helpthejuggler

6 minutes ago, PTMary said:

 

And I don't get the logic of some people visiting areas with differing customs and then deliberately ignoring, challenging or ridiculing those customs. Isn't it an important aspect of travelling to experience the customs of those new places? Yet, here come all the "we don't do tipping in my country, so I will complain about it and refuse to participate" people whining about one of these customs as if it is beneath them. I just don't get the entitlement attitude of you people.  

 

Its a fair observation that cuts both ways.

Adopt the conventions of the destination, show respect for your hosts customs.
Your home customs are irrelevant.

What you do on ship may also need to change when you go ashore to avoid offence

Rock Opera is very good.

Excite are a lively & entertaining band

The drive through testing is only for guests using CPS parking.

All other guests use the terminal tests

I would chose Hotel Barcelona Catedral, perfect for a 1st time visitor

On 4/21/2020 at 1:11 PM, susancruzs said:

As a single, older woman, I've stayed in Barcelona more than a few times, no problem using taxis.  I'm going April 2021 will get a taxi.  I'm trying Hotel Rec for a change, no more Rambla, usually stay there.  I've stayed at Hotel Continental (quirky, I like it) and Hotel Lloret, both reasonable, old and fine if you aren't fussy.

 

I've used Viator for a transfer from airports, Barcelona, Buenos Aires but by the time they organized groups by area for the vans, it was quite a wait.  I can travel 30+ day cruise, with a 26" suitcase, small rolling carry on looks like a bowling bag, no purse, one bag each hand, nothing over my shoulders. I don't need a van for luggage, but first visit to a city (Buenos Aires) I wanted to be with other people.

 

I have used Viator for walking tours many times, and have had good luck with them.  Barcelona is easy, use common sense and some street smarts, you will have no problems.  

We tried Hotel REC last year. It is a good choice and we saw parts of the city we had not visited before.

The hotel is great, the events in the lounge (beer tasting etc) were fun.

36 minutes ago, Sunseeker322 said:

I am not sure why most hotels are refusing to give me 14 rooms 

How many nights?

When are you visiting? Does it clash with a huge event? UEFA Champions League etc

When you say refused is it just the booking form doesn't support it?

I would contact the hotels directly for a large group booking or ask a travel agent. That is a group beyond my experience, but others may have advice

4 hours ago, Sunseeker322 said:

We have a group going out of Barcelona 

The 4 cruise hotel options are Gates Diagonal , Condes de Barcelona, NH Sants or Silken Gran Havana.

Which one would be best suited for walking to tourist areas such as La Ramblas or Gothic Quarter. 

 

Been yelled at all day about our cabin prices for this 12 night cruise so thought I would refocus on hotels.  Thank you for your valued input .

Of those Condes do Barcelona, which we have stayed at around 2011.

It is good for Casa Batllo and Casa Mila.

But it was quite expensive (thru Celebrity), nothing special and not convenient for walking to those locations. I reckon 20 min walk to Pl. Catalunya at the end of Las Ramblas.

I would recommend H10 Madison, Barcelona Catedral, Hotel Jazz, Hotel Lleo or Hotel REC as other better choices

The beach in the photos is easy to walk to. The closest point is 10 minutes from the ship, so no shuttles needed.
I recall some assistance from the ship to port gate, perhaps beyond, for those with mobility problems.

We were on Oceania Riviera.

I mentioned the marina around the headland (marked with an X by me here) - don't walk your time

I marked where the ship docks (not to scale). You can see the beach and dig around in Google maps.
The last of my photos gives a feel for the distance to the centre and start of the beach.

 

Yes every guest, you just need to be there at the right time. 

1 hour ago, bigsky said:

Thank you for all your tips! Are u going on this sailing?

i like Rick steves books, but we have many ports on this cruise. I’ll do my research as I do with all of our cruises. I’m glad I added a few days to check Barcelona out prior to. It’s a long flight for just a weeks cruise.

we just returned recently from Ireland. Wonderful place to visit if u haven’t been! Need to return!!

Have a good weekend

Not sure which sailing, but no cruises planned. Steves Med cruise ports is good if it covers your ports.

Barcelona is worth the time...

4 hours ago, bigsky said:

Thank you for this info! I think we’ll book that hotel. Staying in Barcelona 3 days prior to cruise.

do u live there, or a fellow cruiser? We haven’t looked at what to do in each port yet as we have a lot going on right now. 

