Dancer Bob

Also Air France and Westjet in YYZ, at least on SOME flights. It's a confused mess.

I'll assume you mean one checked bag, not carryon. I've never checked in for a DL fight at BCN, but going straight to security definitely helps. I'm pretty sure BCN does accept electronic boarding passes. "Arrival" is not the same as "disembarking". How many other people are also trying to catch early flights is also a factor. Note that little britain did not actually say they are always in the same situation you are- latest time they have ever been off the ship, whether they always do self-help luggage, whether they travel with only carryon or have to check baggage, whether they always fly to the US, etc.

Not exactly. I look for four-bed rooms, and a "hostal" which is one notch up from a hostel, usually works out better value. The one time I used a hostel for a one-night stopover it was inconvenient and hard to find. If you are arriving in the morning to drop off bags and can confirm the booking, might be worth the risk.

Make sure you look for direct to CDG, not via Gare de Lyon, which is the opposite side of Paris.

Would you know if the hosts are English or American? The American agency was placing two hosts on some QM2 sailings, but I have no idea what's happening in the UK.

See Three-Year Cruise thread on Ask a Cruise Question board. I wonder how much money she lost? And neither article fact-checked the solo cost. Contrast that with the Never Too Old thread, many months of planning for a one-year cruise.

Immigration is at first Schengen entry. No one can answer this question without knowing flight itinerary. US passports use the All Passports (sometimes Other Passports) line. EU means European Union, not Estados Unidos. ETIAS is delayed so it's not applicable for your dates. For visa information, I strongly suggest you do your own research rather than relying on posters here. The last time I arrived in BCN it took 1.5 hours, but that was a year ago. T1 has a charter bus waiting area, I presume NCL will have a rep to direct you, if not, it's beside the Metro entrance. Schengen is an immigration treaty, you clear customs in Spain, most cruise ship passengers have nothing to declare and you use the Green channel. You're fine as long as the flight is on time, if not it will become high-stress very quickly. Be sure you know exactly what NCL will do for you, for your Plan B. As far as I know, non-EU passports no longer have to be surrendered at checkin.

My transfer was scheduled for 10.30, so I didn't pay any attention before that, but I'd guess soon after arrival, we never left the Schengen area so it was just another port stop for most.

THINK and PLAN. Some posters will tell you "don't think" and "don't plan". They're right about the small stuff, if you forget sunscreen, easily resolved; Critical things like, what to do if you lose your passport? What if your credit card is denied? Who has your medical Power of Attorney?, of course you need to think about anywhere you travel as a solo. Cruising is generally pretty easy for a solo, port stops are pretty much the only hard part.

The port bus has specific stops at on the road at each terminal, not exactly in the parking lot, going to the WTC; From there it's less than 10 minutes to Drassanes, one entrance is in the middle of the Las Ramblas but not actually visible from WTC. One warning- Barcelona has a terrible reputation for pickpockets, especially in that area.

Yes, there is a food court to the right of the checkin area. I've never had a problem finding a seat but I don't travel at peak times. When do you actually have to be off the ship? When does baggage check for your specific flight open? Will you be exiting Schengen (worst case scenario, could be over an hour)?

The shuttle goes from near the port entrance to Joliette Metro.Two weeks ago, there were at least 200 people lined up waiting at 10.30; I think your chances of getting to a specific meeting point on time are remote.

My information is also some but not all cruises on QM2 and QE. I've heard nothing about QV. However, if Cunard is sourcing hosts from a UK agency rather than an American one, my sources aren't as good. I also agree with Bell Boy, there there are often solos who dance. We need to know more about you. American or International style? What level? Non-standard dances like Salsa or Argentine Tango? Maybe posting on the Roll Call for your specific cruise would help?

There is a port shuttle to Joliette Metro, the stop is near the port gate, not the terminal. Last Tuesday at 11 AM, there were at least 200 people waiting. I believe the regular RTM bus line runs along the highway outside the port gate. Marseille is one port where I use the cruise line transfer.

Very interesting. If you've been on Diadema- is there anywhere comparable to the Grand Bar? The Leonardo lounge looks comparable to the Teodora lounge?

scottbee's solution left the OP sitting in Athens after the cruise, the cost quoted didn't include the ATH-ROM flight. It should have been clearly stated to the OP that ATH-ROM is an entirely separate flight, almost certainly one-way on a different carrier, that it doesn't matter which airport he flies to, and the pitfalls of European low-cost carriers.

I no longer go on HAL, even with a dance group (not just because of the floors). The group organiser has also sworn off HAL (not just because of dance floors). The travel agent who booked the group, who personally likes HAL but knows what we want, says as far as he can see, HAL is moving away from dancing and has been carpeting over dance floors and that I wouldn't like the present situation.

Last Friday there were two shops open in Terminal E, one souvenir/trinkets, the other seemed to be alcohol and possible chocolate, perfume and cigarettes.

I look for hotels close to to Metro and more central.

A dedicated DIY can definitely walk from Marina to the tram. About 1/2 hour each way, that's my normal exercise routine and I don't recall anything strenuous. I'm not sure if a larger ship can be accommodated by taking up two berths. Port Rasid I recall as being pedestrian-unfriendly, with the exit on the west side, a long way from the Metro. There was a shopping shuttle, I don't recall which plaza but I think it had an Italian theme. I have no idea how you could confirm if it wll be available on your dates.

I agree with the open-jaw solution but you're leaving out the ATH-ROM leg.

Bea (Mueller?) on QE2, there have been others. I based my qiestions on what was/wasn't in the article and based on "by midnight".

Many, many unanswered questions I came up with in only a few minutes of consideration: The biggie- she hasn't talked to her daughter/grandsons- Residence- if she doesn't use their address, where will she be resident? Power of attorney in the event of incapacity? Also- as a teacher, does she have a defined benefit pension which allows her to budget? Other sources? My guess is she'll need an after-tax income of 60K- 90K. Obtaining cash in foreign ports if her bank denies her card? Visas-obtaining visas for 375 ports could get very complicated shorne and I seem to think alike. Yes, US citizens DO need visas for many countries!!! Medical insurance- she's boasting about her pre-existing conditions. Does her pension have an insurance benefit? Be interesting to know the contractual obligations for all this.

Much good information, especially from Jayayeff. My own experience: I've done 4 repositionings from Dubai back to Italy, I arrive several days early due to the time change. The urban sprawl and traffic remind me of a US city. Dubai can get expensive if you're not careful. The Marina terminal is on the opposite side of the city from the airport, an expensive area and not close to anything (the tram is not too far away). Taxis get expensive because of distance. HOHO bus for 2 days would be efficient, although not cheap. Metro is crowded at rush hour. Shuts down at midnite, many flights arrive after that. I've stayed in the Deira and Bur Juman areas, three star hotels I found quite comfortable. Many hotels say they're on a main street but are actually on a side street. Very confusing, many streets are numbered but seemingly at random. My last trip the taxi driver couldn't find the hotel because it was on a side street, but I had printed a map from the Metro station, so the station was all I needed.

Been a few years, but I recall a port bus that dropped us at the port entrance near the fish market. Nothing nearby, not at all like Muscat close to the souk. Not sure where the dock is in relation to the centre or what shuttles the ship might offer, but nothing I recall contradicts Zach.