Clonmelgal

Grasias! It is early planning still but definitely for one day out.

I was looking for a "day trip" during my 4 days in Barcelona and the possibility of going to Zaragoza appeared in my searches. Would it make an alternative to Montserrat? This would be mid- November.

How do I join? Just "weigh- in"? LOL

I downloaded some series from Disney+ and Netflix but they wouldn't play. It said they couldn't be shown in that area. I downloaded the wrong (unenjoyable) books so I was not prepared that way. In November, I'll bring better reading materials. Also I had no warm weather clothes and I was unprepared for how hot the Bahamas was.

I get a 2nd chance this winter.

I did a TA last November, Barcelona to Tampa. Travelling through the straits a small group of about 20 people gathered at the bow. (if it had been a Disney voyage there would have been hot chocolate and toddys!) There was so much fog all day. We followed our cruise progress via some app on people's phones. We never did hear or see Gibraltar much to our dismay. We finally left one lonely person and went to bed at 1 am.

I did my first TA last November- Barcelona to Tampa with 3 days in Barcelona at the start. The time difference at the start just killed me. I didn't sleep for two nights but, since it was my first time in Barcelona I carried on. This year I've booked a week at the star because I loved Barcelona so much, and hotels are so reasonable. The time adjustment on the return cruise had no effect on me whatsoever.

I did Barcelona to Tampa last November. Never needed a jacket except after the sun went down, and one day when it was so foggy, wet and damp. I could have swam every day. It became very hot after we crossed the half way to Bahamas. Mind you it might always be so!

I've worked with two agency's so far and neither o e has helped . I ended up paying more for one cruise than through the cruiseline itself. They chose my cabin and it wasn't what I wanted at all. From now one I'm booking myself through the company.

There is a HOHO stop at Placa Catalunya which is at the north end of la rambla? Also it stops at the Colom/Musee maritim which is at the south end of la rambla? This was how I accessed it myself.

Great thanks!

Thank you for this great advice. One question: when you say escalators, are you meaning the funicular? I would especially like to take them up the hill. I want to walk from la rambla to the funicular station near fundacio Joan Miro. Thanks for your help!

Hop on hop off route.

I really like the hop on hop off bus. Get off whenever you like. I do research at home, maybe a small guide book. I have had one too many bad experiences with guided tours. They cancel, don't show etcetera. Rick Steves has two free and enjoyable walking tours on his site app. I spent 2 days pre cruise last year and followed this plan. Please buy Sagrada Familia and Parc guell tickets at home. The are impossible to buy on the day. You may need to buy Museum tickets early too.

Solo cabins are often much more than a good deal on a regular cabin. Every cruiseline asks how many occupants per cabin, just default to one. I don't know about the single supplement? I just double the amount listed for one person. A solo doesn't pay double the port fees and taxes. The cruiseline itself will do the math and tell you what you'll pay at the end of the process. Go all the way to the final amount for that cabin and see if that's what you want to pay for your trip. If I see a cruise advertised for $545 a person, Oceanview cabin, I know I'll pay about $1100.00 plus taxes and port fees for one. I've been on two cruises with two different cruise lines and that's always how it has worked. PS that's how hotel rooms work too. You pay for the room regardless of whether there is one or two occupants. Good luck! A cruise is a great way to travel if you are traveling solo. It's very safe and can be amazing.

I would rather have my BFF or sister with me but unfortunately it's not possible. I do feel awkward eating alone. I feel like there's a spotlight on me. No point in saying " no one is looking at you" since I'm looking at everyone to some extent. That's why I eat all my meals at the buffet. I can sit by myself, possibly speaking to someone nearby. I can choose anything I want, have seconds of what I like. The food is the exact same as being served in the dining room except that its very often hotter! I find it hard to be sitting with nothing to do in the dining room, in the buffet I eat slowly, enjoy my meal, grab dessert and a coffee and head out to some lovely spot on the deck where I can watch the stars. So much nicer than being stuck in a noisy large dining room. Well, for me anyway. PS I'm a mostly vegetarian who doesn't eat dairy so there is so many more choices for me at the buffet.

Cost. That's all.

Retired at 60 with a full work pension. Took my Seniors pension(OAS) at 65 and CPP at 66 because as a single person it ends when I die. My work pension will end when I die although my married colleagues will leave theirs to beneficiaries. That being said, as a single gal, I own my own small farm, have everything I want and travel 2-3 times a year, limited by my responsibilities at home. I have more disposable cash now than at any time during my working life. Never really invested, just saved and tax sheltered what I could. I love transAtlantic cruising!

I crossed the Atlantic last November from Barcelona. I loved Barcelona so much I am returning this year. I chose a Transatlantic because I would have so many sea days. Previous poster was spot on about airfare. One way to Barcelona was almost as much as return! Then I had to book a flight home from Florida. All more than worth it. I loved the sea days. I love the rough waves. I would love to cruise to Australia but don't want the flight that comes with it. Regarding excursions, I dont want to be on a bus for two to four hours in order to spend three hours at a site.

I retired from a government career 2 months before my 60th birthday. I took care of my elderly dog until he died then covid hit and my Mom came to live with us. Those days are beyond treasure. After she passed we were left a small inheritance that allowed us to book a Disney Alaskan cruise. We were hooked. I never invested my money but taxed sheltered what I could. I have my gov. Pension plus two government social pensions ( CPP, OAS in Canada) and I have more than I earned at my job, not much but enough to travel 2-3 times a year. Life is good!

I have always been overweight and we worried about the indulgences of a cruise. We always take the stairs and love walking around the decks, one mile before or after each meal. We own a farm and keep busy, two active dogs see to that. I just started taking yoga flow classes, mostly for flexibility and balance. Last cruise I didn't gain a pound, walked as much as possible, especially on Excursions.

I retired the November before Covid hit. I wonder how long we will date everything by pre-covid and post-covid? Our 60's are what I call our "Golden decade". Still young and with resources. But we just started traveling after covid so the Golden decade is now "for as long as it lasts". We bought our dream farm in 2008, so we can't get away together as often as we would like. My partner in travel, my sister! We plan one "city trip" - a chosen city to stay in for a week, with side trips out. This year Dublin in April. We discovered cruising with an Alaskan Disney cruise. That set the cruise bar high! We each book one or two solo cruises a year. My sis is very active socially, I'm the stay at home, work on the farm type. Lately I've been feeling a little useless so I volunteered at a local animal sanctuary. So outside my comfort zone!

We are Canadians and flying into Vancouver the day before embarkation . We are getting proctored Rapid Antigen tests done two days before sailing (one day before flying) at our local Wal-Mart. $20 Cdn

Disney Wonder Alaska July 2023. This first ever cruise with my sister but if I enjoy it I’ll be cruising again on my own!