Barcelona Cruise Treminal

[susierailroad]

You put out great info! I've followed your links, but still cannot determine where Brillance of the Seas, cruise of 5/15/2110 will depart from. Appears could be 01E or 01D. I suppose the taxi driver will know or we can see it from the road.

 

Also, do you know if there is a shuttle to the cruise terminal from the Plaza Catalunya or from anywhere else in downtown BCN? Is there a number I can call to arrange the shuttle?

 

Your advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks,

 

In your vast storehouse of knowledge, do you know of a website where I can find how many ships will be in a particular port on a specific date? I've tried cruisereport but cannot navigate it.

[HeinBloed]

Hi there,

 

My parents are sailing with the Norwegian Jade in May 2010

They'll arive at the airport at around 08.30

The official checkin time for the NJ is around 12.30. What would you recommend them to do?

 

1. Crab a cab/taxi to drop them of at the terminals. And if so are they allowed to checkin there bags or leave them with porters at around 09.00?

(how does this work) also are there any facilities at the terminal to kill the time before they can go aboard?

 

or

 

2. They best find a way to store there luggage (trainstation?) and go around the towns center first before going to the terminals.

 

Regards,

Arne

 

Ps. My parents are dutchman in there mid 60-ies and not really good with languages!

 

If they arrive at 08.30 hrs they need to collect the baggage.

 

So it would be 09.00 hrs before they can leave the terminal.

 

That's peak-time in Barcelona...

 

So they will not be at the terminal before 09.45 hrs... and AROUND 10.00 hrs they start to accept the baggage.

 

Where the taxi arrives there are porters who will come and collect the bags.

 

We normally give them about 1 EUR per bag to make sure that our bags arrive the ship... without getting lost on the way to ship...

 

So make sure BEFORE your taxi arrives at the port you should have all baggage tags on the bags.

 

From here you can take the port bus for 3 EUR (return fare) to the Columbus Column and doing some sightseeing.

 

Around 11.30 hrs they can return back to the cruise terminal.

 

Regards,

HeinBloed

[HeinBloed]

You put out great info! I've followed your links, but still cannot determine where Brillance of the Seas, cruise of 5/15/2110 will depart from. Appears could be 01E or 01D. I suppose the taxi driver will know or we can see it from the road.

 

Also, do you know if there is a shuttle to the cruise terminal from the Plaza Catalunya or from anywhere else in downtown BCN? Is there a number I can call to arrange the shuttle?

 

Your advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks,

 

In your vast storehouse of knowledge, do you know of a website where I can find how many ships will be in a particular port on a specific date? I've tried cruisereport but cannot navigate it.

 

It's only published until May 03, 2010 so far for BRILLIANCE OF THE SEAS. But you will it see it from the bridge once you enter the cruise terminal area.

 

From the Columbus Colomn there is a port bus for 3 EUR (return) / 2 EUR (single) - otherwise call a taxi.

 

I am using cruisecal.com 90% o.k.

 

Regards,

HeinBloed

[aoverbeek]

We normally give them about 1 EUR per bag to make sure that our bags arrive the ship... without getting lost on the way to ship...

 

Hmmm this sounds like you would really have a problem if you do not..?!

 

I have to say they (my parents) are not really used to this kind of vacations let alone the 'common' way of tipping. So what should they expect in this matter ...who do they tip an who not?

 

I learned that on board the ship they will be charged with a tip fare of about 10 - 12 $ PPPD and that this is actully permitted?

But this is done on there ShipsAccount card. So are they expected to tip onboard beside this permitted tipping fare?

 

Oke one last question: How about facilities at the terminals ??

[HeinBloed]

Hmmm this sounds like you would really have a problem if you do not..?!

 

I have to say they (my parents) are not really used to this kind of vacations let alone the 'common' way of tipping. So what should they expect in this matter ...who do they tip an who not?

 

I learned that on board the ship they will be charged with a tip fare of about 10 - 12 $ PPPD and that this is actully permitted?

But this is done on there ShipsAccount card. So are they expected to tip onboard beside this permitted tipping fare?

 

Oke one last question: How about facilities at the terminals ??

