mom2dina Posted March 24, 2016 #1 Share Posted March 24, 2016 We are booked to cruise out of Barcelona in June. To avoid getting lost and dealing with hotels, etc. we were thinking about arriving in the morning of the cruise. The cruise ship leaves at 6 pm, our flight would arrive at 11 am. Has anyone else done this, I'm afraid something will go wrong and we will miss the cruise. What do you think? Thank you for your help!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted March 24, 2016 #2 Share Posted March 24, 2016 (edited) Strongly recommend you arrive at least a day early, and more if you can swing it. You may only have a choice of one flight a day with your airline, and if there's a problem, you may be out of luck. Also, Barcelona is a wonderful city to spend time in. I'd consider it part of your vacation to go early and enjoy the city. Edited March 24, 2016 by clarea Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goneclear Posted March 24, 2016 #3 Share Posted March 24, 2016 Absolutely no way would I take that chance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corby114 Posted March 24, 2016 #4 Share Posted March 24, 2016 I would never fly to the departure port on the day the cruise leaves. Leave the day before and spend one night in a hotel in Barcelona. Get over jetlag, have a nice breakfast and get to the port relaxed and ready to enjoy your cruise vacation. It's not worth the stress of flying on the day of and possibly missing the ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janabelle61 Posted March 24, 2016 #5 Share Posted March 24, 2016 As others have pointed out, any problem with your flight could mean missing the cruise. You'll find Barcelona a beautiful city to explore. Easy to get around with lots to see within a short distance of the port. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cigar King Posted March 24, 2016 #6 Share Posted March 24, 2016 I arrive a day early for every cruise. For me the extra cushion of time helps me start the cruise more relaxed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MADflyer Posted March 24, 2016 #7 Share Posted March 24, 2016 (edited) While delays are the exception, they do happen. Most would not plan to arrive day of a sailing in Europe, but many do. Usually, even though your ship may depart at 6 PM, most lines have an embarkation time of 3:30 PM or so. This is to allow passengers time to prepare for the mandatory safety drill prior to sailing. The one good thing about European sailings is that there are often good options to get to your next port and reach the ship for delayed embarkation. While the overnight does offer expense and extra time allowed, it is highly recommended. Edited March 24, 2016 by MADflyer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starrcards Posted March 24, 2016 #8 Share Posted March 24, 2016 We are going 2 days early for our Rome cruise departure in September. Agre with all the other posters. Too much to chance arriving the day of the cruise departure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Keith1010 Posted March 24, 2016 #9 Share Posted March 24, 2016 I would not arrive the day of the cruise for several reasons: -If the flight is delayed or worse yet cancelled you might miss the ship. -If luggage goes astray there is no time to find it in time. -You will likely be jet lagged and that is not a good way to begin a port intensive cruise. I would arrive at least one day prior to the cruise and even earlier if you can do that. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mirp Posted March 24, 2016 #10 Share Posted March 24, 2016 It is the jet lag that would bother me. Try and get use to the time change before you are on the boat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KirkNC Posted March 24, 2016 #11 Share Posted March 24, 2016 I would never do this, too much can go wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ken_nyc Posted March 24, 2016 #12 Share Posted March 24, 2016 I agree with everyone that you should get to Barcelona at least one day before the cruise. We are going June 26th, 2016 and we are arriving 2 day before to just to the jet lag and sightsee. There are always unknown factors that can occur to cause you to get to the port late and as some others have said not worth the stress. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare crusinthrough Posted March 24, 2016 #13 Share Posted March 24, 2016 I second that jet lag is real. I arrived a day early in Barcelona and slept most of the day due to jet lag. I got up for dinner and fell back asleep pretty quickly. The next day I was well rested and ready to conquer Barcelona. As already mentioned Mediterranean cruises have a lot of ports. If you miss the ship you can board at another port. However, you are responsible financially for getting to the next port unless you have travel insurance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali3pt14 Posted March 24, 2016 #14 Share Posted March 24, 2016 On the topic of jet lag, if possible, I typically try to book an overnight flight that lands early in the morning of my arrival city. I take a sleeping pill as soon as the final leg of the flight begins, put on noise cancelling headphones, a sleeping mask, and arrive refreshed in my arrival city's timeframe. As others have stated, I'd arrive at least one day before...if there are any delays at all, you will miss embarkation. Too stressful! Have a great trip! