The Intentional Travelers

The Port of Barcelona, Spain

One of Europes major cruise ports Barcelona is worth a couple of days spent exploring, sampling the food and visiting the shops. Easy to get around in and very walkable.

Port of Call Barcelona Spain

Barcelona is one of the two largest cruise ports in the Mediterranean and is used as an embarkation port as well as a popular port of call. The city is a modern and historic place with a number of iconic neighborhoods and attractions. If you are cruising out of Barcelona do not miss the opportunity to spend a couple of extra days visiting this vibrant city.

Where Your Ship Docks – The entrance to the Barcelona ports and the port shuttle bus stop is at Plaça de les Drassanes just south of the Columbus Monument. The location is very near the foot of La Rambla, a major street which runs through the city centre. For cruise ships there are generally three major port terminal areas. Most cruise ships are docked at Adossat Quay Terminal which is the farthest out and is serviced by a shuttle to the La Rambla area. This includes terminals A, B, C and D.

Barcelona Harbor

There are also 3 terminals at the World Trade Centre pier called North, South and East terminals and are much closer to the Columbus Monument on the waterfront at La Rambla.

The third terminal is Sant Bertrand, and it to is near the World Trade Center (refer to our cruise terminal map). Sant Bertrand is usually used for ferries to the Balearic Islands.

The Shuttle – The T3 PORTBUS (the “Blue Bus”) runs a circuit from all cruise port terminals to near the monument of Christopher Columbus. The tickets for the T3 need to be purchased with cash on the bus itself.

At this writing the tickets cost:

Single ticket: €3.00

With Return ticket: €4.00

Many of the cruise ships also provide a shuttle bus to their passengers for free or a small charge.

Walking – The nearest cruise terminal to La Rambla is about a 15 minute walk away. However the major cruise terminals, which are furthest from La Rambla are about a mile and a quarter (2 Km) from the Columbus Monument. From Christopher Columbus monument to La Rambla is about a 1 minute walk, and the nearest Metro is Drassanes (Green Line, L3), which is another 5 minutes walk.

Barcelona Metro – Barcelona has a good transit system that is excellent for getting around the city. The Barcelona Tourist Travel Pass (also known as the HolaBCN card) is a transport pass specifically designed for tourists. Once purchased it enables you to have unlimited journeys on the Barcelona public transport system which includes the TMB buses from Barcelona Airport to the city centre, the Airport metro from both T1 and T2, the Airport train to the city centre, the entire metro underground system in the whole of the city, the TMB buses that run in the city centre and the suburban tram system. Barcelona Card gives you unlimited transport on the Barcelona transport system (metro, bus, tram). It can be purchased in advance of your trip (save 10%). The Transport Card can be purchased for 2 to 5 days with a 2 day card at €16.40.

There are also a number of tour buses like Hop Off Hop On and you can find more information HERE.

Taxi – A taxi from the port to the city centre is normally less than 10 minutes with a fare of about €20.00. A Taxi to Barcelona airport from the cruise port should take about 25 minutes with a fare: of €30.00 – €35.00.

What To See – Barcelona is a city steeped in culture and history and many think it is the city itself that is the main attraction. From great food to an exciting night life, from the old Gothic quarter to the modern shopping districts this is a truly remarkable city.

Barcelona is famous for the fantastic architecture of Antonio Gaudí, whose buildings can be found scattered around the city. The most famous can be found along Passeig de Gràcia where you will find La Pedrera and Casa Batlló. There is also the Parc Güell which is a incredible park designed by Gaudí himself. The most notable of Gaudí’s works is the Sagrada Familia, the huge, still unfinished Basilica.

The Gothic Cathedral in the heart of the Gothic quarter is a must-see as is a walk up Las Ramblas. Make sure to save time to explore the winding side streets with their shops and restaurants.

There are also a number of great museums in the city. The MACBA (museum of modern art) and the CCCB next door are worth an hour or two. The Picasso and the permanent Dalí exhibition in the Gothic Quarter are always worth a visit. The Caixa Forum is a museum which has different art exhibitions every month. It is just off Plaça Espanya, on Avenida Marques.

If you have more than a few hours be sure and visit the Poble Espanyol, an open-air architectural museum in Barcelona. Located approximately a quarter mile away from the Fountains of Montjuïc. It was built for the 1929 Barcelona International Exposition (Worlds Fair), the museum consists of 117 full-scale buildings replicated from different places in Spain, together making up a small town recreating urban atmospheres. It is full of cafes, restaurants, small shops and exhibits.