 

12 USD per person and night goes from the shipboard account.

 

Taxi

Toilets

Baggage acceptance

Security Check

Check-in counter

Lounge for Suite guests

Few shops (beverages, duty-free, souvenirs)

Money exchange

Phone boxes

Coffee shop

 

Regards,

HeinBloed

[mishoe1]

HeinBloed,

 

Thank you for all of your information.

 

I am trying to decide how to get from the cruise terminal to BCN ariport. I am arriving on the Disney Magic (Transatlantic crossing) getting into Barcelona on the 23rd of April, with an overnight on board, debarking on the 24th.

 

Is it possible to take a taxi/shuttle from the cruise terminal to the airport in time for a 920am flight (to London)? Is this easy to do? How much do you think it might cost?

 

I was looking into the shuttle offered by DCL but I don't know if they will be running that early.

 

TIA!

[HeinBloed]

HeinBloed,

 

Thank you for all of your information.

 

I am trying to decide how to get from the cruise terminal to BCN ariport. I am arriving on the Disney Magic (Transatlantic crossing) getting into Barcelona on the 23rd of April, with an overnight on board, debarking on the 24th.

 

Is it possible to take a taxi/shuttle from the cruise terminal to the airport in time for a 920am flight (to London)? Is this easy to do? How much do you think it might cost?

 

I was looking into the shuttle offered by DCL but I don't know if they will be running that early.

 

TIA!

 

If I would fly to London my personal schedule would be

 

08.00 hrs at the airport (extra-Schengen = passport check PLUS UK-flight - some airlines do have an extra control before boarding UK-flights)

07.30 hrs departure from the cruise terminal - it's a Saturday morning - it should work

07.00 hrs from the ship to collect bags

 

At this time most guests will not be from the ship and it should be easy to get a taxi. Personally I would pre-book a car.

 

Depending to the number of baggage I would say around 40 EUR incl. tip.

 

Sorry I have no experience with Disney as they have not been in Europe for a while.

 

Regards,

HeinBloed

[2CoolCanucks]

Great replies Hein.

I hope I am not repeating a question for you here...

 

We are arriving in Barcelona on a cruise and were wondering HOW the procedure is to catch a "port bus ".

(the one for 2 EU pp)

Are they waiting close by as we step off the ship?

After we board, how far do they bring us?

Where does our luggage go on these "port buses"? Underneath? With us in the bus?

Is it customary to tip the port bus driver for the luggage handling? Or does he/she not handle the luggage?

Thanks

[HeinBloed]

Great replies Hein.

I hope I am not repeating a question for you here...

 

We are arriving in Barcelona on a cruise and were wondering HOW the procedure is to catch a "port bus ".

(the one for 2 EU pp)

 

Are they waiting close by as we step off the ship?

 

 

The port bus stops in an equal distance from the cruise terminal like the white mini-bus in front of the terminal.

 

But you need to wait for this bus:

 

 

at this stop:

 

 

After we board, how far do they bring us?

 

From the Western end of the red line to the Eastern ed of the red line on the map which is here:

 

somewhere between trees and kiosk

 

 

 

just here to the Columbus Column at the subway station DRASSENES on Route 3.

 

Where does our luggage go on these "port buses"? Underneath? With us in the bus?

 

It's a public city bus. So you just carry yourself your bag inside and stay with your bags.

 

Is it customary to tip the port bus driver for the luggage handling? Or does he/she not handle the luggage?

Thanks

 

No need to tip as he will not help - NORMALLY...

 

Regards,

HeinBloed

[2CoolCanucks]

Awesome Heinbloed! Thanks so much.

The pics really help!

 

One more quick question.

Once the bus brings us to the Columbus Monument, where can we buy the following type of transit ticket?

Or does that Blue bus (driver) sell it?

 

"TMB Travel card 5-Days

Valid for unlimited number of journeys in 5 consecutive days by Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB) metro and bus network,

Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat urban lines, Renfe's Rodalies train network and the TRAM. Non transferable." 24 EU pp

(Copied from a TMB website)

[HeinBloed]

"TMB Travel card 5-Days

Valid for unlimited number of journeys in 5 consecutive days by Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB) metro and bus network,

Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat urban lines, Renfe's Rodalies train network and the TRAM. Non transferable." 24 EU pp

(Copied from a TMB website)

 

On the opposite side of the square (do not walk to the water - walk to the city side), there is subway station Drassenes...

