Live from MSC World Europa. NYE Cruise, December 29, 2023 out of Barcelona.

[perakcruiser]

15 minutes ago, alserrod said:

I have surfed and there are twelve Decathlon in Barcelona city and surrounding towns.

Wow, this must be a world record, at least in number of inhabitants per Decathlon 😄
 

16 minutes ago, alserrod said:

So... choose your best hotel and...

But do you really think there are big differences between all these hotels in Viladecans or Sant Boi? Mostly these are all the international chains like Ibis. We were very happy with the Alexandre Hotel FrontAir Congress and landing at 23:00 and knowing a scheduled (!) shuttle to the hotel is ready to take was pretty cool. Sure, I believe you when you say the taxis in Barcelona do not cheat tourists, but I have moved on, I don´t want to use old world taxis anymore, just because stupid governments do not allow Uber, Bolt, Grab....

[perakcruiser]

13 minutes ago, alserrod said:

I glanced drinks and it is fine for me.

You will be fine, just be prepared that you will not like the house wines. But Easy Plus also does not give access to the good wines. It may sound strange but for me the main use of the Easy package are the coffees from the good Italian machines instead of the tanks 😄

[alserrod]

1 minute ago, perakcruiser said:

Wow, this must be a world record, at least in number of inhabitants per Decathlon 😄
 

But do you really think there are big differences between all these hotels in Viladecans or Sant Boi? Mostly these are all the international chains like Ibis. We were very happy with the Alexandre Hotel FrontAir Congress and landing at 23:00 and knowing a scheduled (!) shuttle to the hotel is ready to take was pretty cool. Sure, I believe you when you say the taxis in Barcelona do not cheat tourists, but I have moved on, I don´t want to use old world taxis anymore, just because stupid governments do not allow Uber, Bolt, Grab....

 

 

I live in Zaragoza, quite smaller than Barcelona (700.000 inhabitants).

We have three Decathlon. Two big ones and a "small" shop in city centre.

 

 

About taxis... you can ask Uber and Cabify in Barcelona of course.

But for airport I recommend taxis. They have several stands in the airport.

 

May you ask Uber, where do you ask him to stop?. Not in a Taxi stand (and Barcelona taxi stand is not small at all and it is just in front of main entrance). You do not know the area, you cannot ask for a special point to book an Uber (or Cabify)

If you want a taxi you do not have to do anything except grab it.

 

Conversely, through airport, choose Uber if you want, but departing airport, taxi is the easiest way.

 

Fares... they have random checks. May they try to cheat you, fine can be great.

Nevertheless, a taxi from the airport to the pier is 39 euro all included

 

[perakcruiser]

2 minutes ago, alserrod said:

About taxis... you can ask Uber and Cabify in Barcelona of course.

 

Oh, I did not know that Uber is allowed now in Barcelona. Good news. Anyway I will use public transport this time. 

[alserrod]

8 minutes ago, perakcruiser said:

You will be fine, just be prepared that you will not like the house wines. But Easy Plus also does not give access to the good wines. It may sound strange but for me the main use of the Easy package are the coffees from the good Italian machines instead of the tanks 😄

I know, I know but...
- Let's go 14 people
- it is my parents who pay (50 years married)
-my eldest daughter will now be 18 years old and she will also have Easy pack (instead of Children's Pack)

As my father said, whoever wants more drinks, let him pay for it. That is, if we want, we pay the difference, if we want we pay the upgrade to another pack.

It may be funny but...
- My sister-in-law is diabetic. She only drinks water and coke zero strictly. Any children's pack has many more drinks than she can drink
- My brother-in-law drinks very little alcohol. At family meals she doesn't ask for wine.
- My wife drinks much less alcohol. If she has one drink a day that is already a lot (and her favorite one costs one euro more)
-my oldest daughter....I almost prefer that she not drink LOL!!!!

So my brothers and I are left, although we feel like it, I don't think we'll drink much either.
Of course, the rest of the children will have a children's pack, and if we spend a lot of time with them, not much time with cocktails.

