suntan Posted May 16, 2015 #1 Share Posted May 16, 2015 My aunt and I just booked a Med cruise for September 2016 - 16 months away!!:D:D This will be our first time on RCCL but not our first time cruising - we usually sail on Princess or Celebrity. However, we couldn't pass up the promotion of 50% off the 2nd guest. Before booking we did search for similar cruises on the other 2 lines however neither came close to what we ultimately paid. The highlights of this cruise are Kotor, Montenegro and Dubrovnik, Croatia. We now have 16 months to research those ports we have not visited before. Any suggestions for places to stay in Barcelona and what to do there will be greatly appreciated; plus I will be checking all the boards for info and tips. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColoradoGurl Posted May 16, 2015 #2 Share Posted May 16, 2015 I don't think booking 16 months ahead is crazy at all, nor will anyone else on this board, since most of us (I assume) are heavy (over) planners too :) I don't think very many under planners ever bother searching for message boards for all the details. So no worries there, probably one of the only things you WON'T be judged for on here, haha! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pumbaamd Posted May 16, 2015 #3 Share Posted May 16, 2015 We're been looking at Christmas 2016 cruises for quite a while. Will be booking one on board GR next month. Rick and Deirdra Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigB0882 Posted May 16, 2015 #4 Share Posted May 16, 2015 Congrats!! I just booked a Baltic cruise that is about 13 months away and I also took advantage of the 50% off 2nd passenger promotion. Like you, I also compared to other lines and it was a good deal so I took it. Hope you have a blast and I hope we both like RCCL! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
celebrity Posted May 16, 2015 #5 Share Posted May 16, 2015 (edited) My aunt and I just booked a Med cruise for September 2016 - 16 months away!!:D:D This will be our first time on RCCL but not our first time cruising - we usually sail on Princess or Celebrity. However, we couldn't pass up the promotion of 50% off the 2nd guest. Before booking we did search for similar cruises on the other 2 lines however neither came close to what we ultimately paid. The highlights of this cruise are Kotor, Montenegro and Dubrovnik, Croatia. We now have 16 months to research those ports we have not visited before. Any suggestions for places to stay in Barcelona and what to do there will be greatly appreciated; plus I will be checking all the boards for info and tips. Nothing crazy about it all. In fact, we are on the same cruise! Furthest out we booked was Quantum..23 months. Gives us time to plan and save. We chose this cruise solely on itinerary. It had a number of ports we missed last time. Really looking forward to it. Edited May 16, 2015 by celebrity Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoopster95 Posted May 16, 2015 #6 Share Posted May 16, 2015 My aunt and I just booked a Med cruise for September 2016 - 16 months away!!:D:D This will be our first time on RCCL but not our first time cruising - we usually sail on Princess or Celebrity. However, we couldn't pass up the promotion of 50% off the 2nd guest. Before booking we did search for similar cruises on the other 2 lines however neither came close to what we ultimately paid. The highlights of this cruise are Kotor, Montenegro and Dubrovnik, Croatia. We now have 16 months to research those ports we have not visited before. Any suggestions for places to stay in Barcelona and what to do there will be greatly appreciated; plus I will be checking all the boards for info and tips. HUGE CONGRATS!! You'll have an awesome cruise :D:D:D Shameless plug... I posted a huge photo review with a ton of tips/hints of all the ports you mentioned above last Sept... I hope you can get some good info here with your research, and the Brilliance which you are on is equal (for the most part) to the Serenade in this review as well: Kotor: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=44377600&highlight=kotor#post44377600 Dubrovnik: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=44452500&highlight=dubrovnik#post44452500 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hhfarmer Posted May 16, 2015 #7 Share Posted May 16, 2015 I booked with NCL on the Escape for December of 2016.... everyone said I was crazy. Now my category is sold out. Glad I booked! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George C Posted May 16, 2015 #8 Share Posted May 16, 2015 We also booked a 12 night cruise out of Barcelona for Sept 2016 and was surprised that my 1st choice for cabins/suites were already booked. We will need plenty of research also Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Familygoboston Posted May 16, 2015 #9 Share Posted May 16, 2015 Not at all, crazy, I just bookmarked Hopsters review for a potential visit to that area in 2017- enjoy your planning and don't forget to report so I can plan for 2017! (And thanks Hoopster for yours!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoopster95 Posted May 16, 2015 #10 Share Posted May 16, 2015 Not at all, crazy, I just bookmarked Hopsters review for a potential visit to that area in 2017- enjoy your planning and don't forget to report so I can plan for 2017! (And thanks Hoopster for yours!) Cool... you're welcome :D Found a lot of awesome info from CC'ers about Rome/Naples/etc... the standards... but very little on Kotor and Dubrovnik specifically so I hope this helps you out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3CatsInMA Posted May 16, 2015 #11 Share Posted May 16, 2015 We have an ABC cruise booked for April 2017, but since you insisted on this: "You're Crazy!" ;):D:D (And so are we!