The Port of San Diego

The Port of Call of San Diego in Southern California

What’s not to like with a near perfect year-round temperature, 70 miles of coastline and beaches, a major U.S. Naval Base, an interesting historic area and world famous Balboa Park. Balboa features 17 museums, numerous galleries and performing arts venues along with the incredible San Diego Zoo. It isn’t hard to fall in love with San Diego.

The port is popular with cruise lines as a departure port for cruises up the coast, over to Hawaii and south through the Panama Canal. If you are cruising from San Diego this is an amazing world class port so be sure and schedule time to see the city.

Where Your Ship Docks

Most cruise ships will dock right downtown at the B Street Cruise Pier featuring a cruise terminal with good public facilities. Across the street from the pier are a number of excellent hotels and just another block up is a rapid rail stop for the Green Line trolly. A little over a half mile south of the terminal is Seaport Village, a collection of shops and restaurants on the water in an attractive setting. The aircraft carrier Midway Museum is also nearby along with a number of additional historic ship exhibits.

Transportation

San Diego has an economical public transportation system featuring a light rail system that includes over fifty area stops. Just two blocks from the pier is a light rail stop where you can catch a trolly down to Old Town for a fare of $2.50. You can purchase one to 30-day passes for the transit system right from your smartphone and use them immediately using the Compass-Cloud app.

Currency

The U.S. Dollar is the accepted currency with credit and debit cards welcome almost everywhere. Changing foreign currency can be a challenge with facilities available mostly at the airport.

Attractions

OLD TOWN was the original historic heart of San Diego. Created in 1769, Old Town San Diego was California’s first settlement with only a mission and a fort. Stroll the lush gardens or browse at one of the many specialty shops for treasures from around the world. To get to Old Town by Trolley take the Green Line that runs right along the waterfront.

San Diego Beach

First and foremost is The San Diego Zoo, one of the best zoos in the United States. It is a non-profit zoo and wildlife sanctuary featuring over 3,500 rare and endangered animals representing more than 650 species and subspecies, and a prominent botanical garden with more than 700,000 exotic plants.

San Diego is also home to one of the SeaWorld parks along with the Birch Aquarium at Scripps. Birch Aquarium is a public exploration center of the world-renowned Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego. Sitting on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the aquarium features more than 60 habitats of fishes and invertebrates from the cold waters of the Pacific Northwest to the tropical waters of Mexico and beyond.

In addition to the zoo and aquariums San Diego has a lot more to offer. There is a good hop-on hop-off bus that travels all around the city and out to Coronado.

Coronado sits right in the middle of the harbor and often is referred to as an island but actually is attached at the southern end to the mainland. It is also features a Naval Air Station, a Naval Amphibious Base and is home to the Navy SEALS. If you want to rub shoulders with a SEAL stop in at Mc P’s Pub, a local hangout founded by an ex-SEAL more than a couple of decades ago. It’s not far from the “The Del” (Del Coronado Hotel) a famous hotel on Coronado beach.

If you are catching a cruise from San Diego we recommend allowing a couple of days extra to see this beautiful city. Balboa Park is worth a whole day by itself with the museums and zoo. Also try and fit in a visit to Seaport Village, with its waterfront shops and restaurants, located just south of the cruise pier. For good Italian food try the Little Italy neighborhood or for great seafood check out the restaurants along the waterfront.

Todays Featured Poster • French Polynesia

They are called the Society Islands and are an archipelago located in the South Pacific Ocean. Politically, they are part of French Polynesia, an overseas part of the French Republic. Geographically, they include Tahiti, Bora Bora, Moorea and over a dozen smaller islands. The island is also spelled Moʻorea from the Tahitian word meaning “yellow lizard”. The official language is French and this small group of volcanic island boasting fantastic beaches, coral reefs and incredible beach resorts.

Join us as we visit historic treasures, natural wonders and vibrant cities set against backdrops that are endlessly changing and visually magnificent. Celebrate a world of travel experiences with these decorating accessories that are perfect for framing.

The Port Of Call Nassau, Bahamas

A favorite port for three and four day cruises out of Florida as well as returning longer cruises, Nassau has a lot to offer.

Where You’re Ship Docks

Cruise ships dock at Prince George Wharf, sometimes as many as five are there at once. The wharf is located right in downtown Nassau with a large number of good restaurants and plenty of “duty free” shopping. The island is also famous for it numerous great beaches as well as coral reefs, sport fishing and boating.

Crossing a bridge in downtown Nassau gets you to Paradise Island, home of Atlantis and other resorts. It is a two mile walk from the cruise piers over to Paradise Island across a connecting bridge.