-=*September 10 2011, Westbound Transatlantic from Barcelona to Port Canaveral*=-

[MandyGirl]

Back in the day, I'd've just booked a standard seat through, stuffed everything in my rucksack, slept in my seat, and found a hostel when I got there. DH is one of those "eeeww, share a bathroom??" kind of guys, though. Always has been.

Are you sure you aren't talking about me and DH???

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Pat; when will you have any idea which country you'll be flying into and on which date? That'll play a big influence on your options for further travel towards Barca and the costs of it.

While train is a great way to see something it is EXPENSIVE when it comes to Europe. Cheapest ways are special tickets that are offered during summer -I think only for folks up until the age of 30 or something?- where you can rail as much as you want in an x amount of EU-countries for like 2 or 3 weeks but even those are in the hundreds of euros. Flying is a lot cheaper, esp. if you've got some time to play around and get a good price.

Ship anything you need but is access baggage. Don't expect any leeway from any EU carrier and those extra fees are nuts so high. There are quite a few affordable options out there if you don't have to get stuff to Barca overnight.


Mandy, boy do I get your reasoning! No way I could play the not-knowing game for such an important thing as a flight across the Atlantic to catch a cruiseship. It does limit your options for standby and such and that stress is not what anybody needs. As you're from Texas, how are the prices of Continental? Not in the loop when it comes to Barca but for our neck of the European woods they tend to offer compatible fares to most locations in the US incl. Houston.

 

[MandyGirl]

Mandy, boy do I get your reasoning! No way I could play the not-knowing game for such an important thing as a flight across the Atlantic to catch a cruiseship. It does limit your options for standby and such and that stress is not what anybody needs. As you're from Texas, how are the prices of Continental? Not in the loop when it comes to Barca but for our neck of the European woods they tend to offer compatible fares to most locations in the US incl. Houston.

Continental prices are decent, but I have not purchased a ticket on them in over ten years when I was living near their Houston hub. Being in Dallas now, American is our biggest carrier (international) and Southwest (domestic). It seems AA always matches the price to whatever Southwest is advertising, and flying out of Love Field (versus DFW) we still have to contend with the Wright Amendment (a ludicrous 1970s law that says flights from Love Field cannot go further than Texas... in the process of being repealed... and will be gone in 2014 YAY!) So often I will purchase long-haul on AA. And with two little ones, we rarely play the standby game any longer. Curt and I can handle it, but not little ones. Even when a flight looks wide open for standby, it can all change so fast. One cancelled flight with passengers rebooking, weather, etc. throws it all out-of-whack. Standby is for only when you don't HAVE to be somewhere. LOL! But yes - for cruises we always purchase "real" tickets or use airline rewards. Takes me a few years to get enough points saved up, so when I use them, I want to get the most out of them.

I did call Hyatt this afternoon to inquire about max occupancy. The reservations agent first told me it was max of 3 in their standard rooms because of room size, but I said I knew the room sizes were acclaimed to be the largest in Europe at about 450 sq ft. She looked it up - yes - 452 to be exact. Same size (or smaller!) room in US has max occupancy of four at their properties. She said it is a Europe thing. Different country, different rules. Oh well.

I'm still looking at Milan - want to see part of northern Italy. I know we'll make it to Rome eventually, most likely on a cruise, so save cruise ports for later. My friend said to go to Bologna, but he kept reminding me we have children. We handled four islands in Hawaii over the course of 3 weeks when DD1 was 9 months old... keep thinking we can handle this too...

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Continental prices are decent, but I have not purchased a ticket on them in over ten years when I was living near their Houston hub. Being in Dallas now, American is our biggest carrier (international) and Southwest (domestic). It seems AA always matches the price to whatever Southwest is advertising, and flying out of Love Field (versus DFW) we still have to contend with the Wright Amendment (a ludicrous 1970s law that says flights from Love Field cannot go further than Texas... in the process of being repealed... and will be gone in 2014 YAY!) So often I will purchase long-haul on AA. And with two little ones, we rarely play the standby game any longer. Curt and I can handle it, but not little ones. Even when a flight looks wide open for standby, it can all change so fast. One cancelled flight with passengers rebooking, weather, etc. throws it all out-of-whack. Standby is for only when you don't HAVE to be somewhere. LOL! But yes - for cruises we always purchase "real" tickets or use airline rewards. Takes me a few years to get enough points saved up, so when I use them, I want to get the most out of them.

Didn't realize AA flies right out of Dallas. With CO it would already be at least one transfer. Not the worst thing but if it can be avoided with no real huge cost increase and service is alike, direct it is with kids.

