Celebrity Solstice 9/5/11 Mediterranean Cruise

We arrived in Barcelona on Sept. 2nd so we could get over jet lag and relax and see the city. Took "No Jet Lag" pills and they worked really well. Still tired a bit but if you take them as directed, you won't be so exhausted and your body clock seems to more easily adapt. We were picked up at airport by Autosvilar and they were really good. We used them for all our transfers from hotel to ship and back again. Always on time and very helpful drivers. We traveled with 4 couples in same van at times and they dealt well with all our luggage etc. I got their name from Cruise Critic.

We stayed at Hotell Barcelona Catedral. This hotel is right across from the Cathedral and near, but not on, Las Ramblas. Lots of things to see in this area. Great location. Desk personnel was very helpful and they were also very nice. Rooms were nice, beds a bit hard but I'm told that is how it is in Europe. Very nice, and we would stay there again. They have a deal with the City Tour Hop On, Hop Off bus and it saves you a few Euros. Bank with an inside ATM is right around the corner. We were able to use our Capital One ATM card there. I opened a Money Market savings account before leaving home and funded it. Capital One does not charge additional foreign exchange rate. Therefore, only get charged the market currency rate between USD and Euros. I also only used my Capital One credit card while in Europe for the same reason. I had found out about all of this on Cruise Critic too. Thank goodness for roll calls! Read more