- Joined
- Oct 7, 1999
- Messages
- 404
Just got off *the 7th aug med cruise so thought I would do a trip report starting with my BA flight from Heathrow to Barcelona. I now remember why I don't fly BA!
We did online check in - which said express bag drop off was available from 5am. As it was a Friday afternoon we left quite early as we didn't want to risk being held up in traffic. Got there an hour earlier than planned but then had to wait for the guy to come and meet us to take the car. We got into the terminal approx 3 hours before take off and made our way to the BA area - can't remember the number/letter of the area now. It was a bit chaotic and no signage - I walked to one of the counters which was not open and asked where bag drop was - she pointed to a small queue by the check in terminals. Went back to my DH and DS and we joined the queue and just at that point they said check in for Barcelona - excellent timing. Queued for about 10 mins only to be told that this was the earlier Barcelona flight and ours was not open until 2 hours before departure. So we had to go and sit for about 35 minutes. Eventually checked in our bags - wouldn't say it was any quicker than usual check in but at least we had chosen our seats the night before. Then queued about 15 mins for security. We were considering *doing a lounge on our TA flight as there is only the two of us, but £17 each for 1.5 hours max doesn't seem worth it. There is a seafood and champagne bar in the terminal and although it wasn't cheap for £34 for two we would probably get something nice. We didn't eat too much as the flight was was not too far away once we had wandered round duty free.
Once on the plane an announcement was made which I didn't quite catch but some thing to do with food/drinks and snacks. We were handed a tiny packet potato chips and asked what drink. I asked for wine and he said 'here take two'. I then enquired re food and was advised that due to cut backs only business class now had food.
We arrived in Barcelona and by the time we had found the free bus to the Renaissance hotel (long queue, small bus) and thankfully got on it was about 11.30 and the restaurants didn't seem open so we decided on room service which was delivered about 12.30 (and was very nice). Once in the room we realised there was only one bed (double) and there were three of us. We phoned reception and they said they would send up s trundle bed. As we were waiting for room service this was fine. Then 10 mins later they phoned to say there were none available - the bed was huge - three pillows across so we decided that would be fine and they said they would give us a discount in the morning. Whilst we were eating they did phone to say they had a single room they could offer us but by that time we were settled and said we would be fine.
Before arriving at the hotel we had used the on line form to pre book cruise transfers. I enquired at reception in the morning and was directed to a desk as you enter the hotel. They didn't have us down but it was no problem. When I go back for the TA I will do that when I arrive. The money was collected on the bus (10) we had cash but someone did pay by card. We checked out and explained re the lack of beds and the manger just charged us for the room and cancelled the room service charges (40) which we felt was reasonable. The trip to the port was uneventful. Somehow we ended up with 4 suitcases so decided to get a porter which took a few minutes but then as we walked across the car park h
e advised us that we did not need to queue to drop off our bags as everyone else who had just got off the bus was doing and we could go directly to check in - so worth 5 not to have dragged the cases about and then queue up. As we entered the terminal we were given a number (7) for boarding. We got the 11 o'clock bus and it was about 11.45 by this time. As we were lucky enough to be in a cat 3 we went to concierge check in and were the next to be greeted. We were then given a card with number 1 on it. We went through to the next hall. As yet embarkation had not started and about 30/40 people were hanging around for rope drop. There were a few bits if entertainment for the kids. About 12 they called for group 1 but just before they let us thru they let another family thru - I can only assume these were cat 1 guests. We had our picture taken our names announced and we were on. Our rooms would be ready at 1.30 I think it was - the usual time anyway.
The adventure had truly begun!
We did online check in - which said express bag drop off was available from 5am. As it was a Friday afternoon we left quite early as we didn't want to risk being held up in traffic. Got there an hour earlier than planned but then had to wait for the guy to come and meet us to take the car. We got into the terminal approx 3 hours before take off and made our way to the BA area - can't remember the number/letter of the area now. It was a bit chaotic and no signage - I walked to one of the counters which was not open and asked where bag drop was - she pointed to a small queue by the check in terminals. Went back to my DH and DS and we joined the queue and just at that point they said check in for Barcelona - excellent timing. Queued for about 10 mins only to be told that this was the earlier Barcelona flight and ours was not open until 2 hours before departure. So we had to go and sit for about 35 minutes. Eventually checked in our bags - wouldn't say it was any quicker than usual check in but at least we had chosen our seats the night before. Then queued about 15 mins for security. We were considering *doing a lounge on our TA flight as there is only the two of us, but £17 each for 1.5 hours max doesn't seem worth it. There is a seafood and champagne bar in the terminal and although it wasn't cheap for £34 for two we would probably get something nice. We didn't eat too much as the flight was was not too far away once we had wandered round duty free.
Once on the plane an announcement was made which I didn't quite catch but some thing to do with food/drinks and snacks. We were handed a tiny packet potato chips and asked what drink. I asked for wine and he said 'here take two'. I then enquired re food and was advised that due to cut backs only business class now had food.
We arrived in Barcelona and by the time we had found the free bus to the Renaissance hotel (long queue, small bus) and thankfully got on it was about 11.30 and the restaurants didn't seem open so we decided on room service which was delivered about 12.30 (and was very nice). Once in the room we realised there was only one bed (double) and there were three of us. We phoned reception and they said they would send up s trundle bed. As we were waiting for room service this was fine. Then 10 mins later they phoned to say there were none available - the bed was huge - three pillows across so we decided that would be fine and they said they would give us a discount in the morning. Whilst we were eating they did phone to say they had a single room they could offer us but by that time we were settled and said we would be fine.
Before arriving at the hotel we had used the on line form to pre book cruise transfers. I enquired at reception in the morning and was directed to a desk as you enter the hotel. They didn't have us down but it was no problem. When I go back for the TA I will do that when I arrive. The money was collected on the bus (10) we had cash but someone did pay by card. We checked out and explained re the lack of beds and the manger just charged us for the room and cancelled the room service charges (40) which we felt was reasonable. The trip to the port was uneventful. Somehow we ended up with 4 suitcases so decided to get a porter which took a few minutes but then as we walked across the car park h
e advised us that we did not need to queue to drop off our bags as everyone else who had just got off the bus was doing and we could go directly to check in - so worth 5 not to have dragged the cases about and then queue up. As we entered the terminal we were given a number (7) for boarding. We got the 11 o'clock bus and it was about 11.45 by this time. As we were lucky enough to be in a cat 3 we went to concierge check in and were the next to be greeted. We were then given a card with number 1 on it. We went through to the next hall. As yet embarkation had not started and about 30/40 people were hanging around for rope drop. There were a few bits if entertainment for the kids. About 12 they called for group 1 but just before they let us thru they let another family thru - I can only assume these were cat 1 guests. We had our picture taken our names announced and we were on. Our rooms would be ready at 1.30 I think it was - the usual time anyway.
The adventure had truly begun!
We always buy a sandwich before flying Easyjet as the on flight options are ridiculously expensive and limited choice. It works for us !!
