Barcelona Timing?
May 1, 2015, 2:14 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Durban, South Africa | LHR
Programs: Emirates Skywards Gold | South African Airways Voyager Gold
Posts: 863
Barcelona Timing?
Good day.
I've been missing for quite a while here and haven't had much time to keep up with EK. We have just booked flights for December holidays for 4 DUR-BCN to catch the Norwegian Epic for a Mediterranean cruise on the 9th. My parents are the type who don't ever think of emergencies (but are the worst people when it does happen), and being a member of FT you hear too many to take such chances.
They refused to book a hotel in Barcelona for security as they find it a waste of a working day (despite my best efforts). So we have a 3 hour window from landing to get from the BCN Airport to the Port.
Are EK good on time to BCN? Are the customs lines bad for Schengen Visa people? Any other factors that could cause a delay to the port? We are flying Y (I will try and use miles to upgrade them, the "kids" will just have to sit in Y).
They always travel as part of group excursions where they plan nothing, so I fear for their sanity if something does go wrong, as we will then have to fly to Italy and catch the ship there...
Thanks.
I've been missing for quite a while here and haven't had much time to keep up with EK. We have just booked flights for December holidays for 4 DUR-BCN to catch the Norwegian Epic for a Mediterranean cruise on the 9th. My parents are the type who don't ever think of emergencies (but are the worst people when it does happen), and being a member of FT you hear too many to take such chances.
They refused to book a hotel in Barcelona for security as they find it a waste of a working day (despite my best efforts). So we have a 3 hour window from landing to get from the BCN Airport to the Port.
Are EK good on time to BCN? Are the customs lines bad for Schengen Visa people? Any other factors that could cause a delay to the port? We are flying Y (I will try and use miles to upgrade them, the "kids" will just have to sit in Y).
They always travel as part of group excursions where they plan nothing, so I fear for their sanity if something does go wrong, as we will then have to fly to Italy and catch the ship there...
Thanks.
May 1, 2015, 3:28 am
#2
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 18,644
Your parents are crazy 
All it takes is a missed connection at DXB, or a fairly significant delay on the BCN flight, and you've missed your cruise!
Keep working to persuade them. Even better, add a couple of days in Barcelona, it's a very nice city.
All it takes is a missed connection at DXB, or a fairly significant delay on the BCN flight, and you've missed your cruise!
Keep working to persuade them. Even better, add a couple of days in Barcelona, it's a very nice city.
May 1, 2015, 3:37 am
#3
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2008
Programs: Everything is refundable
Posts: 3,727
Ahmed, most of the comments by this Ambassador regarding the financial performance of EK are indeed, well, crazy, he is spot on with his recommendation.
May 1, 2015, 3:44 am
#4
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Land of Oz
Posts: 949
May 1, 2015, 4:28 am
#5
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 18,644
May 1, 2015, 4:35 am
#6
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Join Date: Aug 2008
Programs: Everything is refundable
Posts: 3,727
If you do not have access to any useful data or insight, why do you comment at all?
It is transit at DXB too long, maybe even eternal?
May 1, 2015, 5:04 am
#9
Join Date: Jul 2014
Programs: Skywards
Posts: 946
Transfer between airport and pier is not that easy, so no direct trains/coaches, afaik. I know people who take a taxi, as it is the easiest way (with all the luggage). Price is around 45$ (I guess there are also prebookable taxis in the internet) distance is around 20km, so max 30-35min. Sorry no information regarding schengen. Flights are mostly on time however as already mentioned, you can stuck in dxb or whatever.
May 1, 2015, 8:57 am
#10
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Oxon, UK
Programs: Mucci des canapes, Skywards Gold, BAEC, IC Plat Amb, LH FTV
Posts: 1,953
Welcome back Ahmed. According to Flighttrack EK 185 arrives at least 45 min late 11% of the time and 30-45 min late on another 5%. No experience of clearing customs and immigration in BCN but most flights are intra-Europe so may not be well staffed for non-EU visa processing.
