Hi, Maria!
Welcome aboard
Disney Cruise Line. You are in for the
adventure of a lifetime as you sail on the
Disney Dream out of Barcelona, Spain. You are truly on a "dream" cruise with amazing ports of call in Italy. Rome is one of my favorite cities with so many beautiful historical sites to enjoy.
It is totally up to you whether you book your pre- and post- cruise
transportation through Disney Cruise Line. You may find it easier to simply arrange Disney transportation if staying at a hotel that the DCL shuttles service: (Hilton Diagonal Mar, Renaissance Barcelona, or Sofitel Barcelona Skipper). To book a reservation at one of these hotels or for cruise port or airport transfers,
call Disney Cruise Line directly.
If you are looking for more flexibility in your pre-cruise plans, you may opt to arrange your own transportation to the Barcelona Cruise Port. If you decide to make your own travel arrangements, please allow enough time, allowing for traffic or any other delays. Please be very specific to your driver that you are going to the Disney Cruise Line Terminal. For more details, please read the details on sailing from
Barcelona, Spain.
The advantage of booking through Disney Cruise Line is simplicity! One phone call and they will be able to book your pre-cruise hotels, arrange transport to the cruise port, and even post-cruise transfers. For me, it is peace of mind that all the details are covered. But it is truly up to you so do whatever works best for your family's travel plans.
One challenge I always have when taking long vacations is packing! There never seems to be enough room in my suitcase. Disney Cruise Line has helped with this by having
Self-Service Laundry facilities on the Disney Dream. This really is a lifesaver so no need to overpack - simply toss in a load of laundry mid-cruise and you are good to go! Having washers and dryers really takes away the need to panic and overpack. Captains Mickey and Minnie really think of everything on their cruise ships!
Maria, I hope you and your family have a magical sailing in Europe. If you have any other planning questions as you approach your cruise, please stop back to your pals here at planDisney. Bon Voyage!
Cathy