The Med Thread - All Sailings - Mediterranean

[Walsh clan]

Prices are correct but there are very strict weight restrictions. You must pay €10/£7.50 for each checked in bag and the weight of the bag can be no more that 15 kgs/33lbs. You can't even group the weights togather, even if you are booking as a family (ie 4 passengers as part of a family cannot take two cases weight 60lbs each, each person must carry their own weight and each bag must be paid for).

I haven't been to Girona but have been to Beauvais. Ryanair has a bus that transports into the city, which takes an hour for 10 euro p.p., very near the metro. It's about a distance of under 50 miles. I have also driven from Beauvais to DLP and it took just under two hours.

HTH

 

[robsmom]

And yes it really is that cheap.

One of the big things i remember is that you MUST be on time for checkin. We hit a snow storm and where later than planned, we just made it but they did shut down the check in 45 minutes or 1 hr before with no exceptions. i did figure out why - the women who checked us in, was then the gate attended who took our boarding pass and then got on the flight as our flight attendant!!! This is how they keep cost down!! flight was perfectly fine.

 

[LisaTex]

We are flying from Paris to BCN as well. I am concerned about weight limit. I think Iberia is 40 lbs. We also are considering the Elipsos Trenhotel. I am clueless aout trains - are there baggage/weight limits? I couldn't find any info on the website except for "hand luggage". One option also has us changing trains - what happens to luggage then? Sorry - we unfortunately don't get to travel by train around here!

 

[michellebriana]

Would you mind sharing how much the fee is, what type of car and if they charge per person or per trip? They don't mention any of this on their site.

I got a quote from them via e-mail. It is pretty pricey compared to taxis! For a family of 4, they will use a mercedes minivan and is is 125 EUR plus 7% VAT each way (almost $200). Considering it is only 8 miles, I find this to be veryexpensive! Even 2 cabs should be cheaper.

 

[carolmb]

Thanks! I checked out Sidestep and found Easyjet for $70/person. Anybody have a comment on this airline? Anybody going by train? With 2 kids in tow, it might be more fun to see the countryside. How long is the trip by train?

Oooohhh, the planning is starting. So many things to do!

Hi - We are on the June 16th and our planning on taking the overnight train from Paris to Barcelona. We are a party of 4 - me, DH, DS(8) and DD(6). You cannot booked before 90 days so I am waiting. My kids are very excited about sleeping on the train. The website for the train is http://www.elipsos.com/htm/default.htm?lang=3. Another good website for train travel in Europe is http://www.seat61.com/Spain.htm.

We are flying into London and taking the Eurostar to Paris.

Good luck with your travel plans.

 

[carolmb]

We are flying from Paris to BCN as well. I am concerned about weight limit. I think Iberia is 40 lbs. We also are considering the Elipsos Trenhotel. I am clueless aout trains - are there baggage/weight limits? I couldn't find any info on the website except for "hand luggage". One option also has us changing trains - what happens to luggage then? Sorry - we unfortunately don't get to travel by train around here!

Lisa,
From what I understand there is no limit on luggage for the train. You just have to carry it on and fit it into you sleeper compartment. The website http://www.seat61.com/Spain.htm has some really good information and he recommends purchasing your train tickets from the French railways website, http://www.voyages-sncf.com/dynamic...K&WB=HP&rfrr=4685ac17fd2e7656e4918c53b246a3f7, because it is less expensive. I you take the train we may be traveling together. We are going from Paris to Barcelona on June 14th. We will probably be in London and Paris the same time as you also. I looked into doing the ABD trip for London and Paris but we decided to try things on our own.

 

[PURTYPAT1]

And yes it really is that cheap.

One of the big things i remember is that you MUST be on time for checkin. We hit a snow storm and where later than planned, we just made it but they did shut down the check in 45 minutes or 1 hr before with no exceptions. i did figure out why - the women who checked us in, was then the gate attended who took our boarding pass and then got on the flight as our flight attendant!!! This is how they keep cost down!! flight was perfectly fine.

Well I am glad she wasn't flying the plane. LOL

 

[gydell]

Does anyone know what time the bcn airport opens? We have a 6am flight and do not have a clue as to what time to get to the airport.

 

[DenverVal]

I got a quote from them via e-mail. It is pretty pricey compared to taxis! For a family of 4, they will use a mercedes minivan and is is 125 EUR plus 7% VAT each way (almost $200). Considering it is only 8 miles, I find this to be veryexpensive! Even 2 cabs should be cheaper.

Wow! I guess we'll stick with the taxi. Thanks for the info.

 

[AceFabGirlie]

We use the Disney Rewards Visa for everything and pay it off each month. In Europe, whenever we will use it Chase will charge a International transaction Fee: 3% of the U.S. dollar amount of the transaction, whether originally made in U.S. dollars or converted from a foreign currency.