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Havingfun2010 Posted March 24, 2016 #15 Share Posted March 24, 2016 We are booked to cruise out of Barcelona in June. To avoid getting lost and dealing with hotels, etc. we were thinking about arriving in the morning of the cruise. The cruise ship leaves at 6 pm, our flight would arrive at 11 am. Has anyone else done this, I'm afraid something will go wrong and we will miss the cruise. What do you think? Thank you for your help!! Honestly, I would do it if it was not in Barcelona, or any other really nice place to visit. There is always risk with airlines etc, and if you are comfortable with the risk, than it's fine. It sounds like you are not comfortable with it, so why do it? But why would you not want to enjoy an evening in Barcelona? I have no issue with jet lag, it's only 5 hours difference, plus I just got off a plane where I was sleeping! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcgrumpy Posted March 24, 2016 #16 Share Posted March 24, 2016 No way would I do it. I'd be way too stressed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCWalton1 Posted March 24, 2016 #17 Share Posted March 24, 2016 OP, I agree with all the others. Not a way I would want to start a European cruise stressing as to whether I will make the ship in time. Barcelona is a beautiful city. Take that same flight the day before, check into a hotel to drop your luggage then spend the afternoon riding the hop on hop off buses. You get to see some of the city with a narrative of what you are seeing. It keeps you awake throughout the day to help with the jet lag. And no stress worrying about flight delays. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmckay331 Posted March 24, 2016 #18 Share Posted March 24, 2016 So everyone seems to agree a day early at least. I would agree. Barcelona is so beautiful and would add a lot to the experience. I say go a few days early and enjoy. City architecture is unusual because of Dali so you should definitely check it out. You won't regret it Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George C Posted March 24, 2016 #19 Share Posted March 24, 2016 Even on domestic cruises we arrive a day early, we will be going to Barcelona 2 days before this September before our cruise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul65 Posted March 24, 2016 #20 Share Posted March 24, 2016 We are booked to cruise out of Barcelona in June. To avoid getting lost and dealing with hotels, etc. we were thinking about arriving in the morning of the cruise. The cruise ship leaves at 6 pm, our flight would arrive at 11 am. Has anyone else done this, I'm afraid something will go wrong and we will miss the cruise. What do you think? Thank you for your help!! I'm not in the "no way" camp that most people are. Arriving the morning of is not that bad, and if it's a direct flight, with no connections, then the chances of not making it are lessened. Of course, it's still possible that something could cancel the flight or delay it enough to miss the ship. There is some risk, but not all that high. That said, I'd personally lean more toward arriving a day before to adjust to the time zone and maybe enjoy a little of the departure city. What's your originating airport? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missus Makkem Posted March 24, 2016 #21 Share Posted March 24, 2016 Be aware that after the recent atrocities in Europe specially Brussels airport security is being hyped up and this could cause you more than a slight delay at Barcelona airport. Not worth the angst, get there the day before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lerin Posted March 24, 2016 #22 Share Posted March 24, 2016 Depending on where you are arriving from I would worry more about jet lag than missing the ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nativetexan Posted March 24, 2016 #23 Share Posted March 24, 2016 We cruised out of Barcelona several years ago. Got to the airport and our flight through Newark was cancelled close to departure time. No problem - they got us on another flight through Paris. Great. Long first leg and sleep! We arrived and our luggage went via various routes. Some went through Newark, some went through London and some went with us through Paris. So we had parts of our luggage that day and the others followed. We had enough of the right stuff to enjoy the city. We were sooo happy we chose to fly in several days before the departure date. After that experience - my husband never questions arriving early. It's just part of the vacation. I'll second that Barcelona is fabulous. Enjoy the city. It's amazing!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2dina Posted March 24, 2016 Author #24 Share Posted March 24, 2016 Thank you everyone, I guess I'm just a bit overwhelmed by everything, first time in Europe and I was trying to simplify it, but you are right that would have been way too stressful. Now stressing about the travel ban ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobal Posted March 24, 2016 #25 Share Posted March 24, 2016 (edited) Just to add another point. We live 15 mins away from our local airport where it takes less than 2 hours to fly to Barcelona - and there are several flights a day. In theory it should be a cinch to fly in on the day, but we still always fly in one day early. Apart from jet lag, flight delays, mislaid baggage etc, another factor to take into account are strikes - air traffic controllers, by baggage handlers etc. Although these are rare, they do occur and nothing can be done if your flight is affected. Fly in a day early and enjoy a little of this amazing city. There are bargain hotels to be had and the little extra price is worth it for peace of mind. The only exception we make is on the rare occasion where we book our flights with RC as they will ensure you get to your next destination if you miss the ship sailing. Edited March 24, 2016 by Bobal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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