Come on.... we almost, we almost ordered the children's pack for everyone, LOL LOL

It's a cruise in a group of 14... the pace is different than if it's just my wife and I.

[alserrod]

5 minutes ago, perakcruiser said:

Oh, I did not know that Uber is allowed now in Barcelona. Good news. Anyway I will use public transport this time. 

I have to say it's a good idea.

When I go to a new city, if I have time, I use public transportation.
Public transportation says a lot about a city and is another way to get to know it.

[Stockjock]

1 hour ago, alserrod said:

 

 

 

Thank you very much.

 

Next summer I will be in a cruise with my full family (14 people!!!!).

My father bought tickets and just Easy pack for drinks for everybody (except children, of course). He said ... that who would want a different want would pay for it.

 

I glanced drinks and it is fine for me. I bet being in a so great group with my brother, sister and the rest of family will let less time for drinks....

But my wife's favourite drink is just one euro over Easy pack incluided.....

 

 

 

The only drink packages that we have had are easy or easy plus. Easy is extremely limited but doable. Easy plus does offer a wider selection, and you get to choose wines of a bit higher quality, although not amazing wines.  
 

A red wine that is covered by easy plus that I think is pretty good actually is the Bel Aur, which is a Bordeaux.I won’t say it’s amazing but I think it’s quite drinkable. I found it more challenging to find a white wine that was to my liking, but spending an extra few euros to upgrade is really not a huge deal.  
 

There was a sparkling rosé that I thought was very good and I think it was covered by the easy plus package but it might’ve been a euro over or something. I’m not sure I will see the name before we get off the ship, but if I do, I will share it.

 

I haven’t had the easy package recently, but what we used to do is use it to get a shot of a simple alcohol like a whiskey, or rum, or vodka or gin, and then, at least, at that time, the more exotic drinks without alcohol were included in easy. And then I would simply add the shot. so that time, for example, Mojito was not included, but you could order a virgin Mojito, and a shot of rum and mix them, and that would work. I’m not sure if things have changed since then.  
 

The wines on the easy package are tolerable, but not much more. Easy plus, again there are some options that are reasonable, or within reach of an extra euro or two.  That said, I think the sparkling wines on easy are actually pretty good, but that’s about it.

[perakcruiser]

4 minutes ago, Stockjock said:

A red wine that is covered by easy plus that I think is pretty good actually is the Bel Aur, which is a Bordeaux.I won’t say it’s amazing but I think it’s quite drinkable.

The Bel Air Bordeaux is a "classic" airline wine. From the old times when airlines offered food and drinks😄 Now still available, but not free. So no surprise this winery is doing business with cruise lines also. Actually I like this Bordeaux for decades, yes, nothing super special, but a wine I surely would not refuse.

[Stockjock]

1 hour ago, Stockjock said:

The only drink packages that we have had are easy or easy plus. Easy is extremely limited but doable. Easy plus does offer a wider selection, and you get to choose wines of a bit higher quality, although not amazing wines.  
 

A red wine that is covered by easy plus that I think is pretty good actually is the Bel Aur, which is a Bordeaux.I won’t say it’s amazing but I think it’s quite drinkable. I found it more challenging to find a white wine that was to my liking, but spending an extra few euros to upgrade is really not a huge deal.  
 

There was a sparkling rosé that I thought was very good and I think it was covered by the easy plus package but it might’ve been a euro over or something. I’m not sure I will see the name before we get off the ship, but if I do, I will share it.

 

I haven’t had the easy package recently, but what we used to do is use it to get a shot of a simple alcohol like a whiskey, or rum, or vodka or gin, and then, at least, at that time, the more exotic drinks without alcohol were included in easy. And then I would simply add the shot. so that time, for example, Mojito was not included, but you could order a virgin Mojito, and a shot of rum and mix them, and that would work. I’m not sure if things have changed since then.  
 

