As of January 1, 2019, we have closed our forums. This is a decision we did not come to lightly, but it is necessary. The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk. The server software itself must be updated, and it cannot be without removing the forums.
So it is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to our long-running forums. They came online in 2000 and brought together so many wonderful Disney fans. We had friendships form, careers launch, couples marry, children born ... all because of this amazing community.
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There are other changes as well.
Why? Well, the world has changed. And change with it, we must. The lyrics to "We Go On" for IllumiNations say it best:
We go on to the joy and through the tears
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Moving on with the current of the years.
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To a new day, we go on.
It's time to move on and move forward.
PassPorter is a small business, and for many years it supported our family. But the world changed, print books took a backseat to the Internet, and for a long time now it has been unable to make ends meet. We've had to find new ways to support our family, which means new careers and less and less time available to devote to our first baby, PassPorter.
But eventually, we must move on and move forward. It is the right thing to do.
So we are retiring this newsletter, as we simply cannot keep up with it. Many thanks to Mouse Fan Travel who supported it all these years, to All Ears and MousePlanet who helped us with news, to our many article contributors, and -- most importantly -- to Sara Varney who edited our newsletter so wonderfully for years and years.
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If you miss us, you can still find some of us online. Sara started a new blog at DisneyParkPrincess.com -- I strongly urge you to visit and get on her mailing list. She IS the Disney park princess and knows Disney backward and forward. And I am blogging as well at JenniferMaker.com, which is a little craft blog I started a couple of years ago to make ends meet. You can see and hear me in my craft show at https://www.youtube.com/c/jennifermaker . Many PassPorter readers and fans are on Facebook, in groups they formed like the PassPorter Trip Reports and PassPorter Crafting Challenge (if you join, just let them know you read about it in the newsletter). And some of our most devoted community members started a forum of their own at Pixie Dust Lane and all are invited over.
So we encourage you to stay in touch with us and your fellow community members wherever works best for you!
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We just booked on the 12 day Med cruise to Venice for June 2013. My head is spinning! So much to figure out before then! It will be myself and two DD who will be 11 and 6 then. I will take any and all pointers that you guys can dish out.
Specifically...
Should we aim to stay in Barcelona 2-3 days before or after the cruise? What is better for jet lag etc? Any recommendations for a hotel? Great, family friendly hotel in the middle of things?
What are the Barcelona's must-do's?
I have heard a lot about doing your own excursions specifically hiring a driver to show you around. Is it really cheaper?
Do the current passporter guides have these ports in it? Should I just wait for the new one to come out? When is that?
I know I have a lot to learn, but I figured this is the best place to start. I apologize for all the questions.
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Never apologize for asking questions...that's what so great about this forum...someone always has an answer!
I can't give any first hand experience because I haven't taken this cruise (yet...are you accepting stow-a-ways???) but I know many folks on here have. The newest edition of Passporter Cruise edition has a Barcelona section in it. (Chapter 2, p. 104) so you can read all the reviews on there and choose something that's right for your family.
The good news is, you have time to get all your questions answered, and you are in good hands with your fellow passporters! Happy sailing!
Congrats on booking - that sounds like an amazing cruise!
Ok, with Barcelona, definitely get in a couple of days before. I'd suggest three days. We spent two days before our cruise in 2007, then went back a couple of years later for another couple of days and stopped off at Montserrat in 2010 to see that, so all in all, it took us about five days to see everything Barcelona has to offer.
As far as jetlag goes, the chances are you will be taking a red eye over here - that's always my favourite part of coming home... not! That means you'll be shattered on your first day. I usually try and stay awake to acclimatise myself as quickly as possible, but that's tough. Also bear in mind you may not have a hotel room to head for, as they may not be ready until mid afternoon...
We stayed at the hotel on the seafront - near the cruise terminal. I can't remember the name of it now, but I'd rather have had one in the center of the city, as that was a little way out.
Oh my goodness, must-dos in Barcelona...
- Cathedral (beautiful and very peaceful)
- La Rambla (the main shopping street - busy, but has an atmosphere all of its own)
- Casa Battlo (one of Gaudi's best)
- Sagrada Familia (a must-do, although as it's still being built, it's hard to appreciate what it will look like once it's done)
- Poble Espanyol (an open air museum with replicas of buildings from across Spain, this was fascinating - a lot of walking though)
- Museud'Historia de la Ciutat (this was the most amazing find, it shows the history of the city and you get to see entire streets of Barcelona underground - it doesn't get much coverage in guidebooks (at least the ones I have), but it is truly amazing!
- Olympic stadium (but then, I am a huge Olympics fan! )
Outside of Barcelona, don't miss Parc Guell, another of Gaudi's masterpieces, and Montserrat and its monastery is well worth a visit too. I've heard good things about Poblet, but have yet to make it there... oh well, another visit I guess...
As for doing your own excursions, we just used public transport. You do have to keep your wits about you for pick pockets, but just be sensible as in any big town or city.
Do the current passporter guides have these ports in it? Should I just wait for the new one to come out? When is that?
As for details of the port, if you're a member of the PassPorter Club, then there is a guide just to the Mediterranean ports, which will be exceptionally handy as you plan your trip.
The 9th (current) edition has Barcelona, Villefranche, Valletta, Naples, Civitavecchia, La Spezia, and Palma, plus the ports on the repos. We won't have detailed coverage of Venice, Piraeus, Mykonos, Kusadasi, or Dubrovnik until the 11th edition - but that'll be in plenty of time for your cruise.
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Co-Author, PassPorter's Walt Disney World, PassPorter's Disney Cruise Line, and PassPorter's Disneyland and Southern California Attractions
1. Yes, I'd definitely try to stay in Barcelona. I'd suggest one night before the cruise, just to make sure you arrive well before your cruise departs. It also helps with the jet lag a bit and makes for a more relaxing start to the cruise. Then, after the cruise, I'd book 2 nights at a hotel in Barcelona to explore the city. It truly is a beautiful city and well worth a visit. When we visited Barcelona, we stayed at the Eurostars Grand Marina Hotel. The hotel was amazing and a short 5-minute taxi ride from the cruise pier away (we could see the Magic from our hotel room ). It's more of a business hotel, though (not sure about kid-friendly) and it's not exactely in the middle of things.
2. Barcelona's must-do's? The Gaudi apartments, Las Ramblas, and Sagrada Familia are my personal top three attractions.
3. I don't think hiring a driver to show you around Barcelona is cheaper. We did have one offer to take us around but we went with the hop on/hop off bus instead and were glad we did. There are three different routes, and we got a two-day ticket. We didn't just use the buses for the actual sightseeing but also to get around
If you have any more questions - ask away! I've been to all of the cities you mentioned (Barcelona, Nice, Venice) and I'm happy to help
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so you can read all the reviews on there and choose something that's right for your family. 
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That means you'll be shattered on your first day. I usually try and stay awake to acclimatise myself as quickly as possible, but that's tough. Also bear in mind you may not have a hotel room to head for, as they may not be ready until mid afternoon... 
) 
! That should be a wonderful cruise.
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