Barcelona pre-cruise

[deec]

If you did a pre-cruise in Barcelona what hotel did Viking use? How was the location?

 

We will be starting a Viking Cruise mid April 2017 and have airfare through Viking but am thinking it will be far more cost effective to pay for custom air and our own transfers rather than the cost of Viking's pre-cruise Barcelona nights which on seem to include transfers and room with breakfast....No tours.

 

thoughts?

[Peregrina651]

If you did a pre-cruise in Barcelona what hotel did Viking use? How was the location?

 

We will be starting a Viking Cruise mid April 2017 and have airfare through Viking but am thinking it will be far more cost effective to pay for custom air and our own transfers rather than the cost of Viking's pre-cruise Barcelona nights which on seem to include transfers and room with breakfast....No tours.

 

thoughts?

 

Agreed. Much cheaper to do it on your own, especially if the cost of the deviation is minimal. Viking is asking $1200 for two nights for two people. With that as your budget, you can easily stretch your stay to 5 or 6 nights and enjoy the city at leisure--and it is a magnificent city to explore. There are hundreds of hotels in Barcelona and you should be able to find something nice, clean --maybe even quaint --and centrally located for under $200 per night.

 

BTW, check prices on the hotel booking sites but also be sure to check the price of booking directly with the hotel, it may be cheaper. I was checking prices for January (rooms aren't yet open for booking on the hotel sites and the booking sites are asking much more than I know it will cost me when I finally am able to book the hotel myself; don't lock yourself into a non-refundable room, you may find it cheaper later).

Edited May 3, 2016 by Peregrina651

[Vineyard View]

We have been to Barcelona a few times - including once prior to and once post cruises. We love Barcelona. It is a great city to explore as Peregrina points out. we booked our own hotel and transfers. I researched to find top three hotels where we wanted to stay, then worked directly with the hotels to make our decision. It was great - each stay we had 4-5 nights to explore on our own, doing what and when we wanted to. I highly recommend giving it a try! Much more cost and time effective.

[deec]

Would you share which hotel you chose? Was it close to La Ramblas?

 

Did you hire any private guides to enhance the touring experience. We usually have a private guide for at least one day and their knowledge always great!

 

Maybe a 1/2 day in the city and 1/2 in Montserrat.

[screen-gem]

If you did a pre-cruise in Barcelona what hotel did Viking use? How was the location?

 

 

We stayed at Yurbban Trafalgar prior to boarding the Viking Star last month. Highly recommended. Close to Las Ramblas and Plaça de Catalunya. Free wine and snacks every night at 8pm ("Wine O'Clock"), and a nice rooftop lounge, bar and pool (small) with stunning views over the city. Taxi from hotel to the port was 12 euros.

 

We took a RunnerBean Gaudi tour. It's 'free', which means pay what you think it's worth. The group size was 15. Not as intimate as your own private guide, but much less expensive, and we met some fun people in the group. Our guide Zoe was very well-informed and quite enjoyable. The 11am RB tour ends at Sagrada Familia (a must-see if you've not been there), and we pre-reserved Sagrada tickets on-line for 2pm. That worked well. Advance tickets for any of the Gaudi sites are highly recommended, even in April.

[deec]

thanks so much for your help...these boards are always so very helpful

[screen-gem]

thanks so much for your help...these boards are always so very helpful

 

My pleasure - glad to assist.

 

FWIW, if you've not been to Barcelona before, I'd spend the day there, rather than spend time traveling to/from Montserrat. We've heard the latter is very nice, but Barcelona was amazing. A 1/2 day there really doesn't do it justice. Greatly exceeded expectations. Guide Zoe recommended visiting La Pedrera (a.k.a. Casa Milà, one of Gaudi's many amazing buildings), and it was well worth it.

 

If you're a Star Wars fan, you'll see similarities between some architectural details at La Pedrera (the chimneys) and the Empire's stormtroopers. Apparently George Lucas visited La Pedrera while he was working on the first Star Wars movie and was influenced by what he saw (if you're not a Star Wars fan, it's still worth a visit!).

 

Enjoy!

[Peregrina651]

FWIW, if you've not been to Barcelona before, I'd spend the day there, rather than spend time traveling to/from Montserrat. We've heard the latter is very nice, but Barcelona was amazing. A 1/2 day there really doesn't do it justice. Greatly exceeded expectations. Guide Zoe recommended visiting La Pedrera (a.k.a. Casa Milà, one of Gaudi's many amazing buildings), and it was well worth it.