The wines on the easy package are tolerable, but not much more. Easy plus, again there are some options that are reasonable, or within reach of an extra euro or two.  That said, I think the sparkling wines on easy are actually pretty good, but that’s about it.

That’s how I feel about it. It’s nothing I would go out of my way to purchase, but given that it’s included in easy plus, it’s actually respectable.  Certainly better than any other red. I’m aware of that they’re offering for nine euro or less.

Edited January 4 by Stockjock

[Stockjock]

Last night on the ship. Filet mignon, dinner, in one of the specialty restaurants (Butcher’s Cut).  We have to pack soon, which is sad.

 

we were going to do the sushi restaurant, but we didn’t realize that it only covers the sushi bar only, so I used my diamond benefit for a second night at Butcher’s Cut.
 

 

[Stockjock]

Remember that if you are a diamond Voyagers club member, you get a free print for each person who is a diamond member, and you can also purchase additional prints, either digital or printed, at 40% off.

 

So we bought a few. Just remember that the free print had to be actually printed, the freebie cannot be a digital version, but the others can be either.

Also, this has nothing to do with the photos, but one thing I didn’t realize is that you have until noon to actually leave the ship if you want to get off late. So we have to clear the room at 8 AM, our bags are scheduled to be delivered downstairs at 8:40 AM, but they said that if we wanted to just hang out for a while, since we can’t check into our hotel too early, noon is the absolute positive last time that we can depart.
 

I also like the fact that they let us put our bags outside till 1 AM, which is a little more flexible than some other cruise lines. 

 

Edited January 5 by Stockjock

[alserrod]

Hello

I think I'm in time to suggest this.
If TODAY, January 5 in the afternoon, someone is going to be in a Spanish city (both Barcelona and Valencia, Las Palmas, Malaga, etc...) there is a unique tradition that I invite you to see.

The traditional Christmas gift boxing day in Spain is not December 25, December 26, etc... but January 6 and the tradition is that the Three Wise Men bring them.

All cities organize Three Kings parades on January 5 in the afternoon (and therefore, today).

This is the route of the parade that Barcelona will have today. It starts at 6:00 p.m., runs through the port area next to the city and continues towards Plaza de España and Montjuic

https://www.barcelona.cat/nadal/es/los-reyes-de-oriente/la-cabalgata-de-los-reyes-magos

It is a parade that is very oriented towards children, but I think it is worth seeing because of how original the tradition can be.

In Spain it is said that the night of January 5 to 6 is "the most magical night" because the houses appear full of gifts on the morning of the 6th before the children wake up.

The traditional sweet of this day is the "Roscón de Reyes". If you go to a cafeteria, ask for it. It is very simple but very traditional (it is a kind of bun ring with cream inside). If you buy it in a bakery, know that it will have a small gift or toy hidden in nowhere. Whoever gets the piece with the gift must pay it!!!

And of course, for those of you who are in Barcelona or another Spanish city that has a parade, keep in mind that today there will be a lot of traffic in the city centers and that all the streets will be closed for the parade.

[Stockjock]

Last morning on the ship. I usually do the MSC express breakfast, with salmon on the side.  We preferred doing a sit down final breakfast, as opposed to fighting everyone and their luggage in the buffet.

[ConnieTact]

9 hours ago, Stockjock said:

Also, this has nothing to do with the photos, but one thing I didn’t realize is that you have until noon to actually leave the ship if you want to get off late. So we have to clear the room at 8 AM, our bags are scheduled to be delivered downstairs at 8:40 AM, but they said that if we wanted to just hang out for a while, since we can’t check into our hotel too early, noon is the absolute positive last time that we can depart.
 

I also like the fact that they let us put our bags outside till 1 AM, which is a little more flexible than some other cruise lines. 

