lyndss

Hi there,

This is concerning.  We have used thermal suites on other cruise lines so booked the Enclave on Majestic Princess for our Alaskan cruise in a few weeks.  I hope we won't be disappointed.  

I do have a question, and I feel you will be able to answer it with your experience.  When I booked the Enclave we were each given an appointment time for the first day.  I'm wondering what that's all about.  We've always just shown up on other lines.  Our time is 4:15.  So we have to go at that time every day?  If so, that's a 'no go' for us, as it's too late in the day.  Thanks!

Hi there,

We would like to spend the day at a beach in St Maartin. We also like to snorkel but would prefer to go off shore in a boat, rather than at the beach. Does anyone know if any beaches have excursions you can just book when you arrive or have excursions close to a beach we can just walk to.  We wanted to try Orient Beach but are open to other places as well.  Thanks for your time!

We are back from our marvellous cruise on the Meravigilia! Wonderful experience!! We docked early at Marseille. We stayed in the Yacht Club so had priority disembarkation. We got off at about 8:20, but felt we could have gotten off sooner. Because it's not like the Caribbean, there wasn't a copious amount of people leaving, as every port has people getting on and off. I think you should be able to get off easily. It only took about 30 mins to get to the airport. It was mostly highway driving, so really no traffic issues.

Also, FYI, we had a flight at 11:30 and had loads of time. It was domestic and had to be checked in my 10:50 I think. After booking, we tried to book a transfer with MSC and they wouldn't allow us to book it unless our flight was 1:00 or after. I don't know if I would be comfortable booking an international flight before 1:00 though.

Keep us posted on whether or not you have problems with disembarkation and catching your flight out of Marseille. We fly out of Marseille next April, and have not booked our flights yet. So afraid to book too early, and not many choices after 11am flights. If we fly out after 7pm.....what do we do with our bags all day? Can't tour around Marseille with huge suitcases. Lol

 

 

 

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Thanks everyone for your suggestions! We've decided to go with the hop on hop off bus. We have already bought tickets for Sagrada Familia, based on your recommendation. I'm also going to buy the bus tickets ahead of time. I'm just not 100% sure where I pick up the tickets if I do that. When I started to book it said at the end, before I hit submit, tickets would arrive July 14th. That's a problem, considering, we will be actually in Barcelona then, not at home, so I didn't press submit. I thought I read somewhere that proof of purchase would be emailed to me and I take that directly to any bus to get tickets. I just don't want to hit submit if that's not the case. Does anyone know how it works if I were to purchase tickets online?

Keep us posted on whether or not you have problems with disembarkation and catching your flight out of Marseille. We fly out of Marseille next April, and have not booked our flights yet. So afraid to book too early, and not many choices after 11am flights. If we fly out after 7pm.....what do we do with our bags all day? Can't tour around Marseille with huge suitcases. Lol

 

 

 

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Sure! We are catching a domestic flight to Paris, so we don't need to be there as early. Our flight is at 11:30 and need to be checked in at 10:55. We have two hours to get there. We are in the Yacht club, so know we will be able to get off early, but still a bit worried.

you mean july 8th, right?

woops, yes!

She's due to dock at 9am next Saturday, which will be her normal, routine time for docking in Marseille.

Thanks! It says 9:00 in itinerary, but was concerned it mat have run late. Glad to hear it was on time!

Hi

Yes went in and it's best to book in advance the Q's for tickets can be unreal at times, well worth it it's amazing inside. There are a few other Guadi pieces esay to get to on the HOHO, we liked the 1st building he did with the dragon gates.

 

Kev

Hi Kev,

Do you have a recommended time we should buy tickets for the cathedral? We arrive in port at 9:00 and I'm thinking we will do hop on hop off bus to get there. Not a clue how long it will take or if we should stop at the other places on the way, or go straight there first. Thanks for all the info!

Barca is one of my favorite Euro cities have visited there about 20 times the past few years and will be there again soon, but, like all cities throughout the world, especially ports, there will be pickpockets. Just be aware and sensible and enjoy the beautiful city.