 

Having visited Barcelona as well, I must agree with screen-gem. The ride to Montserrat is lovely but after a while the European countryside all looks similar to a point--and why spend the time cooped up in a car or train when there is some much to see in the city itself. Include Montserrat only if you have multiple days in the city. It can be done easily on your own by train.

 

If you are there in April and it is Holy Week, you should try to find out when the various processions are and try to get out on the street to see them pass by. Ask your guide to tell you when and where they can be found. IMHO, these processions are a profoundly Spanish experience and if you have the chance, you should see one. Also, if you are there for holy week, you should double check the Montserrat for its schedule of Holy Week activities. You may find that the trains are very crowded.

 

BTW, Easter is a 2-3 week school break time. Be ready for crowds and for holiday closings.

[deec]

we will be there Holy Week; definitely a double edged sword.

We have spent 4 previous days in Barcelona but our traveling companions have not. We will not mind revisiting all the wonderful "normal" sights. Our Viking cruise will spend 2 days and we hope to arrive 2-3 days early.

 

Really looking forward to our first Viking Ocean cruise.

[inborn traveler]

If you did a pre-cruise in Barcelona what hotel did Viking use? How was the location?

 

We will be starting a Viking Cruise mid April 2017 and have airfare through Viking but am thinking it will be far more cost effective to pay for custom air and our own transfers rather than the cost of Viking's pre-cruise Barcelona nights which on seem to include transfers and room with breakfast....No tours.

 

thoughts?

 

We did V Sea last week. We flew LAX to Barcelona one day before ship sailed. But two days early would be better. We stayed at the Renaissance, same hotel Viking used. We did all our own tours. Booked a concert at Palau de Musica and went to La Familia Segrada. Booked both online ourselves and got skip the line tickets. Took taxis and walked. No problem. We also booked Barcelona Day Tours that went inside Guell Park, with another C Critic couple, for a 4 hr Barcelona private tour. All worked great. There was lots of complaining about the ship's tours. But our private arrangements worked great. Took taxi from airport to hotel, and from hotel to ship. Was very nice to just walk on by that huge Viking group and all their bags in the lobby and to hop into a nice private taxi.

[deec]

thanks for the info

how was the location of the hotel?

 

do you remember the if cost of the cabs from the airport and to the ship were reasonable?

 

Good to hear that the Barcelona Day tour was good...they are one of the services that I had checked on.

[oliveau]

We stayed 2 nights in the Grand Central before an Azamara cruise last year. A lovely hotel!

 

As the name says: a good central location. Open top bus tours run from just up the road. Hotel has a good restaurant as well.

[inborn traveler]

Completely agree! We stayed at The Renaissance, which we liked a lot. Viking pretour was there too. Took taxi from airport. Don't remember cost but do remember we thought it reasonable and so convenient. We arrived mid afternoon. Met other Viking people in the hotel bar. Also stopped at a liquor store across the street for two bottles of Spanish wine to take on the ship. Just settled in the walked neighborhood and stopped at tapas bar for light dinner. The next morning we went to La Sagrada by taxi. We had a light breakfast in a cafe right near the entrance to the Sagrada. We bought skip the line entry tickets for 9:30 and guided tour online. Well worth it. We took taxi back to hotel, picked up bags and took taxi to ship. Again, all very smooth. At 4:00 PM we took taxi from ship to the Palau de Musica. There were no tours that day so we had bought inexpensive tickets for a violin concert, which was a great way to see the building. Only stayed for half and were back to the ship in time for dinner. The next morning we had arranged for Barcelona Day Tours to pick us up for a four hour city tour, which included entrance to Guell Park. At the end of the tour, we were dropped off at the marketplace on Las Ramblas where we spent some time before walking to the ship. We were there in plenty of time before sailing off! Great stay in Barcelona. Would have liked two nights in the hotel but we managed with one. Post trip we stayed two nights in Bergen. Stayed at Radisson Blu and did city tour with Bergen Guides. We did a week in Norway on our own. Norway in a Nutshell has good train/fjord tours. No need to do Viking tours. It's a great adventure, start to finish, especially on Lufthansa Premium Economy.

 

If you did a pre-cruise in Barcelona what hotel did Viking use? How was the location?

 

We will be starting a Viking Cruise mid April 2017 and have airfare through Viking but am thinking it will be far more cost effective to pay for custom air and our own transfers rather than the cost of Viking's pre-cruise Barcelona nights which on seem to include transfers and room with breakfast....No tours.