I did call Hyatt this afternoon to inquire about max occupancy. The reservations agent first told me it was max of 3 in their standard rooms because of room size, but I said I knew the room sizes were acclaimed to be the largest in Europe at about 450 sq ft. She looked it up - yes - 452 to be exact. Same size (or smaller!) room in US has max occupancy of four at their properties. She said it is a Europe thing. Different country, different rules. Oh well.

It's a Hyatt thing. No way legislation is prohibiting them from having 4 persons on said sq. ft, including in Spain. Silly of them to go that way when claiming "largest room size in Europe". Doesn't that right there tell people rooms in Europe tend to be smaller than in the US and thus allowed amount of persons per sq ft is relatively higher? Apparently Hyatt's found this is what works for them for that location and their customer demands. That's OK, but I guess no chance gets unused to use the "it's European" babble. It gets used for even the silliest things, funny really.

I'm still looking at Milan - want to see part of northern Italy. I know we'll make it to Rome eventually, most likely on a cruise, so save cruise ports for later. My friend said to go to Bologna, but he kept reminding me we have children. We handled four islands in Hawaii over the course of 3 weeks when DD1 was 9 months old... keep thinking we can handle this too...

If you think you can, can get the days off and know you can financially pull it off; do it! Go for it. There are some pearls out there to be enjoyed. Do you have any idea of what you'ld want? Culture? Architecture? More citytrip like? Nature? You can get it all in Italy, so pinpointing what would work for your family could be a good start. Do some basic homework and you can find the nicest places to fit your family.

Honestly though, if you've got the go-with-the-flow spirit, kids hardly ever are a reason not to do anything travelwise. Especially not in Europe. Very childfriendly and children really do adopt easily if you give them enough time to play and unwind. And playing can be done just about anywhere.

Europe can be a bit more challenging when using a stroller but in such a case I'ld rather slow down the pace to the childs walking pace (when it's for instance like 3 or 4) and enjoy or use a....... sjeez what are they called in english... carryingblanket? They are the type of fabric that you use to safely, ergonomically secure a child to the parents back or chest. Like a carrier but safer and a lot easier and more comfortable for both parents and child. It really can be a enjoyable memorable -in the good way- trip with kids.

 

[MandyGirl]

Didn't realize AA flies right out of Dallas.

It's a major hub. No nonstops to BCN, but nonstops to London, Frankfurt, Paris...

The cheap Lufthansa airfare disappeared tonight and almost doubled out of Milan. grrrrrrr We are into culture and architecture. Hoping for a call from Curt's sister this weekend about Barcelona though. I know we can spend time there and thoroughly enjoy. Maybe it's all the pickpocket stories recently tainting my vision. I have become a little more overprotective since having children.

 

[birkner]

It's a major hub. No nonstops to BCN, but nonstops to London, Frankfurt, Paris...

The cheap Lufthansa airfare disappeared tonight and almost doubled out of Milan. grrrrrrr We are into culture and architecture. Hoping for a call from Curt's sister this weekend about Barcelona though. I know we can spend time there and thoroughly enjoy. Maybe it's all the pickpocket stories recently tainting my vision. I have become a little more overprotective since having children.

We felt comfortable walking on La Rambla and in the downtown area in Barcelona. I carried a Pacsafe purse and DH had a Pacsafe camera bag. Our sightseeing tours were great and we did have some children along with us on the tours.

There is a couple of great websites that I recommend for a couple last time:

Kids in Barcelona
Barcelona with Children

 

[MandyGirl]

We felt comfortable walking on La Rambla and in the downtown area in Barcelona. I carried a Pacsafe purse and DH had a Pacsafe camera bag. Our sightseeing tours were great and we did have some children along with us on the tours.

There is a couple of great websites that I recommend for a couple last time:

Kids in Barcelona
Barcelona with Children

Thank you so much, Noel! I will look at these.
I did inquire about an apartment a block or two from Rambla, and the owner suggested a different apartment of her's in a different area (and my inquiry mentioned safety was my number one concern). Not sure why she suggested the other area, maybe because of the kiddos.

 

[birkner]

Thank you so much, Noel! I will look at these.
I did inquire about an apartment a block or two from Rambla, and the owner suggested a different apartment of her's in a different area (and my inquiry mentioned safety was my number one concern). Not sure why she suggested the other area, maybe because of the kiddos.

You are very welcome. I would ask her why she suggested the area as perhaps it is near a park or something.

Traveling with kids over the years, I know it just is easier to go at a slower pace and do more child friendly things.