I also think the HOHO bus is the best value around to see all the sights. We have had private tours, ships excursions and walked a lot, but the HOHO gave excellent value for the price. Look on the Barcelona City web site for festivals and things for free when you are due to visit, loads of amazing things the last visit for us, hope you are as lucky.

Thanks! I will check out the website. I didn't think of that!

We have just come back from Barcelona and did the Gaudi tour( different cruise line)If you decide to visit Sagrada Família please go inside. it does get busy and there are pick pockets around. Our tour guide from Barcelona had his eye out for them, he knew who to look for, we felt very safe. I would recommend a ships tour as you bypass all the queues.

That would be a good option to be on the safe side, thanks!

We just returned from Barcelona. Stayed 6 days, used the metro pretty much each day and had no problems figuring it out. Used bus also to Parc Guell and back.

 

Looked at the maps ahead of time on-line and had a good idea of where we were going ahead of time and all.

 

Also no close calls with pick pockets. But keep my purse under my jacket most of the time and keep my hand on it at all time too.

Thanks for the tip. I'm glad to hear everything was okay with pickpockets. I will have to ensure I have something small to put under my shirt.:)

Question please... We will be boarding the MSC Meraviglia oj July 7th in Marseille. I have a question for anyone who has already cruised on it. I'm concerned I may have booked my flight too early out of Marseille when we disembark. Does anyone happen to know what time the ship docked? Also, f anyone got off in Marseille, what time were you able to leave? Thanks so much!

Hi

Just back from Barca, I would be tempted to take a taxi from the port to SagradaFamilila when you've done there take a Touriste HOHO bus to the main plaza then nip across the square and pick up the Red line all the way round at the end you will be back at Pl Catalunya and top of La Rambla stroll down to the bottom and you are virtually at the port

Kev

Hi Kev,

Did you go into the SagradaFamililia? If so, did you book the tickets ahead of time? Were you able to visit any other Guadi architecture on the HOHO bus?

Thanks!

If you've been to most of the big sites in Barcelona, you might try getting a cab or the subway close to the Old Hospital de la Santa Creu.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Hospital_de_la_Santa_Creu,_Barcelona

Thanks, we have never been, so I'll take ANY suggestions:D

We just returned from Barcelona. Stayed 6 days, used the metro pretty much each day and had no problems figuring it out. Used bus also to Parc Guell and back.

 

Looked at the maps ahead of time on-line and had a good idea of where we were going ahead of time and all.

 

Also no close calls with pick pockets. But keep my purse under my jacket most of the time and keep my hand on it at all time too.

I will have a look at the routes. The more I look, the more I think the best option is to take the hop on hop off bus, and really get to know the routes before hand. Thanks for the advice!

If you've been to most of the big sites in Barcelona, you might try getting a cab or the subway close to the Old Hospital de la Santa Creu.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Hospital_de_la_Santa_Creu,_Barcelona

Thanks!

If you've been to most of the big sites in Barcelona, you might try getting a cab or the subway close to the Old Hospital de la Santa Creu.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Hospital_de_la_Santa_Creu,_Barcelona

Thanks, I've never been to Barcelona, and Europe for that matter. Can't wait!

We hired a driver through Barcelona Day Tours. We had him from 10am to 5pm. It was fairly expensive but totally worth it to have the freedom to get into sites without waiting in line. I will say, I believe a woman attempted to rob me in the restrooms of the museum of Sagrada Familia, however, I got a museum docent to deal with her before anything happened, What I will say is if something out of the ordinary happens, just get an employee, don't attempt to help anyone unless it is an obvious life or death situation. In my case this woman claimed she was locked in a bathroom stall. Instead of attempting to open the door, with the possibility she might rush me and pickpocket me, I got a museum docent to help her.

We have a cab booked in Malta. I will look into Barcelona Day Tours as well, thanks!