So, for example on $3000 I will pay $90 additional. Does anyone use a card that does not charge a fee for international use and with no annual fee? It might be worth applying for a new card now if it saves us anything! Which will undoubtably be spent during this adventure anyway.

I am assuming that any charges on board the Magic during the cruise will be treated as if we were sailing from a U.S. port? Not a conversion from Euros to dollars.

 

[buck4568]

Wow! I guess we'll stick with the taxi. Thanks for the info.

I agree! I got two quotes and although it would be nice to have a car waiting we will do the taxi x2 if necessary.

 

[charwac1]

Does anyone use a card that does not charge a fee for international use and with no annual fee? It might be worth applying for a new card now if it saves us anything!

CapitalOne, the folks with the "What's in Your Wallet" tag line, does not charge a fee for international use. They have several no annual fee cards, some with rebates.

 

[cotomom]

Hi everyone....

For what it's worth, I thought I'd let you know that the lowest airfare from LAX to London was Air New Zealand. Plus they have the biggest 'pitch' amount in coach. You can then get cheap flights from LHR to BCN.

Since I haven't seen too much from the West Coast, just wanted to share what I've painstakingly agonized over for days!

 

[AnnaS]

We use the Disney Rewards Visa for everything and pay it off each month. In Europe, whenever we will use it Chase will charge a International transaction Fee: 3% of the U.S. dollar amount of the transaction, whether originally made in U.S. dollars or converted from a foreign currency.

So, for example on $3000 I will pay $90 additional. Does anyone use a card that does not charge a fee for international use and with no annual fee? It might be worth applying for a new card now if it saves us anything! Which will undoubtably be spent during this adventure anyway.

I am assuming that any charges on board the Magic during the cruise will be treated as if we were sailing from a U.S. port? Not a conversion from Euros to dollars.

Wow - that's not good. Would love to know the answer since I have two different Chase cards - but will most likely use the disney rewards card myself. I hope there is no charge/fee.

I guess it is only for Europe? My son went to Italy and used his debit (different bank) card a lot. Luckily there were no additional fees for using it (last year).

 

[mom_rules]

Most Canadian Dollar credit cards charge the going US exchange rate on the date of the transaction plus about 2.5%.
So for us, even if we charge things on the ship we have to pay the 2.5% fee on every credit card purchase anyway.
I'm guessing that the same would be true for purchases charged in Euros.

 

[gydell]

We use AX in Mexico all the time and never have to pay a fee. I"ll be checking with them about Europe.

 

[RJAYL]

We use the Disney Rewards Visa for everything and pay it off each month. In Europe, whenever we will use it Chase will charge a International transaction Fee: 3% of the U.S. dollar amount of the transaction, whether originally made in U.S. dollars or converted from a foreign currency..

WOW! Thanks for the info I have DLP booked on my Disney Rewards Visa and will have to call to change to AMEX! Getting 1% is not worth paying 3%!
What a Rip Off!

I am assuming that any charges on board the Magic during the cruise will be treated as if we were sailing from a U.S. port? Not a conversion from Euros to dollars.

We sure hope so, if anyone gets anymore info on this let us now!

 

[MJGirl]

I checked with AMEX and they do charge a 2.5% fee to convert (at least the Canadian card does). Another thing to consider. I was speaking to them when I activated my new card and they recommend you let them know that you will be in Europe and charging on your card. They will attach a memo to your account stating you are in Europe. This way they won't red flag your "out of normal" purchases. With the memo attached, you won't run the risk of your card being cancelled or refused. Hope this helps! After talking to AMEX, I called Mastercard and did the same thing. Just gave them the dates of travel, the countries I'm visiting and I'm all set.

 

[RJAYL]

I checked with AMEX and they do charge a 2.5% fee to convert (at least the Canadian card does). Another thing to consider. I was speaking to them when I activated my new card and they recommend you let them know that you will be in Europe and charging on your card. They will attach a memo to your account stating you are in Europe. This way they won't red flag your "out of normal" purchases. With the memo attached, you won't run the risk of your card being cancelled or refused. Hope this helps! After talking to AMEX, I called Mastercard and did the same thing. Just gave them the dates of travel, the countries I'm visiting and I'm all set.

I just got off the phone with AMEX and for a USA Platinum card it is a 2% charge, so it is not free!

Is Capital 1 really free?

How about other cards? Chime in if you know!

 

[buck4568]

I checked Capitol One online and there is no foreign transaction fee on any of the cards according to the disclosure section.

I think I am going to apply for one to use on this trip!

For those with Bank of America cards, if you have a check card you can use it free at certain ATM in selected countries. Italy is NOT one of those but there is a bank in France that does quailfy called BNP Paribas.