Any must visit if u live there?
 

I live in the UK, but have visited and stayed maybe 12 times, most recently twice in June.

3 days will be good to see the highlights

All of the Gaudi sights particularly Sagrada Familia pre book to go inside.

Placa Espanya then walk to Montjuic.

Pl. Catalunya the walk Las Ramblas (I like Ramblas less each time I visit).

Passieg de Gracia is beyond Pl Catalunya where Casa Mila and Casa Batllo are found.

Gothic area, Check the shows at the Palau de la Musica which is a few minutes walk from this hotel, but see it anyway for a visit. We saw a Grand Flamenco there. Placa Real, City Hall (Free on Sun morning).

Port Vell and the harbour, Olympic port area.

Churches, museums...Tripadvisor will give you tips.

You will not be short of things to see.

Use the Metro and bus network to make some journeys

5 hours ago, bigsky said:

How far is it? Cruising out of there

Take a look on google maps, all will become clear.

Port is called Moll Adossat, hotel is at the far end of the gothic qtr as below

Hotel is in the city centre which is 15 mins or so in a taxi.

Don't let a few minutes difference in a taxi put you off. A good location to explore the city from is far more important.

When I mentioned the cathedral, bear in mind it is impressive, but don't confuse it with Sagrada Familia,, which is a Basilica a few miles away.

14 hours ago, bigsky said:

Is it close to the cruise port?

Not really, but that would be an advantage. There is nothing to be gained by staying close to the port.

It is on the edge of the gothic quarter, 2 mins walk from the cathedral.

Great location. Free wine and snacks at 5pm, very good breakfast.

If you are there when they offer their free guided walks they are very good. After many visits, we still learnt some new info.

The guide told us about free entry to the city hall on Sunday morning too, which was worth visiting.

Had it on my shortlist.

Nice place and looks good when we walked past.

Location is good too..

Say = Stuck

Used them once. We were say at the port on the bus for longer than the journey itself.

Since then, have done our own transfers on the next 5 or so times. Not only better, but cheaper too.

26 minutes ago, metsfan47 said:

We will be flying to Barcelona, spending one night in a hotel, and then taking the train to Girona.

Can anyone recommend a good hotel that is not far from the train station?

Thanks.

There are 2 or 3 stations

Barcelona Sants, Estacion de Francia and Passieg de Gracia.

Worth checking

It is a smaller port. A short walk to the town with lots of cafe and restaurant choice. There is a long arc of a beach that is very wide.

We found a marina around the headland which was not worth the walk.

Enough to walk around for a relaxing day.

18 minutes ago, midwestchick said:

 

Is it also near the large market?  We wanted to do that on our last visit but didn’t get it accomplished.  Thanks for the recommendation.

It is close enough to Mercat de Santa Caterina which is a real market.

Maybe you are referring to La Boqueria which is more well known to tourists. That is ok too, less than 10 mins walk

We were happy with Hotel Barcelona Catedral, which suits your location.

We just walked around on our own, visited the castle and stopped for a few drinks. There is a lovely hotel in the old town. Once done, the city and port area which is nice.

Las Ramblas is a long location. At the port end of the street, with bags on wheels you can walk the short distance.

If you are staying at the far end, probably not. So the precise hotel is important.

When we did the transfer from there in June, taxis were on hand at this terminal.

We were dropped off and picked up from terminals in Barcelona. They use taxis, so it will not be a problem

2 hours ago, erby2283 said:

If we will have 3 suitcases and 2 backpacks, do the two backpacks count as "handbags?" If the answer is yes, it changes the price from $37 to $63! I cannot imagine 2 backpacks would make a difference but I wasn't sure if saying 3 suitcases was being honest when booking BCN to our hotel.  I would just get a taxi but I have read some reports that some taxi's don't want to take people all the way to their hotels bc it's on las ramblas and the tourists end up dragging their luggage down the street - makes them a prime target for a pickpocket or being robbed. I would prefer to be taken all the way to my hotel.  Also, I have never been to Europe so when should I arrange for the car to pick us up after the plane arrives (waiting in bags and customs)? Is an hour after plane arrival a good time to schedule a pick up?

How big are the backpacks? If they will fit on your lap, I would not worry. The luggage is to fit in a car or do they send a people carrier. Las Ramblas has traffic along the sides so you will get close.

1hr is fine, give your flight info and they will monitor your arrival.