As others have said 3 hours feels too tight - especially if your parents would find disruption challenging in a stressful (rather than good) way.
As others have said 3 hours feels too tight - especially if your parents would find disruption challenging in a stressful (rather than good) way.
May 1, 2015, 9:51 am
#11
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 701
As I can see, you have 2 hours in DXB before conecting on the flight to BCN.
And only 3 hours from BCN to the port....
Should be ok; but if something happens....you never know!!
If I were you; I would flight 2-3 days earlier and spend a nice time in Barcelona.....
And only 3 hours from BCN to the port....
Should be ok; but if something happens....you never know!!
If I were you; I would flight 2-3 days earlier and spend a nice time in Barcelona.....
May 1, 2015, 3:48 pm
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Durban, South Africa | LHR
Programs: Emirates Skywards Gold | South African Airways Voyager Gold
Posts: 863
Great. Just showed them the thread and made them see that I'm not the only "worrier in the family."
They've contacted the TA to add a one night hotel booking at Barcelona for the night before. Not sure if the flights were issued yet (it's a public holiday in SA today) but they were really cheap so I assume it is quite a low bucket. Hoping the cost isn't too bad if they were issued.
We get a ride from the Airport to the Port by Norwegian Cruise Lines because we are booked in a Villa, so that's no problem for cost. The TA said that the ride from Airport to Port was only 20 minutes so I'm interested to hear here that it's about 30. Doesn't matter now, as we told the TA we would like to stay at the Novotel in Barcelona City Centre.
Thanks for the info regarding the passport control lines as well.
When we come off the cruise 11-days later, our EK flight departs at 10pm at night so we have the day in BCN. Does anyone know if Novotel will let us store our luggage there for the day (even if we have to pay that's fine). Or anywhere else where we can conveniently store luggage so we can tour for the day without lugging huge suitcases?
They've contacted the TA to add a one night hotel booking at Barcelona for the night before. Not sure if the flights were issued yet (it's a public holiday in SA today) but they were really cheap so I assume it is quite a low bucket. Hoping the cost isn't too bad if they were issued.
We get a ride from the Airport to the Port by Norwegian Cruise Lines because we are booked in a Villa, so that's no problem for cost. The TA said that the ride from Airport to Port was only 20 minutes so I'm interested to hear here that it's about 30. Doesn't matter now, as we told the TA we would like to stay at the Novotel in Barcelona City Centre.
Thanks for the info regarding the passport control lines as well.
When we come off the cruise 11-days later, our EK flight departs at 10pm at night so we have the day in BCN. Does anyone know if Novotel will let us store our luggage there for the day (even if we have to pay that's fine). Or anywhere else where we can conveniently store luggage so we can tour for the day without lugging huge suitcases?
May 2, 2015, 12:41 am
#13
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: UK
Programs: Emirates Silver, BA, Flying Blue, Virgin, IHG
Posts: 950
Are the cruise line happy with your arrival. My experience of cruises is that there is a wide window of check in so if the 3 hours is to check in opening then you will have probably.more than 5 until it closes.
That said Barcelona is a wonderful city with a lot to do and see (from stunning architecture to Olympic and FCBarcelona stadia). One day isn't enough (especially as you are travelling so far. Add at least an extra day - you won't be disappointed.
That said Barcelona is a wonderful city with a lot to do and see (from stunning architecture to Olympic and FCBarcelona stadia). One day isn't enough (especially as you are travelling so far. Add at least an extra day - you won't be disappointed.
May 2, 2015, 1:22 am
#14
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Oxon, UK
Programs: Mucci des canapes, Skywards Gold, BAEC, IC Plat Amb, LH FTV
Posts: 1,953
When we come off the cruise 11-days later, our EK flight departs at 10pm at night so we have the day in BCN. Does anyone know if Novotel will let us store our luggage there for the day (even if we have to pay that's fine). Or anywhere else where we can conveniently store luggage so we can tour for the day without lugging huge suitcases?