Wow. Thanks for the heads up. That is something that I would never have thought to check since I have never had to travel with medicine until this trip having recently been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. Do you know of where you can go to find out if there will be an issue or not? Spain really being the only place to worry about since my medicine is either early morning or late night.
You're welcome. The mainthread reminded me to post it on here as I know sometimes paperwork can take some time.
First thing is your flight. Are you flying directly to BCN without any connections outside of your own country? If you do have connections abroad you will need to check said countries rules also.
FM, so I'm assuming you'll be on something focussed on painmanagement. No need to mention anything in public but be aware that many painmeds can require some paperwork. For instance codeine is considered a low level opioid and as such requires paperwork in many countries. Anything "stronger" on the painmedicationlevel tends to also need somethings. Antidepressants, anticonvulsives, anti-epileptica, anything ending on -pam and ADHD-meds for instance also are very common in needing paperwork. To give you an idea, my paincocktail consists of opioids, anti-epileptics, antidepressants and when travelling diazepam amongst others. All these need some paperwork for most destinations. Be aware that some OTC painmeds aren't OTC in other countries and could require additional paperwork.
I haven't been able to find reliable info online yet, so I contacted the Spanish embassy here in the Netherlands. Indeed i will need to have paperwork for the formentioned stuff and my feedingbags etc. In your case I'ld always check with your own Spanish embassy and if any doubt at all; contact the Spanish customs at BCN airport as that will be the one checking you and applying the law. I've done this before for other destinations (actually done it for this one twice, both for me with BCN-airport and for my dad driving with some of my stuff) and it gets me the best info allthough sometimes a bit time consuming before I get a hold of somebody that actually knows what the laws are.
Be aware that all medications need to be in their original container with the label on. If you normally use large containers and find that a pain; ask your pharmacy for smaller labeled ones. Reason for this is that they want to be able to quickly check if what is on you is indeed a medication and what is in said medication (for which the consumerguide can be very handy to take along. Something we get with each time we get medication overhere, but have found that not to be the case in the US??). On this trip I travel with the paperwork I need to enter the US, which is enough for the other places I'm entering with my specific medications. For the US I need my GP to note down all my meds by name, latin name, working substance (makes identification eaier as meds can have different names around the world), the dose I need, how many days I'm travelling and thus the max. amount I am allowed to take with me. This needs to be worked out per medication and signed by hand.
Another thing to consider while you are in port; what if something happens? Not hoping for it, but what if you need to stay in port longer than planned or hoped for whatever reason? One of the reasons I always check each ports legislations on this, don't want to get into even more problems if I'm already in one that requires me to stay longer in a port.
Cruiseship is another thing. I've found
DCL to be nothing but accomodating, but you officially need to stick to their rules also. To give you an idea; a friend of mine uses medical marihuana as the base of her painmanagement. She's cruising as we speak. While she won't need it on land and could get the paperwork done for most of the ports if need be, HAL will not allow it onboard under whatever reason. Obviously this is a bit of a controversial example (although some really think that just because their doc prescribed it, that makes it legal around the globe
), but the cruiseline is another party to consider in this.
And talk the basics over with your doc. It obviously depends on how your FM behaves, but many find chance weather to be an influence, same as for chance in activity etc. Both are things we will encounter during the cruise (who isn't more active or at least differently active on a trip
) that might need attention if that's the case for you. It's a lot easier to be proactive and for instance have back up medication with you in case you'ld need it than run into this while we're half way cross the Atlantic.
Claire, sorry it didn't turn out possible to make the tea happen, but thanks so much for trying!
Keri; Andrew is going to have such an amazing time in Paris foodwise! If nothing else, at least visit a true authentic boulangerie (bakery). French bread is to die for. It can easily beat their pasterie and that in no way is knocking down the latter.
Seems I wake up and go to sleep with you guys.... LOL! 
What did we do in the days before wireless internet and laptops? 
And with the timezone difference, there is ALWAYS a group chatting!!! 
They must really be having problems. 
