The Med Thread - All Sailings - Mediterranean

[OurDogCisco]

I have a question for all you experienced cruisers: How much time should I allow for getting off the ship and getting to the airport?

According to the schedule, the ship gets into port at 6:45 a.m. on Wednesday. (We're on the first cruise, May 26-June 6.) I know it's a whole different country, port, and airport, but based on your experience, what would be the earliest you would book your return flight?

Thanks for any insight.

Good question... I'm curious for the answer too. I'm sure someone on cruise critic would know.

I noticed for West coast flights that they leave very early from Barcelona around 6 am or so. I found one airlines that leaves at noon. So I'm hoping that is enough time. I'm thinking it is because I believe the port and the airport are pretty close together.

 

[Scott H]

We travel in Europe each summer, and I always ship home a box at least once (we travel quite light on trains etc.). This summer I shipped a box from Amsterdam - 12" x 8" x 20" - it held quite a lot. I bought the box at the post office and shipped it for about $30 (with euro about 1.3 to $1 U.S., including exchange fees). That is a fairly typical price for most countries.

Look on a map of Barcelona - there will be a post office in a central location - you can buy a box or two there before the cruise - flat- can take it onboard- and ship it when you get off.

I have seen people ship suitcases. Not in a box, not wrapped. Just a suitcase. Have not tried it, but might if it meant traveling without that tux and formal wear.

Thats a reasonable rate, was that via Postal Service???

 

[slindamood]

Scott- it was the Post Office. Post offices in Europe are very similar to U.S. - no real culture shock in dealing with them.

 

[PURTYPAT1]

I usually mail a package to the ship. Does anyone know if this possible to mail a package to meet the Wonder in Barcelona? Just a great thought.

I bet not.

Patricia

 

[kaseyC]

I have a question for all you experienced cruisers: How much time should I allow for getting off the ship and getting to the airport?

According to the schedule, the ship gets into port at 6:45 a.m. on Wednesday. (We're on the first cruise, May 26-June 6.) I know it's a whole different country, port, and airport, but based on your experience, what would be the earliest you would book your return flight?

Thanks for any insight.

From our experience I would allow at least 4 hours or possibly even more since it will only be DCL's second disembarkation in Barcelona, so they still may be working out the kinks. I definately would not book a flight before 11:00 am. Also, consider looking into a private car service to meet you at the port, so you will not have to wait for them to fill a bus and/or arrive at the airport with a crowd. We used Angie's Taxi and they were awesome. DD and I will use them next summer for our transfers from the Airport to port for the Westbound Repo in August.

This past May we spent a post cruise night in Barcelona and flew out the next day on a 7:30 am flight that with our connection got us into Chicago by 3:00 pm. In the end it was less expensive to stay the extra night than take the later flight on the same day as disembarkation.

 

[kaseyC]

Good question... I'm curious for the answer too. I'm sure someone on cruise critic would know.

I noticed for West coast flights that they leave very early from Barcelona around 6 am or so. I found one airlines that leaves at noon. So I'm hoping that is enough time. I'm thinking it is because I believe the port and the airport are pretty close together.

The port and the airport are not that far apart. Be sure to take into consideration how many other ships may be disembarking that day. This past May our cruise ended on a Sunday and there were 4 other ships in port. At least 3 of them were what I would consider Mega ships- RCCL Voyager, Carnival Liberty and either the Grand or Golden Princess.

 

[RJAYL]

Boy! Just finished a Kayak search those airfares prices from Boston to either London, Paris or Barcelona are HIGH!
The only good point to pricing so far are the inter europe air fares roundtrips from $80 to $180 on various flight plans!
Must wait for price drop on the transcontinental flights!

 

[Soccermom-Cheri]

I usually mail a package to the ship. Does anyone know if this possible to mail a package to meet the Wonder in Barcelona? Just a great thought.

I bet not.

Patricia

You're right. The Wonder will be in Orlando.


(sorry, I couldn't resist - that is something I do all of the time. I hope you do get an answer. It would be great to ship luggage -and maybe vino- ahead of time)

 

[BigBlueMan]

You're right. The Wonder will be in Orlando.


(sorry, I couldn't resist - that is something I do all of the time. I hope you do get an answer. It would be great to ship luggage -and maybe vino- ahead of time)

NOTE TO THREAD READERS: The previous comments are not those of the general group, but are limited to one "Soccermom-Cheri", who was "trippin" after eating what is known as a "kitchen sink", quoted as consisting of the following... "about 8 scoops of ice cream, about 4 toppings, some angel food cake ('cuz it's low fat), a Milky Way bar and an entire can of whipped cream ... " As you can see, it would be EASY for her to be out of her mind, and downright smart-alecky with that much sugar in her system.... Our apologies to the readers of this thread, and we now return you to our regularly scheduled comments...

