9/16/2017 Magic Transatlantic from Barcelona

[Aanna]

BelleBway, Do you mind sharing are you using a company. or did you book a rental car. I still need to get arrangements from Airport to hotel. Thanks

If it's a help, we've contracted with Sun Transfers (link on page 1). They have really great reviews on TripAdvisor, the booking process was easy, and the prices seemed reasonable.

 

[elvispursley]

So we finally booked some stuff! We booked Familia Sagrada (going to go up in the pasion tower), Parc Guell, and Casa Batllo (thought about doing doing Night Music on Friday, too @Gilland18, then really wanted to do the early morning tour, and finally decided to just see it on our walk to the Gothic Qtr--our Hotel is about an 7 minute walk away)! We're going to try and be adventurous and see Monserrat on our own by taking the train out. I'm kicking myself for not arriving a whole week before the cruise!! Too much to see and not enough time And the I forget, there's the whole cruise thing...LOL!

 

[olafLover]

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[DVC Kathy]

DH and I arrive the morning of the 13th. Have transfers and hotel booked, but no excursions. Considering the hop on hop off bus two day ticket. We're doing excursions in every port, which is unusual for us, but this is a special trip.

I'm trying to figure out what to pack. I'm not sure shorts would be appropriate for touring in Spain and Portugal, and it may be too chilly after that.

Any advice from experienced travellers would be appreciated.

 

[olafLover]

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[Chirple]

DH and I arrive the morning of the 13th. Have transfers and hotel booked, but no excursions. Considering the hop on hop off bus two day ticket. We're doing excursions in every port, which is unusual for us, but this is a special trip.

I'm trying to figure out what to pack. I'm not sure shorts would be appropriate for touring in Spain and Portugal, and it may be too chilly after that.

Any advice from experienced travellers would be appreciated.

I plan to bring at least one pair of very lightweight crop pants that I got from Athleta and a few pairs of shorts. I normally wear my shorts rolled up above my knee. Once unrolled, they fall below my knee. I might pack two sleeveless shirts and throw a thin sweater into my bag; otherwise, my shirts cover my shoulders. I'm also bringing at least one pair of jeans and one pair of chino-type pants. I'm sure I'll be veering off the list that I created.

I finally had success in finding postcards yesterday. I'm so happy that I can cross that off of my list of errands.

 

[elvispursley]

I plan on brining a few sundresses for when we're in Spain and Portugal (will also double for dinners in MDR); bringing some shorts and cropped pants; definitely bringing some jeans and layers (coat, hat, and gloves) for when we do our excursion when we're in St. John (we're kayaking with puffins!!) and since I am prone to being cold, do not want to be miserable for that! Then will toss in the pirate costume, a cocktail dress, and maybe a formal gown (?). I tend to overpack on the shoes--since I'm diabetic, I've found that I need to mix up my shoes to give my feet a break. If I wear the same shoes for many hours for days on end, I end up with major foot problems!! I plan to pack a carry-on just of shoes!

 

[elvispursley]

So speaking of postcards...how horrible would it be if I had to write on the actual postcard?? I haven't started yet and don't know if I'll have time to print up little cards with our info on it. I may end up writing the postcards on the plane *gasp*!!

 

[gismo1554]

So speaking of postcards...how horrible would it be if I had to write on the actual postcard?? I haven't started yet and don't know if I'll have time to print up little cards with our info on it. I may end up writing the postcards on the plane *gasp*!!

Not horrible at all!

 

[elvispursley]

For those of you who have done this cruise before (or any of the Med. or European cruises), do you tend to tip in US dollars or in euros? Trying to decide if I need to bring a bunch of single dollars for tipping room service, etc.

 

[olafLover]

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[Chirple]

@elvispursley, not horrible to write on the postcards at all. I would love to do your Newfoundland port adventure, but I could not convince my husband to do that on open water.

Regarding the currency for room service tipping, I agree with @olafLover and say tip in U.S. dollars.

I am going to spend this weekend trying to put together different outfits. I expect to do laundry when we board the ship, which will keep the overpacking down. Oh, who am I kidding? LOL!!

 

[RedSox68]

Unless you're going inside churches, shorts are appropriate in Spain and Portugal. Inside churches your knees and shoulders should be covered. If you bring a sarong or something like that you can make a skirt over your shorts and that's appropriate too.

Make sure you have shawl or sweater for the churches -- they were pretty strict about shoulders being covered when we were there.

 

[RedSox68]

For those of you who have done this cruise before (or any of the Med. or European cruises), do you tend to tip in US dollars or in euros? Trying to decide if I need to bring a bunch of single dollars for tipping room service, etc.

On board I always tip in USD. In the ports (taxi, excursions, etc.) I tip in the local currency, if I have it. I'm sure they will gladly take USD too.

 

[Aanna]

A few days ago I was staring at the pile of Japanese yen I had left over from our last trip, and I got to wondering what the crew does when folks tip them in odd currency. If Guest Services will change currency for guests, perhaps they do the same thing for crew members?

I wonder what the on-board conversion rates look like...

Edited to add: That was just an idle thought -- I would not tip them in yen! LOL

 

[RedSox68]

A few days ago I was staring at the pile of Japanese yen I had left over from our last trip, and I got to wondering what the crew does when folks tip them in odd currency. If Guest Services will change currency for guests, perhaps they do the same thing for crew members?

I wonder what the on-board conversion rates look like...

The last time we sailed in Europe, I asked about exchange and was told they only exchange currency for the areas they are sailing to.

 

[Aanna]

The last time we sailed in Europe, I asked about exchange and was told they only exchange currency for the areas they are sailing to.

That makes sense

 

[elvispursley]

dollars it is then! Makes sense since they'll be sailing U.S. for a bit.

Finally got the ol' suitcases out last night. I used to not mind packing but now I find it so stressful! I have absolutely not excuse this trip since I'm not working this cruise/trip and have one less "stressor" to deal with. Ugh!! Still don't like it

 

[RedSox68]

dollars it is then! Makes sense since they'll be sailing U.S. for a bit.

Finally got the ol' suitcases out last night. I used to not mind packing but now I find it so stressful! I have absolutely not excuse this trip since I'm not working this cruise/trip and have one less "stressor" to deal with. Ugh!! Still don't like it

Packing has always been my downfall with travel -- it depresses me and I hate doing it. I'd rather stress plan five vacations then to pack for one

 

[Aanna]

Packing has always been my downfall with travel -- it depresses me and I hate doing it. I'd rather stress plan five vacations then to pack for one

LOL I enjoy the packing -- it's the unpacking I hate! Somehow I always end up with one bench in my bedroom that takes 3 months after a trip to clear entirely.