 

Best it to use the machine...

 

1. They "speak" English

2. They accept credit cards

 

Regards

HeinBloed

[aoverbeek]

Hi HeinBloed

 

You seem to know a lot about the Jade and its crew?

I read some where on this board about South African crew members on the Jade? The good think about SA people is that they can speak Dutch and that would be a big plus for my parents cruising the Jade in may (English is not realy there cup a thee ..so the speak)

[HeinBloed]

Hi HeinBloed

 

You seem to know a lot about the Jade and its crew?

I read some where on this board about South African crew members on the Jade? The good think about SA people is that they can speak Dutch and that would be a big plus for my parents cruising the Jade in may (English is not realy there cup a thee ..so the speak)

 

 

 

SA Crew members are mostly in the spa - on most ships.

 

But does the younger generation still speaks Afrikaans?

 

Regards

HeinBloed

[aoverbeek]

SA Crew members are mostly in the spa - on most ships.

 

But does the younger generation still speaks Afrikaans?

 

Regards

HeinBloed

 

Well it's still the no. 2 language (out of 11 oficial languages)

But I quess my parents won't find any SA stewards than?

[HeinBloed]

Well it's still the no. 2 language (out of 11 oficial languages)

But I quess my parents won't find any SA stewards than?

 

I am afraid that your expectations are too high and I can fully understand your questions because I have a similiar problem to send my parents alone crusing...

 

Well I am afraid that the only one who might provide this kind of service in Afrikaans will be MSC on their South African itineraries during the Southern Summern/Northern Winter.

 

On Holland America I remember that they did announcement in Dutch on one special itinerary out of Rotterdam with a high number of Dutch guests.

 

On the itineraries on NCL out of Rotterdam I really do not remember if Guest services in Dutch was available: Announcements yes and maybe also Daily Programme.

 

With the itineraries on NCL in the Med Sea you can get Guest services like Daily Programmes and Menus in

 

English

German

Spanish

French

Italian

 

I am afraid that you cannot get a Dutch one as standard.

 

Most restaurant stewards are from Asia, Caribbean, East Europeans. Maybe a single South African or Dutch. But the chance to win the bingo jackpot is higher.

 

There is one specific problem on NCL:

 

Due to freestyle dining they rotate all the time over all restaurants and you cannot just go to the Maître and ask to be sit in the same district where your parents might met a Dutch or Africaans Speaking restaurant steward.

 

For dinner only the speciality restaurants (cover charges apply) have fixed restaurants stewards.

 

For the bars you can tell your parents to go to the same bar once they found someone speaking Dutch or Africaans. But it's a few chance.

 

For the cabin stewards you will find mostly from Central America or Asia.

 

Beside the spa you may find SA crew members maybe with the Reception Desk, Entertainment, Casino, Shore Excursion, Dancers/Singers. But really few.

 

I would recommend your parents to go with Holland America Line as many senior and junior officers are Dutch and they are open and helpful to help your parents to translate if they have problems to communicate. They are browsing all over the ship.

 

Furthermore I remember that SA crew members were frequently on Cunard. We saw a lot of them on our QUEEN MARY 2 and QUEEN VICTORIA voyages.

 

Regards

HeinBloed

[aoverbeek]

With the itineraries on NCL in the Med Sea you can get Guest services like Daily Programmes and Menus in

 

English

German

Spanish

French

Italian

 

 

I would recommend your parents to go with Holland America Line as many senior and junior officers are Dutch and they are open and helpful to help your parents to translate if they have problems to communicate. They are browsing all over the ship.

 

 

Regards

HeinBloed

 

Oke well first thanks for your (very detailed) information its great.

 

2nd. The cruise on the Norwegian Jade is allready booked and payed for (as an aniversary suprise) and we don't really want to get in to the hasle of canceling and finding an other cruiseline.