And as the dear departed Bartles & Jaymes said... "Thank you for your support..."

 

[slindamood]

These are the busses I saw loading at CDG for Disney Land Paris. They looked quite comfy and convenient and drop you off at your hotel. 16 euro per adult - with pickup at each of the CDG terminals, convenient to the luggage carousels. Plenty of room under the bus for luggage. Run every 20 minutes.

http://www.vea.fr/uk/index.asp

 

[Soccermom-Cheri]

NOTE TO THREAD READERS: The previous comments are not those of the general group, but are limited to one "Soccermom-Cheri", who was "trippin" after eating what is known as a "kitchen sink", quoted as consisting of the following... "about 8 scoops of ice cream, about 4 toppings, some angel food cake ('cuz it's low fat), a Milky Way bar and an entire can of whipped cream ... " As you can see, it would be EASY for her to be out of her mind, and downright smart-alecky with that much sugar in her system.... Our apologies to the readers of this thread, and we now return you to our regularly scheduled comments...

And as the dear departed Bartles & Jaymes said... "Thank you for your support..."

sheesh! it was a gentle ribbing from someone who calls her children "whicheveroneyouare" to avoid calling them the wrong names.

 

[RJAYL]

These are the busses I saw loading at CDG for Disney Land Paris. They looked quite comfy and convenient and drop you off at your hotel. 16 euro per adult - with pickup at each of the CDG terminals, convenient to the luggage carousels. Plenty of room under the bus for luggage. Run every 20 minutes.

http://www.vea.fr/uk/index.asp

Great Info thanks

 

[RJAYL]

sheesh! it was a gentle ribbing from someone who calls her children "whicheveroneyouare" to avoid calling them the wrong names.

Everyone please excuse BBM & Soccermom Cheri (they used to be confined to the June 27 2007 Rodney dangerfield cruise meet thread, but somehow have escaped!)

The way they carry on you would think they were married or somethin!

 

[BigBlueMan]

Everyone please excuse BBM & Soccermom Cheri (they used to be confined to the June 27 2007 Rodney dangerfield cruise meet thread, but somehow have escaped!)

The way they carry on you would think they were married or somethin!

Now Cheri, you KNOW my ribbing was "gentle" right back!

Gonna go look at the wife. Make sure I'm not confused and it IS Cheri.

 

[CubCatsK&D]

Thanks for the advice on timing the flight back home. This is our first cruise, Disney or otherwise, so we are relatively clueless about a number of things. After doing more research, it seems the best option for us leaves Barcelona at 1:30 (Iberia) and connects through London to Chicago (American), so that should be plenty of time. AA has decent schedules and fares going from Chicago-O'Hare. We might try to use some miles for one of the tickets, so we are looking to book pretty soon!

 

[Scott H]

Scott- it was the Post Office. Post offices in Europe are very similar to U.S. - no real culture shock in dealing with them.

Right you are, I used Eurpoean Postal services way back when, ya know the after college trip. So in my old age I guess I got into tracking packages, that way when I forget some one knows where they are. LOL

Now that I remember more, at DLP there is a Post office in the train station.

 

[jlawall]

Thx to all for the excellent ideas...............how about the rough seas questions??

 

[konslerg]

There's a really interesting l;ittle article in today's New York Timers about how the "turista" get ripped off at restaurants in Rome.

Basically, it says there are two prices ...one for locals and one for tourists. Of course, the tourist prices are higher. Also, they might tack on an extra 5 Euros to a bottle of wine or do "fuzzy math" on an unitemized bill ...or, if they can't jack the price up, the waiter may "flag" the order of a tourist and then the chef will use inferior ingredients like pre-cooked pasta, watered down sauce or left-overs from the day before.

...and it says that the Italians so this with a bit of humor, thinking it's ok to shaft the tourists because they are not Italian.

So, beware, everyone when in Rome (although I'm not sure what one would do to prevent it even if you knew it was going on).

Gloria in Miami

 

[woody73]

There's a really interesting little article in today's New York Times about how the "turista" get ripped off at restaurants in Rome. . .

So, beware, everyone when in Rome . . .

In March we spent a week in Rome. If you go to reputable restaurants, you will be fine. Either get a recommendation or a good guide book.

Woody

 

[Frankiesmom]

Hi to all! We are thinking of switching our April cruise to a med cruise. I was wondering how many of you are traveling with small children? We will be a group of 2 parents-myself 35,and DH 47-kids ages 18,17,14,5,2. Have never been to Europe before. I would like some advice on doing a pre stay in London. Any ideas/advice would be appreciated-including how to book or check into air. etc getting from London to Barcelona. I too was interested in Paris but my DH and 2 dear stepsons will have none of that-the boat is already stopping in France,right?-That was the response I got. So London it will have to be. Any help here would be soooo great! Thanks,Angel