 

Beautiful photos! Regarding getting off late….this is good news. When we were on Virtuosa in November, they came and found us in YC to drag us down to be checked out by Barcelona authorities! Even though we had arranged to stay onboard for lunch in YC! Luckily, our hotel were brilliant and checked us in early. It was a rude awakening as, I had just settled down on a lounger in YC outside area and, we were ‘found’ and told we had to leave the ship immediately! This was at 9.45am! 😨

Our assistant butler escorted us down in such a kind and friendly fashion and loaded our cases in the taxi. This made it feel better but I never take it for granted that I can stay onboard for longer now! 😅

Our flight home isn’t until mid afternoon, so this is good news for us! Thank you! 😇

Edited January 5 by ConnieTact

[Stockjock]

21 minutes ago, ConnieTact said:

Beautiful photos! Regarding getting off late….this is good news. When we were on Virtuosa in November, they came and found us in YC to drag us down to be checked out by Barcelona authorities! Even though we had arranged to stay onboard for lunch in YC! Luckily, our hotel were brilliant and checked us in early. It was a rude awakening as, I had just settled down on a lounger in YC outside area and, we were ‘found’ and told we had to leave the ship immediately! This was at 9.45am! 😨

Our assistant butler escorted us down in such a kind and friendly fashion and loaded our cases in the taxi. This made it feel better but I never take it for granted that I can stay onboard for longer now! 😅

Our flight home isn’t until mid afternoon, so this is good news for us! Thank you! 😇

My recommendation is to check with the customer service desk, and I did ask and was told noon. But I can’t guarantee that they have the same policy on every ship at every port.  I think we ended up getting off the ship about 9:30 AM or 10:00 AM, although, as mentioned, we could’ve stayed a little longer on board if we wanted to.

[Stockjock]

So we’ve got a day to kill in the Barcelona area, and we will have to get up at three in the morning to make a very early morning flight to the US by way of Lisbon and San Francisco.  
 

So I booked an airport hotel that is really very nice. The Hotel Ciutat del Prat was only €156, and that includes dinner, wine at dinner, a bottle of champagne (Cava) in the room, and chocolate dipped strawberries (the dinner, wine, and strawberries were add-ons on the hotel’s website, but are included in the price I mentioned).  I haven’t repriced the hotel, so it may have gone up in price since I booked it.
 

And it’s a nice hotel too. Very clean and modern. it’s not in the central part of Barcelona, so if you were hanging out in the city, this wouldn’t be a good choice. But if you just need something near the airport for a night, I don’t know how you can beat what I paid for this hotel.  Plus, they do have a free airport shuttle.

 

You may see the girlfriend is taking a nap and she’s not feeling 100%. I feel fine right now, but if she’s not feeling great, you know how that goes, eventually.

Edited January 5 by Stockjock

[alserrod]

Try to visit city centre this evening and Three wise men parade.

It happens only on January 6th Eve.

 

Remember this night is called "the most magic night"

[Stockjock]

4 minutes ago, alserrod said:

Try to visit city centre this evening and Three wise men parade.

It happens only on January 6th Eve.

 

Remember this night is called "the most magic night"

It sounds very nice, and I do appreciate the information, but given the fact that we’re both somewhat tired, and she’s really beat and a little under the weather, I think we will just hang out here in the hotel, and we have to get to sleep very early to make our 4:30 AM shuttle. 

[perakcruiser]

20 minutes ago, Stockjock said:

My recommendation is to check with the customer service desk, and I did ask and was told noon. But I can’t guarantee that they have the same policy on every ship at every port.  

MSC has, but the ports do what they want. As read here, Barcelona port one day does not care, the other they force to empty the ship.

 

But still the very relaxed leave the ship policy is a big plus for MSC.

Edited January 5 by perakcruiser

[perakcruiser]

14 minutes ago, alserrod said:

Try to visit city centre this evening and Three wise men parade.

It happens only on January 6th Eve.

 

Remember this night is called "the most magic night"

5pm in Fuerteventura and certainly we will join. Fits perfectly to the end of the excursion from the cruise ship at 4pm as the parade starts in the harbour 🙂

[Stockjock]

30 minutes ago, perakcruiser said:

MSC has, but the ports do what they want. As read here, Barcelona put one day does not care, the other they force to empty the ship.

