transatlantic RCCL 2007

[travelteam]

Getting ready to book our May 2007 cruise on RCCL. will be staying in Barcelona for 3 nights after the cruise. Does anyone have information on private tours/escorts to give us the flavor of this beautiful city? Hotel recommendations would be great. Also, any information of your personal experiences. My DH is a very slow walker, will use a rented scooter on the cruise, but not sure I want to take my manual wheelchair for the ports, since I really can't push him on hills, cobblestones and the such.

 

Please share your experiences. We've been tossing this trip around for 2 years, and now decided to give it a go.

 

Thanks for any and all help.:D

[DEL67]

We have been to Barcelona twice: once prior to a Mediterranean cruise and last fall prior to a transatlantic one. My husband is a full time wheelchair user and we take both his power chair and manual one on most cruises.

 

Barcelona is an exceptionally accessible city for Europe. The center city side walks are generally in good shape and have curb cuts so I had no problem pushing him. Both times we were there we used the off and on tour bus system rather than private tours. There are two tour bus companies, one has three routes and the other just one, a wide circle around the city. We preferred the former, not only because the multiple routes allowed more flexibility, but also because each of their buses have an automated ramp while only some of the other line's have ramps.

 

Many of the Barcelona tourist sites are fully or partially accessible, but there is a lot of walking so i would suggest you either bring a manual chair or have the scooter delivered to your hotel for use in Barcelona too. Some of the highlights were the Gaudi apartments, La Sangrada Famila (unfinished cathedral), the Ramblas, the Picasso Museum and the Miro Museum. Just riding around the city is fun too.

 

On our fist visit, we stayed at the Apsis Atrium Palace, a new hotel in an old building, about 3 blocks from Catalunya Square. Our handicap room was small, but adequate. It had 2 bathrooms, one of which had bars, raised toilet, etc. and is only unlocked when they have a handicap guest. It did not have a roll-in shower, but was otherwise fine. And unlike many Barcelona hotels, it had very good air conditioning. Last fall we stayed in a sister hotlel, the Hotel Apsis Splendid because it was significantly less expensive, especially for my sister who needed a single. The Hotel Splendid is further from Catalunya Square (about a 10 minute walk) and is less upscale, but our room was actually much larger and the other facilities similar.

 

Our Transatlantic stopped in 3 ports: Alicante, Malaga and Lisbon.

 

Alicante: I could not find any private tours and the museum I wanted to go to was closed so we walked around the city and took a taxi up to the Castle Santa Barbara. The castle was interesting, but the grounds are on a steep hill which would be difficult for you.

 

Malaga: We were there on a Sunday so i knew that many sites in the city would be closed. The only private tours I could find were extremely expensive so I reserved a taxi for the day. When the taxi did not show up, we hired one at the pier to go to the towns of Ronda amd Mijas.

The views of the Costa Del Sol going to and from Ronda as well as the views from Rhonda itself were magnificent and the town quaint. We went to the bull fighting museum there which was compact and interesting. Mijas was a bit of a let down after Rhonda and is very hilly, but its a fun place to shop if you are interested.

 

Lisbon: Knowing that Lisbon is not accessible and that most museums would be closed since we were there on a Monday, we hired a van and driver from Tours For You (http://www.toursforyou.pt] It was great. We went to Belem, Estoril, Sintra and the Westernmost point in Europe before returning to Lisbon for a tour by car. The scenery was beautiful and our driver was a font of knowledge and insisted only helping me by pushing my husband over the cobblestone streets of Sintra. He also pointed out a store in Sintra that sold beautiful art glass and hand made pottery and I know he was not looking for a comission because he stayed with my husband rather than going to the store with us.

 

I hope this helps. Please contact me if you would like more information.

[travelteam]

Thank you Del. I'm waiting for RCCL to post the Spring 2007 transatlantic. We hope they will continue to do the Miami - Barcelona trip. Your information is so reassuring. As a woman pushing a guy, we do have different issues than many posters. Your experience gives me hope that I can do this, and have fun.

 

I'll keep you informed as I go through the process. I was looking at hotels on the web that seemed quite upscale and accessible. I will check out the two hotels you recommened, and once the trip is posted, and our HC cabin secured, I'll check back with you.

 

Did you reserve a mobility scooter for your stay in Barcelona. I never thought of it, but it would make my sightseeing easier. Do you have a phone number for this service? In any case, I will take our manual wheelchair, since this time I have no choice. We will rent a scooter for the cruise. This is always wonderful because it gives my guy the independence he needs.

 

Thanks for your post.:D

[DEL67]

I am glad you found my informtion helpful.

 

We travel with both my husband's power and manual chairs so we did not have to reserve a scooter for Barcelona. Perhaps you could see if what ever company you are renting from for the cruise, can provide one for your stay in Barcelona too. If not, one of the organizations mentioned in this url might be able to help. http://www.barcelonaby.com/tourist_information/disabled_travellers.htm

 

One more thing. When I responded I forgot that your husband as a slow walker could probably get onto a tour bus which my husband can not. That may provide more opportunites for you if you go to Alicante.

 

Also, have you considered a fall (west bound) transatlantic as opposed to a spring one? I ask because I prefer west bound for several reasons. The long flight is at the beginning of our vacation rather than the end. I can push for us to see as much as possible in Europe and then have the days at sea to relax. And finally, with the time changes you gain an hour each night as opposed to losing one.