 

[middleofamerica]

Hi! We are also booked on this cruise. We are a family of 5, kids will be 9,7, and 4 on the cruise.
MandyGirl, we wanted to mention that we booked the Novotel Barcelona City, they have family rooms that accommodate 4. They are supposed to be kid friendly according to their website. It was about $125 a night. We are coming in on Thursday, flying through Dallas on AA to London, then to Barcelona. We found great rates on 1800flyeurope.com. The prices have been going up in the last week, but some good ones are left for around $500 one way.
We will have 8 hours in London between flights. We want to take the Tube to Central London where we think we'll have about 4 hours, does anyone have recommendations for what to do with kids? Harrods toy department? Sight seeing on the double decker buses? We have been to London, just not with kids.
Thanks!!

 

[birkner]

Hi! We are also booked on this cruise. We are a family of 5, kids will be 9,7, and 4 on the cruise.
MandyGirl, we wanted to mention that we booked the Novotel Barcelona City, they have family rooms that accommodate 4. They are supposed to be kid friendly according to their website. It was about $125 a night. We are coming in on Thursday, flying through Dallas on AA to London, then to Barcelona. We found great rates on 1800flyeurope.com. The prices have been going up in the last week, but some good ones are left for around $500 one way.
We will have 8 hours in London between flights. We want to take the Tube to Central London where we think we'll have about 4 hours, does anyone have recommendations for what to do with kids? Harrods toy department? Sight seeing on the double decker buses? We have been to London, just not with kids.
Thanks!!

Welcome aboard!! We are Noel and John and this is will be our 5th DCL cruise. We also did the 2010 WBTA.

I have family in the UK and have visited many times. Let me give you a few websites to help you plan. The London Eye is a must as well as watching the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace. My kids and GK's loved the British Museum, the Tower of London, the London Zoo and riding the double decker buses.

What to do in London
Travel for kids
Things for children to do in London

 

[granmaz]

Hi! We are also booked on this cruise. We are a family of 5, kids will be 9,7, and 4 on the cruise.
MandyGirl, we wanted to mention that we booked the Novotel Barcelona City, they have family rooms that accommodate 4. They are supposed to be kid friendly according to their website. It was about $125 a night. We are coming in on Thursday, flying through Dallas on AA to London, then to Barcelona. We found great rates on 1800flyeurope.com. The prices have been going up in the last week, but some good ones are left for around $500 one way.
We will have 8 hours in London between flights. We want to take the Tube to Central London where we think we'll have about 4 hours, does anyone have recommendations for what to do with kids? Harrods toy department? Sight seeing on the double decker buses? We have been to London, just not with kids.
Thanks!!

Hi and welcome.

 

[Pinky166]

Hi! We are also booked on this cruise. We are a family of 5, kids will be 9,7, and 4 on the cruise.
MandyGirl, we wanted to mention that we booked the Novotel Barcelona City, they have family rooms that accommodate 4. They are supposed to be kid friendly according to their website. It was about $125 a night. We are coming in on Thursday, flying through Dallas on AA to London, then to Barcelona. We found great rates on 1800flyeurope.com. The prices have been going up in the last week, but some good ones are left for around $500 one way.
We will have 8 hours in London between flights. We want to take the Tube to Central London where we think we'll have about 4 hours, does anyone have recommendations for what to do with kids? Harrods toy department? Sight seeing on the double decker buses? We have been to London, just not with kids.
Thanks!!

aboard!

I think the London Eye would be a good thing do to, it is also right by the London Aquarium which is a good way to spend about 2 hours.

 

[karentan]

welcome to all our new cruisers

 

[granmaz]

Hi Karen. How are you feeling?

 

[karentan]

feeling better now thanks, back to work now and feeling a lot better but just still really tired. but have found the upside to gastroenteritis, i've lost about half a stone in weight!
still waiting to hear back about my holiday, even my manager is getting tired of chasing my area manager!

 

[granmaz]

So pleased you are feeling better, and enjoy the weight loss!!!

It really is ridiculous about your all having to chase up about your holiday entitlement like this.

 

[karentan]

i think netty is getting bored with me chasing her, and her having to constantly email claire to chase her up!

 

[squitty]

Hi! We are also booked on this cruise. We are a family of 5, kids will be 9,7, and 4 on the cruise.
MandyGirl, we wanted to mention that we booked the Novotel Barcelona City, they have family rooms that accommodate 4. They are supposed to be kid friendly according to their website. It was about $125 a night. We are coming in on Thursday, flying through Dallas on AA to London, then to Barcelona. We found great rates on 1800flyeurope.com. The prices have been going up in the last week, but some good ones are left for around $500 one way.
We will have 8 hours in London between flights. We want to take the Tube to Central London where we think we'll have about 4 hours, does anyone have recommendations for what to do with kids? Harrods toy department? Sight seeing on the double decker buses? We have been to London, just not with kids.
Thanks!!

Welcome

 

[Pinky166]

Glad your feeling better Karen.

 

[granmaz]

Morning Claire.