 

3th. Talking about the Jade how/where can they request those Daily Programmes and Menus in German. Is that something we need to do with the TA or can they just request them once on the ship at the receptiondesk? I also understood some messages will be anounced in German? My quess is that they will have less problems with understanding German than English.

 

Thanks again for all the great (and quick) info

 

Regards,

Arne

[HeinBloed]

3th. Talking about the Jade how/where can they request those Daily Programmes and Menus in German. Is that something we need to do with the TA or can they just request them once on the ship at the receptiondesk? I also understood some messages will be anounced in German? My quess is that they will have less problems with understanding German than English.

 

If there is a certain number of German speaking guests (from Austria and Switzerland as well) on board they do also announcements in German.

 

Your parents can just ask the cabin steward to deliver all information in German if this would ease their life on board without any problem.

 

Sounds like you do the 7-nighter out of Barcelona which we did in fall last year.

 

Only adjustment: we called Cannes while you are calling Monte Carlo and you are calling Palma instead of us in Valletta.

 

It might be helpful for your parents to read my blog which is kept in German and English and so they are better prepared to avoid problems they get knowledge before they get onboard.

 

http://heinbloed-ncl.blogspot.com

 

Regards

HeinBloed

[aoverbeek]

Sounds like you do the 7-nighter out of Barcelona which we did in fall last year.

 

Only adjustment: we called Cannes while you are calling Monte Carlo and you are calling Palma instead of us in Valletta.

 

Yep thats correct. They're going on May 23th

 

It might be helpful for your parents to read my blog which is kept in German and English and so they are better prepared to avoid problems they get knowledge before they get onboard.

 

http://heinbloed-ncl.blogspot.com

 

Regards

HeinBloed

 

Nice, thanks..any particular part/page they should read?

[HeinBloed]

Nice, thanks..any particular part/page they should read?

 

The Malta and Cannes Part they can skip. But they find any information on all board life which might be helpful.

 

Regards

HeinBloed

[aoverbeek]

But they find any information on all board life which might be helpful.

 

Regards

HeinBloed

 

I think "all board life" is a bit different from being a court villa cruiser or an inside cabin cruiser :D (lookin at your blog from nov 2009)

[aoverbeek]

Heinbloed,

 

If my parents arrive say 09.30/09.45 at the terminal will they be able to checkin right away? and if so will they be allowed to get on board the ship just after checkin or do they need to wait untill noon or something?

[HeinBloed]

Heinbloed,

 

If my parents arrive say 09.30/09.45 at the terminal will they be able to checkin right away? and if so will they be allowed to get on board the ship just after checkin or do they need to wait untill noon or something?

 

Maybe the check-in has not started yet...

 

but around this time they accept the baggage in front of the cruise terminal.

 

So after drop off your parents go sightseeing and return around noon for the check-in.

 

Regards

HeinBloed

[GrandmaHofmann]

We sailed out of Barcelona in February and march. We simply took cabs from our hotel to the luggage area and from the luggage area to our hotel. Cabs are very reasonable in Barcelona.

[SunFunCruiser]

one more for you...what about the Brillance of the Seas.Also,what would the name of the port be? I want to find a close hotel to the port. Thanks for any help.

[HeinBloed]

one more for you...what about the Brillance of the Seas.Also,what would the name of the port be? I want to find a close hotel to the port. Thanks for any help.

 

Royal Caribbean berths at MOL ADOSSAT:

 

The closest three accomodations:

 

Picture taken from the Bridge of Mol Adossat:

 

 

Eurostar Grand Marina Hotel (very expensive) in the World Trade Center behind AZAMARA JOURNEY. But BRILLIANCE OF THE SEAS will normally not berth there.

 

That's the park in front of the Miramar Hotel on Montjuic:

 

 

The view from the park to the Cruise Terminal where BRILLIANCE OF THE SEAS will berth:

 

 

and here is a part of the terrace of the hotel...

 

 

This should be geograpically the next one:

 

 

It's not a hotel but a hostel - the addtional "s" only means that you need to find an outside restaurant to have breakfast. The rooms were spacious, clean and modern and you had a private bathroom: Hostel BCN Port.

 

Regards

HeinBloed