We hired a driver through Barcelona Day Tours. We had him from 10am to 5pm. It was fairly expensive but totally worth it to have the freedom to get into sites without waiting in line. I will say, I believe a woman attempted to rob me in the restrooms of the museum of Sagrada Familia, however, I got a museum docent to deal with her before anything happened, What I will say is if something out of the ordinary happens, just get an employee, don't attempt to help anyone unless it is an obvious life or death situation. In my case this woman claimed she was locked in a bathroom stall. Instead of attempting to open the door, with the possibility she might rush me and pickpocket me, I got a museum docent to help her.

Oh dear. I'm going to admit, I'm from a small town in Nova Scotia, Canada. I'm going to have to get some Spidey senses...

BTW, I'm not trying to scare you mentioning the pickpockets. We've been to Barcelona many times and never been pickpocketed yet, but that's because we're aware of the presence of pickpockets and do things to avoid/discourage them from messing with us.

I have read to watch out for pickpockets in Barcelona, so we will be careful. Thanks!

Be aware that pickpockets operate on all public transportation, especially the HOHO bus and at all tourist sites.

 

We decided to visit ALL of the Gaudi sites in Barcelona and hired a private driver for the day. We went to Park Guell, the dragon gate (people pose for photos here holding hands in the mouth of the dragon), Casa Vincens, Teresian College, Casa Calvet, Bellguard, Casa Batllo, Casa Mila, Church of Colonia, La Pedrero, Sagrada Familia, etc. and we went in many of these as there was plenty of time - if there was a line, we drove past and came back later, so we didn't waste time in lines. We went into Sagrada Familia upon opening with no line. I also recommend this:

http://www.gaudiexperiencia.com/visit

 

I loved Casa Mila best of all. Better than Sagrada Familia - I think because Casa Mila represents what I'm most familiar with - homes - but in the most unique way possible. Don't miss the roof deck there and the top floor which used to be the world's most incredible laundry room but is now a museum, but I think what got me most of all were the paintings on the inner courtyard of the building and what they were supposed to represent - the ocean! But all of the Gaudi sites are all amazing places.

 

The other place in Barcelona you MUST go is to the Bouquerria Market. This is the oldest continuously operating market in Europe and it is AMAZING! Take a look at this:

My husband and I spent 4 hours photographing this market. It's that amazing!

Hi there, Thanks so much for your information! I just have a couple questions:

What company did you book with and how long did you book the driver for to see everything you listed?

Thanks!

You might want to try the Hop On Hop Off bus. It has 3 routes and will take you to all the important sites. It stops at the end of the cruise pier.

Excellent idea! I will do some research on it. Thanks!:D

Thank you so much everyone for your suggestions. In looking, I'm thinking we could do it ourselves with your suggestions. What would you say the best way to get around in the city is?

Hi there,

We are stopping this summer in Barcelona on MSC Meravigilia. We are trying to decide exactly what to do there The Gaudi's Experience looks like it would be interesting, as I love the look of his architecture. There isn't any information on it, however. I'm wondering if anyone has done that before.

Also, if not, what would you recommend for the Barcelona stop. We tend to like seaside tours, more than city ones, but thought this particular one would be interesting.

.

Thanks, and looking forward to hearing from anyone:)!

Just a heads up about the tender tickets. We were recently on the Vision and tender tickets were strictly regulated. We were told to only come for our tickets when everyone in the party was present and ready to go to shore. Tickets for general boarding were not given out until general tendering was started.

 

One ticket to one person (my husband couldn't even get two for us and I was right behind him). From the ticket person we were funneled directly into the holding pen (err- dining room) and only allowed to exit the dining room when our number was called. There was a person at the MDR door checking our tender number, one at the stairway checking as we headed down the stairs, and one checking again before we were allowed to ding out to the tender platform.

 

I liked this method as it cut down on the cutting in line and also made sure that latecomers from a lower number didn't show up at their leisure and delay those who followed the directions for tender tickets.

 

Because of this procedure, it was 15 minutes from the time of receiving the tickets to being on the tender.

 

Your experience may vary, but be aware that tender tickets may be more tightly controlled than some have described.

Thanks, this was very helpful!