 

But still the very relaxed leave the ship policy is a big plus for MSC.

I am the author of the somewhat infamous, MSC Comedy of Errors thread, where I detailed so many problems with MSC, mostly customer service issues, over the years.

 

While I didn’t really interact with customer service this time, and some may know my MSC golden rule, i.e., once you get your reservation more or less the way you want it, do not call MSC customer service for any reason unless it’s beyond a critical problem, as there’s a fairly good chance that customer service will screw it up, and it will take an Act of God to fix it, as well as shortening your lifespan by several years, due to the frustration involved.

 

But I’m glad to say that I’ve seen a lot of improvement in terms of the onboard experience, and we really didn’t have any onboard issues, except for a little bit of a mixup with our sail passes, initially.

 

I think they’re really doing a good job, and we see huge improvements in the quality of the staff on board. They were just super friendly and super efficient.  And the supervisors were on it. They really run a tight ship, both literally, and figuratively.
 

When I read so many reviews on Cruise Critic, with one and two star ratings, I just don’t get it, and I don’t see that at all. And I hear about the terrible food, and I couldn’t disagree more. For what you’re paying, it’s pretty decent. if you want a more premium dining experience, then pay up for the Yacht Club or a specialty restaurant.  On this trip, we ate in specialty restaurants four out of the seven nights and we paid $100 each. I don’t know of any other cruise line that can touch that pricing. Three of the specialty dining visits were the result of purchasing a specialty dining package, and the fourth was due to being a diamond status customer.

 

I’ve mentioned before that I see other cruise lines that are in decline in some ways, especially food-wise (Celebrity Cruises comes to mind) and I think MSC’s food has at least held steady, and I see major improvements in terms the onboard staff. We were really treated very politely and pleasantly the entire trip. We didn’t ask for anything where our request was not promptly complied with. 
 

if you pushed me to choose between the two cruise lines we sail on most often, which are Celebrity Cruises, and MSC, my girlfriend prefers MSC by a wide margin. I would still go with Celebrity, but they are just so much more expensive and you get a lot more value for your money on MSC, in my opinion. If you take the suite that I got for example, which was awesome and large, I don’t think I could touch that on Celebrity for three times the money.  And again, Celebrity’s food has really taken a turn for the worse, although we will be sailing on their new ship, Ascent, this summer.
 

 

Edited January 5 by Stockjock

[alserrod]

34 minutes ago, perakcruiser said:

5pm in Fuerteventura and certainly we will join. Fits perfectly to the end of the excursion from the cruise ship at 4pm as the parade starts in the harbour 🙂

 

I've glanced.... it will start at 6pm from the harbour

 

BTW, I have relatives living in Fuerteventura all the year. I know it is not raining nowadays at all there!!

 

 

Regarding today's parade you can find a tip..... Christmas lights and decoration remains in all cities not just after January 1st as usual but after January 6th.

Maybe 7th is a good day to get them out, but never before today parade and tomorrow 6th.

[ConnieTact]

I hope GF is feeling better. We both came home from the last trip with a virus but have recovered now ready for this months cruise! 😅

Thanks again for your report. 
I think I’ll do one but focused on YC on World Europa as you’ve covered a lot already! 
I have friends at home asking when I’m going away again so they can ‘travel along with me’! 😂

[perakcruiser]

9 hours ago, alserrod said:

I've glanced.... it will start at 6pm from the harbour

 

BTW, I have relatives living in Fuerteventura all the year. I know it is not raining nowadays at all there!!

That was fun! Great athmosphere, wonderful parade. And it looked like it would rain every minute, but it did not 😄

[RICHARD@SEA]

On 1/4/2024 at 11:08 AM, Stockjock said:

The Captain of World Europa looks like he can drive the ship and kick your butt at the same time.

The Italian officers are the best...in many many ways.....LOVE THEM!!!