10:10 a.m. return flight from BCN...to early?

[lidopuppy]

Our cruise ends in Barcelona, and our return flight to MIA is at 10:10 am. Is that enough time or is that unrealistic? That was the latest flight of the day.  We've spent several days in BCN before, and love it, but for this trip we cannot afford the time to spend an additional day in Barcelona.

[mapleleaves]

What time  does your ship arrives in BCN ?

We were on the Epic, arriving at 5am and if you carried your own luggage off, you could disembark at 5:45am.   I'd be in that early group. I'd rather be cooling my heels at the gate than worrying about the cost of a missed flight. 

 

If you look down the page there are 2 similar questions. Perhaps those responses will help you. 

 

[Cienfuegos]

2 hours ago, lidopuppy said:

Our cruise ends in Barcelona, and our return flight to MIA is at 10:10 am. Is that enough time or is that unrealistic? That was the latest flight of the day.  We've spent several days in BCN before, and love it, but for this trip we cannot afford the time to spend an additional day in Barcelona.

 

We were in a similar situation two weeks ago, and it worked out fine.

 

The Viking Sky arrived mid-day on the prior day. Viking's transfer package was a bus from the port at 5.30 am for a 9.50 am American Air flight to Miami. Luggage was in the arrivals hall at the port, the bus was outside. About 40 people were on the bus, which left about 5.35.

 

We arrived at the airport about 6 am, the American Airlines counters had not yet opened. Viking had three people accompanying the group, with luggage brought to the counter area. One stayed with the Miami group, the others escorted travelers to other counters. When the AA counters opened, check in was completed without difficulty.

 

The Spanish security services examined carry on luggage, we got a refund of VAT, and we arrived at the gate about an hour before departure boarding. Other than a mess sorting luggage going to American, and going to KLM etc, I'd give the process an A+

[lidopuppy]

2 hours ago, mapleleaves said:

What time  does your ship arrives in BCN ?

We were on the Epic, arriving at 5am and if you carried your own luggage off, you could disembark at 5:45am.   I'd be in that early group. I'd rather be cooling my heels at the gate than worrying about the cost of a missed flight. 

 

If you look down the page there are 2 similar questions. Perhaps those responses will help you. 

 

It says we arrive at 6am. Not sure if that means we can disembark at 6, or if we get there at 6 and the ship has to "prep" before we can get off. It is the Carnival Legend.

[mapleleaves]

yikes, that might mean you can't disembark until 7am at the earliest !  Seems awfully close.  And then you still have a 20-30 minute ride to the airport.  Wouldn't be in my comfort zone.

Most people with early flights were able to self disembark at 6am for a 10:30 flight and it worked out.

 Have you asked on the Carnival forum to see what past passengers can offer regarding their experience?

[Bobbysjack]

Are you on the July 7 arrival of the Legend? If so, we are on that ship, too and I am looking at a 10:25 am flight leaving BCN to Newark... seriously considering it. Otherwise, we will end up staying another night in Barcelona, which we don’t really want to do. I keep thinking if we get off the ship and in a car by 7:30 am, we can get to the airport by 8:15 , leaving us 2 hours to get to the gate. If everything goes perfect, it can be done... but I’m not sure if I want the stress. 

[lidopuppy]

2 hours ago, Bobbysjack said:

Are you on the July 7 arrival of the Legend? If so, we are on that ship, too and I am looking at a 10:25 am flight leaving BCN to Newark... seriously considering it. Otherwise, we will end up staying another night in Barcelona, which we don’t really want to do. I keep thinking if we get off the ship and in a car by 7:30 am, we can get to the airport by 8:15 , leaving us 2 hours to get to the gate. If everything goes perfect, it can be done... but I’m not sure if I want the stress. 

We are actually on the September 20th arrival into Barcelona.  We have decided to stay one night in Barcelona.  We haven been there before but our travelling companions have not so we will take the day/night to show them around and fly home Monday morning.  The 10:30AM connect would have been a stretch and too stressful to try.

[rdt10]

I wouldn't chance less than three hours at the airport ahead of flight. Our experience flying out of Barcelona this June was a disaster. Over two hours to check in and another hour to get through security. Only thing that saved us was so many people on the flight were held up checking in they delayed the flight two hours to let everyone get to the plane.

 

 

[Cienfuegos]

17 hours ago, rdt10 said:

I wouldn't chance less than three hours at the airport ahead of flight. Our experience flying out of Barcelona this June was a disaster. Over two hours to check in and another hour to get through security. Only thing that saved us was so many people on the flight were held up checking in they delayed the flight two hours to let everyone get to the plane.

 

 

That's an excellent point.  If a significant number of air passengers are on cruise organized flights, the airline may make an effort to accommodate them.  Otherwise, I'd be surprised if an airline would help much.

[rdt10]

2 hours ago, Cienfuegos said:

That's an excellent point.  If a significant number of air passengers are on cruise organized flights, the airline may make an effort to accommodate them.  Otherwise, I'd be surprised if an airline would help much.

This was a United flight a few of days after the cruise. It was the only United flight to Washington Dulles that day as the other flight had been cancelled. We were at the airport three hours ahead and arrived at the gate after scheduled take off. The plane was half empty when we boarded and the flight attendant said the flight would be full. We took off two hours late. With no other flight available I think United decided it was best to delay takeoff rather than strand so many.

Edited November 22, 2019 by rdt10

[Cienfuegos]

14 hours ago, rdt10 said:

This was a United flight a few of days after the cruise. It was the only United flight to Washington Dulles that day as the other flight had been cancelled. We were at the airport three hours ahead and arrived at the gate after scheduled take off. The plane was half empty when we boarded and the flight attendant said the flight would be full. We took off two hours late. With no other flight available I think United decided it was best to delay takeoff rather than strand so many.

 

Thanks.

 

It sounds like the airport was really slammed when you were there.

[WallyNDiane]

We had no problem with a 10:30 flight. We left the ship carrying our own luggage. Taxis were already lined up. We actually had to wait at the Delta counter for the agents to open it. Security lines were reasonably quick.

 

Now if you are making any large purchases where VAT taxes are paid, make sure you know your options on getting your tax refund. On our Oct '18 cruise, the VAT refund line was very long. So make sure you understand your VAT tax refund options.

[Cienfuegos]

12 hours ago, WallyNDiane said:

We had no problem with a 10:30 flight. We left the ship carrying our own luggage. Taxis were already lined up. We actually had to wait at the Delta counter for the agents to open it. Security lines were reasonably quick.

 

Now if you are making any large purchases where VAT taxes are paid, make sure you know your options on getting your tax refund. On our Oct '18 cruise, the VAT refund line was very long. So make sure you understand your VAT tax refund options.

 

That's good advice.  There were three VAT clerks on duty at the American Air terminal by 6.30 am, and the line moved reasonably quickly. I suspect that several cruise ships in port for turnarounds could overwhelm the process.

[caripoo]

That airport can be a nightmare......depending on when your ship arrives and clears customs, you can get off.....keep your luggage, and be the first one off the ship.......in my opinion, even that could be a stretch. I think that is why most will tell you to book flights after noon.