I will be flying with my daughter to Barcelona in late June, 2026, where she will spend two weeks on a college course. I would like to take a Mediterranean cruise out of Barcelona at this time. Hoping for some feedback on cruise lines and potential itineraries. My wife has not yet committed to the trip, so it may be for a couple or a solo tour. Thank you for your ideas, experience and suggestions.
Posted by
TX
3308 posts
There are many options for cruises from Barcelona. It is a very popular cruise port.
I took a Mediterranean cruise on Norwegian Cruise lIne a couple of years back. I sailed Barcelona to Barcelona.
I have now sailed 10 times on Norwegian but that is because I sail solo and they are very friendly for the solo passenger,
I would suggest that you research Norwegian as well as other cruise lines. Although I have never sailed other lines, I have talked to persons who have cruised very many times on different cruise lines. They tell me that Princess and Celebrity are a step above Norwegian. Of course, there are some top of the line cruise companies such as Viking which can be much more but you also might get much more.. You have to look at the whole picture.
The ports are great. I went to some ports that I had never heard of until my cruise. My memory is that even though it was October, it was still very hot in some ports and still very crowded in some.
It is almost certainly going to be very hot and very crowded in June or July.
Some members on this forum will suggest Cruise Critic but I find it a very complicated site. I prefer this one. Other members will be jumping in and giving you information.
Check out youtube videos.
Do your research. Go to the different cruise lines and call. See what they offer you.
Get a guide book or two.
Rather than my going on and on, feel free to ask me any questions. What are you looking for?
Back to Norwegian. If you think you would like to sail Norwegian, I suggest a balcony or Haven.
Posted by
Vancouver, BC, Canada
1554 posts
I admit I am not a cruise guy. I went on one Western Mediterranean cruise 10 years ago. FWIW, here was our experience:
1. I used cruisecredit.com to compare all of the different cruise lines and selected Norwegian Cruise Line which had the best itinerary and price for us.
2. I then went to NCL.com with the intention of booking direct and getting the most perks and freebies by doing so.
3. However, a friend who was an experienced cruise guy recommended that I contact a local travel agent and to check out their prices. It turned out that booking through a travel agent was much cheaper than even booking direct on the NCL site. When I asked the travel agent why this was so, he explained that their travel agency reserved huge blocks of rooms with a group discount and then resells them at better prices and in our case, with additional perks offered over and above the direct booking site. It made sense to me. Many cruisers are older and may not be inclined to use the internet.
YMMV. It is still worth comparing Cruise Critic, direct booking and travel agencies. Good luck.
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
8624 posts
We liked Islands of the Western Mediterranean on Windstar (small ships, mostly about 350).
Posted by
TX
3308 posts
Agree with funpig that a travel agent might be a good way to go in finding the best cruise for you. There are travel agents who book cruises exclusively.
But like everything else, there are good travel agents and not so good.
Best to get a reference from a friend or relative if you do not already have one.
Posted by
9749 posts
No need for a travel agent.
Go online for cruise lines like NCL, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean and Princess.
Posted by
Tennessee, US
30 posts
You can search for for cruises on Vacationstogo.com. I use it to search then go to the cruise line websites after I've narrowed some down.
Posted by
Columbus, OH, USA
2227 posts
I also like vacationstogo.com for preliminary research. Sign up, enter your criteria (e.g., departure port, return port, Length of cruise, etc.) to see the whole range of possibilities. We have purchased cruises directly from them without problems. I have also called the cruise lines to see if they will match some reductions in price or perks, sometimes they do or sometimes they don’t. Always worth a try in my book. You are under no obligation if just searching. Safe travels.
Posted by
Greeley, co, usa
2967 posts
Like the last 2, I use Vacations to go to research cruises. It is very easy to do on their website. I also book thru them but if there is a travel agent in your town that specializes in cruises, consider them. Always use a travel agent that charges no fee ( no agent should charge for a cruise ). You should always get the same or better price using a travel agent. If any problem arises then you will have someone on your side to help.