 

thoughts?

[Krisval]

We are going to Barcelona a day early and are considering booking a tour or two with "Hi, This is Barcelona," a company recommended to us by a fabulous guide we had in Lisbon. They are expensive, but the reviews on a Trip Advisor are very good.

[deec]

Our TA recommended HI Barcelona but the price seems to be quite a bit more than a private Barcelona Day Tour.

 

Does anyone know what the "included" Viking tour will be?

[Peregrina651]

Our TA recommended HI Barcelona but the price seems to be quite a bit more than a private Barcelona Day Tour.

 

Does anyone know what the "included" Viking tour will be?

 

It is show on the the Viking webpage for your itinerary. It under the itinerary tab. The days are listed down the left side of the page. Click on each day and then scroll down to see a tentative list of shorex for that port. The included tour is marked as such.

 

When we go in December, this is what they say they will be offering but it may be different for different itineraries:

A Panoramic Tour & Walk of Barcelona

 

(ESBCE01)

 

Duration: 3 hours

 

See the Highlights of This Beautiful City

 

 

 

 

 

This excursion provides a great way to see the highlights of Barcelona. During a relaxing drive around this impressive Mediterranean city, you will pass the Columbus Monument and Port Vell, the seaside cultural and shopping complex. Admire the Arc de Triomf, a stately remnant from the 1888 World’s Fair and take in the breathtaking Parc de la Ciutadella, once home to the garrison that protected the city. Next, you will alight your coach and walk into the historic center, stopping to view the stunning neo-Gothic Barcelona Cathedral. This 14th-century marvel is adorned with a wide range of animal and mythical gargoyles; its interior is a wonder of vaulted ceilings buttressed by soaring columns. Later, enjoy free time in the heart of Old Barcelona browsing its shops or lingering at a café before returning to your ship. Please note the religious services may prevent interior visits of the cathedral.

[Solent Richard]

If you did a pre-cruise in Barcelona what hotel did Viking use? How was the location?

 

We will be starting a Viking Cruise mid April 2017 and have airfare through Viking but am thinking it will be far more cost effective to pay for custom air and our own transfers rather than the cost of Viking's pre-cruise Barcelona nights which on seem to include transfers and room with breakfast....No tours.

 

thoughts?

 

My only suggestion is to also take into account what Barcelona excursions Viking include in their Pre-Cruise programme.

 

If it is anything like their river cruise programme then that cost becomes reasonable.

[deec]

The pre-cruise through Viking does not INCLUDE any tours/sightseeing.

 

only extras included are transfers and breakfast....I don't know why Viking charges so much for the extensions. Stockholm, where we will disembark, was going to be $799 usd for 2 nights. We will do this on our own too!

[ededmd]

We are going to Barcelona a day early and are considering booking a tour or two with "Hi, This is Barcelona," a company recommended to us by a fabulous guide we had in Lisbon. They are expensive, but the reviews on a Trip Advisor are very good.

 

If you don't mind sharing, I'd appreciate a referral on your fabulous Lisbon guide.

[WesW]

Strongest recommendation for Jorge Bras as the top tour guide in Lisbon, pls see testimonials here:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1851646&highlight=lisbon+tour+guide

[ededmd]

Strongest recommendation for Jorge Bras as the top tour guide in Lisbon, pls see testimonials here:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1851646&highlight=lisbon+tour+guide

 

Thanks Wes! Didn't know you followed this board.

I may email (still have on file from prior) you for more thoughts so thread can get back OT.

Thanks for the indulgence to all.

[Krisval]

We had Paolo Scheffer, with Lisbon Explorer. He has lived in the US and around Europe. We set up a wine/port/cheese/meat tasting for 8 of us. He met us at our hotel and piled us into taxis for a great ride through tiny streets to a small bar with a few tables. We spent at least 4 hours eating and drinking and learning lots about wine, port, and food. We were the only ones there (1 couple came in for a while, but not much room for anyone else). There was a very nice shape next door that several of us visited, too. A few in our group arranged for wine to be shipped home. We the. All walked, somewhat unsteadily, back to the hotel with Paolo pointing out Roman ruins, telling us stories of customs and special events, and even singing along the way. A truly magical evening. Paolo can be reached at paolo@lisbonexplorer.com. I trust his recommendations and wish he'd meet us in Barcelona!