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TigerCruzin Posted May 16, 2015 #12 Share Posted May 16, 2015 In April 2014 I booked our March 2016 25th anniversary cruise. I became depressed that it was so far away. So the same day I looked into and booked one for May 2015 so it wouldn't be so long to wait. We sail tomorrow ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amyscruising Posted May 16, 2015 #13 Share Posted May 16, 2015 (edited) We are on the same cruise also. Join the Roll Call. Only George C and I so far. Edited May 16, 2015 by amyscruising Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRQSally Posted May 16, 2015 #14 Share Posted May 16, 2015 We stayed at Hotel Pulitzer last year in Barcelona...just a l/2 block from Plaza Catalunya, about a block from Ramblas and close to the market, too, which is off the Ramblas...you must visit the Market..just amazing. We had both breakfast and lunch there. Pulitzer has modern rooms and baths, there is a large lounge off lobby and a wine bar, where you can get reasonable drink or glass of wine and a couple appetizers. It's very attractive and very convenient. Can't wait to go back Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuCruise Posted May 17, 2015 #15 Share Posted May 17, 2015 I don't have an answer to your question, but we also booked exactly 16 months out too. I too questioned if it was too early but we got a good deal too and only 3 months later, the prices really went up. You can always cancel and can get a price drop if it lowers before final payment. Hardest part is the wait. Happy planning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
celebrity Posted May 17, 2015 #16 Share Posted May 17, 2015 We stayed at Hotel Pulitzer last year in Barcelona...just a l/2 block fromPlaza Catalunya, about a block from Ramblas and close to the market, too, which is off the Ramblas...you must visit the Market..just amazing. We had both breakfast and lunch there. Pulitzer has modern rooms and baths, there is a large lounge off lobby and a wine bar, where you can get reasonable drink or glass of wine and a couple appetizers. It's very attractive and very convenient. Can't wait to go back I was very pleased with Hotel Jazz last time but will look into the Pulitzer and compare. The market you are referring to is La Boqueria and is a must see! Can't wait to go back to La Sagrada Familia, that was my favorite site in Barca. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRQSally Posted May 17, 2015 #17 Share Posted May 17, 2015 Absolutely agree. Was only able to see "Familia", had another Guadi site booked for tour, but English speaking guide cancelled at the last minute. It takes some nerve to sit down at one of the little bars at the market, but I really wanted to do it, so we found 2 empty stools and the waiter was very helpful. He even told us about a pickpocket in the area...so tighter grip on purse and wallet. We were very careful and had no problems. We tried some different dishes. Next time I'll try the octopus, which we had later in the week in Greece. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
susancruzs Posted May 17, 2015 #18 Share Posted May 17, 2015 I like Hotel Continental, reasonable, very near the Plaza, on northern end of Ramblas. There are drinks/snacks available 24/7, plus a continental breakfast. There are stairs to reach the lobby level, which might be a drawback to some people. It is a boutique hotel, different, rooms are pink but the price is right! There is quite a group of us staying here before our Vision cruise this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluecruisin Posted May 17, 2015 #19 Share Posted May 17, 2015 We are planning a Med cruise for May/June 2017 and I sure do wish we could book now. Hope you have a great cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suntan Posted May 18, 2015 Author #20 Share Posted May 18, 2015 HUGE CONGRATS!! You'll have an awesome cruise :D:D:D Shameless plug... I posted a huge photo review with a ton of tips/hints of all the ports you mentioned above last Sept... I hope you can get some good info here with your research, and the Brilliance which you are on is equal (for the most part) to the Serenade in this review as well: Kotor: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=44377600&highlight=kotor#post44377600 Dubrovnik: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=44452500&highlight=dubrovnik#post44452500 Hoopster95 - thank you for the links. This long weekend I've been reading up on Montserrat as we will be spending at least 2 days pre-cruise in Barcelona. The research and video watching has begun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suntan Posted May 18, 2015 Author #21 Share Posted May 18, 2015 We stayed at Hotel Pulitzer last year in Barcelona...just a l/2 block fromPlaza Catalunya, about a block from Ramblas and close to the market, too, which is off the Ramblas...you must visit the Market..just amazing. We had both breakfast and lunch there. Pulitzer has modern rooms and baths, there is a large lounge off lobby and a wine bar, where you can get reasonable drink or glass of wine and a couple appetizers. It's very attractive and very convenient. Can't wait to go back SRQSally - Thank you for posting your recommendation of Hotel Pulitzer. We have looked at Hotel Jazz and have that as a possibility but we will look at the Pulitzer and compare. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suntan Posted May 18, 2015 Author #22 Share Posted May 18, 2015 We are on the same cruise also. Join the Roll Call. Only George C and I so far. I hadn't looked if a roll call had been set up. I will join now.:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnTheBeach Posted May 18, 2015 #23 Share Posted May 18, 2015 I was very pleased with Hotel Jazz last time but will look into the Pulitzer and compare. The market you are referring to is La Boqueria and is a must see! Can't wait to go back to La Sagrada Familia, that was my favorite site in Barca. I'll offer a second thumbs up to Hotel Jazz. Nice smaller hotel one block from Plaza Catalunya. Great rooms and rates when we stayed there. And easy taxi ride to/from the port. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPacificbound Posted May 18, 2015 #24 Share Posted May 18, 2015 Not at all crazy, I book as far out as possible. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suntan Posted May 20, 2015 Author #25 Share Posted May 20, 2015 I'll offer a second thumbs up to Hotel Jazz. Nice smaller hotel one block from Plaza Catalunya. Great rooms and rates when we stayed there. And easy taxi ride to/from the port. OntheBeach: How far is Hotel Jazz from the port? What was the cost? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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