Cruising from Barcelona? Here’s all you need to know

Barcelona is one of the world’s most popular places to embark upon a cruise holiday. While many UK cruisers like to sail from Southampton, sailing from Barcelona opens up a much wider choice of itineraries. Plus, with flight times as short as two hours, flying to Barcelona can be a really convenient way to start your cruise.

Which cruise lines sail from Barcelona?

Opt to sail from Barcelona and you’ll have a whole host of cruise lines to choose from. These include:

• Carnival Cruise Line
• Celebrity Cruises
• Holland America Line
• MSC Cruises
• Norwegian Cruise Line
• Princess Cruises
• Royal Caribbean

The British cruise lines such as P&O Cruises, Fred. Olsen, Cruise & Maritime Voyages and Cunard don’t usually sail out of Barcelona. So, if you really prefer the majority of passengers on-board your ship to be British, you might prefer to opt for one of those and choose a sailing from the UK. But if you don’t mind sharing your ship with people of all nationalities, you’ll have lots of choice from Barcelona.

Getting to Barcelona

The easiest way to get to Barcelona is to fly. There are many flights from the UK to Barcelona every day, and it is one of the cheapest destinations to fly to. Flight times are relatively quick as well, taking as little as two hours from London. Flights from Scottish airports often take around three hours, which means that travelling to Barcelona can be a faster, cheaper and easier way to begin your cruise than travelling to Southampton.

Here at Cruise118.com, we are happy to add flights to your cruise to create a package holiday. Our team of Cruise Concierge have access to all the best deals on flights, and will usually be able to create a package deal for cheaper than you could do yourself. Even if you’re a whizz with Skyscanner, why not challenge us to beat your flight prices?

Airports in Barcelona

Barcelona has a single airport called El Prat de Llobregat Aeropuerto. However, it’s important to note that there are two other airports, Girona and Reus, which are approximately 75 miles away. Budget airlines often use these airports, and they sometimes have (Barcelona) in their names.

Whether you’re arranging flights yourself or dealing with a travel agent, it’s worth noting which airport your flight will take you to. Whilst it can be cheaper to fly to Girona or Reus, you’ll also want to factor in the cost of transfers and the added time you’ll spend travelling. Flying straight into Barcelona El Prat is definitely the most convenient route to take.

Transfers between the cruise port and airport in Barcelona

Assuming that you fly into Barcelona El Prat airport (code BCN), the transfer from the airport to the cruise port is very straightforward. The easiest way is to take a taxi, as this will take you about 25 minutes and cost around €30. If you would prefer to have a transfer booked in advance, our Cruise Concierge will be happy to arrange this for you when you book your cruise.

Cruise ports in Barcelona

Barcelona cruise port terminals are located at the foot of La Rambla (also known as Las Ramblas), which is Barcelona’s most famous street which runs through the heart of the city.

There are nine terminals at Barcelona port, of which seven are cruise terminals. These can be found in three main locations:

• Adossat Quay Terminals – Terminals A, B, C and D are located at the Adossat Quay, which is the furthest from the city centre. Terminal D is also called Palacruceros;
• World Trade Centre Terminals – The WTC pier has three terminals which are called North, South and East;
• Maremagnum Port Vell – There is one small terminal here but it is rarely used for cruise ships.

Planning your trip

When travelling to join your cruise ship, it’s always wise to arrive at the city from which your ship departs in plenty of time, including overnight if possible. If your flight is delayed, your cruise ship won’t wait for you, unless it’s a flight chartered by the cruise line. This is why many people embarking on fly-cruise holidays take their flight the day before the cruise. Flying the day before also gives you plenty of time to relax, so that you can be fresh and rested on the first day of your cruise holiday.

Hotels near Barcelona cruise port

You’ll find a wide choice of hotels within walking distance of the port in Barcelona, because the port is so near to the city centre. Staying here also means you have a great base from which to conveniently explore the city. Your Cruise Concierge will be happy to suggest hotels for you and can book accommodation as part of your cruise holiday package.

If you prefer to research and find your own hotel, just let us know the name of where you’d like to stay, and we’ll be able to secure the best deal for you at a cheaper rate than you can find online. If you’d like to stay right by the port, Barcelona’s iconic sail-shaped W Hotel offers a luxury atmosphere and stunning views.

Cruise and stay holidays in Barcelona

There’s so much to see and do in Barcelona, which makes it an excellent destination for a cruise and stay holiday. One day is nowhere near enough to explore somewhere as fascinating as Barcelona! Stay for a few days before or after your cruise, and you’ll be able to make the most of your time in this enthralling city. Here at Cruise118, we can create any package cruise holiday for you, with flights at on any day before or after your cruise and a stay in any hotel you wish. We can even arrange pre- or post- cruise tours, event tickets and excursions for you should you so wish.

Top Barcelona attractions

Some great things to see and do in Barcelona before or after your cruise include:

• See the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia – Gaudi’s renowned church was started in the 1880s and is as yet unfinished. It’s truly stunning inside and out, and an absolute must-see in Barcelona

• Stroll down Las Ramblas – This tree-lined pedestrian walkway is the perfect place to take a stroll and admire the historic buildings and unique shops. However, don’t be tempted by the paella and sangria deals, you’ll find much tastier cuisine and less-watered-down drinks if you head down the side streets

• The magic Fountain of Montjuic – This awesome extravaganza of water, music and lights is lovely to stand and watch in the evening

• Labarinto de Horta – A little outside the city, but easy to get to on the metro, kids and adults alike will love this historic park with a maze at the centre.

• Maritime Museum – There are lots of cool museums in Barcelona, but this is one of the best, and it’s free on Sunday afternoons.

Maritim Galera

Places to visit near Barcelona

If you opt for a Barcelona cruise and stay holiday, you don’t have to stay in the city. Other nearby places which are worth a visit include:

• Calella – Escape the crowds of Barcelona’s city beaches and head up the coast for an hour on the train to see this lovely seaside town.

• Girona – This medieval town is located up in the mountains. A must-see for Game of Thrones fans, a lot of the show was filmed here and the gothic architecture is stunning.

• PortAventura – Theme park fans young and old will love PortAventura where you’ll find a theme park, water park and also the new Ferrari Land which opened in 2017.

Book a cruise from Barcelona

If you have any questions about cruising from Barcelona or extending your holiday with a hotel stay here, please let us know in the comments below.

Alternatively, give our Cruise Concierge team a call on 0808 1234 118 and they’ll be delighted to assist in any aspect of planning and booking your next cruise.