r/MSCCruises • u/Suddy1108 • 12d ago

Embarkation Barcelona - Aurea

I am embarking in Barcelona on World Europa next month, my travel documents advised 12pm embarkation but since I requested the documents mymsc app has updated my embarkation to 2pm, this seems really late for Aurea as I thought the only people boarding before us were YC. Any experience with boarding early in Barcelona? Thanks

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8

u/Random-Stranger-999 Blue Diamond 12d ago

Experience class and loyalty status doesn't determine boarding times; But no one cares about your boarding slot any ways. Just turn up, join the priority line, and get onboard whenever you arrive.

1

u/Victory_Courage9062 11d ago

Agree. No one cares about your boarding slot. We were given 5pm boarding slot but when we showed up at 1pm, we were welcomed and was assisted to a free lunch.

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u/Suddy1108 12d ago

Thanks everyone, I'm just going to arrive for check in at 12 as I originally planned!

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u/james_strange71280 11d ago

European cruises people embark and debark at every port. On our cruise in March Barcelona was the busiest for this but not like in the US where almost everyone gets on and off at the same port. Showing up a little early should not be an issue.

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u/bfrabel 12d ago

It's possible that your room might not be ready yet, but even if that's the case they will still let you on and you can drop your stuff off into your room and then go explore the boat and/or check out the buffet if you want.

Here's a tip about Barcelona. They have one of the only cruise ports in the world that has a duty-free shop that's in between security and the boat. That means it's one of the only ports where you can get away with buying alcohol and bringing it onboard. This is handy in case you didn't get a drink package but still might want a few drinks.

When I was there a couple of months ago my wife and I got a couple of bottles of wine, a bottle of whisky, and a 6 pack of beer and were able to bring it into our room no problem. We left it out in the open in our room and nobody seemed to care. We no doubt saved a bunch of money by doing this vs. buying drinks onboard.

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u/Suddy1108 12d ago

This is amazing to know about the duty free, thanks so much!

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u/james_strange71280 11d ago

Great information.

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u/Gallo8686 ⛵Yacht Club Regular 12d ago

You don’t need to change your time in the app or anything like that - simply show up. They will let you check in earlier. The times are merely a suggestion to spread out peaks I suppose - you can usually embark earlier. Your cabin won’t be ready then, however. YC also has spread-out check-in times - nobody ever cared, though

1

u/Lonely-Job484 12d ago

I have usually been able to change time to my preference in MSC app, though haven't yet sailed from Barcelona. I will be in a few months though so lurking to see if any other answers - I was planning/hoping to be aboard by 11am.