapas at Cal Pep (very touristy now, but still very good), grab some more jamon. On our sailing, they happened to have a tapas festival going on which was a fun way to try all sorts of dishes from the best restaurants in the area. Check the calendar to see what's going on in the city and hopefully you can go early to enjoy. And get some jamon!

Stay at any hotel. The taxi and metro work very well at all times of the day. Taxi to the port is very easy. Go explore and have fun!

 

[cheermom2four]

grab some Iberico jamon

Ok after reading your comment, I've got to know what this "jamon" is as its obviously good if you mentioned it over and over!

 

[PurplePencil]

Ok after reading your comment, I've got to know what this "jamon" is as its obviously good if you mentioned it over and over!

Jamon is a Spanish Cured Ham

 

[IrishEye]

We flew in day before and several people who were flying in day of missed the ship due to a volcano in Iceland, they had to catch us after sea day. Where you stay is going to depend on the size of your family, we found it difficult to get a room for 4. Stayed at Hotel Diagonal in 2 adjoining rooms, took Disney Transfer to ship. From the airport our taxi driver did not speak english and our Catalan is very poor, we barely communicated, thankfully the taxi stand director told our driver where to go. We got into our room right away (about 10am) took a quick nap and then spent the afternoon on the Hop On Hop Off which was immediately outside the side door of the hotel. The evening our DIS group met at the Fountain, we cabbed over and again barely communicated with driver, fortunately the hotel name is very recognizable. There is a mall directly across the street from the hotel where we found a restaurant for dinner and the server went to grab a young girl working in the back who was able to understand us and explain what the menu said. Several other places in the mall had pictures of the food next to each choice. Had a great time but heed the pick pocket warnings, one of our DISers had her purse snatched at the Fountain.

 

[algae]

Jamon is a Spanish Cured Ham

Oh, not just any ham. The good stuff, Iberico bellota jamon, are from certain black pigs who are allowed to feast on acorns from a certain hilly area for 2 seasons. It's kind of like prosciutto, but sweeter and smoother. The last time we had Remy's brunch, they served that as a an amuse bouche with champagne. Of course, it was the French version and they called it pata negra bellota. Very expensive stuff. Just had some at Zingerman's for $18 per ounce (!) Don't need to eat much, though, since it's very rich. If you get a chance to try some, get the thinly sliced stuff, not the sticks.

 

[cheermom2four]

Ok, wrote it down as a must try when we are over there for our cruise in Sept!!!

 

[Dug720]

There is a whole restaurant/store/museum-type place on Las Ramblas that is all about the jamon. You can even get it in a paper cone to walk around - soooooo amazing. I may not be into the caveman-style meat on a bone to walk around gnawing, but give me a cone of some jamon and I am all over that!!

 

[bibbidibobbidibecky]

We sailed out of Barcelona in 2011. We were set to arrive two days before our cruise to give us some time to acclimate and see the city, etc. Our plane had an issue on the way over and we got to spend a day in Newfoundland instead. We ended up getting in the day before our cruise. Had we not had a two-day cushion, we would have missed the first day of the cruise. My advice is to always give your self AT LEAST a two-day buffer. I now won't do less than three.

We prearranged a shuttle to take us to the port.

 

[MeeskaMooskaMickey]

We stayed in Barcelona for 3 nights before the cruise last year just to extend our holiday. Because the cruise maxed our budget to say the least we stayed in a relatively cheap holiday inn express just outside the city centre. We had such a lovely time, there was a street full of lovely restaurants near the hotel, and at the end of that street was the beach. It was a few tube stops into the city centre and there was an official taxi rank outside the hotel so very easy to get a cab to the port. We enjoyed it so much we may go back someday just to stay there. By the time we got the cruise we were totally relaxed and on holiday mode, sometimes it takes us a day or two to wind down and forget about work. Most people in our f. Book cruise group arrived in Barcelona a few days before like we did. One tip is to go to the top floor restaurant/cafe at the large department store (el corte ingles?) which has panoramic windows overlooking the city. We also liked the park with the boating lake and Gaudi statues, one was a mammoth, I can't remember the parks name but it is free entry and has a few kiosks selling filled baguettes, drinks etc so nice for a picnic.