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Hello Eric,

Having cruised on both Lines plus others I would suggest you take into consideration Ports of Call, TIME in those ports, entertainment available (NCL has Vegas Style entertainment), Specialty Restaurants (NCL has numerous of all ethnic types) I will be sailing on NCL to W. Mediterranean this Autumn on the Epic. (2nd time on the Epic). In the past I have sailed to the Med on another line however the cost for NCL is less. So perhaps add "cost" to the equation.

I can only give an opinion on the Epic as it is the only Cruise-liner that I have sailed with NCL.

I think people get the wrong idea about being "close to the cruise terminal". Barcelona is a big city, with lots of great hotels, all within a 20-30 euro cab ride of the cruise terminal. You don't have to be down by the port.

I so agree with you.

Im particularly interested in the Epic and her officers... will be aboard in just 3 months! :D

I would also like to have this info.

Thank you.

This has all the information you need to plan your own trip.

http://www.montserrat-tourist-guide.com/en/transport/barcelona-to-montserrat-train.html

And remember the Boy's Choir performance at 1:00 http://www.montserratvisita.com/en/culture/escolania-boys-choir

Thank you for this valuable information!!

I have read great comments about Top(Spain) Day Tours and wondered if it is the same company that goes by the name Barcelona Day Tours?

Thank you. :confused:

You will be unlikely to be able to check into your hotel that early - probably not until around 2pm. You could always just leave your luggage at the hotel but what will you do with your valuables (passport, credit cards, money etc)? Do you really want to carry them around all day?

 

You do not say where you are flying from. Is this a long-haul flight? If it is you will probably not feel like going to Montserrat. I would recommend that you use this first day for more local places of interest then if you feel tired or jet lagged you are nearer your hotel.

Thank you so much for your reply! ...forgot about hotel check in time! Yes it will be a long haul..Detroit!

If all goes as scheduled our flight arrives in Barcelona at 9:40 am. If we taxi to and check into our hotel by 11:30 ish (?), will this give us enough time to visit Montserrat on our own? And what means of transportation is suggested. (We are currently booked with NCL at the Montblanc but I am thinking of changing hotels, but will be booking on Las Ramblas.) We will have 2 nights stay before a cruise and have planned 2 other sites for our second day (Sagrada Familia and Park Quel) Thank you all for all the wonderful suggestions on this board!!:D

If you like you can take a regular bus, Number 24, to the Carmel stop which is next to the upper entrance and there is almost no walk at all.

There is a ticket boot there.

Thank you for this information!:D

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Dragon of the Seas, we will be in Barcelona prior to a cruise and our points of interest are exactly what you reviewed. We will be following your lead, including exiting on the first day at Montjuic (5th stop on the Red bus). I have read that the walk up hill from the bus to Park Quell is very extensive and that catching a taxi would be better. Did you find it to be?

We put down our departure flight for 1050 am and were giving #20 departure tickets that were to meet at 0740 for get off the ship. Our friends gave us #3 that was meeting at 0640. As we had the LONG wait at the airport for the check in desk to even open, the 0740 would have been just fine!!!!! And I could have slept longer :)

Thank you, I really appreciate your reply.

Just came back on 1 Nov. Had a 1050 flight. Go to the airport so early had to wait for the ticket agent check in to open for an hour and half! Got off the ship at 6:45 am, was at the airport within the half hour by taxi. Just get off the ship early, no problems, plenty of taxis lined up.

THANK YOU!!! (how was it that you were able to get off the ship that early? Did you carry off your own luggage?) Wooo CC readers must think I'm paranoid...Nope, just read too many "bad experiences".

"Dragon of the Seas"...I've planned a day and 1/2 stay in Barcelona prior to a Med. trip on the Epic. We will be on our own in this city. I've been looking into every tour company's itinerary however, your review has basically planned our sight seeing excursion for us. ( taxi costs from airport, prior ticket purchases, travel times, even in distinguishing the different HOHO busses. That is were I was uncertain if being on our own was going to work). I cannot thank you enough for this valuable post!! :D

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, you will be fine. Bon Voyage!

Thank you. As I have already booked the flight, your response was appreciated.

We will be in Barcelona for 2 days prior to our cruise. I have a great concern that the language barrier will be a problem when touring on our own as neither of us speaks Spanish. There are a number of translation aid devises. Has anyone ever used one and can you recommend which to use? Thank you, :confused:

I cannot thank you all enough for all the great advise. These have certainly quelled my concern. :D

We flew home on 9/26 from Barcelona to JFK on Delta. Our flight was 10:40 and while I was concerned that it would be cutting it close, we were at the airport in ample time.

Many Thanks for this post!! I have been concerned that a 10:25a.m. flight was too early even with arriving in port at 5a.m. :D

We will be in Barcelona for 2 days prior to our cruise. I have a great concern that the language barrier will be a problem when touring on our own as neither of us speaks Spanish. There are a number of translation aid devises. Has anyone ever used one and can you recommend which to use? Thank you, :confused: