Just booked EPIC again

[mw_1970]

We have just booked EPIC for June 26th from Barcelona with a night in Barcelona before and two nights after we disembark. We did exactly this when last on her two years ago and it remains our favourite cruise to date so thought "why not again"?

 

This will be our fourth cruise on Epic. Did a back to back Caribbean cruise when she first launched back in 2010 and we are looking forward to seeing the recent refurb work.

 

We looked at other cruise lines before booking but just had to book back on EPIC.

[Cruising Golfer]

Good for you!!!:) We will have our first shot at the Epic in May and we are happy to see that someone really loves this ship...

We have been on many cruises and have never had a bad cruise...

Looking forward to this trip and have done much studying on the ports and the ship itself.

Hope you have a wonderful time!!! :cool:

[jewelmick]

Awesome. Looking forward to hearing all about it. We are sailing July 10th. It will be our first NCL cruise. We have been on DCL 4 times and RCCL once. This will also be our first Med cruise. Last year we did a land based London and Paris trip.

 

We are staying in Barcelona for 4 nights pre-cruise, at the Casa Camper. My only real worries are the heat and what I have read about smoking in the casino drifting into surrounding areas.

Edited March 29, 2016 by jewelmick

[Quilting_Cruiser]

I just got off the Epic on the 16th. It was my first cruise on a mega ship and I was pleasantly surprised by the Epic. I would have liked her more if I could have seen the ocean more! But, I spent quite a bit of time on the sap balcony and that helped. :) It was a wonderful cruise and I would sail her again (though I do prefer smaller ships).

 

jewelmick, I also read about the smoke issues before I went and TBH didn't notice anything significant. I didn't feel at all that I needed to avoid that area due to smoke. Yes, I could smell it, but it wasn't a big issue and certainly wasn't overwhelming. :)

[meltingmoments]

We did the Epic for the second time around last August and were so glad we did. So much to see and do at those Western Med ports that a second trip just HAD to be done! :)

[meltingmoments]

My only real worries are the heat and what I have read about smoking in the casino drifting into surrounding areas.

 

Well my screen name is a little hint that I don't do terribly well in the heat! ;)

But I managed in the middle of August in VERY hot temperatures, with plenty of bottles of water, regular stops and always on the look-out for a shady spot! You can do it! :)

 

As for smoke in the casino........yes it's there, but I'm a non-smoker and I really don't like the smell, but as another poster said, it wasn't overwhelming.

Enjoy your trip. :)

[Ctrinh225]

I'm planning also for the Western and Eastern Med Cruise. I am going with my niece. We've never been to Europe. Any good clean hotel near the port in BCN? How are the transportation....taxi, shuttle? Any and all info would REALLY be appreciated. Thank you in advance. I will follow this post so please help.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Quilting_Cruiser]

I'm planning also for the Western and Eastern Med Cruise. I am going with my niece. We've never been to Europe. Any good clean hotel near the port in BCN? How are the transportation....taxi, shuttle? Any and all info would REALLY be appreciated. Thank you in advance. I will follow this post so please help.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

I stayed at Avenida Palace Hotel which is just a block from Placa Catalunya. The location was great because as I didn't want to stay right on Las Ramblas (too busy for me) but I wanted access to it and things like the Gothic Quarter. There's also a metro station right out front that made it very easy to get to Sagrada Familia. They have a really good breakfast buffet that was, I believe, E12 per day. It would have been less if I'd purchased it with my reservation, but I didn't want to do that for my entire stay without seeing it. Across the street is a little cafe that had good breakfasts as well.

 

From the airport, I took the Aerobus. Super easy! It leaves every five minutes or so and the last stop is at Paca Catalunya. From there, I walked just a block to my hotel.

 

To get to the port, I took a taxi. It was about E25.

[waterbabies7415]

We booked our 2nd Epic vacation and we can't wait to sail her again! We really loved Epic, last time was our first Aft Balcony, this time we are booked in a Haven Spa Suite!!

Hope you have a great sailing!!

[Ctrinh225]

I stayed at Avenida Palace Hotel which is just a block from Placa Catalunya. The location was great because as I didn't want to stay right on Las Ramblas (too busy for me) but I wanted access to it and things like the Gothic Quarter. There's also a metro station right out front that made it very easy to get to Sagrada Familia. They have a really good breakfast buffet that was, I believe, E12 per day. It would have been less if I'd purchased it with my reservation, but I didn't want to do that for my entire stay without seeing it. Across the street is a little cafe that had good breakfasts as well.

 

 

 

From the airport, I took the Aerobus. Super easy! It leaves every five minutes or so and the last stop is at Paca Catalunya. From there, I walked just a block to my hotel.

 

 

 

To get to the port, I took a taxi. It was about E25.

 

 

 

Thank You so much! Took a screen shot so I will remember just in case I can't find this post.

[BirdTravels]

We sailed on the Epic for the 4th time in October as she came out of a 3 week dry dock all new and fresh.

 

After getting off the Epic, we spent a very enjoyable afternoon at Park Güell.

 

Have a great cruise!

[Nightengale31]

I'm planning also for the Western and Eastern Med Cruise. I am going with my niece. We've never been to Europe. Any good clean hotel near the port in BCN? How are the transportation....taxi, shuttle? Any and all info would REALLY be appreciated. Thank you in advance. I will follow this post so please help.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

Hubby and I are leaving this coming Monday for a 10 day Western Med cruise on the Epic. We are staying two nights at the Hotel DO Placa Reial. This is a small boutique hotel, a little pricey, but was in the location we wanted to stay. We also have prearranged private transfers with Viator which include pick up at airport and drop off at hotel, pick up at hotel and drop off at cruise port, and pick up at cruise port and drop off at airport at the end of the cruise. The cost for all 3 transfers for two which includes all taxes, tolls, and gratuities is $218. This was very easy to book online if these transfers are something you are interested in. Day two in Barcelona we have booked through Explore Catalunya a full day Skip the Line Best of Barcelona Tour Including Sagrada Familia.

[Ctrinh225]

Hubby and I are leaving this coming Monday for a 10 day Western Med cruise on the Epic. We are staying two nights at the Hotel DO Placa Reial. This is a small boutique hotel, a little pricey, but was in the location we wanted to stay. We also have prearranged private transfers with Viator which include pick up at airport and drop off at hotel, pick up at hotel and drop off at cruise port, and pick up at cruise port and drop off at airport at the end of the cruise. The cost for all 3 transfers for two which includes all taxes, tolls, and gratuities is $218. This was very easy to book online if these transfers are something you are interested in. Day two in Barcelona we have booked through Explore Catalunya a full day Skip the Line Best of Barcelona Tour Including Sagrada Familia.

 

 

 

Thank you! I wish y'all a great cruise and safe travels.

[jewelmick]

I'm planning also for the Western and Eastern Med Cruise. I am going with my niece. We've never been to Europe. Any good clean hotel near the port in BCN? How are the transportation....taxi, shuttle? Any and all info would REALLY be appreciated. Thank you in advance. I will follow this post so please help.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

The Aerobus (express) goes from Airport to Plaça Catalunya (City Centre.) Plaça Catalunya (City Centre) is a major hub for taxis, tour busses, basically all forms of transport. It is at the beginning (or end) of Las Ramblas. Las Ramblas is the major pedestrian street that runs from Plaça Catalunya (City Centre) to the Harbor area. The street itself can be loud and busy but there are many hotels on or just off here, and all would be convenient.

 

We are staying at Casa Camper, about two blocks off Las Ramblas and a five minute walk to Plaça Catalunya (City Centre.) I have several coworkers who have stayed there and LOVED it....they all say it is unlike any hotel they have ever stayed at, and will go back again and again. Look it up on Trip Advisor...I am super excited to check it out myself.

 

I did arrange a car for when we arrive, only because we have too much luggage and I don't feel like fighting with it. 38E for three...aerobus is 6E each.

[Ctrinh225]

Thank you Jewelmick. Yes I did look up on Tripadvisor. Was confusing when they say what "neighborhood ". And now you've explain a lot!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Edited March 30, 2016 by Ctrinh225

[cruisejunkie76]

Done the EPIC 4 times already as well.

I love that ship.

 

I'm trying the Getaway in October.

[honey1960]

I am so happy to read these positive reviews of Epic! We sail on April 17th and are staying at Hotel Barcelona Princess (breakfast included). Planning to just grab a cab to and from the airport! Has anyone done Runner Bean Walking Tours?